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V|fl||liA||«Qjnigiw||l.Jig'  THE  ORDER  BY  THE 

••S*^i|^q^«,^|t.ig,||rrEMBER  25,  1897 

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5HING  COMPANY 


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Copyright,  1897, 
By  lee  CLAFLIN  HASCALL. 


All  rights  reserved. 


SOLD  ONLY  BY  SUgSqmPTION. 


•  •  •    • 

•  •  •  f 

•  •  •• 

••        • 


Norbjooti  3Pma 

J.  S.  Ciuhing  ft  Co.  -  Berwick  A  Smith 
Norwood  Mut.  U.S.  A' 


THE 


OFFICIAL   HISTORY 


OF 


ODD    FELLOWSHIP 


Ci^e  d^ree-'linfe  jfratemitt 


OR 


THE  ANTIQUITIES,  CREATIVE  PERIOD,  AND 

GOLDEN   AGE   OF  FRIENDSHIP, 

LOVE,  AND   TRUTH 


ILLUSTRATED 


WRITTEN  BY  A  BOARD  OF  EDITORS 


Dbclared  the  Official  History  of  the  Order  bt  the  Soyersiqit 

Grakd  Lodge,  September  25,  1897 


BOSTON,  MASS.,  U.S.A, 

THE  FRATERNITY  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

1898 


VA5 
.S85 

183837 


coptright,  1897, 
Bt  lee  CLAFUN  HASCALL. 


AH  righU  reserved. 


SOLD  ONLY  BT  SUBSCRIPTION. 


Kodnooli  9Tnw 

J.  8.  Cuihlng  ft  Co.  —  Berwick  It  Smith 
Norwood  Mais.  U.S.A. 


Sir , 


BOARD  OF  EDITORS. 


EDITOR-IN-CHIEF. 


HENRY  LEONABD  STILLSON,  Past  Grand  Master,  Past  Grand  BepreBdatative 

of  Vermont  I  Bennington. 


ASSOCIATE  EDITORS. 


Fred  Cablxtoit,  Grand  Sire  of  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge,  Austin,  Tex. 

Alvbed  S.  Pikksrton,  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  Worcester, 
Mass. 

J.  Fkahk  Grant,  Grand  Secretary  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Rkv.  John  W.  Vbnablb,  Grand  Chaplain 
of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  Hopkins- 
ville,  Ky. 

Jambs  B.  Nicholson,  Past  Grand  Sire  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  Philadelphia, 
Penn. 

Jakbs  p.  Sandbbs,  Past  Grand  Sire  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  Yonkers,  N.Y. 

Chablbs  M.  Busbbe,  Past  Grand  Sire  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  Raleigh,  N.G. 

Db.  Gl.  T.  Campbell,  Past  Grand  Sire  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  London,  Prov- 
ince of  Ontario,  Canada. 

John  W.  Stbbbinb,  Past  Grand  Sire  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  Rochester,  N.Y. 

John  Mbdolb,  Past  Grand  Master  of  New 
York,  New  York  City. 

Russell  G.  Dtbb,  Past  Ghrand  Master  of 
Maine,  Portland. 


Hbnbt  0.  Hbdobs,  Past  Grand  Master  of 
Ohio,  Mansfield. 

A.  L.  YooBHis,  Past  Grand  Master  of  Kan- 
sas, Topeka. 

Chablbs  N.  Fox,  Past  Grand  Master  of 
California,  San  Francisco. 

Hebman  Block,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
for  Europe,  Finneberg-in-Holstein,  Ger- 
many. 

Gen.  John  Cobson  Smith,  Grand  Scribe  of 
Illinois,  Chicago. 

Gbn.  John  H.  Albin,  Past  Grand  Master  of 
New  Hampshire,  Concord. 

John  M.  Bbodrick,  Past  Grand  Master  of 
Ohio,  Marysville. 

Rev.  Frank  W.  Evans,  Past  Grand  Master 
of  Iowa,  Des  Moines. 

Rev.  Alfbed  J.  Hough,  Poet  Laureate, 
Grand  Lodge  of  Vermont,  White  River  Jc. 

John  C.  Smith,  Grand  Secretary  of  Austral- 
asia, Melbourne,  Victoria. 

William   Rbid,  Grand  Secretary  of  New 
Zealand,  Dunedin. 

Mbs.  Abbib  Lynch,  Past  President,  Re- 
bekah  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  Alle- 
gheny. 


ADDITIONAL  CONTRIBUTORS. 


Alabama. 


B.  P.  Whttmak,  Grand  Secretary,  Hunts- 
vUle. 

E.  L.  Cahall,  Past  Grand  Scribe,  Mobile. 

Arizona. 
N.  A.  MoBFOBD,  Past  Grand  Master,  Phoenix. 

Arkansas. 

J.  B.  Fbibdhbim,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  Camden. 

Mbs.  Juua  A.  Potteb,  Past  Secretary,  Re- 
bekah  Assembly,  Morrillton. 


British  Columbia. 

Fbbdebick  Davet,  Grand  Secretary,  Vic- 
toria. 

J.  B.  Ballanttnb,   Grand  Scribe,   New 
Westminster. 

California. 

Geo.  T.  Ssaw,  Grand  Secretary,  San  Fran- 
cisco. 

William  H.  Babnes,  Grand  Scribe,  San 
'  Francisco. 

Mbs.  Mabt  E.  Donqho,  Secretary,  Rebekah 
Assembly,  San  Francisco. 


ADDITIONAL  CONTRIBUTORS. 


Hon.  Chablks  A.  Sumnbb,  Past  Grand  of 
Templar  Lodge,  No.  17,  San  Francisco. 

Colorado. 

Dr.  J.  M.  NoBMAN,  Grand  Secretary  and 
Grand  Scribe,  Denver. 

Col.  Gbobgb  M.  Huskinb,  Department 
Commander,  Patriarchs  Militant,  Denver. 

Mbs.  Minnib  M.  Pibbson,  President,  Be- 
bekah  Assembly,  Colorado  Springs. 

Connecticut. 

Fbbdbbick  Botsfobd,  Grand  Secretary  and 
Grand  Scribe,  New  Haven. 

JoHir  Blair,  Grand  Master,  1897-98,  Water- 
buiy. 

Mbs.  Hannah  S.  Harybt,  Secretary,  Be- 
bekah  Assembly,  Bridgeport. 

Chablbs  B.  Wars,  President,  **  Fairview" 
Home,  New  London. 

Delaware. 

Edwik  Hibst,  Grand  Scribe,  Wilmington. 

District  of  Columbia. 

William  R.  Hunt,  Grand  Secretary,  Wash- 
ington. 

William  F.  Allan,  Past  Grand  Ifaster, 
Washington. 

John  H.  Sbiffbbt,  Grand  Treasurer,  Wash- 
ington. 

Florida, 

N.  C.  Pbttit,  Grand  Representative,  Waldo. 

E.  O.  Locks,  Past  Grand  Master,  Key  West. 

Thomas  C.  Watson,  Grand  Representative, 
Pensaoola. 

A.  J.  Russbll,  Past  Grand  Master,  first 
President  of  the  National  Odd  Fellows' 
Home  and  Sanitarium,  Gainesville.^ 

W.  H.  Chancy,  Past  Grand  Master,  Talla- 
hassee. 

E.  B.  Van  Dbman,  Past  Grand  Master,  Jack- 
sonville. 

Georgia. 

Jno.  G.  Dritz,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  Macon. 

Idaho. 

A.  K.  Stbunenberg,  Grand  Secretary  and 
Grand  Scribe,  Caldwell. 

Mbs.  Minnie  Pbiest  Dunton,  Secretary, 
Rebekah  Assembly,  Idaho  City. 

Illinois. 

James  R.  Millbb,  Grand  Secretary,  Spring- 
field. 

Db.  Samttbl  Willabd,  Past  Grand  Scribe, 
Chicago. 

Nathaniel  C.  Nason,  Past  Grand  Secretary, 
Shelbyville. 

Mrs.  Lola  L.  Rickabd,  Secretary,  Rebekah 
Assembly,  Olney. 

Mbs.  L.  L.  Morbison,  Saperintendent  and 
Matron  of  Home,  Lincoln. 

Indiana. 

B.  F.  Fobtbb,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  Indianapolis.^ 

^  Deoeaaed. 


Rev.  Thomas  G.  Bbhabbell,  Past  Grand 

Patriarch,  New  Albany. 

Mbs.  Maby  A.  Poths,  President,  Rebekah 
Assembly,  Terre  Haute. 

J.  B.  Kenneb,  President  of  Home,  Hunting- 
ton. 

Indian  Territory. 

C.  W.  Hatvibld,  Grand  Secretary,  Wagoner. 

Iowa. 

William    Musson,  Grand    Secretary   and 
Grand  Scribe,  Des  Moines.' 

Miss  S.  Elizabeth  Matheney,  Secretary, 
Rebekah  Assembly,  Keokuk. 

Kansas. 

G.  W.  Main,  Past  Grand  Secretary,  Topeka. 

Ed.  T.  Rebs,  Grand  Scribe,  Leavenworth. 

Mb8.  Lybia  Shbppabd,  Secretary,  Rebekah 
Assembly,  Wichita. 

Kentucky. 

R.  G.  Elliott,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  Louisville. 

Mbs.  a.  T.  Million,  Secretary,  Rebekah 
Assembly,  Richmond. 

Louisiana. 

F.  Gbiebhabbb,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  New  Orleans. 

Lower  (Maritime)  Profnnces  of  British 
America. 

J.   C.    P.    Frazee,  Grand    Secretary  and 
Past  Grand  Scribe,  Halifax. 

MaiTie. 

Joshua  Davis,  Grand  Secretary,  Portland. 

Miss   Gbace  £.  Walton,   Secretary,  Re- 
bekah Assembly,  Belfast. 

Manitoba. 
R.  H.  Shanks,  Grand  Secretary,  Winnipeg. 

D.  E.  McKiNNON,  Grand  Scribe,  Winnipeg. 

Maryland. 

Jno.  M.  Jones,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  Baltimore. 

Massachusetts. 

John  U.  Perkins,  Grand   Secretary  and 
Grand  Scribe,  Boston. 

J.   B.   Ckawfobd,    Past    Grand    Master, 
Boston. 

Mbs.  Sarah  A.  Barry,  Secretary,  Rebekah 
Assembly,  Charlestown. 

W.  E.  Ford,  President  of  Home,  Worces- 
ter. 

G.  B.  F.  Maxwell,  Past  Grand,  Medford. 
O.  C.  Underwood,  North  Adams. 

Michigan. 

Edwin  H.  Whitney,  Grand  Secretary  and 
Grand  Scribe,  Lansing. 

George   L.   Davis,   Past  Grand   Master, 
Lansing. 

>  Died  October  19, 1896,  uEt.  76. 


ADDITIONAL  CONTRIBUTOBS. 


ICrs.  J.  A.  L.  PRB8TOR,  Past  Secretary,  Be- 
bekah  Assembly,  Elsie. 

Minnesota. 

A.  L.  Bolton,  Grand  Secretary,  St.  Paul. 

8.  E.  Ferrbb,  Grand  Scribe,  Minneapolis. 

Mrs.  Eunice   Mblvillb,    Secretary,    Be- 
bekah  Assembly,  Minneapolis. 

Mississippi. 

Monrob  McGlurg,   Past  Grand   Master, 
Greenwood. 

I.  D.  BLUMENTHAii,  Grand   Scribe,  Holly 
Springs. 

Missouri, 

Rev.  J.  B.  Jewbll,  Past  Grand  Master, 
Springfield. 

E.  M  Sloan,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  St.  Louis. 

LoiLENs  Delikb,  Superintendent,  Odd  Fel- 
lows' Home,  Liberty. 

Montana, 

A.  J.  WiirrB,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  Butte. 

Nebraska. 

L  P.  Gaob,  Grand   Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  Fremont. 

Mrs.  Cora  A.  Bbbls,  President,  Bebekah 
Assembly,  Norfolk. 

Nevada. 

L.    GnooBNHBiM,    Grand    Secretary    and 
Grand  Scribe,  Virginia  City. 

New  Hampshire. 

Ret.  Joseph  Kidder,  Grand  Secretary  and 
Grand  Scribe,  Blanchester. 

New  Jersey. 

Lbwis  Parker,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  Trenton. 

Mrs.  Maky  I.  Pullen,  Secretary,  Bebekah 
Assembly,  Arlington. 

William  H.  Biddle,  Secretary  of  Bidgely 
Home  Association,  Atlantic  City. 

New  York. 

John  G.  Dbubbrt,  Grand    Secretary  and 
Grand  Scribe,  New  York  City. 

Miss  Aones  E.  Booebs,  President,  1897,  Be- 
bekah Assembly,  Newburg. 

Gkorgb  \V.  Dilks,  Grand  Bepresentative, 
New  York  City. 

Frank  E.  Pouch,  President,  Long  Island 
Home,  Brooklyn. 

Harrt  Walker,  Grand  High  Priest,  Vice- 
President,  Long  Island  Home,  Brooklyn. 

Charles    H.    Mosbs,  Home    Association, 
Brooklyn. 

John  C.  Cahoon,  Secretary,  Sherman  Park 
Home,  New  York  City. 

Frank  Machaubr,  Secretary,  German  Odd 
Fellows*  Home,  New  York  City. 

Charlbs  Higkbt,  President,  Odd  Fellows' 
Home,  Lockport. 


North  Carolina, 

B.  H.  Woodbll,  Grand  Secretary,  Baleigh. 

George  L.  Tonnoffski,  Past  Grand  Scribe, 
Raleigh. 

BiCHARD  J.  Jones,  Past  Grand  Master, 
Wilmington. 

North  Dakota. 

Don.  McDonald,  Grand  Secretary,  Qnmd 
Forks. 

Mrs.  Mart  Merriell,  Past  President,  Be- 
bekah Assembly,  Hope. 

Ohio. 

C.  H.  Ltman,  Grand  Messenger  of  the  Sov- 
ereign Grand  Lodge,  Grand  Secretary, 
Columbus. 

F.  C.  Garrbtt,  Grand  Scribe,  Dayton. 

Mrs.  Ehsu.  M.  Bell,  Secretary,  Bebekah 
Assembly,  Columbus. 

Oklahoma, 

J.  M.   Creamer,   Past   Grand   Secretary, 

Oklahoma  City. 

J.  B.  May,  Grand  Secretary,  El  Beno. 

H.  L.  Strough,  Grand  BepresentatiYe, 
Marietta  (Indian  Territory). 

Ontario. 

J.  B.  King,  Grand  Secretary,  Toronto. 

M.  D.  Dawson,  Grand  Scribe,  London. 

Mrs.  Maggie  Waddell,  Secretary,  Be- 
bekah Assembly,  St.  Thomas. 

Oregon. 

A.  G.  Walling,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Port- 
land.i 

E.  E..  Sharon,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Scribe,  Portland. 

Mrs.  Winnie  Graham,  Secretary,  Bebekah 
Assembly,  Boseburg. 

Pennsylvania. 

Christian  X.  Fisher,  Assistant  Grand 
Secretary,  Philadelphia. 

Mrs.  Mary  N.  Joslyn,  Secretary,  Bebekah 
Assembly,  Philadelphia. 

Elias  Johnson,  President,  Odd  Fellows' 
Home  of  Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia. 

George  C.  Thompson,  Secretary,  Orphans' 
Home,  Philadelphia. 

John  A.  Myler,  President,  Home  for 
Widows  and  Orphans,  Ben  Avon. 

William  Pentz,  Secretary,  Odd  Fellows' 
Home,  Meadville. 

Qitebee. 

Thomas  J.  Pottbr,  Grand  Secretary,  Mon- 
treal. 

Rhode  Island. 

William  H.  T.  Moslby,  Grand  Secretary 

and  Grand  Scribe,-  Providence. 
Mrs.  Rebecca  H.  Chacb,  Vice-President, 

Rebekah  Assembly,  Providence. 


^  DeeeMed.    His  contribution  wm  his  last  work. 


>&' 


£•••19  lnvTD  L.  SutDiKi,  P«n  Grand  PktTiucIi, 
"  "*■  Montpeller. 

tB8.  Loc»s  L.  BoTCi,  SecTsUTy,  Betnkkh 

AMembl;,  Barre. 

BMBT  Clakk,  Past  Qraod  Muter,  Rut- 

E.  Watson,  Put  Dlitrict  Deputy  Gniad 
H«st«r,  Bennington. 


I  Wathington. 

\   sF.  A.  Shaw,  Grand  Secretary  and  Qntnd 

Sccfbe,  Walla  WaUa. 

kmtr  Nabh,  Past  Grand  Scribe,  Tacoma. 

M.  Nbllib  M.  Knoff,  Secretary,  Rebekah 

AsMDibly,  SeatUe. 

.  ^  Weil  Virginia. 

^     --     ^     _  -3i*i.ui  A.  BiLLiHOSLBA,  OroDd   BecMtary, 

;2'f?.*^-2»-i--fejI-  A-  Uthmah,  Grand  Scribe,  Wheeling.' 

IgMBB.  Hattik  Ronet,  Secretary,  Bebekab 
■s--'.>-  .^.  ....>-...> -^'   Assembly,  ColUera. 

igniixaj  Jj''CHAEi>  Hob,  Grand  Secretary,  Milwaukee. 
■«>■  ig.  ij^  •^>^^:^3-  O.  HoLMSs,  Grand  Scribe,  Baraboo. 
_   iS?iI*l,*.  .»•.•.   -*Sl«a.  Sarah   E.    Hutchimhon,  Secretary, 
ilLiR>iir"^^£- ■»•<»■■»>-£-  Rebekah  Assembly,  Menomoole, 

"'    "1..H..S..W..a..B-   ^  Wyoming. 

'?ad>£Sib^fi^na(f&->|§3xicie  MiLLBB,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 


'*••*••*••*•• 


.   Scribe,  Laramie. 


■.^^ 


»: 


3: 


Metrication. 


To  THE  Memory  of  the  "  Fathers  **   of  American  Odd   Fellowship, 

who  have  now  gone  to  enjoy  the  full  fruition  of  the  "  Fatherhood 

of  God  and  the  Brotherhood  of  Man/'  the  fundamental  tenet 

of  our  better  lives,  which  sought  recognition  at  their 

hands  in  the  organization  of 

Cf^e  iFnSe^ntlyent  ^rtret  of  d^  JrlUitD8»-*- 

TO  THE  LIVING  BRETHREN 

pledged  to  carry  forward  this  great  work  for 

humanity,  and  hand  it  down  unimpaired 

to  their  successors,  that  the 

THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY 

may  continue  to  bless  mankind, -~ 

tSTijis  Folume  is  H^tticjiU'ti. 


Z.' t* tmwSpA'OT  THt  craud  secRETAftr 


secRETAftr. 

(^Mifjlf     Nov.  23,  1897. 


l#§^S!#fti'l*«?.SiS4ifi»  nUishmg  Company.  Bosm,  M^s. 
*■■•""•"■  "^  "^  M  •• -W.  ••  iS  . «?.  «IS  . «• . 

lpJLn|Ji^-^lljaicM^^09th  your  request  I  hereby  certify  that,  at  the 

l|j^|is^fr<S^'£i§lil>ringfteld.  Illinois.  September  20-25.  1897. 
""jp/Hui&tMfgUfSlT^tee  on  Official  History,  made  the  following 

•     ™  •*■    S  *^  ■^•S"*^S^'2'*§^^''^&''S^  Nl3"  referred  the  request  of  Brother  Lee  C.  Hascall. 

'lb    ■■  -   -  "it  •     '^.aS^P^tiSSita^.^ort  that 

■     wl  •      '^"^''^55!^'^^^*®;'^=  volume  referred  to  us.  entitled  'The  History 

»•  'M'^^w'^^^fi'^J^^y^'"'^  """  "  *"  prepared  by  twenty-four  eminent 

^%rSS'S^'%<^SMl^AStf11aborating  with  one  hundred  and  forty-nine  addi- 

'  ifgk*yVt^^!^C:V^9:S^etary  of  each  Grand  Lodge  under  the  jurisdiction 

••  _  jK^K  JS^mKj^S  ^gfy  Grand  Encampment.  Ihe  Secretaries  and  other 

4  ^^>9KKiltl«lHn&i^g^E>  brothers ,  who  placed  at  Ihe  disposal  of  the  board 

4      ^   '  !^^?'^v^'w^^^9V^^^'"  '■""^^'^  '^°  general  editorship  of  Henry  Leonard 

j^Z^         ^       f        •■  '  ^W^H^K^K^^^E^C*'"''^  °'   '^°  Grand   jurisdiction  of  the  State  of 

5*''l'''9  ^     £     *^^      ^cSe^Si^^^C*^^'^'^  before  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  a  frater- 

^Aii4    *  dB  *    I    *>    A  ^p^^^^^i^f^^wl3^^>  lo  be  the  most  complele  and  authoritative  history 

•,  ^  *    £•  »     *'«  ''^hvS'^W^^^^call  be  granted,  and  that  this  book  be  declared 

*rZ^Z'  *'  *     *     ^  "*"*•  ■2'il^5«"""J'  submitted, 

^^a^psSt-cSCussell,     J.  T.  Hornlbrook.     George  W,  Dllks, 
*^>§t^£«%el,  J.  5.  Hoagland." 

B  m  •      •      a    .♦..♦,,*.'V.''^*.'i>. 

^  ^tiC^^i|^:^C§£^^^:Eaturday,  September  25th. 

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PREFACE. 


The  preparation  of  this  History  of  Odd  Fellowship  has  been  a  work  of  no  small 
magnitude.  Rising  from  obscurity  and  the  humblest  beginnings,  the  founders  of 
the  Order  builded  better  than  they  knew.  Little  did  they  think  as  they  mingled 
with  men,  fulfilling  their  mission  of  love,  that  their  deeds  were  to  be  known 
to  later  generations,  and  that  their  history  was  to  become  a  part  of  the  history 
of  the  country. 

Having  in  view  only  the  relief  of  immediate  want  and  distress,  and  the  dissemi- 
nation among  themselves  of  those  principles  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth, 
which  knitted  heart  closer  to  heart ;  moving  themselves  in  the  humbler  walks  of 
life,  it  is  not  surprising  that  they  should  have  given  less  heed  to  placing  on  record 
the  daily  history  which  they  themselves  were  creating,  than  to  the  daily  aud  hourly 
exemplification  of  the  principles  of  their  beloved  Order. 

Commendable  in  them  as  this  may  seem,  it  renders  the  task  of  the  historian 
doubly  arduous.  The  casual  reader  might  infer  that  the  materials  for  the  history 
of  a  society  which  has  just  celebrated  its  seventy-eighth  anniversary  would  be  easy 
to  acquire ;  but  the  truth  is  that,  owing  to  the  meagre  records  kept  in  early  years 
even  in  this  country,  many  items  of  interest  have  now  passed  beyond  recall ;  the 
greater  part  of  those  that  remain  must  be  preserved  in  tangible  form,  or  they, 
too,  will  pass  into  oblivion.  The  necessity,  then,  for  a  volume  like  the  present  is 
obvious. 

With  a  view  of  enlarging  its  usefulness,  adding  to  its  interest,  and,  indeed,  ren- 
dering it  invaluable  to  those  who  cherish  a  love  for  Odd  Fellowship  and  the  noble 
principles  for  which  it  stands,  the  publishers  decided  to  widen  the  original  scope 
of  the  work,  and  to  summon  to  their  aid  the  best  talent  available  in  the  Order. 

A  glance  at  the  list  of  Editors  and  Additional  Contributors  will  show  how 
faithfully  this  plan  has  been  consummated.  The  completed  volume  gives  a  care- 
ful and  comprehensive  history  of  the  origin,  laws,  customs,  traditions,  and  acts  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  To  secure  this  result  meant  not  only 
profound  research,  but  numberless  interviews  and  correspondence  with  those 
whose  varied  experience,  personally,  in  the  Order,  and  intimate  acquaintance  with 
those  of  earlier  knowledge,  enabled  them  to  trace  events  of  rare  interest  in  one 
continuous  chain.  The  most  brilliant  and  scholarly  writers  which  the  Order 
possessed  were  secured,  and  no  labor,  effort,  or  money  has  been  spared  to  produce 
a  perfect  book* 

To  add  to  its  value  a  large  number  of  engravings  have  been  made  at  great  cost. 
Many  of  these  were  drawn  expressly  for  this  volume  by  the  finest  artists  in  the 
country.  Others  are  the  reproductions  of  historic  scenes,  and  of  interesting  places 
dear  to  the  heart  of  every  true  Odd  Fellow;  while  still  others  are  emblematic 
representations  of  rare  beauty  and  suggestiveness. 

9 


10  PREFACE. 

With  sach  an  extensive  and  varied  body  of  contributors,  covering  all  the  juris- 
dictions, and  including  the  finest  minds  in  the  Order,  it  was  natural  that  the 
Editor-in-Chief  should  be  confronted  with  an  embarrassment  of  riches.  If  all  the 
matter  contributed  had  been  used,  the  result  would  have  been  a  work  of  several 
volumes.  It  was  by  the  most  rigid  censorship  and  the  most  painstaking  care  that 
the  work  could  be  kept  within  the  compass  of  a  single  volume. 

It  was  the  desire  of  the  publishers  to  present  only  the  cream  of  history,  and  the 
editors  have  collaborated  with  that  end  in  view.  The  result  is  here  presented  in  a 
single  octavo  volume  of  nine  hundred  pages,  superbly  printed,  elegantly  illustrated, 
and  richly  bound,  —  a  model  of  what  can  be  accomplished  when  a  refined  taste  is 
combined  with  a  lavish  expenditure  of  money. 

It  is  no  disparagement  to  other  fraternal  orders  to  assert  that  the  history  of 
Odd  Fellowship  is  fraught  with  more  elements  of  popular  interest  than  that  of  any 
contemporaneous  order.  Others  may  be  more  ancient ;  but,  when  the  origin  of 
Odd  Fellowship  is  reviewed,  from  its  early  struggles  for  recognition,  —  through 
poverty  and  bigoted  opposition  in  its  contest  for  the  higher  destiny  of  the  race,  — 
to  the  time  of  the  final  triumph  of  its  glorious  principles  among  men,  these  events 
possess  a  picturesqueness  and  vividness  of  interest  at  once  fascinating  and  endur- 
ingly  instructive. 

A  careful  reading  of  the  Autographic  Introduction  and  of  the  Eulogium  will 
convince  any  one  that,  whatever  else  may  be  said  of  the  various  subjects  presented, 
their  treatment  here  is  authoritative. 

The  choice  of  editors  and  contributors  was  not  a  selection  at  haphazard.  It 
was  after  a  long  and  patient  consideration,  with  the  approval  of  the  Grand  Sire, 
and  frank  suggestions  from  the  most  experienced  and  valuable  members  of  the 
Order  throughout  the  world  of  Odd  Fellowship,  that  the  decision  was  made. 
Their  official  position,  intelligence,  ability,  scholarly  attainments,  and  standing 
before  the  country  and  the  world  were  among  the  elements  which  determined 
their  preference. 

Facts  and  incidents  are  given  never  before  published,  revealing  the  motives 
which  actuated  the  men  and  moulded  the  legislation  of  former  days.  The  steps 
that  led  to  the  adoption  of  the  various  distinguishing  features  in  the  Order,  are 
traced  with  thoroughness ;  and,  while  the  conclusions  may  not  always  be  accepted, 
and  may  provoke  discussion,  the  writers  are  amply  able  to  defend  them. 

So  comprehensive  is  the  plan  of  the  whole  book,  and  so  thoroughly  has  the 
work  been  accomplished,  that  it  is  doubtful  if  any  similar  history  will  be  attempted 
during  this  generation.  The  possessor  of  this  volume  has  at  his  command  the  best 
thoughts  of  the  best  writers  in  the  Order,  and  a  mass  of  facts  brilliantly  related 
and  of  absorbing  interest. 

During  the  two  years  of  its  preparation  the  material  has  been  carefully  sifted, 
and  every  error,  so  far  as  known,  eliminated. 

The  publishers  confidently  present  it  to  the  vast  army  of  Odd  Fellows  not  only 
as  a  monument  of  conscientious  scholarship,  but  as  a  treasury  of  the  best  thoughts, 
the  wisest  acts,  and  the  highest  aspirations  of  the  Order.  They  feel,  also,  that  they 
may  claim,  with  due  modesty,  to  have  presented  a  book  which,  for  .superb  typog- 
raphy, wealth  of  illustration,  and  elegance  of  binding,  has  rarely  been  equalled. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


INTRODUCTION. 

PAOK 
AUTOCOtAPHICi  BY  PAST  GBAND  SiSB  SaNDERS 19 

PART  I. 

An  iNQUntT  INTO  THB  " Bbginnings  of  Things"  (Introdactory  to  the  Perfected 
Organizations  of  Later  Times) .    Complete  in  one  Division 26 

DIVISION  I. 

Thb  Parallels  of  Antiquity. 

The  Ancient  Mysteries  considered  in  Relation  to  the  Origin  and  Customs  of  Modem 
Civic-Societies ;  the  Original  Habitat  of  the  Race ;  Impressions  traced  in  the  Folk- 
lore of  Peoples  and  Countries ;  the  Early  Associations  in  Britain  and  in  Continental 
Europe ;  Social  and  Craft  Guilds ;  Clubs  and  Lodges  of  Odd  Fellows.  Complete  in 
three  chapters 25 


PART  II. 
Thb  Obioin,  thb  Cbbatiye  Pbbiod,  and  thb  Ooldbn  Agb  of  Odd  Fbllowship, 

CONSIDBBBD  IN  RbGARD  TO  THB    GOYBBNINQ   BODIBS  OF  THB    ObDBB.     Complete 

in  one  Division 43 

DIVISION  n. 

Thb  Sovbreign  Grand  Lodob. 

The  Beginning  and  Growth  of  the  Independent  Order,  on  Both  Sides  of  the  Atlantic 
Ocean ;  and  of  the  American  Order,  now  represented  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 
belting  the  Globe.    Complete  in  four  sections  (with  an  Introduction) 43 

I.  The  Manchester  Unity  during  its  Connection  with  the  American  Order.    Complete 

in  four  chapters 45 

n.  History  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge :  the  Formative  Periods.    Complete  in  four 

chapters 66 

HI.  History  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  (continued) :  the  Golden  Age  of  Odd  Fel- 
lowship.   Complete  in  eight  chapters 103 

IV.  The  Story  of  '65,  or  the  History  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  (now  the 

Sovereign  Grand  Lodge) ,  during  the  War.    Complete  in  six  chapters 180 

11 


12  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PART   III. 

PAOB 

The  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United  States  of  Ahbbica  (ik  Three  Meridians), 
AND  Other  Countries,  considered  in  Relation  to  the  Golden  Aoe  of  Odd 
Fellowship.    Complete  in  seyen  Diyisions 211 

DIVISION  m. 
First  Meridian. 

I.  The  Pioneer  Lodges:  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Maryland,  New  York,  Massachusetts, 

and  Pennsylvania.    Complete  in  four  chapters  (with  an  Introduction) 213 

n.  The  Grand  Lodges  of  New  England :  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  Rhode  Island, 
Connecticut  (excepting  Massachusetts) ;  the  Grand  Jurisdictions  of  the  South 
Atlantic  Slope:  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  Former  Virginia  and  Present  Virginia, 
West  Virginia,  District  of  Columbia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Georgia, 
and  Florida  (excepting  Maryland  and  Pennsylyania).    Complete  in  two  chapters.  294 

DIVISION  IV. 
Second  Meridian. 

I.  The  Eastern  Mississippi  Valley  and  the  Great  Lakes:  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Ohio, 
Indiana,  Michigan,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Alabama,  Missis- 
sippi, and  Louisiana.    Complete  in  one  chapter 332 

II.  The  Western  Mississippi  Valley:  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Missouri,  Texas,  Arkansas, 
Iowa,  Minnesota,  Nebraska,  Kansas,  Dakota  and  South  Dakota,  North  Dakota, 
Indian  Territory,  and  Oklahoma.    Complete  in  one  chapter 354 

DIVISION  V. 

Third  Meridian. 

The  Pacific  Coast  and  Rocky  Mountains,  from  British  Columbia  to  Mexico :  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  California,  Oregon,  Colorado,  Nevada,  Idaho,  Washington,  Montana,  Wyo- 
ming, Utah,' Arizona,  New  Mexico  (including  Alaska).  Complete  in  one  chapter 
Cwith  an  Historical  Introduction) 379 

DIVISION  VI. 

British  North  America. 

Introduction  of  American  Odd  Fellowship  into  the  British  Possessions  of  North  Amer- 
ica ;  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada ;  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America ;  the 
Grand  Lodges  in  Ontario,  the  Maritime  Provinces  (including  Lodges  in  Newfound- 
land), Quebec,  Manitoba,  British  Columbia,  and  Lodges  in  the  Northwest  Territories 
of  Canada ;  together  with  a  Discussion  of  the  Principles  underlying  the  Independent 
Sovereignties  created  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge ;  the  Change  in  Name  of  the 
Supreme  Legislature  of  the  Order;  the  Encampment,  Patriarchs  Militant,  and 
Bebekah  Branches  in  the  Dominion  of  Canada.    Complete  in  seven  chapters 419 

DIVISION  vn. 

Odd  Fellowship  in  Europe. 

Introduction  of  the  American  Order  into  Ck)ntinental  Europe ;  Diplomatic  Negotiations; 
the  Quasi-Independent  Sovereignties;  Compact  of  1884;  the  Order  in  the  German 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  13 

PAGE 

Empire,  with  its  District  Grand  Lodges  of  Silesia-Posen,  Brandenburg,  Schleswig- 
Holstein-Hamborg,  Hannover,  and  Wiirtemberg ;  the  Ritual  and  Customs  peculiar  to 
Europe;  Festival  Lodges;  Odd  Fellows'  Day;  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Switzerland, 
Denmark,  and  Sweden ;  Kingdom  of  the  Netherlands ;  the  Order  in  France  and 
Italy ;  Promise  of  Other  Countries.    Complete  in  eight  chapters 476 

DIVISION  vra. 

Grand  Lodgbs  of  the  Southbbm  Sun. 

Introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship  into  the  Island  Continent ;  the  Chain  of  Succession ;  First 
Grand  Lodges  of  the  Ancient  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows ;  Affiliation  with  the 
American  Order ;  the  Independent  Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia,  with  its  Chartered 
Grand  Lodges  of  Victoria,  New  Zealand,  South  Australia,  New  South  Wales,  and 
Tasmania;  together  with  a  Special  Sketch  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  New  Zealand. 
Complete  in  two  chapters 514 

DIVISION  IX. 

Islands  of  thb  Sba,  and  Othbr  Countbibs. 

Odd  Fellowship  In  the  West  Indies,  South  America,  Hawaiian  Islands,  Japan,  Mexico, 
and  Other  Countries ;  Subordinate  Lodges  under  the  Immediate  Jurisdiction  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge;  Environment  militating  against  the  Spread  of  the  Order 
among  Peoples  of  Mixed  Blood.    Complete  in  one  chapter 533 


PART  IV. 

The  Hioheb  Bbanches  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  Patbiarghal  Order,  the  Uni- 
FORHBD  Degree  and  Patriarchs  Militant,  and  the  Degree  of  Rebbkah. 
Complete  in  three  Divisions 543 

DIVISION  X. 

The  Encampment  Branch. 

The  Evolution  of  Odd  Fellowship ;  the  Encampment  Ritual,  Sequence  of  the  Degrees, 
and  the  Traditions  of  the  Work ;  Historical  R^um€  of  the  "  Mergement  Efforts  " ; 
the  Organization  of  Subordinate  and  Grand  Encampments  by  Jurisdictions ;  Subor- 
dinate Encampments  under  the  Immediate  Jurisdiction  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge ;  and  of  the  Quasi-Independent  Grand  Lodges.    Complete  in  two  sections. . . .  543 

I.  Origin  of  the  Encampment  Degrees ;  Reputed  and  Probable  Authors ;  the  Lessons 
taught ;  the  Evolution  of  the  Ritual  and  Subsequent  Revisions ;  Organization  of 
Subordinate  and  Grand  Encampments ;  Representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  (now  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge) ;  "  Mergement  **  Movement  v. 
Chartered  and  Vested  Rights ;  Pennsylvania's  Unanswerable  Protest ;  the  Present 
Order  of  the  Degrees  of  Odd  Fellowship  considered.  Complete  in  two  chapters.  546 
n.  The  Patriarchal  Order  in  Alabama,  Alberta,  Arizona,  Arkansas,  British  Columbia, 
Califomia,  Colorado,  Connecticut,  Delaware,  District  of  Columbia,  England, 
Florida,  Georgia,  German  Empire,  Idaho,  Illinois,  Indian  Territory,  Indiana, 
Iowa,  Kansas,  Kentucky,  Louisiana,  Maine,  Manitoba,  Maritime  Provinces,  Mary- 


14  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

PAOI 

land,  MassachiuettSi  Mexico,  Miohi^n,  Minnesota,  MissiBsippi,  Missouri,  Montana, 
Nebraska,  Nevada,  New  Hampshire,  New  Jersey,  New  Mexico,  New  York,  North 
Carolina,  North  Dakota,  Ohio,  Oklahoma,  Oregon  (Province  of  Canada,  inclad- 
ing  Ontario  I.,  Quebec,  and  Lower  [or  Biaritime]  Provinces  of  British  North  Amer- 
ica), Ontario  n.,  Pennsylvania,  Quebec,  Bhode  Island,  Sandwich  Islands,  South 
Carolina,  South  Dakota,  Sweden,  Switzerland,  Tennessee,  Texas,  Utah,  Vermont, 
Virginia,  Washington,  West  Virginia,  Wisconsin,  and  Wyoming.  Complete  in 
one  chapter  (with  an  Apostrophe  to  Truth) 571 

DIVISION  XI. 

ThB  MiLlTART  AbM. 

Rise  of  the  Display  Element  in  Odd  Fellowship;  Funeral  Regalia  and  Public  Proces- 
sions; Uniformed  Encampments  and  Street  Uniforms;  Military  Organization  de- 
manded, and  Efforts  made  to  secure  it ;  Uniformed  Degree  Camps  established ;  the 
Patriarchs  Militant ;  History  of  the  Degree  and  Legislation ;  Decorations  of  Chivalry ; 
Grand  Procession  in  Boston;  Codes  of  1893-96;  Personal  Comments.  Complete  in 
two  chapters 667 

DIVISION  xn. 

*  Thb  Rbbbkah  Dbobbb. 

Ancient  Secret  Societies ;  Woman's  Relation  to  the  Race ;  Woman's  Capacity  for  the 
Work  of  the  Order ;  the  Influence  of  Woman  on  the  Members  of  Subordinate  Lodges ; 
the  Origin  of  the  Degree ;  Constructive  Legislation,  amid  Much  Opposition  and  Dis- 
couragement; Rebekah  Associations;  Rebekah  Lodges  created;  Enlarged  Powers 
and  Enlarged  Membership;  Improved  Ritual,  and  **  Independent  Branch"  ;  Rebekah 
State  Assemblies ;  the  National  Conventions ;  Perfected  Government,  and  Universal 
Sign ;  the  "  Beautified  Form,"  originating  in  Various  Ways,  and  spreading  from  State 
to  State,  from  East  to  West  and  North  to  South,  like  Waves  on  the  Sea  of  Prog^ss. 
Complete  in  two  chapters  (with  an  Historical  Introduction) 707 


PART  V. 

Thb  Ritual  ov  Odd  Fbllowbhip,  Biogbapht  of  Mbmbbbs  of  PRsttKiNBirr  Rank, 
Jcrispbudbncb  of  thb  Obdbr,  and  thb  Litb&atukb  of  thb  Thrbb-Ldtk  Fba- 
TBRNXTT.    Complete  in  three  Divisions 737 

DIVISION  xm. 

RrrUAI.,  AND  BlOOBAPHT. 

The  First  Ritual  and  its  Subsequent  Enlargement  by  Additional  Degrees ;  Chronological 
Order  of  Qrowth,  and  the  American  Revisions  of  the  Ceremonies  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
together  with  the  Historical  Events  demanding  these  Changes ;  the  American  Ritual 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  its  Translation  into  Other  languages ; 
Biography  of  some  of  the  Brothers  whose  Characters  seem  to  have  been  indelibly 
stamped  on  Odd  Fellowship.    Complete  in  two  sections 737 

I  An  Early  Lodge-Room  and  its  Accompanying  "  Work  " ;  Description  of  a  **  Making," 
and  Lodge  Customs ;  an  Examination  of  the  possible  Origin  and  Evolution  of  the 
Degrees  of  Odd  Fellowship ;  Legal  Status,  and  the  Governing  Power  of  Environ- 
ment ;  American  Degrees  and  Subsequent  Revisions ;  the  American  and  Foreign 
Rituids.    Complete  in  three  chapters 738 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  15 

PAQB 

n.  Thomas  Wildey,  "  Father  "  and  Founder  of  American  Odd  Fellowship ;  John  Paw- 
son  Entwisle,  Scholarly  Creator  of  Degrees  and  Form  of  Goyernment ;  James  L. 
Ridgely,  Master-Bailder  of  Odd  Fellowship  as  now  known ;  James  B.  Nicholson, 
Orator  Preeminent  of  the  Order  and  its  Statesman;  Isaac  McKendree  Yeitch, 
Conciliator  of  the  Brotherhood  at  the  Close  of  the  Ciyil  War ;  James  P.  Sanders, 
Defender  of  Law  and  Order,  and  Cerberus  of  the  Treasury;  Luther  J.  Glenn, 
Lawmaker  apd  Typical  Odd  Fellow;  Schuyler  Colfax,  Author  of  the  Degree  of 
Rebekah  uniting  Women  in  the  Bonds  of  an  Universal  Sisterhood.  Complete  in 
three  chapters  (with  an  Introduction  and  '*  Supplemental  Biography  **) 761 

DIVISION  XIV. 

The  Jubisprudbncb  of  Odd  Fbllowbhif. 

The  Nature  and  Scope  of  Jurisprudence,  and  the  Basis  upon  which  it  should  rest ;  Defini- 
tion as  applied  to  the  Order ;  wherein  the  Jurisprudence  of  Odd  Fellowship  differs 
from  that  of  Gtovemments,  and  of  most  Voluntary  Organizations ;  the  Manchester 
Unity,  and  its  Government  as  developed,  together  with  its  Experience  in  Britain's 
Courts ;  American  Odd  Fellowship,  Formation  into  Grand  Lodges  and  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States ;  the  Golden  Age  of  the  American  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  with  its  Comprehensive  and  Preeminent  System  of  Jurisprudence ;  Expan- 
sive and  Flexible  within  Certain  Lines,  Unyielding  and  Inflexible  in  Essentials; 
Spread  of  the  American  Order  in  Forei^  Lands  ^  the  System  of  Jurisprudence, 
as  developed  for  the  Correction  of  Errors  and  Bedress  of  Wrongs ;  Change  of  Name 
to  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.     Complete  in  seven  chapters 786 

DIVISION  XV. 

The  Lztbbaturb  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

* 
The  Best  Monument  to  Nature's  True  Nobleman ;  the  Cultus  of  bearing  the  Com  and 

Wine  of  Blessing ;  the  Fraternity  taught  is  not  Antagonistic  to  the  Christian  Church ; 
Testimony  of  the  "  Fathers  "  as  to  what  Odd  Fellowship  is ;  the  Press  in  Evidence ; 
Belief  in  God ;  the  Crown  of  the  "  Three  Graces  " ;  the  Various  Authorities  as  to  the 
Origin  of  the  Order ;  Results  of  Seventy-five  Years'  Labor ;  Impregnable  in  its  Posi- 
tion on  the  Question  of  Temperance ;  the  **  Saloon  Amendment  " ;  the  Order's  E^r- 
nal  Duration  predicted ;  Odd  Fellowship,  its  Tenets,  its  Virtues,  its  Benefactions ;  the 
Growth  of  the  Order  its  Best  Eulogium ;  the  Future  we  face  with  Courage  and  Con- 
fidence ;  a  Symposium  of  the  Best  Thought  of  the  most  Gift«d  Odd  Fellows.  Com- 
plete in  four  chapters 813 


PART  VI. 

HOMBS   ESTABLISHBD   IN   THB  VARIOUS  GrAND   JURISDICTIONS,  AND  THB  EULOOIUH 

OF  THB  Golden  Agb  of  Odd  Fellowship.    Complete  in  two  Divisions 847 

DIVISION  XVX. 

Organized  Beneficence. 

The  Distinguishing  Characteristic  of  the  Order  (the  Payment  of  Substantial  Weekly  and 
Funeral  Benefits),  crystallized  and  supplemented  in  the  Organized  Beneficence  of 
Homes,  maintained  by  Grand  Lodges  and  Rebekah  State  Assemblies ;  the  proposed 
Foundation  of  Similar  Institutions  throughout  the  World  of  Odd  Fellowship.  Com- 
plete in  one  chapter 847 


!rSsi^f''S''&-S;S-i "" 

0^  ^W%lttKMNa^fi?aH^SF''B^  li>^  ■■  l>7  manr  feet,  thu  led  to  a 
'-''i1^%'HlSI^"'''"0^'^'U^'ttot  dtukneuuid  denthi  batuilDflnlte 
I  g&gB  B^^S*  iS*55T  W.  ^'^M  8  frr^'  ^""^  "*  ^^knou,  ami  lit  reHectlon 
aaWS'tBiJMMarOlBrca'he  infinite  Love  o(  Qod,  (ot  the  portal 

fl>G9^ttk?lilfM'SnSA>|Dinpletein8iichapten 851 

a.WjtWjifclgl'WilggBiBtliWfaolden  Ageof  (be  Order.    Completeln 

N-titiiii 

-*■»  -s. .?« -ffl.  -a.  -«•  -«•  -«.  .*.  :isv  ^ 

-j^.- .  jj.-  -j^  -3;^.  .y.  -s^.  -s^.  -♦-  -^  :f :  ^: 

-ft .»,  .ft.  .ft.  -♦.  .ft.  iSSiS'iSr*'  ^""■" 

t^<4^0l^h|^<iffi^ii^2^w||idk||tw||ii^  Bodies ;  Including  In  the  Totals  Foreign 
-  ";^?^'fe«B''^*4l"?f"*W*«*^H'""  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.    Complete 
-*-«^S^¥lP«i8»'H«fl5C^^^^. 886 

^^g^ng.  .g.  .g.  .g.  .g.  .g.  .g.  .g. 


iii'Sltir 


LIST  OP  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


opposm 

PAOB 

Odd  Fellowship  illustratbd  :  **  We  command  yoa  to  yisit  the  sick ;  Believe  the 

distressed." {Frontispiece)  1 

Thomas  Wildst,  Founder  of  American  Odd  Fellowship 754 

Tis  MiDNiOHT's  Holt  Hour,  and  Silbnce  bboods  o'br  all  the  Eabth 162 

The  Covenant  between  Jonathan  and  Davh)  :  I.  Samuel,  zx.,  19-23 25 

In  the  Pbesbnce  of  the  Kino 218 

Danger  attends  the  Traveller,  amh)  the  Judean  Mountains 492 

The  Good  Samaritan  :  St.  Luke,  x.,  25-37 536 

The  True  Odd  Fellow  is  an  Expounder  of  Truth 122 

hospitalitt  to  the  stranger 546 

The  Trial  of  Abraham's  Faith 58 

"  The  Brotherhood  of  Man  " 514 

Ljfe's  rough  and  Dang'rons  way  is  trod. 
Death's  narrow  Bridge  is  nohly  won, 
The  bright  Pavilion  of  our  Grod 

Gleams  in  the  distant  horizon !  {Adapted)  396 

The  Oak  of  Abraham 694 

Rebbkah  at  the  Well 714 

First  American  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  Market  Square,  Boston,  Massachusetts 274 

Birthplace  of  American  Odd  Fellowship  :    The   *'  Seven  Stars,"  Baltimore, 

Maryland,  1819 212 

Odd  Fellows'  Temple,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania :  Comer-stone  laid  July  18, 1893 ; 

Dedicated  May  21, 1895 292 

Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  Lodge  No.  1,  Jacksonville,  Florida 330 

Odd  Fellows'  Temple,  Cincinnati,  Ohio 332 

Odd  Fellows'  Temple,  San  Francisco,  California 388 

Odd  Fellows'  Temple,  St.  Louis,  Missouri 356 

Hall  of  Gap  Creek  Lodge,  No.  72,  Carter  County,  Tennessee 346 

Charter  from  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  Preston 216 

"Charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  confirming  the  one 

granted  hy  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  Preston."  —  Wildey^s  request 74 

17 


•&m 


'HiSi5.*fi*'a''5*E^ii^^* '* 

iHi^^SCA&jH  S *«Jl^r:fi9;«T B! 

"tut SikyWrsmTSm  n  W'^' 

«<f«1'»|gf«l|IWtlli5»»«»'''™o'Ea'ly  Charter* X 

iSltttI  JB  n  ^liUQuMINoRTH  America  {TItM  of  the  Quasi- 

fS7fS^SI9kflv7i|r^, a 

iRgflg^WUllJi^ajP^MLAirD  Lodqk  or  tbb  Unitbd  States 
BO  .%?.-'A'.9..'A'.?-.9r 103  arul  IC 

■^I^BgME  CJBgq  jg  ^^^Bf  f"  Statm  :  "  SeMioQ  o[ 'Sixty-flve."    2( 
"STVIiA^^^^flli^MBiotedSepUmberao,  186fi 2C 

I '* 

I « 

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miMMM'^'!?, " 

"!'#^«w?:3ys&'wi'K' « 

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^. ^.  ..  ^.  jva> 


V^^eeft'VMW>\ 


^ViJfeiWJvO. 


A/iv  9\tVlodUickUvo  lb  W\j!!  HuUvAf  dLGdUL^cI^uHJU^ 


Ucm»c  %>-U/CjL^C4»A,tAV  \\ou>  o  dA^M>  Vb  potf  •  ^Uix)ir  ^  Vqut 

tbJ^<im0|  Tor  )  dtO  |C^/n4^\lOMa#.%VO  ^OiJofV  c6;^'«V|.0  ^tWOA^ 


tV\u>X^  I  %^»<V^  Otf 


YnMt/€^  MM)tub 


\XY\Ali 


OcrvMiv%vwt^%W  I  Cu^  uxlt  Oa  Vo  OUiu  c;f  COAvt^  cjd^^v,  R^v^  Cur. 


19 


20  INTBODUC  ION, 


*  *      • 

'  *  *     '  *       -^ 


INTRODUCTION.  21 


OftK. 


t4A>UVC 


Gu%HA«f  V^ft^AiW ^plovrJr.  I.O^'^tcVo  <i3^%dU^  Voa\<,  < OOrV.  CXm  cL  cIu*»m^ 

* 


22  INTRODUCTION. 


t 


AN  APPRECIATIVE  ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 

In  the  preparation  of  "  The  History  of  Odd  Fellowship,  The  Three- 
Link  Fraternity,"  inclusive,  also,  of  "The  Literature  of  the  Order,''  there 
have  been  at  hand  for  the  use  of  the  Editor-in-chief  and  his  collaborators, 
not  only  the  means  generally  accessible,  but  many  specially  prepared 
manuscripts,  invaluable  files  of  papers,  and  complete  sets  of  the  Proceed- 
ings of  Grand  bodies  not  heretofore  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  historians 
of  the  Order.  From  these  sources  much  fresh  matter  has  been  available, 
many  events  of  doubt  have  been  settled,  and  this  magnificent  work,  — 
speaking  of  it  in  its  entirety,  —  has  been  made  possible. 

This  experience  is  unusual ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  credit  given  by 
the  editors  in  various  places  throughout  the  volume,  it  has  been  thought 
best  to  designate  a  few  of  the  more  valuable  preparatory  phases  that  have 
marked  the  progress  of  the  enterprise. 

On  the  14th  of  May,  1895,  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Vermont,  fol- 
lowed the  next  day  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  that  state,  passed  formal 
resolutions  indorsing  the  plan  of  this  history  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and 
commended  the  Editor-in-chief  to  be  "Worthy  the  confidence  of  all  with 
whom  he  may  become  associated,  and  to  the  fraternity  at  large '';... 
"and  whose  past  labors,  in  the  field  of  Odd  Fellowship,  have  been  a  credit 
to  himself,  and  an  honor  to  our  jurisdiction." 

On  the  8th  of  August,  1895,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  passed 
the  following :  — 

"  BMolvedf  That  H.  L.  StUlson,  Past  Qrand  Master,  of  Vermont,  who  is  now  writing  a 
history  of  Odd  FeUowship,  be  allowed  the  use -of  the  manuscript  history  of  the  Order  in 
Massachusetts,  prepared  for  this  Grand  Lodge  by  William  Ellison,  Past  Grand  Sire,  and 
that  the  Grand  Secretary  be  authorized  to  exercise  his  discretion  as  to  the  manner  in  which 
such  use  shaU  be  made." 

The  action  taken  by  the  Order  in  Vermont  and  Massachusetts  was  the 
more  appreciated  because  it  emanated  from  the  states  in  which  the  chief 
promoters,  —  as  historian  and  publisher,  —  have  long  been  "  at  home  "  in 
Odd  Fellowship.  In  addition  to  the  material  thus  placed  at  our  disposal, 
Past  Grand  Master  J.  B.  Crawford,  who  introduced  the  Massachusetts 
resolution,  made  valuable  additions  to  the  datOy  from  his  private  collec- 
tion and  library. 

On  the  12th  of  August,  1896,  Grand  Master  Thomas  Woodyatt  reported 

to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ontario,  that  he  had,  during  the  recess,  granted 

Past  Grand  Sire  Campbell  permission  to  make  use  of  certain  portions  of 

the  r&umd  of  history  "  which  he  had  prepared  for  the  Grand  Lodge  in 

1879,"  and  the  act  of  the  Grand  Master  was  unanimously  approved. 

During  the  years  1895-96,  twenty-five  brothers,  and  eight  sisters  of 

23 


24  THE  TBBEE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Eebekah^  prepared  for  us  quite  extensive  inanuscript  narratives  of  their 
respective  jurisdictions.  Nearly  all  of  these  are  of  a  nature  to  render  them 
worthy  of  publication  as  local  histories,  and  two  or  three  have  already 
been  printed.  Without  the  labors  and  researches  of  these  loyal  and  gifted 
members,  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  have  published  some  parts  of 
this  work,  in  its  present  form.  The  Order  at  large  owes  to  each  a  debt  of 
gratitude,  and  the  following  is  the  roll  of  honor :  — 

N.  A.  Morford,  Grand  Representative  of  Arizona ;  William  H.  Barnes,  Grand  Scribe  of 
California;  Frederick  Botsford,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Scribe  of  Connecticut;  William 
P.  Allan,  Past  Grand  Master,  and  John  H.  Sei£fert,  Grand  Treasurer,  Grand  Encampment,  of 
the  District  of  Columbia;  Grand  Representative  N.  C.  Pettit,  and  his  assistants,  Grand  Rep- 
resentative Thomas  C.  Watson,  and  Past  Grand  Masters  B.  O.  Locke,  W.  H.  Chancy,  E.  B. 
Van  Deman,  of  Florida;  A.  K.  Steunenberg,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Scribe  of  Idaho; 
Doctor  Samuel  Willard,  Past  Grand  Scribe,  and  Nathaniel  C.  Nason,  Past  Grand  Secretary, 
of  Illinois ;  William  Musson,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Scribe  of  Iowa ;  R.  G.  Elliott,  Grand 
Secretary  and  Grand  Scribe  of  Kentucky ;  A.  L.  Bolton,  Grand  Secretary  of  Minnesota ;  Mon- 
roe McClurg,  Grand  Representative,  and  I.  D.  Blumenthal,  Grand  Scribe,  of  Mississippi ; 
the  Reverend  J.  B.  Jewell,  Past  Grand  Master  of  Missouri ;  A.  J.  White,  Grand  Secretary 
and  Grand  Scribe  of  Montana;  B.  H.  Woodell,  Grand  Secretary  of  North  Carolina;  Don. 
McDonald,  Grand  Secretary  of  North  Dakota;  the  late  A.  G.  Walling,  Deputy  Grand  Master 
of  Oregon ;  Doctor  J.  R.  Harwell,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Scribe  of  Tennessee ;  Thomas 
V.  Tumey,  Grand  Master,  also,  Grand  Scribe  of  Virginia ;  L.  O.  Holmes,  Grand  Scribe,  and 
Richard  Ho<),  Grand  Secretary,  of  Wisconsin ;  Harry  Nash,  Past  Grand  Scribe  of  Washington. 

Officers  of  Rebekah  State  Assemblies:  Miss  Agnes  £.  Rogers,  Vice-President,  New 
York ;  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Barry,  Secretary,  Massachusetts ;  Miss  Grace  £.  Walton,  Secretary, 
Maine ;  Mrs.  Rebecca  H.  Chace,  Secretary,  Rhode  Island ;  Mrs.  Minnie  Priest  Dunton,  Secre. 
tary,  Idaho ;  Mrs.  Cora  A.  Reels,  President,  Nebraska ;  Mrs.  Sarah  £.  Hutchinson,  Secretary, 
Wisconsin ;  Mrs.  Maggie  Waddell,  Secretary,  Ontario. 

In  this  connection  credit  is  due  to  Grand  Secretary  Grant  and  Past 
Grand  Secretary  Ross,  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  for  their  prompt 
response  to  many  calls  made  upon  their  time  and  patience. 

To  all  these  and  many  others,  equally  eminent  in  the  Order,  our 
thanks  are  due  and  are  hereby  tendered.  To  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson, 
especially,  are  we  under  obligations,  for  the  use  of  the  great  Odd  Fellows' 
library,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  for  advice  freely  and  frankly  given. 


1;^^  o?t:wu^la!wJZy   '^^^  "^^ 


^■¥''-S»'-8»'-iS-  -g-  -g-  -s-  -if-  .g.  -g.  ^. 


Part  I. 


AN  INQUIRY  INTO    THE  '^ BEGINNINGS  OF    THINGS;*  INTRO* 

DUCTORY  TO  THE  PERFECTED  ORGANI- 

ZA  TIONS  OF  LA  TER  TIMES. 


DIVISION     L 

THE  PARALLELS   OF  ANTIQUITY. 

THE  ANCIENT  MYSTERIES,  CONSIDERED  IN  RELATION  TO  THE  ORIGIN 
AND  CUSTOMS  OF  MODERN  CIVIC-SOCIETIES  ;  THE  ORIGINAL 
HABITAT  OF  THE  RACE  ;  IMPRESSIONS  TRACED  IN  THE  FOLK- 
LORE OF  PEOPLES  AND  COUNTRIES ;  THE  EARLY  ASSOCIATIONS  IN 
BRITAIN  AND  IN  CONTINENTAL  EUROPE;  SOCIAL  AND  CRAFT 
GUILDS;  CLUBS  AND  LODGES  OF  ODD  FELLOWS. 

COMPILBB   BY    THE  EdITOB-IN-ChIEF. 


INTRODUCTION. 

METHODS  OF  TREATMENT:  ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 

An  eminent  student  of  archaeology,  after  years  of  study  and  a  syste- 
matic research  of  several  months  to  find  dcUa  for  a  special  article, 
wrote  these  words:  "What  is  new  is  not  true,  and  what  is  true  is  not 
new! "  This  was  his  deliberate  conviction,  and  for  the  purposes  of  the 
preparation  of  his  sketch  of  the  "  Ancient  Mysteries  "  he  obtained  access 
to  a  number  of  the  great  libraries  of  the  world,  including  that  of  our 
national  capital.  The  reader  of  the  following  pages  should  understand 
at  the  outset,  that  whatever  appears  therein  cannot  possibly  be  told  exclu- 
sive of  the  domain  of  many  another  author.  The  question  raised  as  to 
the  credibility  of  a  statement  is  one  of  authority,  rather  than  that  of  what 

25 


26  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

would  be  called  "  news ''  in  modern  phrase,  and  while  our  authorities  may 
not  have  been  those  the  reader  would  have  selected,  yet  they  are  received 
with  confidence  by  a  large  and  respectable  circle  of  antiquaries. 

Acknowledgment.  — We  have  utilized  the  ordinary  avenues  of  informa- 
tion relative  to  the  subjects  treated,  but  we  deem  it  proper  to  courteously 
give  credit,  by  name,  to  the  Transactions  of  the  Quatuor  Coronati  Lodge, 
No.  2076,  London,  England;  "Har-Moad,"  by  the  Rev.  O.  D.  Miller,  D.D. 
(a  review  of);  to  William  James  Hughan,  in  "The  History  of  Free- 
masonry and  Concordant  Orders  " ;  "  English  Guilds, "  by  Toulmin  Smith, 
F.R.S.  of  Northern  Antiquaries  (Copenhagen),  edited  from  original 
manuscripts  of  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  centuries;  the  published 
works  of  Doctor  Otto  Henne  Am  Rhyn,  State  Archivist  of  Switzerland; 
and  others,  including  "The  History  of  the  Secret  Principle,"  by  James 
L.  Eidgely ;  addresses  by  the  Eev.  A.  B.  Chapin,  and  other  early  defenders 
of  Odd  Fellowship  in  this  country. 

Methods  of  Treatment.  —  There  are  two  ways  of  treating  a  subject  of 
this  character :  one,  and  the  most  common,  is  to  attempt  to  trace  a  line- 
age from  the  mysteries  of  the  ancient  world  and  its  civilizations  to  modern 
civic  societies;  the  other,  to  note  some  of  the  usages  and  characteristics 
that  reappear  in  human  intercourse  after  a  lapse  of,  perhaps,  centuries ;  so 
that,  for  example,  the  Odd  Fellow  of  to-day,  in  his  lodge,  may  repeat  in 
his  experience  the  performance  of  the  ancient  Egyptian  in  many  interest- 
ing particulars.  We  prefer  the  latter  mode  as  the  more  logical  and 
affording  the  greater  prospect  of  success. 

In  Odd  Fellowship  at  the  present  day,  as  in  former  times,  there  exists 
a  not  inconsequential  class  of  brethren  who  would  appeal  to  antiquity,  if 
possible,  with  the  self-conscious  pride  of  ancestry  that  permeates  the 
members  of  a  family  of  noble  lineage.  We  are  not  disposed  to  minimize 
this  trait  of  human  nature;  at  the  same  time  it  must  be  admitted  that  the 
American  people,  as  a  whole,  are  iconoclastic  and  are  becoming  more  and 
more  inclined  to  live  in  the  pride  of  the  present  age.  The  grandeur  of 
the  achievements  of  the  nineteenth  century  surpasses  that  of  any  former 
period  of  which  we  have  written  knowledge,  and  this  fosters  a  well-defined 
pride  in  the  present. 

The  object  of  this  article,  as  prefatory  to  the  written  history  of  Odd 
Fellowship  in  Part  II.  and  others  that  follow  in  the  body  of  this  work,  is 
not  to  attempt  to  establish  a  connection  between  the  modern  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  ancient  societies,  whether  the  subjects  are  the  ancient 
mysteries,  the  medieval  guilds,  or  the  social  clubs  of  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury ;  but  to  recognize  the  fact  that  people  are  interested  in  the  "  begin- 
nings of  things."  While  it  may  not  be  possible  to  retrace  history 
through  tradition  to  any  reliable  source,  yet  we  can  see  no  good  reason 
why  such  a  research  is  not  perfectly  proper;  and  are  not  of  those  who 


*  "  THE  BEGINNINGS  OF  THINGS.''  27 

would  join  issue  with  Past  Grand  Sire  Sanders,  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
Pinkerton,  and  other  brethren  eminent  in  the  councils  of  our  Order,  when 
they  assert  that  Odd  Fellowship  is  a  nineteenth  century  production.  In 
other  words,  whatever  its  source,  whatever  its  early  formation,  the  insti- 
tution, as  we  know  it  to-day,  was  not  moulded  in  the  dim  centuries  of  the 
past,  but  in  the  present,  which  is  the  golden  age  of  the  world,  as  we  believe. 

In  classifying  a  few  of  the  "Parallels  of  Antiquity,"  that  appear  to 
approximate  closely  to  several  of  the  usages  and  lines  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
it  is  not  our  intention  to  dwell  wholly  in  the  realm  of  tradition.  What- 
ever of  facts  may  be  stated  will  be  susceptible  of  proof,  but  the  conclu- 
sions are  our  own;  and  these  are  given  for  what  they  are  worth  to  the 
candid  reader. 

With  these  introductory  remarks  we  take  up  the  main  part  of  our 
subject. 


CHAPTER   I. 

PRIMARY  CIVILIZATIONS  AND  SOCIETIES. 

Primeval  Groups.  —  A  celebrated  American  divine,  who  spent  twelve 
years  in  the  study  of  the  Oriental  and  modem  languages,  so  as  to  be  able 
to  successfully  prosecute  his  researches  in  the  East,  upholds  the  following 
theses :  Civilization  is  not  an  evolution  from  barbarism,  but  the  earliest 
.civilizations  can  be  classified  as  types  resembling  colonies  from  a  central 
birthplace.  This  he  maintains  holds  good  with  the  Accadian  and  the 
Babylonian  civilizations,  which  were  Cushite ;  with  the  Egyptian,  which 
was  Hamite ;  with  the  Chinese,  Phoenician,  Assyrian,  and  Semitic,  equally 
so  with  the  Iranian  or  Aryan,  or  any  other  of  the  ancient  civilizations 
known  to  us.  He  shows  that  with  all  these  nations^  the  direction  from 
whence  they  came,  or  from  where  they  immigrated  into  the  countries  they 
occupied  historically,  may  be  gathered  by  one  means  or  another;  and  that 
all  these  lines  converge  into  one  well-defined  geographical  region,  viz. : 
the  Har-Moad,  of  Isaiah;  the  Eden,  of  Genesis;  the.  Ararat,  of  the  Del- 
uge; the  Meru,  of  the  Hindus;  the  Abordj,  of  the  Persians;  the  Khar- 
sak-Kurra,  of  the  Cuneiform  texts ;  the  Asgard,  of  the  Scandinavians;  the 
Olympus  and  Ida,  of  the  classics ;  the  Five  Summits,  of  the  Chinese ;  the 
Solar  mountains,  of  the  Egyptians ;  and  the  Paradise,  of  the  Bible.  With 
the  symbolism  which  the  learned  author  invests  his  theory,  and  proceeds 
to  prove  therefrom  his  subject,  we  have  nothing  to  do,  but  the  reader  will 
note  that  this  is  almost  an  exact  statement  of  the  histories  of  the  secret 
societies  of  the  past  twenty  centuries,  and  preceding  ages,  as  they  have 
descended  to  us,  perpetuated  (in  theory  at  least)  in  the  leading  fratemi- 


28  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

ties  of  the  nineteenth  century,  some  of  them  reappearing  during  our  own 
lives  and  recollection.  That  the  original  habitat  of  the  human  race  was 
symbolically  reproduced  in  all  the  wanderings  of  the  peoples  named  in 
the  above  classification,  and  became  geographically  the  symbol  or  type  of 
the  countriciS  in  which  we  find  them,  is  the  conclusion  of  our  author. 
That  this  theory  is  true  of  the  Ancient  Mysteries  is  an  equally  well-founded 
assumption,  and  an  interesting  subject  of  investigation.  The  folk-lore 
that  permeates  all  languages,  and  to  which  Grand  Chaplain  Venable  refers 
(in  this  work),  in  connection  with  the  Aryans,  is  an  example. 

Primitive  Theorem.  —  That  the  reader  may  better  understand  the  foun- 
dation of  the  argument  we  quote  again  from  the  theory  of  our  first-men- 
tioned authority:  He  contends  that  the  chief  feature  of  the  "original 
habitat "  of  the  ancient  peoples  was  the  imagery  of  a  mountain  rising  to 
and  piercing  the  skies ;  a  terraced  mountain,  and  each  stage  dedicated  to 
one  of  seven  stars;  that  these  stars  in  later  days  became  identical  with  the 
stars  of  Ursa  Major  which  continually  revolve  around  the  pole;  that  God 
was  conceived  as  residing  at  the  celestial  pole,  or  top  of  the  symbolic 
mountain ;  and  that,  therefore,  to  this  particular  paradise  corresponded  a 
celestial  paradise,  one  established  space  in  the  heavens;  that  all  countries 
were  supposed  to  be  similar  in  formation  to  this  particular  earth  and  sky; 
that  the  Tower  of  Babel,  the  Pyramids,  etc.,  were  built  in  conscious  imita- 
tion of  this  conception;  that  the  departed  dwelt  on  the  slopes  of  this 
mountain;  the  "  Mount  of  Assembly  "  (which  thus  became  not  only  the 
mount  of  the  living  and  the  dwelling  of  God  and  the  gates  of  heaven,  but 
also  the  abode  of  the  dead) ;  the  latter,  however,  in  consequent  times,  by 
antithesis,  was  transferred  to  the  lower  regions, — the  opposite  of  the 
heavenly  home. 

The  Field  of  Inquiry.  — To  reach  the  above  conclusions,  a  very  long  and 
exhaustive  research  became  necessary.  To  give  its  scope  the  author's 
words  are  quoted :  — 

"  The  particular  field  of  antiquarian  studies  to  which,  in  the  main,  my  inquiries  have 
been  directed,  comprehends  the  entire  prehistoric  period,  especially  in  Asia,  including  the 
primitive  traditions  of  mankind  and  the  origin  of  the  ancient  civilizations.  One  of  the 
principal  objects  which  I  have  had  in  view  has  been  to  ascertain  the  real  character,  and  to 
trace  the  actual  origin,  of  those  ideas  that  formed  the  theoretical  basis  of  the  religious,  politi- 
cal, and  social  institutions  of  the  ancient  world ;  but  a  still  more  definite  aim  in  this  direc- 
tion has  been  to  discover  the  primitive  stratum  of  conceptions  and  doctrines,  which  may  be 
regarded  as  fundamental  to  the  religious  of  the  Bible,  constituting  historically  the  germ 
of  their  development.  *  Another  prominent  object  has  been  to  determine  the  locality,  geo- 
graphically, from  which  these  traditionary  ideas,  inherited  alike  by  nations  widely  sepa- 
rated, had  been  at  first  derived ;  the  localities,  in  fact,  from  which  the  different  races  had 
departed  toward  the  countries  occupied  by  them  since  the  opening  of  the  historical  period." 

From  these  premises  by  a  very  close  reasoning,  based  upon  a  multi- 
tude of  details,  the  learned  author  elucidates  his  theory;  but  with  the 
Gabiri  only,  have  we  an  interest  in  this  article.    He  contends  that  they 


"  THE  BEGINNINGS  OF  THINGS.''  29 

built  the  first  historical  structure  following  the  deluge,  —  the  Tower  of 
Babel, — and  thereon  symbolized  their  religion  and  the  Har-Moad  itself ; 
that  Nimrod  was  the  first  historical  Cabirus ;  that  the  members  of  this 
organization  were  the  earliest  practisers  of  mysteries,  in  order  to  preserve 
a  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  amid  an  age  of  progressive  idolatry ;  and 
that  all  other  mysteries,  Egyptian,  Greek,  Phoenician,  etc.,  were  derived 
from  these. 

The  well-informed  Mason  will  at  once  draw  the  parallel  between  this 
independent  inquiry  of  a  scholar  who  was  probably  not  a  member  of  the 
fraternity;  or,  at  least,  one  who  does  not  betray  any  knowledge  of  the 
galaxy  of  manuscripts  called  the  "  Old  Charges  of  British  Freemasons," 
and  the  general  trend  of  those  interesting  documents.  Like  them  the 
''  beginnings  of  things "  is  here  f  ocussed  in  the  deluge,  Noah  and  his 
descendants,  and  the  subsequent  early  history  of  the  world. 

But  in  pursuance  of  our  subject  it  is  not  the  intention  to  fortify  the 
Masonic  student  in  the  old  theory  of  the  descent  of  that  institution  from 
the  Ancient  Mysteries,  by  quoting  correspondences  between  these  conclu- 
sions and  the  "  Old  Constitutions."  It  is  of  far  greater  interest  to  note 
some  of  the  resemblances  to  the  ideas  of  the  "  Mount  of  Assembly,"  that 
appear  where  one  is  least  prepared  to  ^nd  them.  Our  authority,  after 
noting  the  surprising  uniformity  of  ]^nmitive  doctrines,  inherited  by 
nations  widely  separated,  and  which  cannot  be  explained  on  the  principle 
of  the  ordinary  transmission  of  ideas,  from  age  to  age,  especially  in  the 
absence  of  written  documents,  scrupulously  preserved,  says :  — 

"  To  illustrate :  recall  the  Chinese  legend  of  the  tortoise,  having  the  images  of  the 
seven  stars  (Ursa  Major) ,  of  the  eight  celestial  regions,  and  of  the  five  summits  on  its 
shell ;  a  triple  reference  to  the  sacred  Mount  of  Paradise,  which  admits  of  no  other  interpre- 
tation ;  but  from  China  we  now  go  to  Rome,  where  we  find  in  the  location  of  the  axis  of  the 
Pantheon  another  reference  to  the  seven  stars,  and  to  the  eighth  celestial  region,  considered 
as  the  seat  of  the  gods,  especially  of  Jupiter ;  a  singular  proof  of  the  exactness  with  which 
the  primeval  traditions  had  been  preserved  by  these  two  nationalities,  so  distantly  removed  ^ 

from  each  other.    It  seems  to  me  impossible  that  such  accuracy  should  be  maintained  '^ 

through  ages  even,  and  by  different  races,  except  by  the  vigilant  care  of  a  class  of  person- 
ages, regularly  organized,  and  specially  charged  to  preserve  the  ancient  doctrines  in  their 
purity.  .  .  .  The  seats  of  the  Cabirian  worship  were  the  most  ancient  of  any,  both  in  Egypt 
and  Babylonia.    It  is  hardly  to  be  doubted,  I  think,  that  members  of  the  same  mystic  order  '^^ 

laid  the  foundations  of  the  Chinese  Empire.  When  the  old  civilization  centring  in  Mount 
Mem  was  broken  down,  it  is  evident  that  they  conducted  the  great  migrations,  diverging 
from  the  original  focus  of  population,  into  the  different  quarters  of  the  world." 

The  **  Mysteries  "  considered.  —  The  parallels  of  the  mysteries  with  the 
above  classification  and  conclusions  are  of  interest.  As  an  example,  of  the 
nations  of  antiquity  Egypt  stood  first.  That  kingdom  was  at  its  meridian  of 
power  and  glory  within  one  hundred  years  following  the  death  of  Abraham. 
At  that  period  it  had  reached  an  eminence  in  many  of  the  arts  and  sciences 
which  no  nation  or  race  has  ever  surpassed.    Among  this  people  we  find  an 


^ 


% 


30  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

institution  called  "  mysteries ''  which  made  known  its  secrets  only  to  the  in- 
itiated^ — r  that  the  mode  of  initiation  was  solemn  and  impressive,  we  are 
well  assured, — and  that  advantages,  too,  were  connected  with  a  knowledge 
of  these  secrets  is  axiomatic.  What  those  benefits  were  it  is  now  impos- 
sible for  us  to  determine.  Besides  the  Egyptian  mysteries  there  were 
secret  associations  dispersed  throughout  all  Europe  and  a  large  portion  of 
Asia, — characterized  by  similar  ceremonies  and  professing  like  principles. 
Our  means  of  knowledge  of  these  societies  are  meagre,  but  enough  is  known 
to  identify  them  as  one  in  origin  and  objects.  These  .are  designated  as 
the  mysteries  of  Cabiri, —  a  name  that  is  itself  a  mystery .  When  learned 
men  differ  upon  an  occult  subject  like  this,  who  shall  decide? 

Of  the  Eleusinian  mysteries  more  is  known.  These  were  named  after 
the  city  of  Eleusis,  where  they  were  celebrated,  and  are  said  to  have 
been  introduced  into  Greece  from  Egypt,  by  King  Erechtheus,  who  first 
initiated  the  Athenians  into  that  ancient  association, — a  part  of  the  mys- 
teries of  Cabiri, —  several  centuries  prior  to  the  Christian  era.  Following 
the  course  of  the  ages  these  associations,  or  their  successors,  or  imitators, 
may  have  descended  to  our  day,  as  some  antiquaries  have  been  led  to 
believe,  but  it  is  our  opinion  that  each  in  turn  took  its  rise  as  occasion 
suggested,  gained  its  zenith  of  power,  sank  into  oblivion;  only  to  be 
rehabilitated  (like  the  Olympian  games  of  1896,  for  instance),  in  another 
form, —  principles  surviving,  but  the  form  passing  away.  Even  the  names 
are  lost  and  any  attempted  chronology  is  the  baldest  fiction. 

Ceremonies  of  Initiation.  —  We  are  more  concerned,  however,  in  such 
accounts  of  the  ancient  modes  of  initiation  as  have  survived;  but  it  must 
be  borne  in  mind  that  the  "  ceremony  and  signs  "  being  the  portion  of  the 
mysteries  which  were  not  to  be  revealed,  in  any  approximate  account  it  is 
the  probable  from  deductionj  rather  than  the  real  initiation,  that  is  thus 
described.  The  Eleusinian  mysteries  were  divided  into  the  "lesser"  aiid 
the  "greater,"  —  the  former  being  a  state  of  preparation  for  the  latter. 
Every  native  Greek,  unless  he  had  been  convicted  of  a  crime,  might 
become  a  partaker  of  these  mysteries  after  an  ordeal  of  penance  and  puri- 
fication. This  was  enforced  by  abstinence  of  the  body,  by  sacrifices  and 
prayers,  and  by  ceremonial  washings.  When  the  candidate  had  served 
his  probation  he  might  be  initiated  into  the  "greater"  or  more  sublime  of 
the  mysteries.  He  was  preceded,  at  his  entrance,  by  a  herald  proclaim- 
ing: "Hence,  far  hence,  be  the  impious,  the  profane,  and  thou  whose 
souls  are  polluted  with  guilt."  Those  not  initiates,  who  should  presume 
to  remain  in  the  assembly  after  this  proclamation,  were  put  to  death. 
The  mode  of  initiation  seems  to  have  been  mainly  as  follows :  The  can- 
didate, crowned  with  myrtle, —  the  emblem  and  token  of  the  purification 
of  the  lesser  mysteries, —  was  introduced  by  night  into  a  temple,  which 
became  instantly  enveloped  in  darkness.    Upon  entrance  he  was  reminded 


tt 


TBE  BEGINNINGS   OF  THINGS:'  81 


of  the  just  benefits  about  to  be  conferred  by  a  participation  in  these  rites, 
and  of  the  purity  of  heart  necessary  for  a  proper  reception  of  them. 
Ablutions  in  water  came  next,  in  token  of  his  spiritual  regeneration,  and 
that  as  the  body  was  thus  cleansed  so  should  each  one  approach  the  mys- 
teries with  a  mind  divested  of  all  defilement.  The  lesson, — then  read 
to  the  neophyte  by  a  priest,  —  is  supposed,  by  one  of  our  authorities,  to 
have  been,  in  substance,  a  veirsion  of  the  theory  of  religion;  and.it  may 
hav6  been  symbolized  by  the  "terraced  mountain,"  above  described  ;  but 
before  the  "  legend  of  the  golden  age  "  could  be  rehearsed,  the  candidate 
was  required  to  undergo  fearful  trials.  Certain  questions  were  pro- 
pounded from  a  book,  and  the  truth  of  his  recorded  replies  were  enjoined 
under  the  highest  penalties  and  sanctions.  Then  followed  spectacles  cal- 
culated to  awaken  the  strongest  emotions  of  the  beholder.  Funeral  forms 
passed  by,  personifying  death  and  all  the  ills  to  which  flesh  is  heir.  The 
gloom  and  horrors  of  the  dreary  abode  of  the  guilty, — accompanied  by 
horrible  groans,  amid  which  might  be  heard  the  exhortation :  "  Learn  by 
our  example  to  reverence  the  gods,  to  be  just  and  grateful,"  —  were 
depicted  with  great  effect.  Accompanying  these  were  sudden  flashes  of 
fire,  the  low  rumble  of  thunder,  the  copious  shower,  journeys  where  dan- 
gers lurked,  descent  of  precipices,  passing  bridges  suspended  over  rushing 
torrents, —  all  rendered  terrific  by  spectres  and  phantoms  meeting  the  eye 
on  every  side.  From  this  realm  of  trial  the  transition  was  to  fields  Elysian, 
illumined  by  a  serene  and  glorious  light,  from  which  harmonious  voices 
chanted  the  most  entrancing  odes. 

Such  were  the  characteristics  of  all  the  Cabirian  mysteries.  They 
began  in  gloom,  and  ended  in  light;  in  sorrow,  and  the  fruition  was  joy. 
There  are  many  versions  of  these  ceremonies.  One  authority,  referring  to 
Persia,  Hindoostan,  and  the  East,  asserts  that  "corruption  and  repro- 
duction "  were  characteristics.  That  it  was  necessary  for  man  to  die  and  his 
body  to  see  corruption  before  he  could  become  immortal  by  a  resurrection. 
Christ  said  to  his  disciples :  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say  imto  you,  except  a  com 
of  wheat  fall  into  the  ground  and  die,  it  abideth  alone :  but  if  it  die,  it 
bringeth  forth  much  fruit " ;  and  this,  and  similar  sayings  of  the  Great 
Teacher,  have  been  likened  to  the  observation  of  nature  by  the  ancients, 
which  taught  them  that  the  seed  must  die  or  suffer  fermentation  in  the 
earth  before  the  plant  could  be  produced.  From  these  parallels  of  the 
gospels  with  the  mysteries,  modem  rationalists  have  been  led  to  argue  that 
Christianity  is  a  successor  of  the  mysteries,  and  one  of  the  religions. 

Following  the  rites  of  initiation,  in  all  the  expositions,  a  lecture  was 
given,  parallel  to  that  first  mentioned,  in  which  instmction  conceming  the 
objects  of  the  worship  was  delineated;  a  lecture  much  too  difficult  for 
the  common  and  uneducated  comprehension ;  indeed,  this  was  true  of  all 
the  ancient  rites  and  mysteries. 


82  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

The  Golden  Age.  —  "  They  taught  that  the  golden  age  was  not  a  myth.  The  old  doctrine 
of  a  subsequent  decadence  and  a  sad  degeneracy  from  an  original  state  of  happiness, 
embodied,  undoubtedly,  a  great  but  lamentable  truth.  Our  modern  philosophies  of  history, 
which  begin  with  man  as  a  savage,  eyidently  need  a  new  introduction.  Those  writers  who 
would  derive  the  origin,  of  religion  and  civilization  from  a  condition  of  savageism  should  go 
back  of  Mount  Mem  to  do  it,  and  not  content  themselves  with  citing  the  customs  of  bar- 
barous tribes.  The  ancient  mysteries  taught  that  primeval  man  was  not  a  savage.  Accord- 
ing to  their  cult  he  was  born  of  the  Heaven-Father  and  the  Earth-mother.  He  was  the 
beautiful,  pure  image  of  both.  Sweet  Nature  caressed  him  on  her  generous  lap ;  she  would 
tell  him  her  secrets  without  asking,  for  she  fondly  trusted  that  he  would  not  betray  her. 
Heaven  itself  conversed  with  him;  and  the  constellations  taught  him  the  music  of  the 
spheres.  There  was  nothing  he  did  not  love,  and  there  was  nothing  that  did  not  love  him. 
All  things  whispered  to  him  of  what  they  were  and  why  they  existed.  The  sun  and  moon 
were  his  companions,  almost  a  brother  and  a  sister.  To  the  primeval  man  Nature  was  con- 
scious;  and  her  consciousness  was  a  part  of  his  own.  Eternal  Mind  was  present  to  him,  in 
all  that  he  beheld,  in  all  that  he  felt.  The  golden  gates  of  the  senses  were  constantly 
thronged  with  tender  sympathies,  with  loving  messages  from  the  great  world  about  him. 
Such  was  creation's  first-born  child,  with  whom  the  Holy  One  came  down  to  dwell. 

**  But  there  came  an  hour  when  man  fell!  Nature  was  ashamed  and  drew  the  veil  over 
her  face.  Man,  too,  was  ashamed.  .  .  .  Thus  the  light  of  that  beautiful  civilization  flick- 
ered for  awhile,  like  the  candle  in  its  socket,  and  then  went  out. 

"But  before  the  flames  had  died  on  the  primitive  altars,  Afaitl^ulband  had  kindled 
their  torches,  that  they  might  conduct  the  race  through  the  long  night,  and  finally  renew 
the  fires  in  other  times  and  in  other  climes." 

Origrin  of  the  Cabiri. — This  is  Doctor  Miller's  beautiful  apostrophe 
to  the  '^  beginnings  of  things."  He  claims  that  the  Cabiri  were  identical 
with  a  race  of  king-priests,  a  fraternity  of  learned  men,  the  ''Wise  Men 
of  the  East,"  who  acquired  their  knowledge  at  the  fountain-head,  in  the 
focus  of  the  human  race,  the  pioneers  and  conductors  and  rulers  of  every 
immigration  from  that  region;  the  inventors  of  writing,  of  building,  of 
metallurgy,  the  teachers  of  the  primeval  religions,  priests  of  God  and 
rulers  of  men,  and  that  Melchisidek  was  even  such  an  one. 

Parallel  with  Odd  Fellowship  considered.  —  It  has  always  seemed  singular 
to  the  writer,  that  men  of  learning  and  eminence  in  the  state,  as  well  as  in 
Odd  Fellowship,  should  have  gone  before  the  American  people  in  the  early 
days  of  the  Order,  basing  its  claims  for  recognition  upon  antiquity, —  it 
was  a  paradox  not  easily  explained.  As  will  be  noted  the  modern  orders 
have  nothing  in  common  with  the  basic  principle  of  the  Ancient  Mys- 
teries,—  ours  least  of  all, — and  the  resemblance  in  the  ceremonies  are 
purely  accidental,  although  interesting  in  their  correspondences.  This 
part  of  our  inquiry  is  naturally  divided  into  two  parts, —  a  sketch  of  the 
mysteries  of  the  Orient  and  Occident,  which  have  been  considered  in  this 
chapter,  and  the  methods  and  organization  of  subsequent  institutions  that 
we  shall  have  occasion  soon  to  describe. 

Is  Lineal  Succession  Possible  ?  —  In  this  connection  a  remark  suggests 
itself  in  relation  to  the  theory  that  any  society  should  have  been  the  lineal 
successor  of  the  Ancient  Mysteries.  We  have  seen  how  the  root-principle 
of  the  various  nationalities  differed  in  its  representation,  in  the  history  of 


THE  EARLY  ENGLISH  GUILDS.  38 

the  world,  and  this  is  suggested  by  the  classification.  As  the  ages  passed 
corruptions  assumed  the  leadership;  the  decline  of  systems  imprinted  their 
images  upon  the  survivors ;  even  Christianity  comes  to  us  clothed  in  many 
forms  that  were  of  Pagan  or  other  origin,  and  could  the  civic-society  hope 
to  escape?  James  L.  Ridgely  did  not  believe  that  any  legitimate  descen- 
dant exists  in  our  day.  His  argument  was  this :  The  societies  that  survive 
in  this  century  bear  marks  of  a 

"  System  too  practical  in  theory  and  universal  in  teaching  to  have  sprung  from  an  origi- 
nal that  had  no  landmarks,  but  took  new  forms  and  governments  in  every  country  where  it 
found  domicil." 


CHAPTER  II. 

ENGLISH  GUILDS  WITH  BENEFIT  SYSTEMS. 

Turning  from  the  East  to  the  West. — From  Egypt,  the  mistress  of 
learning,  land  of  mystery,  many  of  whose  long-buried  secrets  modern 
researches  have  brought  to  our  knowledge ;  from  Greece,  whose  philoso- 
phers mastered  the  mysteries,  which  in  after-times  made  their  country 
the  seat  of  learning  and  of  song;  from  the  shadowy  East  reaching  back 
to  the  beginning;  from  Imperial  Eome,  where  a  polished  and  classic  litera- 
ture shed  its  refining  influences  upon  a  condition  of  society  called  civili- 
zation; from  all  these  fascinating  and  interesting  mysteries  of  the  Orient 
and  the  Occident  we  turn  again  toward  the  West.  But  before  crossing 
the  Atlantic  we  pause  at  the  British  Isles,  the  '^  mother  country  "  of  the 
English-speaking  peoples.  Here,  in  the  middle  ages,  we  do  not  find  the 
mysteries  of  Gabiri;  nor  the  taskmasters  of  Israel's  people;  the  high 
priests  who  worshipped  at  the  altars  of  Isis  and  Osiris,  are  absent;  the 
sorcerers  who  contended  with  Aaron,  and  the  men  who  pursued  Moses  into 
the  Red  sea,  had  no  dwelling-place  on  these  shores;  the  people  who  wit- 
nessed Joseph's  regal  splendor  and  power,,  and  who  saw  the  Patriarch 
Jacob,  never  lived  in  this  goodly  land;  the  masters  in  the  holy  temples 
who  instructed  the  Greeks,  and  made  possible  the  light  of  their  wonderful 
civilization  and  splendor,  never  dreamed  of  the  beneficent  associations  of 
Britain, — the  antetype  of  Odd  Fellowship  and  the  antithesis  of  the  genius 
of  the  old  world  and  the  ancient  societies. 

English  Guilds.  —  We  have  already  alluded  to  the  old  guilds  of  Eng- 
land. These  reach  back  to  the  middle  ages,  although  organizations  and 
clubs  multiplied  without  precedent  during  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth 
centuries  in  Britain.  Referring  to  these  facts,  J.  M.  Ludlow,  an  English 
writer,  said:  — 


84  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

**  I  believe  that  the  more  we  investigate  the  subject,  the  more  we  shall  become  con- 
vinced that  all  pretensions  of  the  nineteenth  century  to  have  discovered  either  the  practice 
or  principle  of  free  association  are  the  mere  fruits  of  its  own  ignorance ;  that  if  we  have  in 
some  ways  improved  the  practice,  found  new  applications  of  the  principle,  we  have  in 
several  other  respects  fallen  short  of  our  ancestors ;  that,  above  all,  various  fancied  novel- 
ties of  association  in  our  days  are  not  novelties  at  all ;  that  of  a  truth  trades'  unions  and 
friendly  societies,  in  particular,  are  virtually  older  by  centuries  than  the  most  hoary-headed 
of  their  members,  their  friends,  or  their  enemies  assert." 

Manuscript  Records.  —  This  author  bases  his  remarks  upon  the  records 
of  more  than  one  hundred  early  guilds  in  England,  the  manuscripts  relat- 
ing to  which, —  of  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  centuries, — edited  by 
Professor  Smith,  we  gave  credit  in  our  "introduction,"  and  upon  which 
this  chapter  is  based.  Far  behind  the  later  associations  in  the  "  mother 
country  "  a  gigantic  shadow  seems  to  cross  the  field, —  that  of  an  organiza- 
tion of  the  people,  by  the  people,  and  for  the  people,  subject  to  no  laws 
imposed  by  princes,  and  existing  in  spite  of  kings  and  princes.  One  hun- 
dred years  ago  a  writer  would  have  been  considered  mildly  insane  had  he 
asserted  that  this  was  the  "  beginnings  of  things  "  of  the  free  government 
under  which  we  are  rejoicing  in  America  to-day.  Who  can  deny  this 
proposition?  These  free-guilds  pervaded  every  European  country,  and 
comprehended  within  themselves  virtual  republics ;  democracies,  in  sev- 
eral instances,  forming  the  basis  of  municipalities ;  institutions  binding 
men  together  with  fraternal  bands,  which,  in  some  cases,  have  descended 
to  almost  within  the  memory  of  living  men.  There  have  lately  been  dis- 
covered, by  the  Early  English  Text  Society,  a  number  of  valuable  manu- 
scripts, that  have  been  translated  from  archaic  English  to  our  modern 
language.  These  prove  that  a  large  number  of  guilds  existed  during 
the  middle  ages.  The  names  given  to  these  organizations  were  as 
numerous  as  their  number,  from  the  "guild  of  the  Lord's  Prayer"  at 
York,  the  bell-ringers  of  the  various  cathedrals  and  churches  in  England, 
to  the  great  guilds  in  towns ;  which,  virtually,  became  the  corporations  of 
those  municipalities  in  subsequent  years.  Only  a  small  selection  of  manu- 
scripts was  first  published,  but  the  record  reads :  twelve  guilds  in  Nor- 
wich, twelve  in  Lynn,  nine  from  Bishop's  Lynn,  two  from  Oxford,  six  in 
Lincoln,  etc. ;  and  it  is  clear  that  the  fourteenth  century  (although  the 
dates  are  not  always  forthcoming),  and  especially  the  latter  part  of  it, 
must  have  been  a  period  in  which  the  spirit  of  fraternal  association  was 
very  active  among  the  English  people. 

Dates  and  Names.  —  The  first  of  these  guilds,  to  which  are  attached 
any  of  the  laws,  dates  from  1375,  the  fourth  from  1360,  the  fifth  from 
1384,  the  sixth  from  1385,  etc.  The  "  guild  of  the  Holy  Cross  "  of  Strat- 
ford-upon-Avon claimed,  in  1389,  to  have  existed  from  time  anterior  to 
the  memory  of  man ;  that  of  the  "  Kalenders  of  Bristol,"  seventy-one  years 
before  (1318),  to  date  from  before  the  Conquest.    Toward  the  close  of  the 


THE  EARLY  ENGLISH  GUILDS.  86 

fourteenth  century,  a  distinction  between  the  "  social ''  and  "  trade  guilds  " 
is  apparent.  The  former  were  termed  simply  "  guilds  and  brotherhoods  " ; 
and  the  latter  are  described  as  *' mysteries  and  crafts."  It  will  be  seen 
from  this  that  if  it  was  possible  for  any  two  leading  modern  societies,  like 
the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Masons,  to  trace  their  lineage  to  the  four- 
teenth century,  they  would  find  in  the  division  line  of  that  day  nearly  a 
parallel  to  their  present  status.  Of  this  feature  we  shall  speak  again  in 
this  article.  These  researches  have  shown  a  further  fact,  relative  to  these 
guilds  and  brotherhoods, — also  as  to  the  liberties,  privileges,  statutes, 
ordinances,  usages,  and  customs, —  that  the  two  classes  possessed  no  legal 
standing,  save  the  practical  one  which  would  result  from  the  craft  guilds' 
having  a  common  trade-interest  while  the  others  had  none. 

One  authority  asserts  that  the  craft  guilds  were  regarded  with  less  sus- 
picion than  the  others  from  the  fact  that  the  government  required  less 
details  of  particulars  to  be  returned;  while  it  is  quite  as  positively  stated 
that  what  wbuld  in  our  day  be  called  Friendly  Societies  in  England,  and 
Orders  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  like,  in  America,  were  required  to  report 
with  more  exactness.  It  is  no  part  of  our  purpose  to  trace  the  Masonic 
Fraternity  down  the  years  to  the  present  time.  That  duty  has  been  done, 
and  the  results  fully  set  forth  to  the  world,  in  "  The  History  of  Free- 
masonry and  Concordant  Orders,"^  to  which  reference  has  been  made; 
but  having  gone  to  the  same  sources,  that  is,  to  the  fountain-head  of  many 
Masonic  articles,  we  will  leave  that  phase  of  the  question,  and  confine 
the  present  inquiry  strictly  to  such  matters  of  interest  as  may  be  applica- 
ble to  the  traditionary  origin  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Description  of  a  Social  Guild.  —  Using  the  modernized  words  of  the  first 
return  (a.d.  1389),  made  to  the  government  of  the  "  fraternitee "  or 
"bretherede"  of  "St.  James  at  Garlekhith,"  London,  the  record  says:  — 

"  It  was  begun  by  '  good  men,'  on  St.  James's  Day,  1375, '  for  amendment  of  their  lives 
and  of  their  souls,  and  to  nourish  more  love  between  the  brethren  and  sisters  of  the  brother- 
hood,' aU  of  whom  bad  to  '  swear  on  the  book '  to  '  perform  the  points  nndemeath  written 
at  their  i>ower.'  Eyery  member  most  be  of  good  repute  and  condition,  pay  6s.  Sd.  entrance 
fee,  2s.  in  the  year,  either  yearly  or  quarterly,  and  Is.  Sd.  toward  the  yearly  feast.  War- 
dens were  to  be  chosen  from  the  wisest  of  the  brotherhood,  under  penalty  of  403.  if  they 
refused  to  act.  They  were  to  collect  dues  and  account  for  them  yearly,  on  the  morrow  of 
the  feast,  take  the  oaths  of  new  members,  and  arbitrate  between  the  brethren  and  sisters  in 
their  disputes.  There  was  to  be  a  livery-suit;  and,  besides  the  yearly  feasts,  quarterly 
meetings,  *  to  speak  touching  the  profit  and  rule  of  the  foresaid  brotherhood,'  which  aU 
brethren  were  to  attend  under  penalty  of  a  pound  of  wax,  —  the  usual  form  of  such  penal- 
ties. On  the  death  of  a  brother,  or  sister,  all  were  to  join  in  the  burial  service,  under  the 
like  penalty.  If  any  member  of  the  brotherhood,  after  having  '  dwelt '  in  it  seven  years,  and 
fulfilled  aU  duties,  should  *  fall  in  such  mischief  that  he  hath  nought,'  either  through  *  eld 
or  mischief  of  feebleness,'  to  help  himself,  he  was  to  have  Is.  2d.  weekly  from  the  common 
box  until  he  were  '  recovered  of  his  mischief.'     The  brethren  and  sisters  were  not  to 

^  Pablishod  by  The  Fraternity  Publishing  Company,  Boston  and  New  York ;  Henry  Leonard  Stlllson, 
Editor-in-CUef;  WllUam  Jamea  Hughan,  Enropean  Editor;  pp.  1-904. 


86  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

quarrel ;  .but  if  they  did,  as  before  mentioned,  their  quarrel  was  laid  before  the  wardens;  if 
either  party  in  dispute  proved  disobedient  to  the  award  then  made,  he  was  to  be  put  out  of 
the  brotherhood,  and  the  other  party  to  have  '  his  account  by  the  law,'  and  be  helped  by  the 
brotherhood  'ageins  the  rebelle  and  unbozhum.*  On  the  other  hand,  if  any  member  of 
seven  years'  standing,  and  not  in  default  as  aforesaid,  was  *  imprisoned  falsely  by  enemy, 
or  by  false  conspiracy,'  and  had  *  nought  to  find  him  with,'  he  was  to  have  Is.  2d.  weekly 
during  his  imprisonment." 

The  Germ  of  the  Benefit  Society  of  To-day.  —  With  the  learned  professor, 
the  writer  thinks  that  the  reader  cannot  mistake  in  this  the  germ  of 
modem  Odd  Fellowship,  or  the  friendly  societies  of  England,  under  a 
strong  devotional  aspect.  Here  was  relief  in  sickness,  the  provision  for 
old  age  and  for  burial;  the  accumulation  of  funds  for  relief  from  false 
imprisonment,  which,  no  doubt,  was  a  necessary  characteristic  of  any 
fraternal  society  of  that  time.  There  are  many  examples  recorded  to 
show  that  relief  in  distress,  when  incurred  "without  guilt-often,"  —  in 
the  express  form  of  an  insurance  of  work, —  was  a  constant  object  of  the 
guilds  in  question.  It  is  quite  evident,  however,  from  the  provisions  in 
the  by-laws  of  many  of  the  contemporaneous  guilds,  that  under  certain 
conditions,  the  members  of  the  brotherhood  were  to  receive  benefits;  and, 
also,  "loans  out  of  the  common  box,"  on  the  "pledge  or  assurity,"  which 
shows  that  the  impecuniosity  might  not  have  been  "deserved."  If  this 
provision  had  come  down  to  us,  what  a  fountain  of  wealth  our  lodges 
would  have  furnished  for  the  tramps,  who  might  have  become  members 
of.  the  Order.  The  mantle  of  charity,  however,  should  be  spread  over  this 
provision  of  the  ancients,  because  in  the  same  terms  the  by-laws  provided 
for  old  age  and  poverty.  It  is  further  stipulated  that  if  the  distressed 
member  be  "  young  enough  to  work,"  and  "  hath  nought  of  his  own  to  help 
him  with,"  the  brethren  shall  assist  "each  man  with  a  portion,''  —  the 
equivalent  of  a  modern  donation  benefit.  The  members  of  the  ancient 
guilds,  it  would  appear,  were  a  source  of  great  anxiety  to  the  treasurer 
(strong  box),  because  the  loans  were  not  often  promptly  met  at  maturity. 
They  had  a  further  regulation:  if  the  brother  could  not  "repay  within 
one  year,"  he  might  keep  the  loan  for  a  second  and  a  third;  and  if,  at  the 
end  of  the  third  year,  he  was  still  unable  to  pay,  because  of  inability  to 
earn  more  than  an  honest  living,  then  the  money  "  shall  be  wholly  released 
to  him,"  —  a  charitable  "statute  of  limitation"  which  debtors  would  be 
very  apt  to  plead.  The  guild  of  the  "Blessed  Virgin  Mary  of  Kingston- 
upon-HuU  "  (1357)  explicitly  provided  life  maintenance  for  those  of  its 
members  "who  may  be  infirm,  bowed,  blind,  dumb,  deaf,  maimed,  or 
sick,"  and  7d.  a  week  benefits  for  others  not  able  to  gain  a  livelihood. 
The  "guild  of  Corpus  Christi,"  of  the  same  place,  one  year  later  (1358), 
had  a  similar  provision  for  financial  obligations  "  releasable  after  three 
years,  to  brothers  or  sisters,  to  enable  them  to  follow  their  callings,"  the 
amount  being  fixed  at  208,  for  the  loans,  and  14d.  for  the  weekly  benefits. 


EIGBTEENTH  CENTUBT  SOCIETIES.  87 

It  is  evident  that  many  of  the  guilds  paying  these  weekly  sums  were 
attached  to  churches  during  the  centuries  named.  The  main  object  seems 
to  have  been  self-help;  besides  the  burial  of  deceased  brethren  and  sisters, 
and  sbi  allowance  to  pay  for  '^  Masses  for  their  souls.'' 

It  would  appear  from  these  facts  that  the  claim  often  made  by  Odd 
Fellows,  that  the  Order  is  a  help-meet  of  the  church,* — an  assertion  often 
denied  by  that  organization, —  was  a  reality  of  the  guilds  at  that  early  day; 
and  that  a  system  of  stcUed  relief  was  a  part  of  the  charitable  work  of  the 
church  of  Christ,  during  the  period  in  which  these  returns  were  made  to  the 
government  of  Great  Britain,  is  proved  beyond  a  reasonable  doubt.  The 
amount  of  money  paid  to  relieve  distress  by  these  guilds,  during  the  four- 
teenth and  fifteenth  centuries,  shows  conclusively  that  great  good  was  done 
by  them;  and  in  this  respect  they  were  certainly  the  forerunners  of  the 
groups  of  friendly  societies  which, —  under  a  government  of  free  and  en- 
lightened principles,  on  the  soil  of  an  English-speaking  people,  rich  in  the 
triumphs  of  benevolent  impulses, —  have  finally  culminated  in  the  power- 
ful Manchester  Unity  and  the  great  American  Order  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
each  with  its  millions  of  income,  and  millions  of  expenditure  for  relief. 
A  comparison  between  the  work  of  the  early  English  guilds  and  the  cult 
of  any  of  the  systems  of  the  Ancient  Mysteries,  proves  conclusively  that, 
both  in  the  genius  and  in  the  practice  of  the  distinctive  principle  which 
we  denominate /ratem%,  the  former  bears  the  nearest  parallel  to  the  Order 
in  which  we  all  take  so  much  pride. 


CHAPTER  III. 

EIGHTEENTH  CENTUBY  CLUBS  AND  LODGES. 

Associations.  —  As  has  been  stated  by  Past  Grand  Master  Medole,  in 
his  article  on  the  Manchester  Unity  Odd  Fellows,  in  this  work,  clubs, 
guilds,  and  associations  of  various  kinds  were  numerous  during  the  last 
century  in  England.  Such  societies,  also,  existed  on  the  continent. 
These  organizations  differed  very  little  from  similar  bodies  of  the  present 
day.  The  point  made  by  everybody  is,  that  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
has  not  been  proved  to  be  a  lineai  descendant  from  any  of  them,  and  this 
we  concede  vnth  a  reservation :  We  might  as  well  deny  that  the  civiliza- 
tion of  the  nineteenth  century  is  not  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  ancient  <(' 

1  The  gnUd  of  the  "  BleMed  Vlr^n  Mary  of  Chesterfield  "  (1918)  had  rules  that  Its  members  must  ^ 

swear  "to  uphold  the  rights  of  the  Ghorch,"  to  "take  care  for  the  rights  of  the  lord  of  the  place,"  and  t 

"  to  guard  all  their  Ubertles,  within  town  and  without  town,  and  to  give  trusty  help  thereto  whenever  it 
may  be  needed."  Every  brother  "  in  every  strait  and  trouble"  was  to  "have  the  help  of  his  brethren  toward 
defending  himself,  in  due  course  of  law,  against  any  adversary  whomsoever  " ;  and  damages,  or  loss  Uiereby 
tiieurred,  were  to  be  made  good  to  him  by  the  brethren,  assisted  by  the  alderman.  . 


38  TBS  THBEE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

civilizations  of  our  Chapter  I.,  focussed  in  the  Christian  era,  as  to  deny 
that  associations  for  charitable  and  benevolent  purposes  have  not  hereto- 
fore existed  that  w^re  somewhat  parallel  to  our  Order  as  we  now  know  it. 
Even  the  laws  by  which  we  are  governed  are  similar  to  those  of  the  ailcient 
guilds,  —  shown,  also,  by  the  articles  on  ritual  and  jurisprudence,  —  and 
many  of  our  customs  and  most  of  our  ceremonies  are  a  duplicate  of  what 
have  "gone  before." 

Speculations. — Another  phase  of  this  subject  presents  itself.  The 
learned  men  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  have,  for  many  years,  written  at 
great  length  upon  the  antiquities  or  early  societies  from  which  that  organi- 
zation is  claimed  by  some  to  have  descended.  During  the  formative  period 
of  Odd  Fellowship  in  America  the  "fathers  "  pursued  a  like  investigation, 
and  some  of  them  put  forth  as  preposterous  claims  for  the  Odd  Fellows 
as  ever  adorned  the  pages  of  alleged  histories  of  Freemasonry.  Both 
societies  are  better  informed  to-day,  and  yet  it  is  as  much  of  an  historic 
fact,  as  anything  that  can  be  established  at  this  date,  that  during  the 
centuries  past  two  systems  of  societies  existed  side  by  side,  as  stated  in 
the  preceding  chapter;  and  that  one  of  these  was  the  Masonic  institution, 
flourishing  under  the  patronage  of  the  crown,  there  is  little  doubt.  Its 
members  were  the  builders  of  the  cathedrals  of  Europe  and  Great  Britain; 
that  they  were  the  ordy  lawful  workmen  is,  also,  clearly  established. 
What  became  of  the  others?  An  eminent  historian  of  England^  asserts 
that  there  was  an  organization  of  workmen  (builders),  who,  in  spite  of 
bitter  opposition  and  lack  of  prestige,  without  the  "  Old  Charges  "  arid 
advantages  of  the  obligated  brotherhood,  "  contrived  to  hold  their  own, 
and  eventually  broke  down  the  riionopoly,  thus  paving  the  way  for  the 
purely  speculative  society  of  modem  days.''  The  reader  will  perceive 
that  in  the  conflict  between  "organized"  and  "non-union"  labor  to-day, 
history  repeats  itself.  It  is  no  part  of  our  purpose  to  compare  our  Order 
in  its  probable,  or  possible,  early  stages  with  that  of  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity; it  is  the  farthest  removed  from  our  intention  to  precipitate 
any  argument  upon  this  subject,  but  the  fact  is  apparent  that  two  great 
classes  of  people  (organized  for  social,  protective,  and  benevolent  pur- 
poses), existed  in  Great  Britain,  and  in  other  parts  of  Europe  during 
preceding  centuries,  just  as  Odd  Fellowship  and  Freemasonry  have  dwelt 
together  in  the  nineteenth. 

More  Manuscript  Testimony.  —  Among  the  manuscripts  that  have  lately 
been  published  by  the  Quatiior  Coronati  Lodge,  is  the  "  Constitution  Book 
of  the  Antient  and  Noble  Order  of  Bucks."  The  text  is  written  on  one 
side  of  forty-four  unnumbered  leaves, — measuring  nine  inches  by  seven 
inches, — and  from  the  peculiarity  of  some  of  the  letters  the  transcriber 
is  led  to  think  it  is  a  copy  of  a  much  older  manuscript.     Each  page  is 

»  William  James  Hughan  In  "  The  History  of  Freemasonry  and  Concordant  Orders,"  p.  19,  eleeq. 


EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY  SOCIETIES.  39 

neatly  ruled  around  with  a  double  line  of  red  ink,  as  are,  also,  the  para- 
graphs throughout;  the  main  text  is  black,  and  certain  words  and  sen- 
tences are  in  a  little  larger  writing  in  blue-green  ink.  For  example,  the 
first  word  or  letters  in  every  paragraph,  the  headlines  of  the  sentences, 
the  mottoes,  the  words  "grand,"  "register,"  and  "answer"  in  the  cate- 
chism, the  numbers  of  the  rules,  "  Nimrod  "  and  the  names  generally,  are 
of  larger  size  and  written  in  blue  ink.  All  the  punctuation  is  in  red  ink, 
as  also  the  square  brackets. 

The  publication  of  these  manuscript  constitutions  is  accompanied  by 
an  exhaustive  review  by  Harry  Ky lands,  F.S.A.,  a  member  of  that  circle 
of  antiquaries.  From  the  review  of  the  manuscript  we  are  told  that  this 
society  or  club  was  once  a  very  formidable  rival  of  Freemasonry ;  and,  at  one 
time,  fears  were  entertained  that  it  would  supplant  the  other  institution. 
Of  course  Mr.  Rylands  wrote  from  the  standpoint  of  a  Mason,  being  a 
member  of  that  fraternity,  but  even  his  article  shows  conclusively  what 
we  have  assumed,  that  rival  orders  existed,  and  the  manuscript  constitu- 
tions are  in  evidence  that  this  "  Order  of  Bucks  "  may  have  been  descen- 
dants of  the  "another  body  of  operatives,"  to  which  Mr.  Hughan  makes 
reference.  While  the  writer  does  not  contend  that  from  this  order  came 
the  early  Odd  Fellows,  the  facts,  as  stated,  are  given  and  the  reader  may 
draw  his  own  conclusions. 

Organization  of  the  *'Antient"  Order. — The  presiding  officer  was  called 
"  Most  Noble  Grand  " ;  at  one  time  the  next  two  in  line  were  a  "  Senior  Vice 
Grand  "  and  a  "  Junior  Vice  Grand."  Subsequently,  or  before  (not  clearly 
shown),  a  "  Deputy  Nbble  Grand  "  was  the  second  officer,  and  when  this 
became  the  rule  there  were  two  of  these  "  Deputies."  In  William  Riley's 
register  of  societies,  published  in  1773,  the  "  Most  Noble  Order  of  Bucks  " 
ranks  next  to  the  Freemasons.  There  was  a  Grand  Lodge  organization, 
ultimately,  but  at  the  first  this  order  appears  to  have  lacked  the  compact 
association  which  then,  and  since,  characterized  the  Masonic  Fraternity. 

There  are  other  manuscript  constitutions  extant,  but  they  are  auxiliary 
to,  or  connected  with,  the  family  called  the  "  Old  Charges  of  British  Free- 
masons "  and  none  known  to  us  show  the  parallels  with  Odd  Fellowship, 
that  appear  to  be  inherent  in  the  one  under  consideration.  The  Order  of 
Bucks  was  political  as  well  as  social.  On  Monday,  June  4,  1759,  they 
celebrated  the  birthday  of  George  III.,  in  grand  style.  They,  also,  were 
given  to  charitable  work, — one  lodge  contributing  the  sum  of  £70, — 
"toward  clothing  pur  brave  troops  abroad,  and  the  relief  of  the  widows 
and  orphans  of  those  who  fell  nobly  in  their  country's  and  liberty's  cause, " 
—  a  large  amount  for  that  day.  The  date  of  this  donation  was  February  8, 
1760.  From  what  we  have  been  able  to  learn  the  club  or  clubs  from  which 
this  order  sprang  had  existed  many  years,  that  sometime  prior  to  1756  the 
lodge  system  was  adopted,  and  the  semi-centennial  was  celebrated  in  1773, 


■  FEATEMSITY. 


'AS*t^'i66i'B»1l^MjoicBodthe  formation  of  their  order  from 
■^.^^...^.i  ^-  _;„-  ^1 ,e  year  leeway,  call- 
club  society  that  has 
Freemasonry ;  (b)  the  title 
generis;  (c)  the 
rather  than  the  G-rand 
presiding  officer  of  the  governing 
a  "Grand"  or  Grand  Master, 
Bucks "  (past  grands),  or  their 
--_„,__^.— ..—-■»->-  "United  Order"  succeeded  the 
._  ^^^*Ms0Bi^|yi9.|2y  Committee  reported  to  it  through 
^uniS^^.ia^^^gj^i^^heard,  determined,  and  redressed" 
'  "■ "              —  I  —  —  —  ""jfi  objects  of  the  order  were  declared 
l^rship,"  lodge -meetings  being  held 
weekly,  —  when  the  warden 
collected  the  dues, —  in  club- 
rooms  or  taverns,  where  "can- 
dor, sociability,  freeness,  and 
honesty  are  celebrated  as  the 
accomplishments    of    frater- 
nity," although  the  context 
proves  these  rites  to  have  been 
bacchanalian;  (g)  "Mmrod" 
is  mentioned  aa  the  founder 
istitutions,  and  was  a  noted  officer 
itious  colors,  that  of  the  Most  Noble 
and  Freedom,"  representing  the 
;ble  symbol  of  civil  society;  (t)  the 
fauthority;  (j)  unanimity  was  taught 
len  ribbons;  (&)  fines  were  imposed 
Siity  of  officers,  at  the  hour  appointed, 
ik  in  the  evening, "  and  unezcused 
leers,  for  four  nights  worked  a  for- 
:principal  emblems, —  and  the  only 
iks'  heads,  with  antlers  presumedly 

close  of  the  last  century,  although 
later  date.  In  1802  there 
'^Jrder,"  the  name  "Buck"  having 
jensive  literature,  and  during  fifty  of 
jtbership. 
Led  Odd  Fellow  need  not  be  told  the 


EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY  SOCIETIES.  41 

parallels  of  resemblance;  but  for  others  we  draw  the  lines:  (a)  Leaving 
to  our  brethren  of  the  Quatuor  Coronati  Lodge  the  settlement  of  the  his- 
torical point  of  controversy  as  to  whether  the  "  United  Order "  was  the 
real  successor  (through  the  "Noble  Order")  of  the  celebrated  Buck  club 
of  the  days  of  George  II.,  we  note  that  the  only  surviving  organizations 
are  those  possessing  manuscript  constitutions  (the  Old  Charges  of  British 
Freemasons,  and  that  fraternity  being  the  greatest  living  example), —  none 
others  were  perpetuated, — what  became,  then,  of  this  order,  with  its 
written  code,  its  claim  to  have  been  founded  by  Nimrod  ("  who  built  the 
Tower  of  Babel "),  and  did  it  have  successors?  (b)  the  title  of  "  Most  Noble 
Grand ''  is  still  used  in  our  installation  ceremonies  (was  the  common  title 
in  the  records  of  Adam  Lodge,  of  Boston,  in  1828-32),  and  "  Noble  Grand '' 
is  sui  generis  as  the  presiding  officer  of  a  lodge  in  Odd  Fellowship;  (o) 
both  the  English  and  American  orders  were  at  first  regulated  by  commit- 
tees ("Quarterly,"  "Annual,"  or  "Grand"),  indeed,  the  whole  machinery 
of  the  organization  was  at  first  identical  with  the  Bucks,  and  tlie  Man- 
chester Unity  still  adheres  to  that  system;  (d)  the  representation  of 
lodges  by  past  grands  is,  also,  similar;  (e)  among  the  first  English 
organizations  of  Odd  Fellows  was  an  "Antient"  and  a  "United  Order"  ; 
(/)  the  conviviality  of  the  early  brethren  would  read  in  story  very  much 
like  this  eighteenth  century  order;  (g)  "Nimrod"  was  an  officer  in  some 
of  the  first  American  encampments  even,  and  both  that  worthy  and  his 
history  figured  in  the  earliest  rituals;  (h)  the  regalia  possesses  distinctive 
colors;  (t)  the  first  ritual  of  the  Odd  Fellows  provided  that  the  "officers 
be  up-standing  and  covered,  brothers  be  up-standing  and  uncovered,"  at 
the  opening  and  closing  of  a  lodge ;  (j)  no  other  modem  society,  of  which 
we  have  knowledge,  uses  the  "bundle  of  sticks  "  as  an  emblem;  (Jc)  fines 
were  at  one  time  universal  in  Odd  Fellowship,  all  the  old  codes  of  by- 
laws have  an  elaborate  system  for  all  occasions,  and  an  office  may  be 
declared  vacant  after  three  unexcused  absences;  (I)  bring  the  antlers  of  the 
three  bucks'  heads  together  at  the  top,  erase  the  heads  as  too  cumbersome, 
and  the  three-links, —  the  emblem  sui  generis  of  the  Odd  Fellows, —  appears 
in  embryo.    The  parallels  are  susceptible  of  much  farther  extension. 

One  Common  Bond.  —  The  membership  of  the  eighteenth  century  clubs 
consisted  of  select  companies  of  congenial  people,  who  met  for  social 
purposes,  as  has  been  stated.  They  assembled  at  various  places,  at  tav- 
erns, and  in  rooms  where  wo7*kmen,  or  those  of  similar  trades,  were  accus- 
tomed to  gather.  The  pulpit  thundered  its  anathemas,  and  the  nobility 
held  aloof.  The  Masons  solved  the  problem  by  admitting  to  "  specula- 
tive "  (honorary)  membership  those  not  of  the  craft,  which  in  time  led 
to  "operative"  and  "speculative"  departments,  and,  with  many  "Old 
Charges  "  (or  constitutions)  have  continued  to  the  present, — the  two  kinds 
of  Freemasonry  having  long  since  become  united.     What  became  of  the 


'^L^^isJji^^jrff  FRATEBNITT. 
.-:••.•  SI',  tr^'m 

»  pearl  fi  ^jonstitutiona?     We  do  not  pretend  to 
**    itive. 

the  forty  years  succeeding  1780,  a 

fi  to  have  decayed  and  disappeared; 
Great  Britain,  and  wa^  transplanted 
^ew  York,  Baltimore,  Boston,  and 
li^jj^ut,  official  titles,  correspondences  in 
ly  the  frt^ments  that  have  been  pre- 
inference  to  suppose  that  the  later 
;,  or  a  close  imitation,  of  the  extinct 

incident  is  recorded  that  lends  color 
nee  may  be  valid.  When  George  IV. 
le  authority,  he  found  himself  ushered 
iay  at  a  ball ;  others,  that  it  was  into 
In  the  discussion  of  the  review 
the  members  of  the  Quatuor  Coronati 
the  entrance  by  the  Prince  into  an 
the  story  as  follows:  — 

'  Feathers,'  Groavenor  street,  Weit.  A  lodge 
|>the  private  cliunber  of  which  George,  Prince  ot 
rQyn«rliig  friend.  The  Bociety  wai,  at  that 
I,  which  no  UDioilJated  eye  may  behold,  and 
The  only  nay  to  repair  the  sacrilege  was  to 
|*i]^ellowa,'  a  title  they  certaialy  deserved  as  richly 
nere  quickly  conferred,  and  the  Prince  wm 
History  oj  Signboardt,  p.  131. 

light  be  led  to  inquire  why  a  Bucks' 
tcame  fused  as  one  and  the  same,  in 
ily  no  traditional  cotmection  between 


Part  II. 


THE  ORIGIN,  THE  CREATIVE  PERIOD,  AND  THE  GOLDEN  AGE 

OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP,  CONSIDERED  IN  REGARD   TO 

THE  GOVERNING  BODIES  OF  THE  ORDER. 


DIVISION  11. 

THE  SOVEREiaN  GRAND  LODaE, 

THE  BEGINNING  AND  GROWTH  OF  THE  INDEPENDENT  ORDER,  ON 
BOTH  SIDES  OF  THE  ATLANTIC  OCEAN ;  AND  OF  THE  AMERICAN 
ORDER,  NOW  REPRESENTED  IN  THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE, 
BELTING  THE  GLOBE. 


INTRODUCTION. 

THE  RATIONALE  OF  THE  CLASSIFICATION. 

The  general  scope  of  this  paxt  of  the  History  of  Odd  Fellowship  com- 
prehends a  careful  inquiry  into  the  value  of  the  evidence,  and  a  review  of 
the  origin  and  growth  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  On 
this  point,  Kidgely,  sometimes  called  the  ^^  Master-builder/'  of  the  Amer- 
ican Order,  wrote,  in  1845 :  — 

"  However  humble  the  origin  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and,  I  may  add,  however  ill-adapted  in 
its  inception  to  the  great  end  for  which  it  now  so  saccessfully  exerts  its  unremitting  efforts, 
we  take  no  reproaches  in  openly  proclaiming  the  truth.  We  do  not  claim  that  its  capabil- 
ities for  goody  its  value  to  man,  and  its  usefulness  to  society  at  large  are  commensurate 
with  its  origin  in  England,  or  America.  You  are  not  ignorant,  nor  is  the  world  ignorant  of 
the  fact,  that  Odd  Fellows  were,  originaUy,  convivial  men,  and  as  such,  were  the  subject 
of  reproach  in  both  hemispheres,  for  many  years.  Nor  is  it  to  be  wondered  that  public 
opinion  firmly  and  successfully  opposed  the  progress  of  the  Order  in  its  early  day.  It  must 
in  candor  be  admitted  that  much  of  the  prejudice  to  which  it  was  then  subjected,  was  not 
whoUy  unmerited.  It  could  not  be  expected  that  an  enlightened  community  would  regard 
favorably  the  professions  of  an  order  of  men,  which, — while  it  claimed,  by  its  influence  and 

43 


44  THE  THREE' LINK  FRATERNITY. 

principles,  the  office  of  elevating  the  standard  of  human  character, — afforded  but  little 
evidence  of  the  truthfulness  of  such  profession,  in  the  practice,  which  was  known  to  consti- 
tute its  leading  element.  However  beautiful  its  theory,  men  were  indisposed  to  confide  in 
its  fitness  as  an  agent  of  good,  when  they  regarded  its  example  as  wanting  in  a  proper  def- 
erence to  a  healthy  public  mind.  Honor,  enduring  honor,  is  due  to  the  spirit,  which,  in 
appreciation  of  the  adverse  tone  of  public  sentiment  and  its  just  condemnation,  imparted 
that  regenerating  influence,  which,  —  acting  like  the  vivifying  dews  of  heaven  upon  the 
drooping  plant,  —  first  gave  health  and  vigor  to  its  principles." 

The  story,  thus  outlined,  is  told  in  detail  in  the  following  pages,  sup- 
plemented by  the  history  of  the  Order,  when,  —  the  thraldom  of  early 
associations  thrown  aside, — Odd  Fellowship  arose  to  its  high  privilege,  and 
honestly  gained  its  present  world-wide  reputation  for  fraternal  and  benefi- 
cent activities.  To  write  the  history  of  such  an  organization  is  a  difficult 
imdertaking,  —  not  so  much  because  of  its  obscure  and  convivial  origin, 
its  formative  period,  encompassed  with  opposition  and  harassed  by  contu- 
mely, as  the  absence  of  those  elements,  found  in  almost  everything  else, 
that  command  interest  in  the  narrative.  The  secular  historian  has  many 
factors  in  his  favor  not  possessed  by  the  society  scribe.  He  can  call  to 
his  assistance  the  exploits  of  the  field,  and  the  eloquence  of  the  forum. 
The  activities  of  the  busy,  bustling  world  contribute  to  his  stock  of  infor- 
mation. The  literature  of  the  ages  are  at  his  command.  The  sentiment 
of  patriotism  may  attract  the  sympathy  of  thousands  to  his  words,  and 
give  prominence  to  what  would,  otherwise,  be  an  unattractive  statement  of 
facts.  But  the  Fraternity  historian  has  few  of  these  accessories  within 
his  reach.  He  delves  in  a  field  the  antithesis  of  this,  — and  yet,  who  shall 
say  that  the  labors  of  the  one  are  not  the  correlative  of  the  other  ?  Who 
shall  dare  to  declare  that  the  attainments  of  the  writers  of  the  subse- 
quent pages  are  not  as  important,  in  their  influence,  as  the  labors  of  the 
secular  historian  ?  They  write  of  a  fraternal,  beneficial  society,  at  the  first 
composed  of  humble  laborers.  The  state  is  not  friendly ;  religion  frowns 
upon  it ;  and  the  press,  that  mighty  engine  of  modem  thought,  is  an 
enemy.  Of  the  early  records,  even  in  the  American  Order,  little  remains ; 
and  of  literature,  such  only  as  it  has  itself  gathered.  How,  then,  can 
history,  like  this,  be  written  ?  The  reader  must  draw  his  reply  from  what 
has  come  down  to  us,  and  in  this  he  will  be  assisted  by  many  facts,  that 
appear  here  for  the  first  time  in  standard  history. 

The  unostentatious  methods  employed  by  the  Order  in  later  times, 
"  doing  good  as  good  ought  always  to  be  performed,"  without  the  blare 
of  trumpets,  and  the  accessories  of  processions  headed  by  comet  bands, 
militates  against  the  record  of  many  things  that  would,  undoubtedly,  be 
of  interest  to  the  public  as  well  as  to  Odd  Fellows ;  but  the  story,  told 
with  a  controlling  desire  for  truth,  and  in  a  fearless  manner,  is  given  to 
the  world  in  all  the  ampUtude  that  space  will  admit. 

The  Editob-in-Chief. 


SECTION  I. 

THE   MANCHESTER   UNITY   DURING   ITS    CONNECTION  WITH   THE 

AMERICAN  ORDER. 

Bt  John  Medole,  Past  Chrand  Master, 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  ORIGIN  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 

Introductory. — No  system  devised  for  the  improvement  of  the  social 
condition  of  mankind  has  ever  been  organized,  and  introduced  to  the 
world,  that  has  not  encountered  some  determined  hostility,  often  having 
to  contend  with  stern  and  violent  opposition,  and  this,  generally,  from 
the  learned  and  higher  grades  of  society.  Galileo,  when  he  demonstrated 
that  the  sun  was  the  centre  of  many  revolving  worlds,  was  branded  as 
an  infidel.  Harvey,  who  discovered  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  was 
denounced  as  an  impostor.  Inoculation  was  condemned  as  anti-Christian, 
and  its  introduction  declared  to  be  in  direct  contravention  of  the  laws  of 
nature.  Even  Christianity  was  not  exempt  from  prejudice,  bigotry,  and 
intolerance.  Man  seems  to  be  inclined  to  condemn  what  he  does  not 
understand.  Notwithstanding  the  boasted  intelligence  and  refinement  of 
the  age,  uncharitable  constructions  are  often  placed  upon  what  are  either 
imperfectly  understood,  or  not  known  at  all. 

The  Manchester  Unity  and  all  other  Friendly  societies  have  experi- 
enced the  shafts  of  enmity,  hatred,  and  malice.  Both  the  pulpit  and  the 
press,  in  the  past,  hurled  their  anathemas  and  opprobrious  epithets  at 
the  institution,  and  heaped  upon  it  no  stinted  measure  of  obloquy  and 
calumny.  Many  of  these  societies,  however,  have  outlived  the  baneful 
influence  of  this  opposition. 

The  Order's  Bes:inning. — The  origin  of  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  is 
implicated  in  much  doubt,  and  surrounded  with  considerable  obscurity. 
As  a  Friendly  society,  whatever  existence  it  may  have  had  in  the  last 
century  was  not  of  sufficient  interest  to  claim  any  favorable  public  notice 
of  its  operations.  In  the  present  century  it  has  assumed  a  more  important 
character,  leading  to  much  inquiry  and  speculation  as  to  its  origin  and  early 

reputation.    As  no  original  records  are  known  to  have  been  kept,  its  early 

45 


46  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

history  is  mere  conjecture,  at  best.  All  we  really  know  of  it,  in  this 
connection,  is  limited  to  the  last  decade  of  the  eighteenth  and  the  first 
two  decades  of  the  present  century. 

James  Spry,  in  his  "  History  of  Odd  Fellowship,"  said :  — 

"  When  I  was  first  admitted  a  member,  in  the  year  1840,  a  very  old  man,  by  the  name 
of  Morris,  informed  me  that  he  had  been  a  member  twenty-five  years ;  that  his  father  and 
grandfather  belonged  to  a  lodge  of  Ancient  Odd  Fellows,  which  met  at  a  house  in  Tooley 
street,  Bermondsey,  under  dispensation  bearing  date  of  1760.  Since  I  commenced  writing 
my  book  I  have  been  favored  with  a  sight  of  a  portion  of  the  laws  of  a  lodge,  written  in 
ancient  character  on  vellum,  and  a  leaf,  apparently  the  draft  .of  the  rough  minutes  of  the 
night's  proceedings,  of  Aristarchus  Lodge,  No.  9,  of  the  O.  of  O.  F's.,  meeting  at  Globe  Tavern, 
March  12,  17-18,  —  Gordon  Styles,  Noble  Master." 

The  Roman  Camp  Legend.  —  In  order  to  discredit  the  story  that  the 
Order  was  first  established  by  the  Roman  soldiers,  in  camp  during  the 
reign  of  Nero,  the  emperor,  in  the  year  55,  who  were  then  called  Fellow- 
citizens,  and  to  dissipate  the  fallacy  that  Titus  Caesar  gave  them  the  name 
of  Odd  Fellows  in  the  year  79,  the  compiler  will  here  give  the  English 
version  of  the  origin  of  this  misrepresentation. 

In  October,  1835,  Representative  Ridgely  of  Maryland  submitted,  at 
the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  the  following ;  — 

"  Resolved y  That  the  committee  on  correspondence,  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  be  directed 
to  address  a  congratulatory  letter  to  our  brethren  in  Great  Britain  upon  the  state  of  the 
Order  in  that  country,  ..  .  .  and  solicit  from  them  a  detailed  historical  account  of  the  origin, 
rise,  and  progress  of  the  Order." 

Past  Provincial  Grand  Master  Bums,  in  1846,  furnished  the  only 
information  we  have  upon  this  subject.    He  said :  — 

"  In  1835  the  members  of  the  Order  in  America  were  anxious  to  learn  the  true  origin  of 
their  common  society,  and,  in  order  to  inform  themselves  correctly  upon  the  subject,  they 
wrote  to  Manchester,  the  seat  of  the  executive  government.  Their  letters,  along  with 
several  printed  papers,  were  laid  before  the  Grand  Annual  Movable  Committee,  at  Rochdale, 
in  1838,  and  the  following  was  adopted  by  that  body ;  — 

*' '  That  the  correspondence  from  America  be  answered  by  the  Grand  Master  and  Board 
of  Directors.' 

*'  In  accordance  with  this  resolution  the  following  brief  historical  sketch  was  trans- 
mitted to  our  trans- Atlantic  brethren,  which,  in  all  conscience,  was  certainly  sufficient  to 
flatter  the  vanity  of  our  American  brethren  as  to  the  antiquity  of  their  favorite  child  of 
adoption ;  and,  to  say  the  least,  the  Order  must  have  been  a  pretty  full-grown  boy  at 
eighteen  hundred  years  of  age." 

The  preliminaries  of  the  Grand  Master  and  Board  of  Directors'  letter 
being  omitted,  the  following  is  a  copy  of  their  history  of  the  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows :  — 

"  In  accordance  with  your  wishes,  we  will  endeavor,  as  far  as  we  are  acquainted,  to 
give  you  a  brief  sketch  of  the  origin  of  Odd  Fellowship;  also  of  that  portion  called  the 
Manchester  Unity.  We  are  not  in  possession  of  any  manuscripts,  in  the  archives  of  the 
Order,  that  will  enable  us  to  give  you  a  detailed  account;  we  have,  therefore,  obtained 
our  information  in  a  concise  form  from  past  officers  of  the  Order  who  were  among  the 
originators  of  it  in  Manchester. 


J 


ITS  ORIGIN^  AND  THE  MANCHESTER   UNITY.  47 

**  The  origin  of  the  Order  is  of  antique  date.  It  was  first  established  by  the  Roman 
soldiers,  in  camp,  after  the  Order  ot  the  Israelites  daring  the  reign  of  (the  immaculate) 
Nero,  the  Roman  emperor,  in  the  year  of  grace  55,  at  which  time  they  were  called  Fellow- 
citizens.  The  name  Odd  Fellows  was  given  to  this  order  of  men,  in  the  year  79,  by  Titus 
CsBsar,  from  the  singularity  of  their  notions,  and  from  their  knowing  each  other  by  night 
as  well  as  by  day ;  and,  for  their  fidelity  to  him  as  well  as  to  their  country,  he  not  only 
gave  them  the  name  of  Odd  Fellows,  but,  at  the  same  time,  as  a  pledge  of  his  friendship, 
presented  them  with  a  dispensation,  engraved  on  a  plate  of  gold,  having  the  foUowing 
emblems :  the  Royal  Arch  of  Titus,  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  the  Golden  Candlesticks,  and 
Table  weighing  a  great  talent ;  the  Sun  for  the  Noble  Grand,  the  Moon  and  Stars  for  the 
Vice  Grand,  the  Lamb  for  the  Secretary,  the  Lion  for  the  Guardian,  the  Dove  for  the 
Warden,  and  the  Emblems  of  Mortality  for  the  Grand  Master. 

'*  It  is  very  probable  that  the  first  Odd  Fellovrs  made  their  appearance  in  North  Wales 
about  that  time,  as  an  invasion  was  made  by  one  of  Titus  Caesar's  generals  (Agricola) ,  of 
North  Whales,  and  shortly  afterward  of  the  Island  of  Mona,  now  called  Anglesea.  The  first 
account  we  have  of  the  Order  spreading  itself  in  other  countries  is  in  the  fifth  century, 
when  it  was  established  in  the  Spanish  dominions,  under  the  Roman  dispensation ;  in  the 
sixth  century,  by  Henry  of  Portugal ;  in  the  twelfth  century  it  was  established  in  France ; 
and  afterward  in  England  by  John  D.  Neville,  attended  by  five  knights  from  France,  who 
established  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Honor  in  England,  which  Order  remained  until  the  eighteenth 
century,  in  the  reign  of  George  III.,  when  a  part  of  them  formed  themselves  into  a  Union, 
and  a  portion  of  them  remain  until  this  day.  On  this  account  the  lodges  which  remain  are 
very  numerous  throughout  the  world,  and  call  themselves  the  Loyal  Ancient  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  being  a  portion  of  the  original  body. 

"  So  much,  then,  for  the  brief  sketch  of  the  Order  transmitted  to  our  American  brethren. 
I  have  never  learned  how  they  have  been  satisfied  with  the  result  of  our  historical  labors ; 
one  thing  may  be  observed,  —  if  they  have  any  respect  for  antiquity,  they  must  necessarily 
appreciate  what  we  have  gleaned  for  them.'* 

That  this  story  is  a  myth  is  apparent  upon  its  face.  How  sensible 
and  educated  men  could  be  led  away  from  the  truth  by  such  vague,  idle, 
and  nonsensical  speculations  is  greatly  to  be  wondered  and,  for  the  repu- 
tation of  the  Order,  deeply  deplored.  It  does  not  stand  in  need  of  such 
imaginary  details  of  lively-fancied  brains,  of  over-zealous,  but  well-meaning 
brethren,  who,  in  the  warmth  of  their  enthusiasm,  have  allowed  their 
absurd  fancies  to  steal  a  march  on  their  better  judgment,  for  the  sake 
of  connecting  their  particular  theories,  or  objects,  with  times  long  since 
passed  away. 

Clubs  and  Ancient  Guilds.  —  Clubs  are  not  modern  institutions.  They 
have  existed  in  all  ages,  and  among  many  nations.  Historians  tell  us 
that  in  the  ancient  days  of  Greece  the  men  of  Athens  combined  for  social 
intercourse.  In  both  Greece  and  Rome  political  clubs  were  common,  and 
the  aristocrats  and  democrats  of  that  period  advanced  their  views  much 
as  they  do  at  this  distant  day.  In  Rome  the  earliest  clubs  were  the  trade- 
*  guilds,  founded  by  Numa  Eompilius  in  720  b.c,  similar  to  the  guilds  of 
the  craftsmen,  which  played  so  important  a  part  in  the  history  of  the 
middle  ages.  At  one  time  there  were  not  less  than  eighty  of  these  guilds 
in  Rome,  and  they  were  not  confined  exclusively  to  the  metropolis.  The 
societies  formed  throughout  the  Roman  Empire,  for  the  practice  of  re- 
ligious rites,  unknown  to  the  states,  were  not  dissimilar  to  the  Masonic 


48  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

society  of  the  present  day,  except  that  our  Masonic  institution  does  not 
violate  the  laws  of  any  principality,  commonwealth,  or  municipality. 

Even  the  slaves  in  Kome  formed  clubs  of  their  own,  which  somewhat 
resembled  the  trades-unions  of  later  times.  While  military  clubs  were 
prohibited,  they  were  tolerated  among  officers  of  regiments  in  the  foreign 
service.  The  rules  of  a  club,  in  a  regiment  on  duty  in  Africa,  have  been 
discovered  among  the  remains  of  a  Roman  camp,  showing  that  the  annual 
dues  were  about  $1.25  of  our  money. 

Women's  clubs  are  not  of  recent  origin.  The  Roman  matrons  had 
many  such  gatherings,  some  for  religious,  others  for  social  purposes.  The 
most  celebrated  of  these  was  the  "  Senate  of  Matrons,"  connected  with 
which  was  a  debating  society,  wherein  momentous  questions  concerning 
themselves  were  discussed. 

The  first  definite  information  concerning  an  English  club  is  given  by 
Thomas  Occleve,  the  poet,  who,  with  Chaucer,  belonged  to  a  club  called 
"  La  Court  de  Bone  Compagnie."  In  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth  these 
clubs  became  very  numerous,  and  some  of  them  exceedingly  famous,  owing 
to  the  great  men  who  belonged  to  them. 

Among  the  ancient  Saxons  "guilds"  were  inaugurated,  growing  out 
of  the  relations  and  necessities  of  commerce,  trade,  and  manufactures. 
Each  member  contributed  to  a  common  fund,  out  of  which  were  given 
donations  for  the  temporary  relief  of  needy  members.  Eventually  every 
trade  had  its  separate  guild,  and  other  organizations,  of  a  like  character 
and  object,  became  popular  in  European  cities  and  towns.  They  were 
really  trades-unions  or  cooperative  societies,  and  have  been  traced  as  far 
back  as  the  tenth  century.  In  the  last  century  most  of  those,  in  England, 
degenerated  into  free-and-easy  clubs,  social  and  convivial  in  their  charac- 
ter. Subsequently  workingmen's  beneficial  societies  were  formed,  out  of 
which  were  inaugurated  the  Odd  Fellows'  or  Friendly  society.  In  the  early 
part  of  the  present  century,  the  Order  was  organized  into  a  permanent 
institution;  in  England  confined,  almost  exclusively,  to  the  operative 
classes,  and  was  both  beneficial  and  convivial. 

The  Ague's  Controlling  Principle.  —  Every  age  has  had  its  central  idea,  its 
controlling  principle.  From  history  we  learn  that  the  age  of  Greece  was 
the  age  of  letters  and  arts.  The  general  intellectual  development  of  the 
people  exhibited  a  progressive  advancement  of  life  from  its  lowest  types, 
as  they  existed  in  the  normal  condition  of  society,  up  to  higher  forms 
of  education  and  civilization.  The  middle  ages  were  characterized  by  re- 
ligious enthusiasm,  uncontrolled  by  science,  and  unrestrained  by  knowl- 
edge founded  upon  reason  and  experience.  Then  came  an  age  of  military 
despotism,  when  tyrants  exercised  absolute  or  unlimited  and  uncontrolled 
power. 

The  idea  of  the  present  age  is  fraternity, — to  associate  and  hold  fel- 


\ 


ITS  ORIGIS,  AND  THE  MANCHESTER  UNITY.  49 

lowship  as  brothers,  —  a  brotherhood  that  fosters  love  of  country,  and  of 
family,  benevolence  toward  the  needy,  sympathy  for  the  distressed,  and 
brotherly  love  for  those  in  affliction.  The  present  age  has  borrowed  but 
little  from  the  models  of  ancient  times,  has  overleaped  all  barriers  to  the 
supremacy  of  the  principles  of  universal  freedom,  the  sovereignty  of  the 
people,  and  the  inevitable  growth  of  the  idea  of  brotherhood,  as  implied 
in  pure  friendship,  fraternal  love,  and  divine  truth.  Humanity  and  char- 
ity have  largely  participated  in  the  advance  of  civilization  and  the  triumph 
of  Christianity.  As  inseparable  from  the  growth  of  these,  and  as  aux- 
iliary to  that  greater  efficiency  for  good,  has  the  spirit  of  association  and 
cooperative  organization  been  invoked,  with  a  view  to  enlarged  usefulness 
and  more  effective  practical  results. 

The  Orders  of  Odd  Fellows. — The  Manchester  Unity  was  only  one  of 
the  many  Orders  of  Odd  Fellows  that  existed  in  England  at  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century.  Each  was  independent  of  all  others.  Among  these 
may  be  named :  the  Imperial  Odd  Fellows,  Nottingham ;  Ancient  Noble 
Odd  Fellows,  Bolton ;  Grand  United  Odd  Fellows,  Sheffield ;  Economical 
Odd  Fellows,  Leeds ;  National  Odd  Fellows,  Salf ord ;  London  Unity  Odd 
Fellows;  and  others  in  more  obscure  localities.  These  held  no  official 
or  fraternal  relations  with  one  another,  except  that  each  lodge  accorded 
allegiance  to  the  "mother  lodge,"  recognizing  its  supervising  influence, 
under  the  authority  of  the  dispensation  it  had  granted. 

The  causes  that  necessitated  the  formation  of  these  several  unities, 
led  to  the  disintegration  of  others,  and  prevented  the  union  of  some, 
occurred  between  1790  and  1796,  and  were  attributed  to  the  action  of  the 
government.  The  principles  of  deism,  at  that  time,  swayed  and  ruled 
the  minds  of  thousands  of  people  in  France,  eventually  brought  about  a 
revolution  that  overturned  the  forms  of  religion  and  monarchy,  in  the 
name  of  "  Liberty,  Equality,  and  Fraternity,"  and  established  the  worship 
of  reason.  England,  in  order  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  like  princi- 
ples among  her  people,  many  of  whom  were  not  averse  to  them,  and  on 
several  occasions  had  manifested  their  approval  of  the  transactions  of  the 
National  Assembly  of  France,  had  taken  the  precaution  to  have  enacted, 
by  Parliament,  measures  for  the  suppression  of  all  seditious  gatherings, 
and  to  interdict  the  unlawful  administering  of  oaths  by  secret  societies. 
The  penalties  of  the  laws  thus  enacted,  were,  through  the  agency  of  the 
local  authorities,  constables,  spies,  and  informers,  visited  with  unusual 
severity  on  the  people. 

The  Odd  Fellows'  societies,  lest  their  purposes  should  be  suspected, 
and  their  teachings  of  fraternity  misconstrued,  decided  to  suspend  public 
operations  and  discontinue  correspondence  with  their  respective  Grand 
Lodges. 

London  Union  Odd  Fellows.  —  This  isolated  condition  of  the  lodges  con- 


60  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

tinned  until  1803,  when  the  society  of  London  Union  Odd  Fellows  was 
organized  by  some  of  the  city  lodges,  in  London,  and  set  up  its  assump- 
tion to  be  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  with  sovereign  authority  in  Odd 
Fellowship,  in  the  domain  of  the  United  Kingdom ;  and  became  at  once 
tyrannical  and  oppressiye,  in  the  exercise  of  its  power  over  the  lodges. 
Those  in  the  provinces,  through  the  cupidity,  tyranny,  and  irresponsible 
character  of  the  managers  in  London,  were  dissatisfied  with  the  executive 
authority,  and  frequently  remonstrated,  but  without  any  beneficial  effect 

Grand  Lodge  of  England.  — The  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  from  the  posi* 
tion  it  occupied,  determined  to  force  the  whole  Order  to  submit  to  its 
control,  and  was  partially  successful,  when,  in  1809,  a  Brother  Bolton, 
member  of  a  lodge  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  London, 
became  a  resident  of  Manchester.  In  conjunction  with  some  friends,  he 
obtained  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  London,  for  Victory 
Lodge,  in  Manchester,  and  it  proclaimed  itself  independent  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England.  This  was  the  first  declared  opposition  to  the  usurped 
authority  and  power  of  that  Grand  body. 

The  Mutual  Relief  System.  — In  1810  Robert  Nay  lor,  with  others,  held 
convivial  club  meetings  at  the  Bope-makers '  Arms,  Chapel  street,  Salf ord, 
near  Manchester.  They  framed  a  code  of  rules  for  self-government,  and 
also  adopted  an  absurd  and  ridiculous  ceremony  for  the  admission  of 
applicants.  Several  members  of  Prince  Begent  Lodge,  of  Odd  Fellows, 
were  prevailed  upon  to  join  them,  and  formed  a  benefit  club  at  the  Bobin 
Hood,  in  Church  street,  Manchester,  in  October,  1810.  This  union  resulted 
in  the  spontaneous  organization,  by  self-institution,  of  Lord  Abercrombie 
Lodge,  on  the  principle  of  mutual  relief  to  its  members,  change  in  the 
customary  financial  system,  and  a  somewhat  improved  initiatory  cere- 
mony. With  these  new  features  the  lodge  increased  rapidly  in  members 
and  finances.  Victory,  and  other  lodges,  immediately  adopted  a  similar 
system  and  work,  and  were  rewarded  for  the  changes. 

In  1811  the  new  lodge,  not  slow  in  observing  the  effect  of  its  improve- 
ments, as  adopted  by  the  other  lodges,  conceived  the  idea  that  it  was 
entitled  to  a  supremacy  over  those  lodges,  proclaimed  itself  as  the  ^^  Lord 
Abercrombie  Grand  Lodge  of  Independent  Odd  Fellows,''  and  announced 
its  authority  over  the  lodges  working  according  to  the  system  it  had 
inaugurated.  This  movement  gave  rise  to  hostility  on  the  part  of  other 
lodges,  and  disputes  retarded  their  growth.  They  willingly  acknowledged 
the  "  Abercrombie  "  as  the  "  mother  lodge,"  but  claimed  an  equal  partici- 
pation in  the  authority  to  govern. 

Funeral  Fund.  —  This  unsatisfactory  state  of  affairs  existed  until  1812, 
when  the  lodges,  located  in  and  around  Manchester,  where  the  old  Order 
had  made  considerable  progress  in  the  past  three  years,  declared  their 
independence,  and  elected  a  managing  committee  to  superintend  the  new 


rra  origin^  and  the  manchesteb  unity.  61 

system.  The  alarm  of  imioyation  was  now  sounded  throughout  the  Order, 
and  many  obstacles  were  interposed  to  impede  the  advancement  of  the 
renovated  society.  The  changes  in  the  admission  ceremony;  the  intro- 
duction of  appropriate  paraphernalia;  the  provision  for  the  funeral  fund 
system ;  every  effort  tending  to  restrain  the  ancient  usages  in  the  lodge- 
room,  were  viewed  with  suspicion,  if  not  absolutely  regarded  as  oppressive. 
All  lodges  were  held  in  taverns,  or  public  houses,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
landlords  and  any  interference  with  their  privileges,  and  business,  met 
with  violent  opposition  from  that  class  of  people,  who  had  become  con- 
firmed in  the  belief  that,  while  these  lodges  were  organized  for  the 
amusement  of  their  members,  the  primary  object  of  their  institution  was 
for  the  profit  of  the  lodge  host,  who  was,  invariably,  the  landlord. 

However,  the  new  conditions  continued  to  gain  strength,  and  every  new 
difficulty  seemed  to  impart  fresh  energy  to  the  members,  to  contend,  not 
only  with  the  opposition  of  the  old  society,  but  the  unfriendliness  of  the 
pulpit  and  the  press.  The  Order  was  denounced  from  the  former  as 
demoralizing  in  its  influence.  It  was  held  up  to  the  people  as  the  abode 
of  every  vice  that  should  be  shunned,  and  its  members  were  branded  as 
apostates,  both  to  religion  and  morality,  and  its  teachings  declared  to  be 
nothing  short  of  infidelity ;  while  the  press  hurled  its  fulminations  against 
the  Order,  and  boldly  proclaimed  that  it  had  a  tendency  to  lead  the  mem- 
bers into  the  most  degraded  condition  of  intemperance,  and  that  the 
society  taught  principles  subversive  of  all  law  and  good  government. 

The  Social  Status. — Under  such  circumstances  it  was  not  to  be  expected 
that  persons  of  standing  and  respectability  would  apply  for  admission  to 
a  society  apparently  so  low  in  the  moral  and  social  scale ;  and,  conse- 
quently, the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  institution  were  in  a  great 
measure  paralyzed.  The  Independent  Order  was  confined  almost  solely  to 
Manchester  and  its  vicinity,  and  hence  very  little  interest  was  felt  con- 
cerning it  elsewhere.  The  members  saw  and  admitted  the  necessity  of  such 
action  as  would  save  the  society  from  early  disruption,  and  ultimate  relapse 
into  its  former  habits  and  customs.  After  consultation  and  discussion,  it 
was  deemed  advisable  to  call  a  convention  of  the  lodges  to  consider  the 
existing  state  of  the  Order,  and  determine  what  was  best  to  be  done. 

The  Iffanchester  Unity  organised. — In  1813  a  convention  of  the  past 
and  present  officers  of  all  the  lodges  in  interest,  in  Manchester  and  the 
outlying  districts,  was  held.  Those  represented  were :  Lord  Abercrombie 
Grand  Lodge,  No.  1,  Salford;  Wellington,  No.  2,  Manchester;  Clarence, 
No.  3,  Salford ;  Victory,  No.  4,  Manchester ;  Victoria,  No.  5,  Ashton-under- 
Line ;  and  Combermere  Lodge,  No.  6,  Stockport.  After  due  consideration 
an  agreement  to  form  an  organization  of  the  lodges,  under  the  title  of 
"  The  Manchester  Unity  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,"  was 
adopted.     The  convention  was  strongly  in  favor  of  uniformity  in  the  work ; 


52  THE  THBEE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

of  general  laws  for  the  Order ;  of  enlarging  its  benevolent  and  charitable 
features;  of  efforts  for  raising  the  reputation  of  the  institution  in  the 
public  estimation,  by  improving  the  habits  and  customs  of  the  members. 

Government.  —  January  21,  1814,  a  formal  organization  was  accom- 
plished, and  measures  were  taken  to  secure  the  co5peration  of  all  in  a 
complete  structure.  A  Grand  Committee,  or  District  Grand  Lodge,  was 
provided,  and  at  once  convened.  A  form  of  government  was  adopted. 
James  Christie  was  elected  Grand  Master,  and  Benjamin  Howarth 
Deputy  Grand  Master. 

This  may  be  considered  the  first  practical  movement  made  in  Man- 
chester toward  the  formation  of  a  permanent  and  reliable  organization, 
from  which  the  Unity  sprang,  and  eventually  became  a  leading  factor 
among  the  Friendly  societies  in  England  at  that  time.  While  it  may  not 
have  been  intended  to  extend  its  operations,  power,  and  authority  beyond 
the  limit  of  Manchester  and  the  adjoining  districts,  it  opened  many  lodges, 
and  spread  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship  throughout  Lancashire, 
which  expanded  its  domain,  and  led  to  the  opening  of  several  lodges 
under  its  sanction. 

Grand  Officers. — In  1815  John  Lloyd  was  elected  Grand  Master,  and 
served  four  consecutive  years,  and  Benjamin  Howarth  was  retained  as 
Deputy  Grand  Master.  At  this  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Committee 
it  was  decided  to  district  the  jurisdiction  into  provincial  districts,  with 
a  Provincial  District  Grand  Master  appointed  for  each.  It  was  also 
determined  to  number  the  lodges  in  numerical  order  in  each  district. 

The  rapid  growth  of  the  Order  rendered  the  appointment  of  a  corre- 
sponding secretary  necessary  at  the  annual  session,  in  1816,  and  Thomas 
Hignett  was  selected,  who  served  during  the  ensuing  five  years.  The 
funeral  fund  system,  adopted  at  this  session,  was  the  first  useful  result 
of  the  Order  as  a  Unity ;  and  lodges  distant  from  Manchester  were  per- 
mitted to  participate  in  its  benefits,  on  payment  of  the  entrance  fee. 
Through  the  medium  of  this  fund  great  good  was  accomplished,  and  help- 
ful aid  dispensed.  As  a  general  principle,  however,  the  lodges  exercised 
authority  and  control  over  their  respective  funds,  without  interference 
from  any  ruling  body. 

Lodge  Degrees  adopted.  —  Not  the  least  important  business  of  this  ses- 
sion was  the  question  of  adopting  degrees  into  the  Order.  The  subject 
was  referred  to  a  committee,  who  prepared  and  reported  to  the  Grand 
Officers  the  White,  Eoyal  Blue,  and  Scarlet  degi*ees,  with  appropriate 
lectures,  which  were  committed  to  the  Order  in  July.  In  December, 
1817,  the  Grand  Committee  adopted  a  past  grand's  charge.^ 

>  Xote  bp  the  JEditor-in^ Chi^.  —  ThlB  charge  was  quite  a  different  ftflUr  tcom  that  known  to  Ameri- 
can Odd  Fellows.  It  resembled  the  "  charges  to  the  Candidates/'  in  Webb's  Mawnic  Monitor^  dated 
September  26, 1797. 


ITS  ORIGIN,  AND  THE  MANCHESTER   UNITY.  53 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE  ORDER  IN  WALES. 

An  Enlarged  Sphere  of  Operations. — In  1820  Waterloo  Lodge  was 
opened  in  Monmouth,  as  the  pioneer  of  the  Order  in  Wales.  Its  success 
was  almost  instantaneous.  The  members  were  energetic  in  adding  to  their 
number,  and  their  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  Order  led  them  to  make 
known  its  objects  and  principles  among  their  towns-people.  One  of  their 
number,  Past  Provincial  Grand  Master  Rennie,  seemed  to  live  for  Odd 
Fellowship  alone,  through  his  addresses,  writings,  and  essays.  He  trav- 
elled many  miles  to  advocate  the  cause  of  the  Order,  at  anniversary  meet- 
ings, and  he  was  at  the  opening  of  every  new  lodge  within  a  reasonable 
distance.    In  this  way  he  and  Waterloo  Lodge  became  known  far  and  near. 

Another  indefatigable  Odd  Fellow,  John  Davis,  of  the  Union  Order, 
was  attracted  to  Waterloo  Lodge  by  the  newspaper  reports  of  the  good 
work  of  the  lodge,  and,  assured  that  the  Manchester  Unity  was  a  far  more 
useful  institution  than  the  Union  Order,  decided  to  open  a  lodge  in  Trede- 
gar. For  this  purpose  Brother  Rennie  had  Davis  and  four  of  his  friends 
initiated  in  Waterloo  Lodge.  These  five  brothers  immediately  applied  for 
and  obtained  a  dispensation  to  open  South  Briton  Lodge  in  Tredegar,  Wales. 

Affiliation  of  Trades-Union  Clubs.  —  As  a  result  of  the  failure  of  the 
trades-union  clubs  formed  among  the  workmen  in  the  great  mineral  basin 
of  Wales  for  mutual  protection,  and  of  their  liability  to  the  casualties 
incident  to  their  calling,  they  allied  themselves  with  Odd  Fellowship,  and 
became  well-ple^ed  with  its  plan  of  operations.  Brother  Davis  assisted 
in  organizing  and  opening  over  fifty  lodges  in  the  principality.  The  Order 
progressed  rapidly,  and  was  held  in  the  highest  estimation  by  the  public. 
Odd  Fellowship  had  taken  a  firm  hold  on  the  people  of  Wales,  exercising 
a  moral  and  social  influence  among  them,  and  attracting  to  its  ranks  men 
of  education,  affluence,  and  of  high  social  and  political  standing.  Its 
annual  gatherings  and  anniversary  dinners  afforded  recreative  enjoyment, 
not  only  among  the  members  of  the  Order,  but  the  towns-people  looked 
forward  to  their  return  with  pleasure  and  interest. 


"«e' 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  ORDER  IN  SCOTLAND. 

Invasion  of  Scotland.  —  The  Order  of  Manchester  Unity  Odd  Fellows, 
apparently,  was  not  introduced  into  Scotland  at  a  very  early  date  of  its 
existence.  The  first  dispensation  for  a  lodge  that  crossed  the  Tweed,  the 
ideal  line  that  marks  the  boundary  of  the  two  nations,  was  granted  in 


64  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

April,  1837 ;  and  Bon-accord  and  Thistle  Lodge  was  opened  in  Aberdeen. 
The  first  applicants  were  wool-combers  from  Yorkshire.  The  Order,  at 
first,  did  not  meet  with  favor  among  the  inhabitants,  and  the  lodge  had 
many  difficulties  with  which  to  contend.  The  principles  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship had,  seemingly,  been  planted  in  soil  uncongenial  to  their  spread  and 
appreciation.  The  character  of  the  people  was  proyerbiaJly  cautious,  and 
always  jealous  of  any  innovation  upon  the  established  usages  of  Aberdeen. 
The  strange  and  unmeaning  name  of  the  Order  was  looked  upon  as  some- 
thing that  was  ''  no  good,"  and  its  membership  as  being  composed  of  a  set 
of  boon  companions,  with  no  other  object  in  view  than  passing  their 
leisure  hours  in  conviviality,  free  from  the  restraints  of  morality. 

Progress.  —  In  due  time  the  people  of  Aberdeen  began  to  investigate 
the  character  and  intent  of  the  Order,  note  the  results  of  its  work,  and 
became  convinced  that  it  represented  the  most  important  Friendly  society 
in  existence.  At  the  end  of  the  first  four  years  Friendship,  Love,  and 
Truth  reechoed  from  fourteen  lodges, — three  of  which  were:  the  Star 
of  the  Korth,  Scotland's  Glory,  and  Lord  Byron.  Many  intelligent  and 
educated  citizens,  becoming  familiarized  with  the  name  of  Odd  Fellow, 
were  not  only  initiated,  but  were  warm  and  devoted  enthusiasts  in,  and 
gave  support  and  character  to,  the  Order.  They  saw  in  it  a  medium  for 
the  well-being  of  their  families  in  future  possible  contingencies,  and, 
therefore,  created  a  widow  and  orphan  fund.  They  also  erected  an  Odd 
Fellows'  hall  that  reflected  credit  on  the  city,  was  a  monument  to  fraternity, 
and  an  honor  to  the  Order. 

May  22, 1838,  Loyal  City  of  Glasgow  Lodge  was  opened  by  Provincial 
Deputy  Grand  Master  Beck,  of  Carlisle,  at  the  Sign  of  the  Hatters'  Arms, 
in  New  street,  Glasgow,  —  the  first  of  the  Order  in  that  city.  The  mem- 
bers were  humble  mechanics,  but  of  industrious  habits.  They  were  slow 
in  gaining  admissions.  The  Ancient  Order  was  introduced  into  Glasgow 
about  1815,  had  several  lodges  in  the  town,  but  these  were  conducted  as 
free-and-easy  societies.  The  immoral  tendency  of  the  old  lodges,  and  their 
unsavory  influence  with  young  men,  prejudiced  the  people  against  the 
new  lodge.  November  17, 1838,  Banks  of  Clyde  Lodge  was  opened,  and 
August  17, 1839,  yiys^le  Jjodge.  The  Order  was  beginning  now  to  force 
itself  upon  the  gcfo^  gija«es  of  the  people  in  the  west  of  Scotland,  as  they 
noted  the  benefits'  it  Vas  daily  conferring  upon  its  members.  The 
Manchester  Unity  eventually  attained  a  deserved  standing  among  gentle- 
men in  the  middle  ranks  of  society,  who  joined  it  to  encourage  the  working 
classes  to  avail  themselves  of  its  wise  provisions.  The  lodges  ceased  to 
hold  their  meetings  in  public  houses,  and  resorted  to  private  rooms,  abol- 
ishing the  convivial  character  in  vogue  in  England.  The  lodge  thus 
exercised  a  moral  influence  upon  its  members,  and  maintained  the  good 
opinion  of  the  public. 


ITS  ORIGIN,  AND  THE  MANCHESTER  UNITY.  55 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  UNITY  IN  ENGLAND  AND  AMERICA. 

The  Manchetter  Qorammeiit.— In  1819  the  lodges  remote  from  Maa- 
chester,  although  they  admitted  a  common  bond  of  fellowship,  were 
distmstful  of  the  schemes  proposed,  and  power  exercised  by  the  Grand 
Committee.  While  John  Mansell  was  Grand  Master,  in  1819,  and  1820, 
various  plans  had  been  discussed,  which  resulted  in  a  determination  of 
the  Manchester  Committee  to  have  a  fixed  centre  for  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment, and  effect,  if  possible,  a  consolidation  of  all  the  lodges  in  the 
country,  under  one  general  head,  and  thus  bring  them  under  the  control 
of  the  Manchester  district.  They  embodied  their  ideas  in  a  circular, 
explaining  that,  from  the  position  of  Manchester,  they  thought  its  estab- 
lishment there  would  promote,  and  conserve,  the  best  interests  of  the 
Order.  This  was  sent  to  each  district  that  had  maintained  a  semi-inde- 
pendence, and  to  the  self -instituted  lodges  everywhere  that  acknowledged 
no  authority  above  their  own.  This  caused  more  than  a  little  agitation, 
and  considerable  feeling  was  manifested.  Eoohdale,  Newcastle,  and 
Leeds  protested  against  the  assumption  of  the  power  contemplated. 
The  lodge  in  Pimlico,  London,  working  under  a  Manchester  dispensation, 
on  receiving  the  circular,  informed  the  Manchester  Committee  that  they 
considered  London  the  best  place  for  central  operations,  and  had  estab- 
lished themselves  as  a  Grand  Lodge,  with  headquarters  in  Jewin  street. 
They  peremptorily  ordered  lodges  to  give  in  their  allegiance  to,  and  con- 
tribute toward,  the  maintenance  of  this  self-constituted  Grand  Lodge. 
Leeds,  also,  sought  to  obtain  the  seat  of  government,  and  created  oppo- 
sition and  distrust  toward  the  Manchester  movement  La  most  of  the 
Yorkshire  lodges. 

Conflict  and  Harmony . -^  This  action  on  the  part  of  the  Manchester 
district  involved  them  in  conflict  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and 
each  expelled  the  other  from  the  Order.  The  Manchester  Committee 
wisely  wasted  no  energies  in  opposition,  but  employed  every  means  at 
their  command  to  allay  conflicting  passions;  and  thus  succeeded  in  per- 
suading lodges  in  all  sections  to  send  their  adhesion,  and  promises  of  sup- 
port, to  establish  the  Manchester  government  on  a  permanent  foundation. 

The  protesting  districts  were  visited  by  the  Grand  Master,  and  two 
associates,  and  requested  to  enter  into  mutual  explanations,  with  a  view 
of  reconciling  differences.  Some  of  the  erroneous  impressions,  relative 
to  the  intentions  of  the  central  government,  were  removed^  but  the  Man- 
chester authority  was  repudiated.  The  ill-advised  attacks  of  the  Odd 
FeUowu*  Hagazine,  against  the  officers  of  the  Order,  aided  by  turbulent 
spirits,  stimulated  rebellion  to  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Master,  in 


56  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

many  lodges,  which  rendered  it  difficult  to  keep  even  a  medium  course, 
between  what  was  considered  tyranny  and  rebellion;  so  that  the  author- 
ities had  to  labor,  or  fight,  as  circumstances  directed,  in  the  belief,  as  the 
Grand  Master  expressed  it,  that  the  Order,  whose  foundations  were  now 
firmly  laid  by  its  wise  and  good  men,  would  erect  a  superstructure  to 
adorn  and  beautify,  a  mansion  of  peace,  good-will,  and  relief  to  all  man- 
kind. 

The  plan  proposed  by  the  Manchester  district,  providing  for  a  Mov- 
able Committee  to  hold  annual  sessions  where  a  majority  of  the  deputies, 
at  a  previous  session,  might  designate,  decided  the  lodges  in  favor  of  the 
Manchester  scheme;  and  the  districts  of  the  Independent  Order  came  into 
compliance,  except  the  district  of  Leeds,  which  organized  the  Grand 
United  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

A  few  of  the  so-called  '^  Grand  "  lodges  still  held  out,  and  for  a  time 
resisted  all  overtures.  When  the  inconsistency  of  their  position  was 
made  apparent  to  them,  most  of  them  gradually  acquiesced  in  what  had 
been  designed  for  a  harmonious  unity. 

Lord  Abercrombie  Grand  Lodge,  No.  1,  the  '^ mother  lodge,"  of  the 
Manchester  district,  resisted  all  entreaties,  and  persisted  in  retaining 
the  title,  and  exercising  her  ancient  prerogative  over  the  lodges  opened 
under  her  sanction  and  influence.  In  1821  the  District  Grand  Committee 
expelled  the  lodge  from  fellowship,  and  abolished  the  use  of  the  term 
'^  Grand "  by  working  or  subordinate  lodges,  when  it  placed  itself  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England.  The  association  becom- 
ing disagreeable,  eventually,  the  lodge  applied  for  reinstatement  in  the 
Manchester  Unity.  In  November,  1825,  the  District  Grand  Committee 
reinstated  the  lodge;  but,  deprived  of  the  "No.  1"  on  the  Unity  roll, 
it  was  allowed  to  take  the  first  vacant  number  on  the  ledger.  This  was 
confirmed  by  the  Annual  Movable  Committee,  in  1826,  and  the  lodge 
was  restored  as  Abercrombie  Lodge,  No.  1,  Salford. 

First  Grand  Session. — The  first  Grand  Movable  Committee  was  con- 
vened at  the  Manchester  Arms,  in  Manchester,  May  30,  1822.  It 
confirmed  the  expediency  of  holding  an  Annual  Movable  Committee, 
with  power  to  adopt  or  reject  laws  proposed  by  districts,  for  the  better 
government  of  the  Order;  the  Committee  to  be  composed  of  past  and 
present  officers  of  districts  and  lodges  which  were  in  compliance. 

The  first  lodge  opened  by  the  Manchester  Unity,  in  London,  was  on 
September  2,  1822,  —  the  Loyal  St.  Olives,  at  the  sign  of  the  Bull,  Bull 
Court,  Tooley  street,  Southwark.  Though  this  lodge  was  reopened  under 
a  dispensatioi\  from  the  Manchester  Unity,  if  not  the  oldest  lodge  for- 
merly belonging  to  the  Ancient  Order,  it  must  have  been  among  the  first 
instituted,  as  the  former  members  possessed  records  which  proved  its 
existence  as  far  back  as  1750. 


rra  origin,  and  the  Manchester  unity.  67 

Very  little  can  be  ascertained  from  the  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory 
records,  relative  to  the  Order  in  Liverpool,  either  as  to  the  institution  of 
its  lodges,  their  work,  or  their  progress.  In  1816  a  small  number  of 
lodges  were  known  to  have  existed  in  Liverpool.  These,  guided  by 
Philanthropic  Lodge,  and  actuated  by  the  course  taken  by  the  lodges  in 
Manchester,  declared  independence  of  the  Union,  or  London  Order.  The 
district  of  Liverpool  was  organized  by  Philanthropic  Lodge,  No.  1;  Duke 
of  Sussex  Lodge,  No.  2;  and  Eclectic  Lodge,  No.  3,  as  Loyal  Philan- 
thropic Liverpool  District  Grand  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Independent  Odd 
Fellows,  and  assumed  prerogatives  similar  to  those  exercised  by  the 
Grand  Committee,  of  Manchester,  with  which  it  was  in  harmony,  as  well 
as  with  all  local  districts  of  lodges  of  the  Independent  Order.  Prior  to 
1820,  each  district  was  limited,  exclusively,  to  its  own  jurisdiction.  A 
general  password  was  in  vogue,  for  the  use  of  tramps  seeking  either 
employment  or  relief;  this  was  abolished  by  the  Annual  Movable  Com- 
mittee, in  May,  1823.  For  the  service  of  lodges,  for  visitation  within 
the  Manchester  district,  the  Unity  adopted  a  changeable  password,  — 
monthly,  then  quarterly,  — as  early  as  1816.  When  the  Order  in  Liver- 
pool came  under  the  control  of  the  Manchester  Unity  is  not  known;  but 
that  such  relationship  did  exist  is  evident  from  the  minutes  of  the  Grand 
Committee,  of  December,  1820 :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Philanthropic  Lodge,  Liyerpool,  doBeryes  reproof  for  their  intem- 
perate letters,  and  conduct  (toward  Victory  Lodge,  Liverpool),  and  all  the  officers  and 
brothers  of  Victory  Lodge  be  considered  legal  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  if  they  make  a 
tender  of  their  arrears  to  the  PhUanthropic." 

May  30, 1821,  a  fine  was  imposed  on  Philanthropic  Lodge,  Liverpool, 
for  an  offence  charged.  At  the  Quarterly  Committee  of  September  5, 
1822,  the  expulsion  of  Philanthropic  Lodge,  Liverpool,  for  non-com- 
pliance, was  referred  to  the  next  Annual  Committee. 

In  the  minutes  of  the  Annual  Movable  Committee  of  May,  1823,  it 
was  stated:  — 

'*  That  the  Philanthropic  Lodge,  Liverpool,  and  aU  lodges  opened  by  them,  be  totally 
expeUed ;  bat  lodges  are  at  liberty  to  receiye  the  members  who  have  joined  them  through 
mistaken  views." 

Li  1826  the  Annual  Movable  Committee  reinstated  all  the  Liverpool 
lodges,  except  the  Duke  of  Sussex  Lodge,  No.  2.  Philanthropic  Lodge, 
No.  1,  subsequently,  yielded  compliance,  and  was  registered  as  No.  34. 
The  Duke  of  Sussex  Lodge,  No.  2,  obstinately  held  out  until  1834,  when 
it  was  reinstated  as  No.  704. 

More  Degrees  adopted.  —  The  session  of  the  Annual  Movable  Com- 
mittee, at  Huddersfield,  in  1825,  was  tumultuous  in  the  opposition  to  the 
Grand  Master  presiding,  — the  disaffected  deputies  claiming  the  right  to 
elect  their  own  chairman.     By  prompt  and  decisive  ruling,  sustained  by 


68  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNJTT. 

documents,  resolutions,  usages,  and  other  evidences,  the  opposition  was 
silenced,  for  the  time  being,  and  their  defeat  preyented  the  return  of  the 
Unity  to  the  old  system  of  isolation.  Many  improvements  were  sug- 
gested and  adopted;  the  Patriarchal  degree  was  instituted,  ordered 
printed,  and  promulgated  for  the  instruction  of  past  officers  in  the  princi- 
ples of  Odd  Fellowship,  — the  Royal  Purple  degree  being  the  only  portion 
now  recognized  by  the  Order.  Thomas  Armitt,  brother  of  the  Grand 
Master,  was  appointed  to  visit  the  independent  lodges  in  the  north  and 
south  of  England,  furnish  copies  of  the  new  lecture,  or  Patriarchal  degree, 
and  endeavor  to  bring  into  the  XJni^y  several  lodges  that  had  previously 
been  disaffected.  Many  districts  had  been  visited,  between  July  4, 1825, 
and  February  21,  1826,  a  more  or  less  friendly  interest  excited,  cordial 
expressions  of  good-will  received,  and  a  determination  declared,  on  the 
part  of  some,  to  support  the  existing  heads  and  laws  of  the  Order. 

Changes.  —  In  1827  many  changes  were  made,  the  most  important  of 
which  may  be  mentioned:  abolishing  the  title  of  '^Grand  Lodge,"  held  by 
'^mother  lodges";  revision  of  duties  and  charges;  mode  of  conducting 
business;  laws  to  provide  for  decent  interment  of  members,  dying  when 
travelling  in  search  of  employment;  certificates  of  membership,  to  prove 
that  the  holders  were  brothers  of  the  Manchester  Unity,  when  not 
''avouched'for."  The  great  question  at  isdue  was  as  to  the  advisability 
of  superseding  the  powers  of  the  Grand  Committee,  elected  by  the  lodges 
in  Manchester,  and  the  Grand  Master,  by  the  election  or  appointment  of 
a  board  of  directors  by,  and  responsible  for  their  conduct  to,  the  Annual 
Movable  Committee.  It  was  decided  to  appoint  a  board  of  directors,  to 
consist  of  past  or  present  officers  of  the  lodges,  in  the  Manchester  district, 
who  should,  in  future,  direct  the  affairs  of  the  growing  Unity.  At  this 
meeting  the  "visiting-pence"  was  abolished,  — a  tax  paid  by  visitors  to 
lodges  where  they  had  no  rights  as  members.  A  Past  Grand's  degree 
was  instituted;  and  the  Covenant  and  Remembrance  degrees  were  adopted 
during  this  year.  These  were  American  degrees,  submitted  by  Grand 
Master  Wildey,  while  on  his  mission  to  procure  a  grand  charter  for  the 
Order  in  the  United  States. 

Improved  Ritual.  —  In  1834  the  lecture  book  was  revised,  and  a  new 
mode  of  initiation,  more  in  consonance  with  the  spirit  of  the  period,  was 
adopted.  As  the  trades-unions  admitted  to  membership  by  the  admin- 
istration of  oaths,  the  government  put  in  force  the  laws  relating  to  extra- 
judicial, or  "illegal  oaths."  The  Order,  in  the  spirit  of  loyalty  to  the 
constitution,  abrogated  the  oath  that  had  been  used  by  the  Unity  in 
initiation,  to  allay  all  suspicion  and  prevent  any  misconstruction  of  its 
intentions. 

In  January,  1835,  the  new  lecture  books  were  issued,  and  those  in  use 
were  recalled.     This  led  to  confusion  in  the  work,  as  previously  arranged 


.«? , «_  .-a.  1 


■A 


■^-""^m!.!!.... 


ITS  OBIGIN,  AND  TEE  MANCHESTER   UNITY.  59 

between  the  lodges  in  the  United  States  and  the  Manchester  Unitj;  and 
to  a  final  separation,  in  1843. 

In  1836  widow  and  orphan  funds  were  recognized,  after  free  discus- 
sionsy  as  a  legitimate  institution  of  the  Order,  and  made  a  law  by  the 
Annual  Movable  Committee;  their  establishment  throughout  the  Unity 
was  recommended,  and  allowances  were  made  to  districts  or  lodges  in  aid 
of  these  funds. 

Famous  Litigation.  —  Near  the  close  of  1836  refractory  members  were 
expelled  for  violations  of  the  regulations  of  the  Order.  Early  in  1837 
they  coinmenced  proceedings  in  the  Manchester  Court  of  Bequests,  for  a 
return  of  the  money  they  had  paid  into  their  lodge  fund.  The  Commis- 
sion who  heard  the  case  decided:  — 

"  I  hare,  with  great  care,  read  over  and  coniidered  the  Act  of  Parliament  relative  to 
secret  societies,  and  I  am  dearly  of  the  opinion  that  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  is  an  illegal 
association,  and  that  the  law  under  which  the  party  has  been  expeUed  is  illegal;  for  no 
Order  can  make  a  law  to  authorize  it  to  expel  any  member ;  and,  as  the  consequence,  they 
must  either  pay  the  member  back  his  subscriptions,  or  reinstate  him  as  a  member.  The 
laws  of  the  Order  are  of  a  philanthropic  character." 

In  consequence  ^f  this  adverse  decision,  the  case  was  carefully  drawn 
up  and  submitted  to  Sir  John  Campbell,  Attorney-Qeneral,  for  an  opinion. 
The  statement  represented  that  the  Order  was  formed  for  mutual  assist- 
ance in  times  of  sickness,  and  to  defray  funeral  expenses.  That  the 
Unity  consisted  of  one  thousand  one  hundred  lodges,  and  seventy  thou- 
sand members,  divided  into  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  districts.  That 
previous  to  May,  1834,  the  Order,  not  being  aware  of  its  illegality, 
administered  an  oath  to  each  new  member,  on  admission,  that  he  would 
not  divulge  the  secret^  of  the  Order;  but  since  that  date  such  oath  had 
been  abolished,  and  only  a  ''promise"  required  of  the  party  admitted. 
That  the  Order  had,  at  all  times,  done  its  utmost  to  assist  the  proper 
constituted  authorities  to  preserve  the  peace.  That  it  discountenanced 
trades-unions,  and  did  not  allow  assistance  to  be  given  to  those  who 
leave  their  employment  in  strikes,  or  ''turnouts,"  promoting  good-will  to 
all  men.  That  in  so  numerous  a  society  individuals  may  render  them- 
selves liable  to  be  excluded  for  violations  of  the  laws,  a  copy  of  which  was 
given  to  each  on  his  entrance,  as  a  guide  for  his  conduct.  That  the  party 
had  been  expelled  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  rule  to  meet 
such  cases. 

Several  questions  were  appended,  to  which  the  Attomey-Greneral 
replied:  — 

"  Some  little  doubt  may  be  entertained  whether  the  society  of  Odd  FeUows  may  not 
be  considered  as  coming  within  the  meaning  of  the  provisions  of  the  statutes  respecting 
alBliated  societies;  but  it  appears  to  be  a  very  loyal,  moral,  useful,  and  praiseworthy 
institution,  and  I  think  the  members  may  continue  to  meet  according  to  the  rules  of  the 
Order,  as  they  have  done  so  long,  without  any  danger  of  being  caUed  into  question  for  a 
breach  of  the  law. 


60  THE  TRBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

"If  the  society  were  ille^,  an  expelled  member  camiot,  by  law,  reeoyer  back  any 
part  of  the  money  paid  by  him  to  the  lodge. 

"  I  do  not  see  any  necessity  for  the  society  being  remodelled. 

"  If  the  society  were  dissolved,  no  member  could  claim  more  than  his  share  of  the 
sarplos ;  and,  if  an  account  were  taken  on  the  footing  of  the  sums  he  has  paid,  there  must 
be  a  set-off  in  respect  to  the  sums  he  has  receiyed. 

"  I  think  the  Court  of  Conscience  has  exceeded  its  jurisdiction ;  and.  If  it  proceed,  in 
such  eases  it  might  be  restrained  by  prohibition.  I  would  strongly  recommend  to  the 
Odd  Fellows  to  keep  clear  of  law  proceedings,  if  possible ;  but,  should  the  Court  of  Con- 
science absurdly  attempt  to  put  them  down,  by  encouraging  actions  by  expelled  members, 
I  think  application  should  be  made  to  the  Court  of  the  King's  Bench  for  a  prohibition. 

(Signed)  "J.  Campbell.'' 

In  February,  1837,  a  similar  case  came  before  the  same  Commissioner 
for  hearing.  He  adhered  to  his  previous  opinion,  that  the  Order  was 
an  unlawful  combination  or  confederation,  and  gave  a  verdict  for  the 
plaintiff.  When  the  case  came  again  before  the  Court  of  Bequests  the 
Chief  Commissioner  said  he  had  some  doubts  in  his  mind;  he  had  con- 
sidered the  Attorney-General's  answers  to  the  several  questions,  and, 
after  eulogizing  the  legal  knowledge  of  Sir  John  Campbell,  he  acquiesced 
in  his  opinion,  —  that,  under  the  circumstances,  no  member  could 
recover  back  money  he  had  paid  to  the  society,  and  that  execution  could 
not  follow  the  judgment.  He  said  that  he  did  not  make  this  decision  in 
fear  of  a  prohibition,  or  anything  else;  but  he  would  do  the  Odd  Fellows 
the  justice  to  say  that  their  conduct  in  the  whole  case  had  been  straight- 
forward and  honorable. 

It  was  a  trying  ordeal  for  the  Order.  It  repelled  the  vile  charges  of 
unworthy  members,  and  rebutted  the  unprovoked' and  scurrilous  attacks  of 
an  unfriendly  press,  that  the  public  might  judge  of  the  merits  of  both 
statements.  Had  the  directors  of  the  Unity  pursued  a  less  firm  and  per- 
sistent course,  the  society  must  have  succumbed  to  the  repeated  attacks 
of  its  disaffected  members,  to  obtain,  in  law,  what  they  had  forfeited  by 
disobedience  of  the  laws  they  had  promised  to  uphold;  or  have  main- 
tained a  degraded  existence,  by  tolerating  repeated  insults,  and  violations 
of  its  laws,  until  it  terminated  in  dissolution. 

The  Order  prospers.  —  June  21,  1837,  the  members  of  the  Manchester 
district  took  part  in  a  grand  demonstration,  in  aid  of  the  funds  of  the 
deaf  and  dumb  schools,  at  Old  Trafford.  The  Bev.  E.  Parkinson  thus 
addressed  the  Odd  Fellows,  on  behalf  of  the  institution,  thanking  them 
for  their  munificent  donation  of  £406  18«.  1^. :  — 

'*  It  is  an  act  which  does  you  infinite  credit,  especially  as  you  are  the  first  society  to 
perform  an  act  of  this  nature.  Your  example  has  convinced  me  that  societies,  like  your 
own,  whose  objects  are  to  administer  aid  in  time  of  need,  will  not  the  less  have  fulfilled  their 
object,  because  they  may  administer  aid  without  any  prospect  of  its  being  reciprocated." 

In  1838  Brother  William  Eatcliffe  was  chosen  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary, by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  deputies;  and  he  was  succeeded  by 


IT8  ORIGIN,  AND  THE  MANCHESTER   UNITY.  61 

Heniy  Batcliffe  in  1847.  In  his  connection  with  the  funeral  fund,  of  the 
Bolton  district,  he  had  shown  himself  able,  active,  and  useful  to  the 
general  interests  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  was  found  admirably  fitted  for 
the  station  to  which  he  had  been  called. 

At  the  session  of  the  Annual  Movable  Committee,  held  in  Rochdale, 
in  1838,  the  Grand  Master  stated  that  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  new 
lodges  had  been  opened  during  the  year,  and  reviewed  the  improved  con- 
dition and  state  of  the  Order. 

The  Grand  Master  reported,  at  the  session  held  in  Birmingham,  in 
1839,  that  the  past  year  had  been  one  of  great  prosperity,  — the  general 
fund  approximating  £6000;  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  thirty-two 
lodges  were  in  compliance,  with  112,218  subscribing  members. 

Ireland,  Germany,  and  Australasia.  —  In  1840  the  session  convened  in 
York.  In  the  past  year  the  Order  had  exceeded  the  fullest  expectations 
of  its  best  friends.  The  sale  of  goods  had  yielded  a  profit  of  £956; 
£898  had  been  expended  for  general  expenses,  rent,  salaries,  etc.  The 
Magazine  had  reached  an  issue  of  fifteen  thousand  copies,  from  the  profits 
of  which  £251  had  been  appropriated  to  aid  the  widow  and  orphan  funds 
of  lodges  and  districts. 

It  was  resolved  to  extend  the  Order  to  Ireland.  On  petition  of  resident 
brothers  in  Hamburg,  Germany,  a  dispensation  was  granted  them  to  open 
a  lodge  there.  A  dispensation  was,  also,  granted  to  open  the  first  lodge 
in  the  Australian  dependencies,  —  Strangers'  Refuge  Lodge,  in  Sydney. 
The  Order  spread  with  great  rapidity,  and  its  influences,  for  the  benefit 
of  the  brotherhood  of  the  human  family,  interested  the  most  respectable 
residents  of  the  Colonies,  from  whom  large  acquisitions  were  made.  In 
January,  1864,  the  returns  showed :  New  South  Wales,  thirty-eight  lodges, 
2260  members;  Victoria,,  eighty-four  lodges,  6803  members;  South  Aus- 
tralia, sixty-five  lodges,  6788  members;  West  Australia,  two  lodges,  forty- 
six  members;  Tasmania,  twelve  lodges,  551  members;  New  Zealand,  thirty- 
two  lodges,  1956  members,  — total,  two  hundred  and  thirty-three  lodges, 
18,404  members.  These  were  known  as  the  '^  Ancient  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,"  until  1868,  in  which  year  a  charter  was  granted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Australia, 
and  are  now  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

Isle  of  Man  Session.  — The  session  held  in  1841,  in  Douglas,  in  the  Isle 
of  Man,  was  one  of  more  than  ordinary  interest,  at  which  three  hundred 
and  eight  deputies  were  present.  The  meeting  was  held  in  Odd  Fellows' 
hall,  then  in  an  unfinished  condition.  The  reception  was  exceedingly  en- 
thusiastic, and  the  Grand  Master,  and  Corresponding  Secretary,  addressed 
the  people  from  the  balcony  of  the  hotel  on  the  object  of  their  presence. 
Long  and  loud  cheers  followed  these  proceedings,  and  the  day  of  joyous 
festivity  surpassed  any  and  all  previous  demonstrations  in  the  Isle  of  Man. 


62  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Revision  of  Lows.  — The  reyision  of  the  laws  at  this  session  embraced 
many  important  alterations,  viz. :  The  appointment  of  an  Appeal  Com- 
mittee of  eighteen,  selected  from  various  districts,  to  meet  quarterly  in 
Manchester,  to  hear  and  determine  appeals,  subject  to  an  appeal  to  the 
Annual  Movable  Committee;  the  s^  for  admission  of  subscribing  mem- 
bers was  limited  to  forty  years;  an  extra  initiation  fee  for  persons  over 
thirty-five  years  of  age;  all  lodges  were  compelled  to  subscribe  to  a  dis- 
trict funeral  fund;  a  system  of  travelling  reliei^  entitling  every  person, 
with  a  legally  obtained  travelling  card,  to  Is.  6d.  per  day.  At  the  end  of 
twelve  months  over  £6000  having  been  paid  out  through  its  operation 
the  law  was  repealed.  A  modified  system  was  substituted,  and  proved 
satisfactory. 

Deputation  from  the  United  States.  — Early  in  1842  Past  Grand  Master 
James  Alcock  arrived  in  England,  from  America,  bearing  letters  of 
recommendation,  and  a  document  from  John  A.  Kennedy,  Grand  Sire  of 
the  United  States.  The  officers  of  the  Order,  in  England,  claimed  they 
had  no  power  to  make  any  arrangements  with  Past  Grand  Master  Alcock, 
as  the  Annual  Movable  Committee  alone  possessed  that  authority. 

At  the  meeting  of  May  16,  1842,  at  Wigan,  James  L.  Bidgely,  Grand 
Corresponding  Secretary,  and  the  Bev.  I.  D.  Williamson,  Grand  Chap- 
lain, representing  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  were  introduced 
by  Deputy  Grand  Master  Richmond,  and  received  by  the  deputies  with 
great  cordiality.  Their  certificates,  authorizing  them  to  act  for  the 
Grand  body  they  represented,  were  read.  They  addressed  the  deputies 
assembled,  and  were  heartily  cheered  on  resuming  their  seats.  The 
deputies  made  choice  of  four  of  their  number  to  confer  with  the  American 
deputation,  for  the  purpose  of  arriving  at  a  solution  of  the  alterations  in 
the  work,  required  to  meet  the  wishes  of  the  American  brethren.  The 
conference,  ultimately,  ended  in  a  failure  to  come  to  any  satisfactory  settle- 
ment of  the  differences  that  existed.  It  was  not  possible  for  the  English 
Odd  Fellows  to  return  to  the  system  they  had  abrogated  in  1834;  and  it 
was  quite  as  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  the  American  Odd  Fellows 
could  be  brought  to  the  annulment  of  some  of  the  fundamental  portions 
of  their  constitution.  From  the  date  of  that  meeting  a  complete  sever- 
ance has,  practically,  occurred  between  the  two  Orders. 

Claim  of  the  Hffanchester  Unity.  —  In  1843,  at  Bradford,  a  committee 
was  appointed,  who  reported  on  the  subject:  — 

"  We,  yoar  committee,  have  read  the  report  made  by  Messrs.  Ridgely  and  Tniliamson, 
to  Grand  Sire  Kennedy,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  and  deeply  regret  that 
they  have  used  language,  and  made  statements  in  that  report  which  are  totally  untrue ;  and 
that  the  reflections  made  on  the  actions  and  motives  of  the  Annual  Movable  Committee, 
and  executive  government,  are  inadmissible  and  contrary  to  reason ;  but,  while  we  regret 
that  such  a  mode  of  proceeding  has  been  adopted,  by  these  gentlemen,  of  not  taking  the 
best  means  of  clearly  laying  before  the  American  brethren  their  real  position,  we  have 


ITS  VRIQIN,  AND  THE  MANCHESTER  UNITY.  68 

Bnffldent  OTidenoe,  on  our  side,  to  Bhow  that  we  used  every  endeavor  to  meet  them  as 
amicably  as  possible,  so  as  to  make  the  language  of  the  two  hemispheres  universal.  We 
therefore  recommend  the  deputies  to  empower  the  officers  of  the  Order  to  take  the  most 
advisable  course  they  can,  to  carry  out  the  resolutions  of  the  Isle  of  Man  and  Wigan 
Annual  Movable  Committees,  with  due  regard  to  the  peace  of  the  Order  in  England,  on  the 
opening  of  lodges  in  America."  ^ 

Review  of  the  Unity.  —  The  Order,  in  England,  had  attained  to  a  most 
extraordinary  position.  In  the  fourteen  years  of  the  "directory  govem- 
ment  '^  they  had  to  meet  constant  attacks,  in  and  out  of  the  Order,  which 
they  had  combated,  in  a  measure,  successfully,  and  for  many  years  dis- 
charged all  liabilities  without  taxation;  yet,  with  all  the  apparent  glitter 
and  prosperity,  there  existed  a  cancer  within;  frauds  and  their  evil  con- 
sequences were  rife  throughout  the  Unity.  The  society  was  not  in  a 
position  to  appeal  to  a  court  of  justice  to  punish  offenders  or  obtain 
restitution.  The  auditors  were  not  satisfied  with  their  examination  of 
accounts,  and  called  attention  to  the  frauds  committed.  A  committee  on 
applications  for  relief,  also,  referred  to  frauds  that  had  been  perpetrated 
in  the  Order:  — 

"  The  many  serions  and  extensive  frauds,  which  hare  of  late  Increased  to  a  fearful 
extent,  will,  if  not  checked,  do  a  serious  injury  to  our  institution.  In  Liverpool,  recently, 
a  fraud  of  £600  has  been  discovered;  extensive  defalcations  have  occurred  in  Walsall, 
Bolton,  and  Ruthin ;  in  many  other  districts  similar  acts  are  known  to  your  committee.  We 
recommend  action  to  prevent  the  commission  of  such  acts,  if  possible,  and  to  render  secure 
the  reliefs  which  the  laws  of  our  benevolent  institution  seek  to  provide,  for  our  distressed 
brothers,  and  the  widows  and  orphans  of  our  deceased  members." 

Such  was  the  condition  of  the  Manchester  Unity  in  1843,  — a  name 
without  a  reality,  —  composed  of  the  discordant  elements  of  pride  and 
poverty,  fraud  and  benevolence,  strife  and  good-will  to  mankind,  —  attrac- 
tive on  the  exterior,  rotten  in  its  internal  government,  —  without  the  pale 
of  the  law,  — the  victim  of  designing  knaves  and  charlatans.  But  the 
Order  contained  within  its  bosom  the  elements  of  good  government;  the  de- 
velopment of  the  present  state  of  things  had  mainly  resulted  from  the 
reaction  produced  by  the  degradation  to  which  it  had  been  reduced  by  the 
want  of  control,  by  the  executive  government,  over  the  internal  affairs 
of  the  lodges  composing  the  Unity.  It  had  no  jurisdictional  Grand 
Lodge,  other  than  the  Annual  Movable  Committee,  which  acted  in  that 
capacity,  without  authority  to  influence,  or  coerce,  the  lodges  into  a  line 
of  duty  and  co5peration  that  would  have  been  beneficial  to  the  whole. 
It  had  no  formula  for  the  conferment  of  the  degrees  of  the  Order;  the 
lectures  were  furnished  in  the  lecture  book,  and  the  signs,  etc.,  imparted 
informally;  the  ceremony  of  initiation  was  more  or  less  ludicrous,  and 
made  an  unfavorable  impression  upon  the  mind  of  the  candidate;  the 
lodge  meetings  were  invariably  held  in  public-houses,  for  the  benefit  of 

1 "  I  aver  that  every  word  of  our  report  is  religiously  true.   J.  L.  Bidgely,  80th  December,  18T3."  —M8. 
moU  hy  Bidgtly. 


I§«|  RWB»tidl. 


'£  FBATSBSITT. 


Uiiity  lodges  were  little  else  than 

iiblance  to  the  American  "free-and- 

is  now  only  a  health  insurance,  — 

makes  its  returns  to  the  Beglstrai  of 

»'s  of  England  is  denominated  one  of 
in  the  kingdom.     Its  mode  of  creat* 
9^  manner  of  dispensing  its  sick  and 
"jprkj  the  duties  and  requirements  ot 
(Qaof  government }  its  liabilities  and 
^^9tof  membership,  and  lax  scrutiny  of 
,-eeaAet  it  dissimilar  to  Odd  Fellow- 
[lotised  under  the  supreme  power  of 
'  idependent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

,       action  and  practice  of  the  Unity 

Iff^^^gt  the  American  Order,  and  no  assur- 

i^S^lity  of  unity  of  action,  harmony,  or 

^i^o|fcrs,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  XJuited 

";g5^5)  resolved,  September  22,  1843,  as  a 


this  branch  of  the  subject-matter 

tcedes  the  history  of  the  governing 

'^nll  now  enter  upon  that  which  more 

pren, — the  history  of  the  introduc- 

and  prosperity  of  the  Order  in  the 

he  reader  is  referred  to  Section  I., 

of  this  work. 

IwJ^K^i^hJ^^tj  i>  T«.9».    Id  ■ddlllon.  ttun  •»  1IM,8S1  pertoii 


^<^ 


SECTION  II. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE  :   THE  FORMATIVE 

PERIODS. 

By  J.  Frank  Grant,  Past  Grand  Master,  Ghrand  Secretary  of  the 

Sovereign  Ghrand  Lodge. 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE  FIRST  PERIOD  OF  FIVE  YEARS. 

Introdactory.  —  **  The  perfect  historian  is  he  in  whose  work  the  character  and  spirit  of 
an  age  is  exhibited  in  miniature.  He  relates  no  fact,  he  attributes  no  expression  to  his 
characters,  which  is  not  authenticated  by  sufficient  testimony.  But  by  judicious  selection, 
rejection,  and  arrangement,  he  g^ves  to  truth  those  attractions  which  have  been  usnrped  by 
fiction.  In  his  narrative  a  due  subordination  is  observed ;  some  transactions  are  prominent ; 
others  retire.  But  the  scale  on  which  he  represents  them  is  increased  or  diminished,  not 
according  to  the  dignity  of  the  persons  concerned  in  them,  but  according  to  the  degree  in 
which  they  elucidate  the  condition  of  society  and  the.  nature  of  man.  ...  He  considers  no 
anecdote,  no  peculiarity  of  manner,  no  familiar  saying,  as  too  insignificant  for  his  notice, 
which  is  not  too  insignificant  to  illustrate  the  operation  of  laws,  of  religion,  and  of 
education,  and  to  mark  the  progress  of  the  human  mind.  Men  will  not  merely  be  described, 
but  will  be  made  intimately  known  to  us.  The  changes  of  manners  will  be  indicated,  not 
merely  by  a  few  general  phrases  or  a  few  extracts  from  statistical  documents,  but  by 
appropriate  images  presented  in  every  line."—  Thomas  JBabington Macaulay, 

The  Nineteenth  Century  Order.  —  The  curiosity  and  interest  indulged  by 
all  civilized  people,  prompting  them  to  inquire  into  the  history  of  the 
rise  and  progress  of  any  marked  and  vigorous  improvement  in  the  civili- 
zation of  man,  excites,  in  the  mind  of  the  historian,  not  only  a  feeling  of 
pleasure  at  this  desire  for  knowledge,  but  a  laudable  ambition  to  gratify  it. 

Ingenious  men,  possessed  of  leisure,  are  apt  to  push  their  researches 
beyond  the  period  in  which  facts  are  preserved  and  established,  without 
reflecting  that  accuracy,  the  most  valuable  of  all  the  virtues  of  history,  is 
immediately  lost  or  disfigured  when  trusted  to  memory  or  oral  tradition ; 
and  that  the  narration  of  long  tales  so  founded,  affords  small  interest  to 
men  born  in  a  more  cultivated  age.  The  fables  which  are  commonly 
employed  to  supply  the  place  of  true  history,  and  to  add  to  its  pages, 
ought  to  be  entirely  disregarded. 

Neglecting,  therefore,  all  traditions  concerning  the  earlier  history  of 
Odd  Fellowship,  the  purpose  of  these  pages  shall  be  to  narrate  briefly; 

65 


66  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

—  in  a  style  which  it  is  hoped  will  commend  the  study  and  perusal  of  the 
subject  to  the  reader,  and  in  perfect  accord  with  clearly  established 
facts, — the  rise  and  progress  of  the  legislative  and  governing  body  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  under  the  various  names  which 
it  has  adopted  at  different  times. 

The  first  quarter  of  the  nineteenth  century  will  ever  be  famous  in  the 
history  of  this  country.  For  the  second  time,  her  independence  of  Great 
Britain  was  maintained.  The  newly  born  Republic  won  a  strong  posi- 
tion among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  as  the  country  offering  the  best 
homes,  shelter,  and  advantages  to  the  oppressed  and  the  poor. 

In  1821  Mexico  had  gained  her  independence;  George  IV.  had  just 
ascended  the  throne  of  Great  Britain;  Kapoleon  Bonaparte  had  ended  his 
career  of  warfare  and  ambition  in  death;  Lafayette  was  preparing  for  his 
ever  memorable  visit  to  our  people,  who  loved  him.  Under  the  smiling 
countenance  of  peace,  civilization  and  good  and  free  government  extended 
its  arms  of  refinement  and  protection  to  some  of  the  older,  and  much 
of  the  newly  acquired  territory.  Maine  was  separated  from  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  Massachusetts,  by  which  she  had  been  governed  for  nearly  seventy 
years,  and  was  raised  to  the  dignity  of  independent  statehood.  Missouri, 
in  knocking  for  admission  to  the  Union,  interjected  the  '^  slave  question  " 
into  national  politics,  ending  in  the  famous  Missouri  Compromise,  and 
fixing  a  latitudinal  boundary  to  slave  territory.  A  tide  of  good  feeling, 
and  the  era  of  prosperity  which  had  blessed  the  whole  nation  during  the 
first  term  of  James  Monroe,  landed  that  statesman  into  the  presidential 
office  for  four  years  more,  and  sealed  for  all  time  the  popularity  of  his 
"doctrine." 

Providence  smiled,  peace  and  content  folded  their  wings  and  settled 
in  every  home.  A  great  event  was  happening.  Almost  unconsciously 
to  the  surrounding  world.  Odd  Fellowship  was  born.  We  are  "look- 
ing backward  "  to-day  upon  more  than  three-quarters  of  a  century  of  the 
life  of  this  prodigy;  bom  a  weak  and  puling  infant;  tenderly  nursed  in 
the  arms  of  seven  faithful  brothers ;  now  grown  a  giant,  astonishing  the 
world,  and  even  the  members  of  its  own  family,  with  its  deeds  of  love 
and  charity. 

The  coeval  blessings  attending  the  American  people  made  it  a  most 
fitting  period  for  the  advent  of  American  Odd  Fellowship.  Almost  bom 
in  a  manger,  like  many  others  of  the  truly  great  its  birth  was  unhonored 
and  unsung.  Nursed  in  secrecy,  performing  its  deeds  of  charity  in  the 
modest  manner  recommended  by  Divine  law,  its  growth  was  unnoticed, 
by  those  without  the  pale  of  membership,  until  its  own  necessities 
demanded  a  court  of  last  jesort,  and  a  law-making  power  as  well.  The 
creation  of  this  body  was  a  long  step  in  advance,  which  at  once  publicly 
declared  to  the  world  the  principles  and  objects  of  this  young  brotherhood. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE,  67 

The  First  Governing  Body.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  (which 
state  is  the  birthplace,  and  still  continues  to  be  the  home  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship), was  organized  February  7,  1821,  with  the  loved,  the  honored,  the 
revered  Thomas  Wildey  as  its  Grand  Master.  "  To  separate  the  legis- 
lative from  the  operative  portion  of  the  Order,"  is  the  terse  language  of 
its  declaration  of  the  necessity  for  such  a  Grand  body. 

Washington  Lodge,  No.  x. — Washington  Lodge,  No.  1,  the  first  lodge 
of  Odd  FelloAVs  in  the  state  of  Maryland,  was  organized  April  26,  1819, 
in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  Thomas  Wildey  was  Noble  Grand.  Franklin 
Lodge,  No.  2,  in  the  same  city,  was  instituted  later  in  the  year.  In 
1821  these  were  the  only  lodges  known,  to  the  Odd  Fellows  in  Baltimore, 
to  exist  in  America.  Up  to  this  time  matters  of  interest  and  importance 
to  the  general  welfare  of  the  Order  had  been  referred  to,  managed  and 
controlled  by,  a  committee  of  past  grands.  Such  committees  repre- 
sented, in  a  desultory  and  erratic  manner,  the  ideas  embodied  later  in  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  Their  powers  and  prerogatives  were  never  very 
clearly  defined,  their  authority  never  supreme,  nor  unquestioned;  yet  it 
was  the  proud  privilege  of  such  a  committee  to  organize  a  Grand  Lodge 
of  legislative  capacity,  —  a  Grand  Lodge  that  has  so  grown  in  strength, 
dignity,,  and  wisdom,  beneficence,  power,  and  influence  for  good  ojily,  to 
the  whole  Order,  that  it  stands  to-day  without  a  peer  among  the  deliber- 
ative and  legislative  assemblies  of  the  world,  —  in  which  a  membership, 
as  officer  or  representative,  is  a  greater  honor  to  him  who  holds  it,  than 
any  other  position  within  the  gift*  of  people,  prince,  or  king. 

Like  the  founders  of  American  liberty,  these  founders  of  American 
Odd  Fellowship,  though  without  scholarly  attainments,  and  destitute  of 
knowledge  in  the  deep  and  intricate  mysteries  of  government,  unhesitat- 
ingly rose  to  meet  every  emergency  which  they  encountered  in  their 
efforts  to  establish,  maintain,  and  advance  Odd  Fellowship  on  American 
soil.  Deficiencies  in  education  and  experience  were  supplied  by  sound 
common-sense,  and  an  indefatigable  resolution  to  succeed.  Beneath  the 
structure,  rising  slowly  but  surely  under  their  labor  and  guidance,  lay 
the  solid  foundations  of  eternal  Truth.  Permeating  all  its  graceful 
proportions  were  the  hope-inspiring  emotions  of  Friendship  and  Love. 

Record  of  the  Tear  iSai.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  organized  in  February, 
1821,  was  called:  "The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows."  It  was  a 
long  name;  long  enough  not  only  to  satisfy  the  fancies  of  the  inventors 
but  to  insure  it  abbreviation  at  no  distant  day.  Five  men  organized  this 
first  Grand  Lodge,  and  their  names  should  be  written  as  high  upon  the 
pillars  of  fame  as  are  engraved  those  of  the  founders  of  Odd  Fellowship. 
Thomas  Wildey  was  its  first  Grand  Master,  and>  in  this  capacity,  he  served 
well  and  faithfully  for  more  than  twelve  years,  resigning  his  office  (then 


68  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

as  Grand  Sire)  September  3,  1833,  to  his  successor,  James  Gettys,  of  the 
District  of  Columbia.  John  P.  Entwisle  was  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
William  S.  Couth,  Grand  Warden;  John  Welch,  Grand  Secretary;  and, 
partly  from  a  scarcity  of  material,  partly  because  of  his  capabilities  and 
willingness,  John  Boyd  was  chosen  Grand  Treasurer  and  Grand  Guardian. 
So  says  the  record,  though  later,  when  a  Grand  Treasurer  was  elected,  the 
same  record  says  that  the  duties  of  that  officer  had,  to  that  time,  been 
discharged  by  the  Grand  Sire. 

The  American  Degrees. — After  its  organization,  the  next  act  of  this 
dignified  body  was  to  order  three  blank  books  for  its  use, — then  it 
adjourned.  The  next  meeting  was  of  more  importance  in  the  detail  of 
its  transactions.  Officers  were  installed,  the  surrender  of  the  charter 
of  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  accepted,  and  a  dispensation  was 
granted  in  its  stead,  it  retaining  its  name  and  number,  but  as  a  subordi- 
nate lodge.  Provision  was  made  for  the  financial  support  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  as  follows :  subordinates  paid  into  its  treasury  ten  per  centum  of 
their  receipts ;  members  were  charged  seventy-five  cents  for  the  Golden 
Kule  degree;  thirty  dollars  was  fixed  as  the  fee  for  dispensations  for 
"opening  lodges";  being  ten  dollars  for  the  dispensation;  ten  for  the 
White,  Blue,  and  Scarlet  degrees,  and  book  of  charges;  and  ten.  for  the 
intermediate  degrees,  called  the  Covenant  and  Remembrance.  The  last  two 
were  prepared  by  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  John  P.  Entwisle.  Sessions 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  held,  quarterly,  in  Baltimore,  with  occasional 
meetings  of  the  Grand  Committee,  between  the  regular  quarterly  sessions. 
The  presiding  officer  in  the  Grand  Committee  meetings  was  always  the 
Grand  Master,  Thomas  Wildey,  or  his  lawful  representative,  — the  other 
officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  when  present,  occupying  the  stations  as 
in  the  regular  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  committee  proceeded 
to  legislate  in  the  customary  manner  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  it  was, 
in  all  respects,  the  same  body  meeting  under  a  different  name.  The  only 
abbreviation  of  its  power  lay  in  the  fact  that  its  acts  were  not  strictly 
authentic  until  approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge  at  a  regular  session. 

At  the  quarterly  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  held  in  August,  1821, 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution  for  the  government  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  the  United  States.  That  document 
strongly  states  the  doctrine  of  representation  by  past  grands  only.  The 
journal  of  the  meeting  at  which  this  constitution  was  presented,  by  the 
committee,  is  not  very  full  or  explicit.  Foot-notes  to  the  journal  give 
a  copy  of  the  constitution  as  it  was  adopted.  It  contains  twenty-two 
articles,  arranged  in  three  sections,  under  the  following  headings:  "The 
Formation  of  the  Grand  Lodge";  "Election  and  Situation  of  Officers"  ; 
"Dispensations."  It  provided  for  annual  meetings  on  the  22nd  of 
February,  and  quarterly  from  that  date. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  69 

The  Golden  Eule  degree  was  required  to  be  read  each  quarter,  and 
members  taking  it  paid  one  dollar  "toward  the  support  of  the  funds." 
Members  were  fined  for  non-attendance  at  regular  or  committee  meetings, 
unless  they  sent  a  written  apology.  Refreshments  were  forbidden  in  the 
lodge-room.  The  Grand  Master  was  elected  for  four  years,  and  declared 
eligible  for  three  years  longer,  after  which  time  he  should  not  be  eligible 
for  four  years,  but  he  was  permitted  to  resign  after  two  years'  service. 
The  Deputy  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Secretary  were  elected  for  two 
years,  and  the  other  oflBcers  for  one  year.  The  titles  of  "Most  Worthy," 
"Right  Worthy,"  and  "Worthy,"  were  created  by  this  constitution. 
Reports  from  subordinates  were  required  to  be  made  quarterly,  and  the 
revenue  was  maintained  at  the  rates  previously  fixed.  The  Grand  Lodge, 
at  this  session,  resolved  that  the  Grand  Master's  address  should  be 
recorded  in  the  proceedings,  but  it  was  not  done.  It  also  expelled  from 
its  membership  a  brother,  who  is  not  shown  by  the  records  ever  to  have 
been  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  It  provided  that  copies  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  that  session  should  be  furnished  to  subordinates. 

At  a  Grand  Committee  meeting,  in  December,  1821,  a  seal  for  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  a  form  of  dispensation  were  adopted;  and  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  revise  the  degrees  and  charges.  The  end  of  the  first 
year  of  the  life  of  the  legislative  branch  of  the  Order  thus  saw  sovereignty, 
that  essential  idea,  not  only  firmly  fixed  in  the  minds  of  the  members,  but 
as  well  established  in  a  dignified  and  respected  attitude^  as  the  hearts  of 
the  founders  could  desire. 

The  deliberations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  all  its  acts  had  been  guided 
by  the  wisdom  of  the  unselfish  Wildey;  a  wisdom  which  seems  from  our 
point  of  view  to  have  been  almost  prophetic,  and  which  was  surely  directed 
by  that  pure  love  for  the  principles  of  the  Order  which  marked,  with  an 
unsullied  lustre,  the  whole  course  of  his  life.  The  very  meagreness  of 
their  records  but  reflects  again  the  modesty  of  the  small  handful  of  men, 
who,  trusting  implicitly  in  their  leader,  marched  steadily  toward  success. 

Record  of  the  Tear  1822.  —  The  year  1822  was  not  marked  by  any 
important  changes  in  the  laws  and  institutions  of  Odd  Fellowship,  or  by 
any  recorded  advance,  either  by  increased  membership  or  otherwise. 
The  following  is  a  brief  epitome  of  the  business  transacted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  that  year.  Dispensations  were  signed  and  delivered  to  Wash- 
ington Lodge,  No.  1,  dated  February  22,  1821;  and  to  Franklin  Lodge, 
No.  2,  dated  September  6,  1821.  The  proceedings  of  the  meetings  of  the 
Grand  Committee  were  ratified.  The  Grand  Guardian,  Brother  Boyd, 
"presented  two  lottery  tickets  in  the  Washington  Monument  Lottery, 
purchased  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge."  Washington  and  Franklin 
lodges  made  their  first  annual  reports,  showing  their  places  of  meeting 
to  be  Baltimore,  and  reporting  nothing  else. 


70  THE  THBEE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

The  Grand  Treasurer  read  his  first  report.  It  is  anonymous,  —  shows 
receipts  of  $115.08,  disbursements  $100.37,  leaving  a  balance  in  his 
hands  of  $14.71.  The  first  obituary  notice  was  recorded,  being  that  in 
memory  of  Past  Grand  Winchester,  and  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  resolution, 
wore  cr^pe  for  one  year.  Losing  sight  of  the  fact  that  article  seven,  of 
the  constitution,  provided  for  a  charge  of  one  dollar  for  the  Golden  Eule 
degree,  a  resolution  making  the  same  a  law  was  adopted  August  22nd. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  alter  the  music  of  the  ode  sung  in  the 
lodges,  but  the  change  made  is  not  given.  By  the  end  of  the  year  the 
balance  in  the  hands  of  the  Grand  Treasurer  had  risen  to  $39.38. 

Record  of  the  Year  1823. — Daring  th6  year  1823,  the  Grand  Lodge 
enjoyed  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  Order  ''pitch  its  tents''  in  the  great 
jurisdictions  of  Massachusetts,  New  York,  and  Pennsylvania.  The  pride 
born  of  success  was  pardonable  in  the  faithful  band  composing  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  it  is  plainly  perceptible  between  the  lines  of  the  record  of 
their  proceedings,  in  which  they  tell  how  they  accepted  the  three  peti- 
tions for  dispensations,  and  how  cordially  the  same  were  granted.  The 
year's  record  is  replete  with  reports  of  quarterly  sessions  and  Grand 
Committee  meetings.  These  reports  show  the  activity  and  zeal  with 
which  Wildey  and  his  faithful  allies  pushed  the  necessary  work  of 
'^  writing,  printing,  coloring,  and  preparing "  the  dispensations,  lectures, 
charges,  etc.,  in  the  face  of  obstacles,  at  this  date  unknown  to  the 
Grand  Lodge.  Wildey  so  distinguished  himself  by  his  zeal,  and  his 
rigid  application  to  the  performance  of  the  pleasant  duties  in  hand, 
as  to  win  the  unanimous  praise  and  gratitude  of  his  followers. 

At  the  quarterly  session  in  May,  it  was  resolved :  ''  That  the  thanks 
of  this  Grand  Lodge  be  presented  to  Grand  Master  Wildey,  for  his  assi- 
duity and  perseverance  in  the  service  of  the  Grand  Lodge."  His  response 
is,  unfortunately,  not  given,  though  it  is  said  to  have  been  appropriate. . 
In  August  following,  Grand  Secretary  Entwisle  became  a  beneficiary  of 
the  generosity  of  the  brothers,  excited  by  the  sudden  evidence  of  the 
influence  and  power  of  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship.  He  was  voted 
a  medal  "in  respect  for  his  services,"  and  Past  Grand  Fennell  was 
appointed  to  assist  him  in  his  office.  Every  one  was  active.  The  Grand 
Lodge  brooked  no  delay,  — permitted  no  improper  conduct.  The  Grand 
Conductor  "was  suspended  for  one  year  and  one  day,  for  conduct 
unworthy  of  our  beloved  Order." 

In  addition  to  establishing  the  Order  by  the  dispensations  granted  to 
separate  lodges  in  Boston,  New  York,  and  Philadelphia,  each  lodge  having 
grand  jurisdiction  and  powers,  the  Grand  Lodge  dispensed  with  the  air 
to  the  ode,  and  provided  "  that  it  should  be  read  at  the  time  of  a  making.". 
Two  stanzas  of  the  song,  "  Hail,  Columbia,"  were  sung  at  the  opening  and 
closing  of  lodges.     Grand  Master  Wildey  was  sent  to  Boston  to  institute 


TBE  BOVEBEIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  71 

the  new  lodge.  An  election  to  receive  the  Fourth  degree  was  by  ballot. 
The  constitution  was  amended  in  some  unmentioned  particulars.  A  new 
lodge  was  chartered  in  Baltimore.  The  Grand  Lodges  of  Massachusetts, 
New  York,  and  Pennsylvania  were  requested  by  letters  to  send  delegates, 
or  appoint  proxies,  to  attend  a  Grand  Committee  meeting,  'Hhat  arrange- 
ments might  be  made  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. ''  The 
first  lodge  opened  under  the  Grand  Lodge  was  Columbia,  No.  3,  in  Balti- 
more, and  the  work  was  performed  by  the  grand  officers.  Thus  closed  the 
third  year  of  the  Grand  body,  with  most  auspicious  prospects  for  the  future. 

Record  of  the  Year  1824.  —  When  the  Grand  Lodge  convened  in  annual 
session,  February  212,  1824^  it  was  ready  to  wisely  and  safely  consider  a 
proposition  to  separate  entirely  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  so 
that  the  former  might  be  composed  of  representatives,  and  proxies,  from 
the  several  Grand  bodies,  and  the  latter  exercise  jurisdiction  over  Mary- 
land alone.  It  was  at  this  meeting  that  the  first  steps  were  taken  toward 
dissolving  the  ties  between  the  Order  here  and  in  England.  A  letter 
was  read  from  England  announcing  alterations  made  in  the  secret  work, 
to  which  a  reply  was  sent  disapproving  the  changes,  and  asking  further 
information  relative  to  the  same. 

This  session,  also,  fixed  April  26th  as  ^'anniversary  day,"  and  estab- 
lished the  Annual  Travelling  Password,  selecting  and  promulgating  the 
first  one  chosen.  Eeports  from  six  subordinates  were  received,  showing 
revenue  to  the  amount  of  $843.10.  The  proposition  involving  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  having  been  submitted 
to  the  several  Gi'and  Lodges,  and  approved  by  them  all,  the  matter  was 
arranged  in  Grand  Committee,  and,  later,  approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
in  quarterly  session,  May  22,  1824.  Twelve  members,  including  the 
officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  were  present  at  this  important  meeting. 

Following  this  session  fell  the  severest  blow  the  Order,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  especially,  had  yet  sustained.  Grand  Secretary  John  P.  Entwisle 
died.  He  had  been  closely  associated  with  Grand  Master  Wildey,  in  the 
capacity  of  Grand  Secretary,  from  the  incipiency  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  had 
earnestly  seconded  him  in  all  his  plans  for  the  advancement  of  the  Order, 
and  it  is  only  in  keeping  with  the  natural  modesty  of  the  man,  that  the 
records  of  the  Grand  Lodge  are  not  replete  with  mention  of  his  deeds  of 
unselfishness  and  love.  The  medal  which  had  been  previously  voted  to 
him  had  not  been  purchased,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  gave  the  money, 
appropriated  for  its  purchase,  to  his  widow.  While  it  is  to  be  regretted 
that  death  should  overtake  him  just  as  his  favorite  plans  and  hard  labors 
were  ripening  into  success,  and  receiving  the  hearty  sanction  of  the  Order, 
we  are  consoled,  in  a  measure,  for  his  untimely  death,  by  the  reflection 
that  the  work  begun  by  his  hands  was  to  be  carried  to  perfection  by 
those  who  were  to  come  after  him. 


72  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

The  committee  reported  a  constitution  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States.  The  only  original  copy  of  this  constitution  known  to  be 
in  existence,  says  the  journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  is  in  the  archives  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  It  changed  the  name  of  the  body  to : 
"  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows."  The  membership  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  composed  of  repre- 
sentatives, or  proxies.  They  were  required  to  present  a  certificate,  signed 
by  the  Grand  Master,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary, bearing  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  from  whence  they  came.  If 
no  one  present  could  vouch  for  the  brother's  identity,  and  his  right  to  the 
certificate,  he  was  put  on  his  oath  as  to  its  genuineness,  and  his  own 
identity,  and  required  to  work  his  way  by  the  Golden  Rule,  or  Fourth 
degree.  Each  Grand  Lodge  was  entitled  to  equal  representation.  Fines 
were  fixed  enforcing  attendance.  Each  state  was  required  to  pay  an 
equal  share  of  the  expenses  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  each  Grand  Lodge 
defrayed  the  expenses  of  its  representative.  Five  officers  were  named : 
Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  Grand 
Warden.  The  city  of  Baltimore  was  declared  the  permanent  seat  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  Thirty  dollars  was  fixed  as  the  fee  for  a  charter  for  a  new 
lodge,  in  a  state  not  having  a  chartered  Grand  Lodge;  this  included  the 
charges,  lectures,  and  the  five  degrees.  Such  lodges  were  required  to  act 
under  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  until  they  had  five  past  grands. 

Grand  Lodges  were  required  to  report,  annually,  the  names  of  sus- 
pended or  expelled  members,  and.  this  information  was  promulgated  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  various  subordinate  Grand  Lodges.  A  yearly 
password  was  again  provided.  The  constitution  was  submitted  to  the 
several  Grand  Lodges. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  the  United  States, 
in  November,  1824,  — the  last  one  held  jointly,  — a  constitution  for  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  was  adopted.  Unfortunately  no  copy  has  been 
preserved.  Grand  Master  Wildey  was  presented  with  a  medal,  the  cost 
of  which  was  limited  to  twenty  dollars,  and  the  combination  Grand  Lodge 
then  closed,  thus  finally  severing  a  state  Grand  Lodge  from  the  one  repre- 
senting the  official  head  of  the  entire  Order  in  America. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States :  1825.  — A  preliminary  meeting 
of  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  "  was  called,  and  met  "  in  the 
new  hall,"  January  15,  1825,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States.  Four  jurisdictions  were  represented :  Mary- 
land, by  a  representative ;  Massachusetts,  New  York,  and  Pennsylvania, 
by  proxies.  The  separation  of  the  body  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mary- 
land was  approved,  and  the  new  constitution  was  adopted.  Wildey  was 
unanimously  elected  Grand  Master;  John  Welch,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
William  Williams,  Grand  Secretary;  and  Thomas  Mitchell,  Grand  Guar- 


THE  SOVEREIGN  QBAND  LODGE.  73 

dian.  Information  of  the  work  done  at  this  meeting  was  sent,  by  letters, 
to  the  several  Grand  Lodges;  a  resolution  to  print  the  "Past  Grand's 
charge  book,"  and  the  portion  of  the  " Kemembrance  and  Third  degrees 
which  the  Vice  Grand  was  to  repeat,"  was  adopted,  and  the  first  session 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  passed  into  history. 

In  four  years  this  important  legislative  branch  of  the  Order  had  not 
only  been  completely  "severed  from  the  operative,"  as  was  contemplated 
in  the  beginning,  and  declared  in  the  preamble  to  the  call  for  the  first 
meeting,  but  it  had  taken  a  place  in  the  world  commensurate  with  its 
dignified  declarations  ajid  lofty  designs.  It  is  most  comforting  to  note, 
in  this  connection,  the  cheerfulness  and  alacrity  with  which  the  movement 
had  been  welcomed,  and  the  loyalty  with  which  its  assumed  au;thority 
was  recognized  and  obeyed.  Its  value  and  necessity  were  alike  admitted 
by  all,  and  with  such  a  beginning,  its  future,  in  the  hands  of  wise  and 
honest  men,  was  assured. 

At  its  first  annual  communication  in  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  in  Baltimore, 
February  22,  1825,  the  installation  of  oflBicers  was  postponed  one  month, 
the  Grand  Secretary  was  directed  to  inform  the  several  Grand  Lodges, 
and,  on  March  30th,  a  meeting  was  held  in  which  all  the  jurisdictions 
were  represented,  and  the  elected  oflBicers  were  installed.  A  congratula- 
tory love-feast  followed,  led  by  Grand  Master  Wildey,  after  which  the 
business  before  the  Grand  Lodge  was  resumed.  Petitions  asking  for 
the  reinstatement  of  members  were  read  from  two  lodges  in  Penn- 
sylvania. In  considering  them  the  Grand  Lodge  first  laid  down  the 
principle,  ever  since  maintained,  that  subordinates  must  present  petitions 
to  their  own  Grand  Lodges ;  that  state  Grand  Lodges  alone  have  power  to 
refer  matters  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States;  and  that  the  two 
lodges  petitioning  must  address  their  requests  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania. 

The  Grand  Lodge  further  provided  at  this  session  for  its  revenues,  by 
requiring  the  fees  charged  for  the  Fifth  degree  to  be  forwarded  to  its 
Grand  Treasurer,  "to  defray  the  expenses  of  preparing  the  same."  Four 
Grand  Lodges  reported  at  this  session,  with  nine  subordinates.  The  Grand 
Committee  idea  continued  to  obtain,  and  it  not  infrequently  happened 
that  more  business,  and  often  business  of  greater  importance,  was  trans- 
acted by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  when  in  special  session 
as  Grand  Committee,  than  when  regularly  convened  as  a  Grand  Lodge. 
This  was  true  in  September,  1825,  when  the  constitution  was  amended  by 
striking  out  the  word  "permanent,"  and  inserting  in  its  stead  the  word 
"  present " ;  in  that  clause  declaring  Baltimore  to  be  the  seat  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  by  changing  the  date  for  the  annual  com- 
munication from  February  22nd  to  May  1st. 


74  THE  TUREE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

At  this  meeting  a  new  degree,  imported  from  England  througli  the 
intervention  of  a  Brother  McKormick,  of  Manchester,  at  an  expense  of 
ten  dollars,  was  conferred  on  a  number  of  past  grands  present,  for  the  sum 
of  one  dollar  each.  This  is  the  degree  since  known  as  the  Patriarchal, 
later  added  to,  and  made  a  most  essential  feature  of,  the  encampment. 

In  following  the  steps  of  this  brave  but  slender  band  over  a  period  of 
five  years,  we  have  found  them  combining  an  adventurous  spirit  with  a 
wise  caution ;  having  the  courage  born  of  their  confidence  in  the  future, 
they  have  never  wavered;  and  we  have  seen  their  efforts  crowned  with 
the  success  they  deserved. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE   SECOND  PERIOD:    1826-1833. 

Record  of  the  Year  1826.  —  The  first  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  held  in  1826,  convened  in  Baltimore,  April  25th,  although, 
at  its  last  meeting  as  Grand  Committee,  it  had  fixed  May  1st  as  the  day 
upon  which  it  should  assemble  in  annual  session.  No  explanation  of  this 
discrepancy  is  made  in  the  journal. 

A  new  and  distinctive  dignity  was  assumed.  The  titles  of  '^  Grand 
Sire"  and  "Deputy  Grand  Sire"  were  substituted  for  those  of  "Grand 
Master"  and  "Deputy  Grand  Master."  This  change  was,  evidently, 
made  by  general  consent,  without  the  official  sanction  of  the  Grand  Lodge ; 
for  the  constitution  adopted  in  April,  1824,  provided  for  the  old  style  of 
Grand  Master  and  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  it  was  not  until  1828  that 
the  constitution  was  so  amended  as  to  adopt  this  new  and  much  more 
appropriate  designation,  thus  creating  a  specific  title  which  distinguished 
a  Grand  Master  of  the  United  States  from  the  Grand  Master  of  a  juris- 
diction, by  a  single  word. 

At  this  session  two  articles  were  added  to  the  constitution,  permitting 
five  past  grands,  in  a  lodge  acting  under  the  exclusive  jurisdiction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  to  petition  for,  and  receive,  a  grand 
charter  to  organize  a  Grand  Lodge  in  any  state  or  territory,  charging 
therefor  the  fee  of  twenty  dollars  and  all  necessary  expenses.  This 
included  all  the  degrees,  except  the  Patriarchal,  the  price  of  which  was 
raised  to  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents,  in  addition  to  the  fees  of  thirty 
dollars  each  for  the  charters  and  degrees  in  subordinate  lodges. 

The  Famous  Charter.  —  Four  jurisdictions  reported  twelve  subordinates 
at  this  meeting,  Pennsylvania  taking  the  lead  with  four  lodges.  A 
"  special "  committee  meeting  was  held  October  3d,  at  which  they  indulged 


ION,  X 

rarib/UaBtrr, 
(Bomxniiiic. 


gmiited  btf  the  ®lt&«-  of 
J. '^Otift  c^O(5^0  i'^wton  fe-^ 

JVA«  ^ndSf  CtW-ittt  (i»r^t^  g/-  <hbB 

[p<g«ent  Order (^  Odd  TfeUowa  j)!-- 

^^nCharte^r  and  i>o  atjo  hireb^  gmr*  aiOorm 

-jEV§i»d  Sire.  "RepresentaliTes.  and  ^ 
^^^  America  /v  conduct  the  Basintfh 

"^i^oe^ff  ont/  viher  Country  so  long  at  ifi^j? 
t^^^i  aceordin^  Aj  tf^e  principles  and punhf 
'^uig  granted  at  a  Free  GM^from  the 
g»  ^nncheiter  (^tembM  on  thejifitenth 
•>'    m    ^^'"f  '^''^  htiiidred  and  twenty  ■»/>. 
*'*^^^^S^  "^■^  Sfalt  displaytd  ihf  Qjtou  rv  ^our 


■S-cSrESi^TED  STATES,    CONFIRMING  THE   ONE 
~^4»|Jj*^<;|CE,    PRESTOii."— Wilde/ s  Kequest. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  75 

in  another  love-feast,  over  the  report  of  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  concerning 
his  visit  to  England  and  his  reception  by  the  Order  in  that  kingdom. 
C!ordialit7  characterized  the  conduct  of  the  brothers  in  welcoming  the 
Grand  Sire  of  the  United  States  everywhere,  but  it  remained  for  the  Odd 
Fellows  of  Manchester  to  completely  overwhelm  him  with  their  prolonged 
festival  of  joy  because  of  his  presence  among  them.  No  triumphal  march 
was  ever  marked  with  greater  evidence  of  sincerity  in  its  welcome,  and 
no  conqueror  ever  conducted  himself  witli  such  modesty  as  characterized 
Grand  Sire  Wildey  in  this,  surely  the  proudest  event  of  his  life.  He 
was  offered  a  valuable  gold  medal  as  a  memento  of  the  visit,  and  a  token 
of  the  deep  and  lasting  love  of  the  brethren  in  Manchester.  Wildey 
replied:  that  he  would  prefer,  in  its  stead,  a  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  confirming  the  one  granted  by  the  Duke  of  York 
Lodge.  This  instance  of  his  unqualified  devotion  to  the  Order  was  wel- 
comed cordially  by  the  Odd  Fellows  in  England,  and,  in  presenting  the 
report  of  his  visit,  he  had  the  great  pleasure  of  delivering  the  charter, 
splendidly  executed  on  parchment.  This  charter  completed  the  severance 
of  the  Order  in  America  from  that  of  England  in  the  following  unequiv- 
ocal terms :  — 

"  Hereby  grant,  authorize,  and  empower  the  Grand  Sire,  Depaty  Grand  Sire,  Repre- 
sentatives, and  proxies  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  America,  to  conduct  the 
business  of  Odd  Fellowship  without  the  interference  of  any  other  country,  so  long  as  the 
same  is  adminiatered  according  to  the  principles  and  purity  of  Odd  FeUowship." 

Grand  Sire  Wildey,  also,  brought  with  him  one  of  the  emblems  of  the 
Order  then  in  use  in  the  English  lodges.  It  represented:  "The  founda- 
tion-stone laid  by  our  forefather  Adam."  Chiefly  on  account  of  our 
inability  to  identify  Adam  as  the  first  and  original  Odd  Fellow,  the  use 
of  this  emblem  has  been  discontinued.  The  communication,  by  the 
Grand  Secretary,  of  the  vote  of  thanks  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  to  the  ofiGicers  and  brothers  of  the  Manchester  district, 
brought  from  the  latter  a  beautiful  letter  of  acknowledgment,  breathing 
in  every  line  the  spirit  of  true,  fraternal  love,  and  speaking  in  the 
strongest  terms  of  their  love  and  veneration  for  Grand  Sire  Wildey. 

Record  of  the  Tear  1827.  —  In  scanning  the  personnel  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  at  its  session  held  May  1,  1827,  we  find  but  one  of  the  original 
names  on  the  list  of  members,  — that  of  the  persistent,  faithful,  indefati- 
gable Wildey,  —  still  at  the  head  of  the  Order,  its  guide,  philosopher,  and 
friend.  His  presence  to  those  beside  him  in  the  struggle  was  "  like  unto 
the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land'';  his  advice,  guided  by 
common-sense,  honesty,  and  unselfish  love  for  the  Order,  kept  them  ever 
on  the  advance;  and  the  power,  influence,  and  dignity  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  grew  each  year.  At  this  session  some  new  ideas  of  vast  value  to 
the  Order  were  introduced.     The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  through  its 


76  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

representative,  communicated  its  intention  'Ho  have  a  copper-plate 
engraved  for  a  travelling  certificate  to  suit  any  state  or  lodge,  and  pre- 
vent imposition."  This  is  the  first  mention,  in  the  journal  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  of  a  document  now  crystallized  in  the  visiting  card. 

The  Grand  Lodge  prepared  another  vote  of  thanks  to  Grand  Sire 
Wildey,  the  same  to  be  handsomely  framed.  Changes  of  importance 
were  made,  or  proposed,  in  the  secret  work,  and  the  Order  in  England  was 
asked  to  conform  to  them,  that  there  mighib  be  uniformity.  The  annual 
password  was  communicated  to  Grand  Masters  and  Deputy  Grand  Mas- 
ters. The  minutes  of  this  session  are  the  first  ever  printed  and  circulated 
among  the  Order  at  large.  There  were  fourteen  subordinates  reported, 
—  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  being  tied  for  the  first  place,  having 
four  in  each.  In  November  of  this  year  the  grand  jurisdiction  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  was  added,  by  the  opening  of  Central  Lodge,  No.  1, 
in  Washington  city,  under  a  charter  from  the  Grand  Lodge.  Grand  Sire 
Wildey,  who  must  have  been  well  nigh  omnipresent,  was  deputed  to  open 
this  lodge.  In  January  following,  he  was  again  deputed  to  open  another 
lodge  in  Georgetown,  in  that  jurisdiction.  In  the  same  Grand  Committee 
meeting,  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  expelling  one  of 
its  subordinates  for  refusing  to  comply  with  the  laws  of  the  Order,  was 
approved.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  sustained  the  laws  of 
its  own  making,  never  hesitating  between  policy  and  right. 

Record  of  the  Tear  i8a8.  —  At  the  annual  session  in  May,  1828,  another 
new  and  important  idea  was  presented,  — again  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Maryland.  Representative  Scotchburn,  of  that  jurisdiction,  reported 
that  an  '' encampment  of  patriarchs"  had  been  formed  during  the  year, 
that  the  returns  made  by  the  encampment  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mary- 
land were  highly  flattering,  and  that  such  an  encampment  was  expected 
to  be  highly  useful  in  extending  valuable  knowledge  to  brothers  not  yet 
members  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  "  The  report  was  accepted,"  —  so  says  the 
journal.  A  foot-note  explains  that  up  to  this  time  '^  The  several  degrees 
known  as  the  Patriarchal  had  been  conferred  only  in  Grand  Lodge,  except 
the  Golden  Rule  degree,  which  was  given  by  the  Manchester  Unity,  as 
a  token  of  confidence,  to  Scarlet  degree  members."  On  May  6,  1828,  a 
number  of  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  applied  to  that 
body,  and  promptly  received  a  charter  for  an  encampment  of  patriarchs, 
with  power  to  confer  the  three  degrees,  viz. :  the  Patriarchal,  Golden 
Rule,  and  Royal  Purple,  on  Scarlet  degree  members  in  good  standing, 
for  which  they  paid  the  sum  of  thirty  dollars.  The  ubiquitous  Wildey 
was  high  priest  of  this  new  organization,  and  was  strongly  supported  by 
several  of  his  admirers.  This  body  was  known  for  some  time  as  "  The 
Encampment  Lodge,"  on  the  minutes  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland, 
though,  in  the  dispensation,  it  is  styled  "  The  Encampment  of  Patriarchs." 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GBAND  LODGE.  77 

It  finally,  in  1832,  assumed  the  title  of  Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  1. 
During  this  session  a  resolution  was  adopted  strenuously  recommending 
the  establishing  of  patriarchal  encampments  in  the  different  jurisdictions. 

Under  a  resolution  of  instruction,  the  Grand  Sire  appointed  John  J. 
Boach  to  the  office  of  Grand  Secretary.  The  record  does  not  explain 
what  had  happened  to  Grand  Secretary  Williams.  The  constitution  was 
so  amended  that  the  annual  meetings  were  opened  on  the  first  Monday  in 
May,  instead  of  the  "first  day"  as  before  provided.  Another  vote  of 
thanks  to  Grand  Sire  Wildey  was  unanimously  given,  evidently  not 
altogether  from  force  ai  habit,  but  because  that  officer  was  continually 
advancing  and  guiding  Odd  Fellowship  with  a  wisdom  so  unique,  as  to 
often  flash  like  an  inspiration. 

Grand  and  subordinate  lodges  were  required  to  send  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  the  impressions  of  their  seals  to  be  distributed,  one  to  each  lodge, 
by  them  to  be  framed  and  kept  for  reference.  A  good  idea,  but  it  neces- 
sarily had  to  be  discontinued  when  the  lodges  became  too  numerous.  A 
Grand  Movable  Committee  of  two  (one  to  be  the  Grand  Sire)  was  formed, 
to  move,  once  in  four  years,  through  the  different  states  where  Grand 
Lodges  had  been  organized.  It  was  resolved  to  revise  the  subordinate 
lodge  degrees.  The  constitution  was  considered,  contemplating  a  general 
revision;  but  an  entirely  new  constitution  was  presented  by  Eepresenta- 
tive  Small,  of  Pennsylvania,  which,  after  being  variously  amended  and 
altered,  was  approved  and  submitted  to  the  several  Grand  Lodges.  Blank 
forms  for  reports  were  first  provided  this  year,  for  the  use  of  state  Grand 
Lodges,  to  secure  uniformity  in  the  annual  reports.  ,  A  list  of  all  regular 
lodges  in  the  United  States  was  printed  in  the  journal  of  this  session. 
There  were  nineteen  of  them,  in  five  jurisdictions,  —  Pennsylvania  again 
leading  with  five. 

A  Grand  Committee  meeting  was  held  September  28th  of  this  year, 
to  grant  a  charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  This 
Grand  Lodge  was  "opened"  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  November  24th, 
following. 

Record  of  the  Tear  1829. — New  Jersey  came  into  the  ranks  next, 
applying  for,  and  receiving,  a  charter  for  New  Jersey  Lodge,  No.  1,  in 
Camden,  at  a  Committee  meeting  in  March,  1829;  and  again  in  April,  for 
a  charter  for  Benevolent  Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Paterson.  At  the  annual  ses- 
sion in  May,  1829,  the  Grand  Secretary  being  absent  from  the  city,  John 
Starr  was  appointed  to  that  office,  pro  tempore.  Five  jurisdictions  were 
represented. 

Reports  showed  progress  and  harmony  everywhere.  Even  the  expelled 
lodge  in  New  York  was  knocking,  apology  in  hand,  supported  by  prom- 
ises of  compliance  with  the  laws,  for  readmission,  and  was  met  and 
welcomed  as  a  "prodigal  son"  should  be  when  he  prays,  in  penitence,  to 


78  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

be  taken  again  under  the  parental  roof  and  protection.  Pennsylvania 
reported  seven  new  lodges,  nearly  seven  hundred  initiates,  and  one  char- 
tered encampment  of  patriarchs.  No  wonder  the  members  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  were  happy.  It  is  not  remarkable  that,  when  the  hour  of  election 
arrived,  Grand  Sire  Wildey  was  elected  for  four  years  more.  This  was 
the  only  election  in  which  he  had  had  an  opponent;  Pennsylvania  pre- 
sented the  name  of  Past  Grand  Master  Pryor  and  voted  for  him ;  everybody 
else  voted  for  Wildey.     Augustus  Mathiot  was  elected  Grand  Secretary. 

After  the  installation,  which  immediately  followed  the  election,  the 
constitution  submitted  and  referred  to  the  several  Grand  Lodges  at  the 
last  session  was  taken  up,  an  amendment  adopted  at  this  session  engrafted 
therein,  and  the  whole  adopted.  A  modest  preamble  clearly  set  forth  the 
necessity  for  a  Grand  Lodge  of  sovereign  power  and  jurisdiction,  and 
declared  its  purposes  to  be  the  "upbuilding  of  the  Order."  As  before 
mentioned,  the  titles  of  Grand  Sire  and  Deputy  Grand  Sire  were  fixed, 
but  still  Grand  Treasurer  was  not  included  in  the  list  of  officers.  A  pro- 
vision to  pay  the  Grand  Secretary  for  his  services  was  embodied  in  the 
constitution,  although  the  amount  was  left  blank. 

T4ie  time  for  the  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  annual  session,  was 
changed  to  the  first  Monday  in  September.  The  Grand  Sire,  only, 
was  permitted  to  vote  in  case  of  a  tie,  and  it  was  declared  that  the  other 
officers^  "in  their  official  capacity,"  should  not  vote  at  all.  The  Grand 
Sire  was  elected  one  year  prior  to  his  succession  to  the  office,  the 
term  of  which  was  reduced  to  two  years,  and  he  was  declared  eligible 
for  reelection. 

The  publication  of  a  list  of  suspensions  and  expulsions,  with  reasons 
therefor,  was  continued.  The  yearly  password,  selected  by  the  Grand 
Sire,  was  sent  to  the  various  Grand  Masters.  Revenue  for  this  body  was 
maintained  in  the  same  way  and  at  the  same  rates  as  heretofore. 

The  constitution  and  by-laws  were  required  to  be  read  at  each  annual 
communication,  and  members  of  Grand  Lodges  were  allowed  to  be  present 
and  hear  any  business  transacted.  No  provision  had  yet  been  made  for 
"secret  sessions,"  and  from  a  careful  reading  of  the  journal,  none  appear 
ever  to  have  been  held,  characterized  as  such,  or  distinguished,  in  any 
manner,  from  the  regular  open  sessions.  Propositions  to  amend  were 
made,  in  writing,  to  the  Grand  Sire  six  months  prior  to  the  annual  meet- 
ing, communicated  to  the  several  Grand  Lodges,  and  a  two-thirds  vote 
was  necessary  to  adopt.  This  constitution,  including  the  preamble  and 
the  rules  of  order,  was  bound,  signed  by  the  Grand  Sire  and  Grand  Secre- 
tary, and  a  copy  sent  to  each  Grand  Lodge. 

Modification  of  Ritual  Lectures.  —  The  revision  of  the  subordinate 
degrefe  lectures  was  taken  up  and  further  modified.  Another  vote  of 
thanks  to  Grand  Sire  Wildey  did  not  catch  that  old  veteran  asleep.     In 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  79 

acknowledging  it  he  delivered  such  an  address  upon  the  rise  and  progress 
of  American  Odd  Fellowship,  as  secured  the  approval  of  the  Grand 
Lodge, — manifested  by  a  vote  to  print  the  address  in  the  journal.  A 
careful  perusal  of  this  address  heightens  our  appreciation  of  the  genuine, 
modest  worth  of  the  man  who  led  the  Order  through  the  wilderness,  and 
by  that  long  and  arduous  work,  well  done,  had  earned  for  himself  the 
right  to  be  called  the  "  Moses  of  American  Odd  Fellowship." 

The  annual  session  closed  with  the  reports  from  five  jurisdictions,  and 
thirty-one  subordinates;  Pennsylvania  reporting  thirteen,  with  one  thou- 
sand and  nine  contributing  members. 

Record  of  the  Tear  1830.  —  The  journal  contains  no  more  accounts  of 
Grand  Committee  meetings.  They  are  henceforward  known  as  '^  special 
sessions."  Two  were  held,  in  1830,  previous  to  the  annual  session, 
which  met  Monday,  September  6,  1830,  the  first  under  the  new  constitu- 
tion. At  one  of  the  special  meetings  a  charter  was  granted  to  establish 
Friendly  Union  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Providence,  Ehode  Island.  A  foot-note 
to  the  journal  explains  that  the  minutes  of  this  session  were  not  written 
at  the  time  of  the  meeting  ;  that  the  simple  date,  1830,  without  month 
or  day,  is  incorrect,  because  from  the  date  on  which  the  Movable  Com- 
mittee organized  Friendly  Union  Lodge,  the  special  session  must  have 
been  held  very  shortly  after  the  annual  session  in  May,  1829. 

The  second  ''  special "  session  granted  a  charter  for  Delaware  Lodge, 
No.  1,  at  Wilmington,  Delaware,  May  27,  1830.  Thus  the  banner  of 
Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth  was  unfurled  to  the  admiring  eyes  of  its 
faithful  volunteers  in  two  more  grand  jurisdictions.  Members  were 
gathering  fast  about  the  altars  of  Odd  Fellowship;  money  was  flowing 
into  its  treasuries;  the  sick  and  the  afflicted  were  succored.  The  ready 
and  willing  performance  of  these  sacred,  fraternal  duties  was  fast  laying 
a  solid  and  indestructible  basis  for  those  grand  words,  that  have  since 
become  the  motto  on  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

Gratifying  reports  of  the  unul^ual  activity  and  prosperity  af  the  Order 
continued  to  encourage  the  brethren  at  the  annual  session  in  September, 
1830, — Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  the  District  of  Columbia  showing 
the  most  marked  growth. 

Degree  Lodges.  —  Degree  lodges  are  first  mentioned  at  this  session,  — 
Pennsylvania  reporting  four.  It  was  a  common  custom,  early  in  the 
history  of  the  Order,  for  members  of  a  lodge  to  assemble  in  their  ''  lodge- 
house  "  on  Sunday,  when  the  Noble  Grand,  or  some  other  person  selected, 
would  "deliver  a  lecture,"  as  it  was  termed.  The  idea  of  organizing 
degree  lodges  originated  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania.  Such 
degree  lodges  had  no  other  duties  to  perform  than  those  of  mastering 
the  lectures,  and  charges  pertaining  to  the  degrees,  conferring  them  upon 
those  entitled  to  receive  them,  and  keeping  a  record  of  their  proceedings. 


80  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  inauguration  of  this  idea  was  hailed  with  delight.  The  experienced 
saw^  in  its  efficient  administration,  great  difficulties  vanish  like  an  early 
morning  cloud.  Here  was  an  inexpensive  plan,  which,  if  properly  exe- 
cuted, would  insure  two  things  greatly  to  be  desired,  —  proficiency  and 
uniformity  in  the  unwritten  work. 

The  usage  of  all  travelling  certificates  being  endorsed  by  the  brothers 
holding  them,  in  their  own  proper  handwriting,  was  enacted  a  law  at 
this  session. 

The  annual  reports  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  this  year,  showed  fifty-eight 
subordinates,  and  a  revenue  of  nearly  sixteen  thousand  dollars,  with  a 
trifle  over  three  thousand  members.  The  only  cloud  upon  the  hearts  of 
the  Grand  Sire  and  his  associates  at  this  time  was  attributable  to  the 
chaotic  condition  of  affairs  in  New  York  and  Massachusetts,  as  shown 
by  the  report  of  the  Movable  Committee.  The  details  of  this  unfortunate 
state  of  affairs  will  be  found  in  the  history  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  those 
two  jurisdictions,  in  Section  I.,  First  Meridian,  Division  III.,  and  further 
mention  may  be  omitted,  with  the  congratulatory  remark,  in  passing, 
that  their  troubles  were  brought  to  an  end,  and  the  Order  in  those  states 
speedily  gave  these  Grand  Lodges  positions  as  bright  stars  in  the  widen- 
ing firmament  of  Odd  Fellowship.  In  1830  the  pennant  of  our  noble 
fraternity  was  borne  beyond  th6  AUeghanies,  and  planted  by  Ohio  Lodge, 
No.  1,  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  river,  in  Cincinnati. 

Record  of  the  Tear  1831. — Early  in  1831  the  state  of  Louisiana 
opened  her  doors  of  welcome  to  Louisiana  Lodge,  No.  1,  in  the  city  of 
New  Orleans ;  a  few  days  later  a  Grand  Lodge  charter  was  issued  to  the 
jurisdiction  of  Delaware.  The  now  illustrious  name  of  James  L.  Ridgely 
appears  for  the  first  time  upon  the  journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  He 
represented  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland.  James  Gettys,  destined  to 
follow  Wildey  as  the  second  Grand  Sire,  was  present  at  this  session, 
having  made  his  first  appearance  on  the  Grand  Lodge  floor  one  year  before. 

This  year  Pennsylvania  reported  a  Grand  Encampment  with  sixteen 
members,  and  two  subordinate  encampments,  with  a  general  continuation 
of  the  phenomenal  success  which  had  attended  the  Order  in  that  state 
from  its  introduction.  A  Grand  Treasurer  was  elected,  — "  The  duties 
of  that  officer  to  this  time  having  been  performed  by  the  Grand  Sire," 
—  so  says  the  journal. 

To  be  in  possession  of  the  Eoyal  Purple  degree  was  made  an  essential 
qualification  for  a  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States.  The  funeral  ceremony  was  referred  to  a  special  committee  for 
revision.  The  first  report  of  any  committee  appears  in  the  journal  of 
this  year.  It  contains  an  expression  of  their  opinion  upon  the  matter 
considered  by  them,  but  embodies  no  resolution  or  recommendation, 
except  by  implication. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  81 

The  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Delaware  was  demanded,  there  not 
being  five  past  grands  in  that  body  as  required  by  the  law.  The  petition 
of  the  brothers  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  for  a  Grand  Lodge  charter,  was 
held,  awaiting  the  identification  of  the  petitioners  as  members  of  the 
Order  in  good  standing.  This  informality  was  remedied  later,  and  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  organized. 

Record  of  the  Year  1832. — January  28,  1832,  a  charter  for  a  Grand 
Encampment  in  Maryland  was  grahted.  The  Grand  Sire,  as  treasurer, 
presented  his  report,  showing  a  balance  of  $87.22  in  his  hands.  Sixty- 
nine  subordinates  were  reported,  with  4451  members.  At  an  adjourned 
session,  held  in  March,  1832,  an  encampment  and  Grand  Lodge  were 
chartered  in  Louisiana. 

At  the  opening  of  the  annual  session  in  the  following  September,  two 
new  men  were  present  for  the  first  time,  —  (Jeorge  Keyser,  of  Maryland, 
and  Howell  Hopkins,  of  Pennsylvania,  — who  were  afterward  promoted 
to  the  office  of  Grand  Sire.  The  encampment  branch  was  chartered  in 
Ohio,  this  year,  and  the  Grand  Sire  was  honored  in  the  name  selected. 

It  is  most  comforting  now,  as  we  contemplate  the  history  of  those 
early  days,  and  while  we  realize  and  admire  the  magnificent  proportions 
to  which  Odd  Fellowship  has  grown,  to  know  that  the  brethren  of  that 
perilous  period  never  failed,  or  forgot,  to  honor  him  to  whom  so  much 
honor  was  due.  By  the  help  of  these  satisfying  reflections,  they  were 
enabled  to  march  with  him  to  the  very  verge  of  the  dark  river  of  separa- 
tion, and  to  clasp  his  hand  for  the  last  time  as  he  went  bravely  forth  to 
meet  the  inevitable.  He  was  sustained,  not  only  by  an  approving  con- 
science, but  by  those  left  waiting  upon,  the  shore,  and  consoled  in  a 
measure  by  the  reflection  that  they  had  ever  rewarded  him  to  the  extent 
of  their  ability,  by  words  of  love,  honor,  and  approbation. 

The  first  visit  of  the  Asiatic  cholera  to  the  United  States  was  paid 
this  year.  Its  terrorizing  and  demoralizing  influences  spread  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  which,  after  a  short  session  in  September,  adjourned  to 
meet  the  ensuing  March.  At  this  session  the  first  appeal  of  record  was 
presented.  A  resolution  offered  by  Kepresentative  Hopkins,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, to  proceed  to  elect  a  Grand  Sire  was  defeated.  A  resolution  was 
subsequently  passed  providing  for  his  election  at  the  adjourned  session 
in  March,  1833.  Hopkins  presented  a  solemn  protest  against  this  action 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  whereupon  that  dignified  body  immediately  delivered 
itself  of  a  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  to  Pryor,  of  Pennsylvania,  ^'  for  the 
able  and  obliging  manner  in  which  he  had  deported  himself  in  the  office 
of  Grand  Secretary,"  and,  forthwith,  adjourned. 

Record  of  the  Tear  1833.  —  When  the  body  met  in  adjourned  session, 
the  Grand  Sire  presented  the  first  official  report  contained  in  the  records 
as  made  by  that  'officer.    It  comprises  a  detailed  account  of  his  joumeyings 


82  THS  THRSS-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

in  the  West.  He  sajs  he  was  a  second  time  '^  congratulated  to  the  shores 
of  Kentucky  by  the  members  of  Louisville  ^' j  gives  an  account  of  his 
reception  by  Boone  Lodge,  No.  1,  where  he  says  several  gentlemen  were 
initiated,  and  each  officer  was  able  to  deliver  his  charge,  in  all  the  cere- 
monies, without  a  book.  The  compliment  so  conveyed  is  almost  sufficient 
to  persuade  the  Kentuckians  to  forgive  him,  in  the  name  of  Daniel  Boone, 
for  spelling  the  name  ^'Boon,"  an  error  persistently  followed  for  some 
time  afterward  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  that  body  going  so  far  as  to  approve 
the  report  of  its  committee,  and  granting  a  charter  in  the  name  of  ^^  Boon  l 
Lodge,  No.  1."  But  Wildey^s  errors  were  of  the  head;  his  heart  was  ' 
always  right,  and  his  will  never  slept.  He  extended  his  journey  to  New 
Orleans,  no  small  undertaking  at  that  time,  and  seems  to  have  inspired 
the  Order  to  renewed  activity  wherever  he  stopped. 

This  session  was  the  most  prolonged  that  had  been  held  to  this  time, 
meeting  pursuant  to  its  own  adjournment  five  days  in  March.  Hopkins, 
of  Pennsylvania,  gave  no  end  of  trouble,  several  adjournments  becoming 
necessary  on  account  of  his  absence.  While  this  absence  may  have  been 
caused  by  his  own  concern,  because  of  the  fate  of  his  protest,  filed  at  the 
preceding  session,  he  must  have  felt  complimented  by  the  patience  with 
which  his  movements  were  awaited.  He  finally  presented  himself,  on 
the  18th  of  March,  and  business  proceeded.  It  was  Hopkins  who  first 
formally  presented  the  idea  of  increasing  the  representation  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  upon  the  basis  of  one  for  each  one 
thousand  members  in  any  .jurisdiction. 

At  the  election  of  grand  officers,  James  Gettyswas  chosen  Grand  Sire; 
Samuel  Pryor,  Grand  Secretary;  and  John  Brannon,  Grand  Treasurer. 
The  first  call  for  the  ''  yeas ''  and  '^  nays ''  is  recorded  in  the  journal  of 
this  meeting;  it  disclosed  three  yeas  and  two  nays,  upon  the  question  of 
the  adoption  of  a  report  from  the  committee  on  appeals,  presented  by 
Representative  Hopkins. 

At  a  "called*'  meeting,  in  May,  the  "Old  Dominion"  was  taken  into 
the  fold;  Virginia  Lodge,  No.  1,  being  chartered  at  Harper's  Ferry. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  outside  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
was  held  in  Philadelphia  in  June,  1833,  pursuant  to  its  adjournment  in 
March.  Seven  jurisdictions  were  represented.  A  new  constitution  and 
by-laws  were  adopted.  An  encampment  was  chartered  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  thanks  were  returned  to  the  Philadelphia  brethren  "  for 
the  use  of  their  splendid  hall " ;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  to  meet 
in  annual  session  in  Baltimore. 

At  the  annual  session  in  September,  1833,  Grand  Sire  Wildey  stepped 
from  the  office  he  had  held  so  long  and  administered  so  wisely.  His 
report  and  his  speech  of  gratitude,  love,  and  eneouragement  are  in  the 
records  of  the  meeting.     James  Getty s  was  installed  Grand  Sire;  Kobert 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  88 

Neilson  was  appointed  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and,  with  the  other  officers- 
elect,  were  duly  installed.  The  Order  was  shown  to  be  in  a  flourishing 
condition  everywhere,  except  in  New  York  and  Massachusetts. 

The  printing  committee  were  directed  to  hare  twenty-four  copies  of  the 
proceedings  bound,  and  to  have  five  hundred  copies  of  the  new  constitution 
and  by-laws  printed.  The  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  to  meet  in  Washing- 
ton city,  in  1834.  Almost  the  last  act  of  this  session  was  to  rote  a 
present  to  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  appointing  a  committee  to  raise  fire 
hundred  dollars  for  that  purpose.  The  new  constitution  and  by-laws, 
adopted  in  1833,  contain,  among  other  laws  of  importance,  the  usual 
declaration  of  exclusire  supervision  and  power  wielded  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  not  only  in  the  United  States,  but  in  foreign  countries  where  no 
Grand  Lodge  exists;  the  latter  clause  being  a  new  and  broad  assumption 
of  authority,  which  has  never  been  successfully  disputed.  The  four  chief 
offices  were  filled  fay  biennial  elections,  the  elected  officers,  and  those 
appointed  as  well,  entering  upon  the  performance  of  their  duties  at  the 
stated  meetings  ensuing  their  elections.  Past  grand  sires  were  admitted 
to  seats  and  allowed  to  vote.  Official  certificates  for  representatives,  or 
proxies,  were  prescribed.  Revenue  was  provided  in  the  shape  of  fees  and 
dues,  each  Grand  Lodge  paying  twenty  dollars  for  each  vote  to  which  it 
was  entitled  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  A  Grand  Chap- 
lain was  made  one  of  the  officers,  and  his  duties  defined. 

The  old  administration  handed  to  its  successor  a  prosperous  and  prom- 
ising organization,  the  reward  of  thirteen  years  spent  in  unceasing  labors 
of  love. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  THIBD  PERIOD:  1834-1840. 

Record  of  the  Year  1834. — When  the  roll  was  called  in  the  Grand 
Lodge,  January  8,  1834,  the  Grand  Sire,  James  Gettys,  and  Thomas 
Morse,  Grand  Guardian,  were  the  only  officers  who  answered,  and  but 
four  jurisdictions  were  represented.  The  joumisil  innocently  mentions 
that  "Boon  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Kentucky,  presented  a  quarterly  report," 
and  the  same  orthographical  outrage  on  the  name  of  this  lodge  appears 
in  the  journal  the  succeeding  day,  when  "sundry  past  grands  from  Boon 
Lodge  "  presented  a  petition  for  a  Grand  Lodge  charter,  and  were  sum- 
marily "  sat  upon "  because  their  reports  were  not  in  form,  and  their 
percentage  unpaid.  This  seems  to  have  effectually  subdued  poor  "Boon 
Lodge,  *^  for  it  sent  another  report,  which  was  accepted,  and  is  included 
in  the  records  of  the  session  held  in  August  of  the  same  year.     Follow- 


84  THE  THREE' LINK  FRATERNITY. 

ing  for  a  few  moments  the  histoiy  of  this  lodge  with  a  ''bad  spell/'  we 
find  it  came  again  in  October  praying  for  a  remission  of  its  dues,  and  was 
given  ttvo  yearsy  by  the  report  of  the  committee,  but  was  released  by  the 
Grand  Lodge,  the  vote  being  seven  to  four.  The  misspelled  lodge  owed 
3124.24.  After  this  its  troubles  were  nearly  lost  to  sight  in  the  Grand 
Lodge.  Kentucky  was  admitted  to  the  body  as  a  Grand  Lodge  in  1836, 
represented  by  Henry  Wolford,  and  inaccuracies  in  spelling  were  cor- 
rected in  the  journals  of  that  state. 

The  business  of  the  January  session  was  slight  and  unimportant. 
When  it  reassembled,  in  August,  it  was  in  Masonic  hall,  in  New  York 
city;  four  officers  and  three  jurisdictions  were  present.  A  seal  for  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  presented  and  accepted.  The  encampment  branch  was 
chartered  in  Kentucky.  A  charter  for  the  first  lodge  in  Missouri  was 
granted. 

Kon-Jttdicial  Oaths.  —  The  enactment,  by  the  Massachusetts  legislature, 
of  a  law  against  ''non- judicial  oaths,"  with  a  penalty  attached  of  two 
hundred  dollars  for  each  violation,  was  referred  to  this  session  by  the 
Order  in  that  state,  asking  for  advice.  The  law  was  supposed  to  be 
directed  against  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  which  was  very  cordially  hated 
in  that  state,  but  it  reached  our  Order  too,  for  it  referred  directly  to  such 
obligations  as  were  given  and  required  at  initiations,  installations,  etc. 
The  committee  to  whom  the  matter  was  referred,  Howell  Hopkins  and 
James  L.  Eidgely,  did  not  report  until  the  October  session.  The  adop- 
tion of  their  report  effectually  circumvented  the  narrow-minded  policy 
which  had  enacted  the  law.  The  lodges  in  Massachusetts  were  authorized 
to  admit  members,  confer  degrees,  and  install  officers  ''  on  the  pledge  of 
honor,"  and  the  trouble  was  over. 

Reports  from  all  sources  at  the  close  of  the  August  session,  in  1834, 
showed  one  hundred  lodges  with  over  six  thousand  members.  The  Octo- 
ber meeting  in  the  same  year,  in  Baltimore,  was  much  better  attended;  all 
the  grand  officers  were  present,  and  eight  jurisdictions  were  represented, 
Maryland  being  the  first  state  to  send  two  representatives.  For  the  first 
time, — according  to  the  journal, — the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  with 
prayer,  Eepresentative  Keyser,  of  Maryland,  acting  as  chaplain.  An 
informal  petition  for  a  Grand  Lodge  in  Virginia  was  denied;  a  form 
of  petitions  for  Grand  bodies  was  adopted.  It  was  at  this  session 
that  the  first  of  a  long  series  of  mistakes  was  made,  of  remitting  the 
percentage,  or  other  dues,  payable  to  the  Grand  Lodge  from  subordi- 
nates. Two  such  acts  of  mistaken  charity  are  recorded  in  the  journal 
of  this  meeting.  The  first  is  that  already  mentioned  in  behalf  of  "  Boon  " 
Lodge,  of  Kentucky,  and  the  other  released  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
York  from  the  payment  of  958.06.  These  mistakes  bore  fruit  in  their 
kind.    The  evil,  a  precedent  once  established,  grew,  until,  in  1843,  the 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  86 

aggregate  of  these  losses,  added  to  the  other  unpaid  and  unprovided-for 
obligations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  forced  that  body  to  put  an  effective  check 
upon  this  pernicious  practice,  by  declining  finally  to  release  any  depart- 
ment from  the  payment  of  its  just  obligations. 

Twenty  "rules  of  order,"  the  first  formally  adopted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  were  enacted  at  the  session  of  1834.  In  this  code  the  fifth  rule 
provides  for  the  first  standing  committees  known  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 
There  were  four  of  them,  viz. :  petitions,  finance,  returns,  and  corre- 
spondence, and  each  was  to  be  composed  of  three  members.  Eule  eleven 
provided  that  the  order  of  business,  prescribed  in  the  preceding  ten, 
might  be  "dispensed  with,"  at  the  discretion  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  A 
majority,  only,  could  call  for  the  previous  question.  While  the  presid- 
ing officer  was  addressing  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  putting  a  question,  no 
one  was  allowed  to  walk  out  of,  or  across,  the  room,  or  engage  in  private 
conversation;  an  excellent  rule,  which  would  produce  beneficial  results  if 
enforced  to-day. 

At  this  meeting  the  Grand  Secretary  received  pay  on  account  of  his 
services  and  for  his  travelling  expenses.  The  amount  was  982,  and  is  the 
first  payment  to  that  officer  found  in  the  journal. 

On  Thursday  the  following  grand  officers  were  elected:  George  Key- 
ser,  of  Maryland,  Grand  Sire;  Daniel  P. 'Marshall,  of  New  York,  Deputy 
Grand  Sire;  Eobert  Neilson,  of  Maryland,  Grand  Secretary;  and  Charles 
Mowatt,  of  New  York,  Grand  Treasurer.  George  Keyser  immediately 
offered  his  resignation  as  Grand  Sire,  which  was  promptly  accepted, 
whereupon  the  Grand  Lodge  proceeded,  under  a  resolution,  to  the  elec- 
tion of  a  Grand  Sire.  George  Keyser  was  the  only  nominee  and  was, 
unanimously,  elected  Grand  Sire  a  second  time  the  same  day.  The  jour- 
nal serenely  contents  itself  with  the  simple  narration  of  this  remarkable 
statement  of  fact,  without  a  word  of  explanation. 

There  was  a  balance  of  nearly  960  in  the  hands  of  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary, and  about  9180  in  those  of  the  Grand  Treasurer.  As  shown  by  the 
report  of  the  finance  committee,  962  had  been  paid  to  Grand  Sire  Wildey 
for  travelling  expenses,  "on  his  tour  to  Washington  and  New  York," 
during  the  sittings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  those  two  cities.  Upon  the 
question  of  the  adoption  of  this  report,  Howell  Hopkins,  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  was  fast  earning  for  himself  the  sobriquet  of  the  "Great  Objector," 
moved  to  amend  the  report  by  striking  out  Wildey's  962.  A  yea  and 
nay  vote  was  taken,  and  Grand  Sire  Gettys  went  on  record  as  the  first 
Grand  Sire  to  cast  the  deciding  vote.  It  stood  four  on  each  side,  and  he 
decided  it  in  favor  of  Wildey,  whereupon  Hopkins  filed  another  protest. 

Some  trouble  was  experienced  about  this  time  with  the  brothers  in  the 
far  West,  who  persisted  in  ringing  changes,  to  suit  their  own  fancies, 
upon  the  title  of  the  Order.     Ohio  persisted  so  far  as  to  print  the  title. 


86  THB  THR^JS'LJNK  FBATEBNITT. 

''Order  of  Independent  Odd  Fellows/'  in  their  book  of  constitutions. 
They  were  required  by  tho  Grand  Jjodge  to  change  this,  and  in  return 
"  Ridgely  of  Ohio  "  filed  a  solemn  protest.  The  Grand  Lodge  promptly 
adjourned.  Nothing  ever  seems  to  have  been  done  with  protests,  after 
they  had  once  been  filed,  but  so  far  their  introduction  had  been  almost 
universally  followed  by  an  adjournment  of  the  body.  Theijr  appearance 
may  have  been  regarded  as  an  indication  of  approaching  danger,  and  the  ad- 
journments were  taken,  probably,  in  the  interest  of  the  "  good  of  the  Order." 

Record  of  the  Year  1835.  — A  ''called"  session  was  held  in  September, 
1835.  It  granted  a  charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge  in  Kentucky,  and  one  for 
the  first  lodge  in  the  territory  of  Iowa.  The  "star  of  Odd  Fellowship," 
like  that  of  "empire,"  was  taking  its  way  westward. 

When  the  Grand  Lodge  met  in  annual  session  in  October,  1835,  eight 
jurisdictions  were  represented.  The  record  shows  that  the  proceedings  of 
the  last  annual  and  "  special "  communications  were  not  read.  They  were 
too  long,  and  the  custom  of  dispensing  with  the  reading  of  the  journal 
since  then  has,  with  few  exceptions,  prevailed. 

A  counterfeit  bill  for  five  dollars  was  found  among  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary's cash,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  to  meet  at  four  o'clock; 
possibly  to  pass  the  bill, — the  record  doesn't  say.  Counterfeit  money 
seems  to  have  had  the  same  effect  upon  the  Grand  Lodge  as  a  protest, 
and  each  was  "  disposed  of  "  in  the  same  manner,  —  by  adjourning. 

During  the  session  on  Wednesday  the  silver  service,  formerly  voted, 
was  presented  to  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  by  Representative  Hopkins,  on 
behalf  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  journal  says,  in  italics,  that  it  was 
valued  at  five  hundred  doUara.  The  presentation  address  and  Wildey's 
response  are  not  to  be  found. 

American  Reviaion  of  the  Ritual. — The  entire  "work  of  the  Order," 
which  had  been  under  revision  for  the  past  two  years,  was  finally  com- 
pleted and  adopted  at  this  session.  A  select  committee  was  appointed 
to  have  it  printed  and  distributed  among  the  lodges.  A  so-called  con- 
gratulatory letter  was  addressed  to  the  Order  in  Great  Britain,  in  which 
our  young  brotherhood  gave  them  valuable  advice,  urging  them  to  desist 
from  the  practice  of  all  sorts  of  conviviality  in  their  lodge-rooms. 

A  Grand  Lodge  charter  was  granted  to  Virginia.  Permission  was  given 
a  lodge  in  that  state  to  initiate  a  man  above  the  age  fixed  by  the  law. 
The  office  of  ^'  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  "  was  created  at  this  session, 
but  if  the  duties  of  that  officer  were  defined  the  record  is  silent  upon  the 
subject.  A  uniform  travelling  certificate  waa  authorized^  and  a  committee 
appointed  to  draft  a  form  and  engrave  a  plate.  John  Pearce,  of  New 
Jersey,  was  elected  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Marshall,  of  New  York,  failing  to 
present  himself  for  installation.  Grand  Sire  Gettys  delivered  a  short 
address  of  farewell,  and  the  officers  were  installed  Friday  afternoon. 


TUB  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  87 

The  fuiieral  ceresaony,  which  had  been  in  the  hands  of  a  committee 
for  revision,  under  the  misnomer  of  "Funeral  Obsequies,"  for  more  than 
a  year,  was  presented  in  a  fairly  acceptable  form  and  adopted,  after  a 
few  unimportant  amendments  had  been  made.  It  was  ordered  to  be 
printed  and  bound  in  the  charge  books  for  subordinate  lodges.  Fees  for 
degrees  were  fixed  at  this  session,  ranging  from  $5  for  the  Initiatory 
to  91  for  the  Scarlet  in  subordinate  lodges,  and  from  $5  for  the  ^'Patri- 
archal and  Encampment,"  to  $3  for  the  Eoyal  Purple  in  encampments, 
— this  law  to  take  effect  December  31,  183o. 

Ninety-six  lodges  were  reported  with  nearly  seven  thousand  members 
and  about  $30,000  revenue.  Pennsylvania  was  far  in  the  lead  with 
nearly  half  the  lodges  and  members  to  her  credit. 

A  '^ called"  session  was  held  November  30,  1835,  to  consider  several 
petitions  for  charters,  but  there  was  not  a  quorum,  and  the  Grand  Sire 
declared  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  for  two  weeks.  Another  attempt  to 
hold  a  meeting  December  14th  met  with  the  same  result.  This  was  the 
extent  of  the  services  of  George  Keyser  as  Grand  Sire,  At  the  annual 
oommunioation  in  October,  1836,  he  was  sick  and  unable  to  attend. 
Official  notice  of  his  illness  is  contained  in  Wednesday's  proceedings  of 
that  session.  John  Pearce,  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  presided.  Grand  Sire 
Keyser  was  never  in  the  Grand  Lodge  i^in,  and  on  September  19, 1837, 
he  died*  His  death  was  a  sad  blow  to  the  Order,  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
testified  to  its  sense  of  loss,  and  publicly  avowed  its  love  for  the  man  in 
the  resolutions  adopted  at  the  session  in  1837. 

Record  ai  the  Year  1836.  —  As  before  mentioned,  Kentucky  made  her 
first  appearance  in  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1836,  sending  Henry  Wolford, 
of  Louisville,  as  her  representative.  This  gentleman  acted  as  Grand 
Secretary,  pro  tempore,  during  a  part  of  the  session.  A  new  com- 
mittee was  appointed  this  year  on  "deferred  business";  a  good  idea, 
as  many  proposals  of  that  character  were  lying  ''  behind  the  procession  " 
on  the  journal.  The  Grand  Treasurer  resigned  on  account  of  failing 
health. 

The  question  of  the  constitutionality  of  the  '^ special"  sessions  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  raised,  and  referred  to  a  special  committee  who  were 
never  ''heard  from  afterward."  Dispensations  issued  by  Grand  Sire 
Keyser  during  the  recess,  establishing  the  Order  in  Mississippi,  Illinois, 
and  Indiana^  were  approved.  The  election  of  grand  officers  was  held 
Wednesday,  and  James  L.  Eidgely,  of  Maryland,  was  elected  Grand 
Sire;  Frederick  Leise,  of  New  York,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Neilson,  of 
Maryland,  was  reelected  Grand  Secretary;  and  Andrew  E.  Warner, 
of  Maryland,  waa  elected  Grand  Treasurer.  The  work  of  the  Order  was 
ordered  printed  in  the  German  language.  The  Grand  Sire  and  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  were  empowered  to  grant  charters  during  the  recess,  thus 


^ 


88  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

iu  a  great  measure  doing  away  with  the  necessity  for  the  "  special  "  ses- 
sions, which  convened  with  great  difficulty. 

Record  of  the  Year  1837. — The  Grand  Lodge  reassembled  May  15, 
1837,  in  pursuance  of  its  adjournment.  A  charter  was  confirmed,  estab- 
lishing the  Order  in  Alabama,  and  Grand  Lodges  in  Virginia  and  Indiana 
were  chartered.  The  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  was 
declared  forfeited  for  insubordination,  that  body  haying  refused  to  sub- 
mit to  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  which,  at  its 
session  in  1836,  refused  to  accept  as  regular  the  credentials  of  Frederick 
Leise,  representative.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  visit  New  York  and 
pour  oil  on  the  waves  of  discord.  Meantime  all  the  subordinates  of  New 
York  were  notified  to  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

James  L.  Eidgely  presented  his  resignation  as  Grand  Sire-elect, 
which  was  accepted,  and  Samuel  H.  Perkins,  of  Pennsylvania,  was 
elected  in  his  stead. 

When  the  Grand  Lodge  was  called  to  order  in  annual  session  in  Octo- 
ber, 1837,  Wildey  was  in  the  chair  once  more,  being  elected  by  the  body 
to  preside  at  this  session.  Seven  jurisdictions  were  represented.  A 
report  was  received 'showing  that  a  ''Special  Encampment  had  been 
held  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  and  had  "conferred  the  encampment 
Patriarchal,  Golden  Eule,  and  Royal  Purple  degrees  upon  eight  deserving 
brothers. ''  This  resulted  promptly  in  the  chartering  of  a  new  encamp- 
ment in  Trenton.  A  report  of  the  ravages  of  cholera  in  New  Orleans 
was  read,  and  this  was  followed  by  the  adoption  of  a  resolution  remitting 
the  unpaid  dues  of  Wildey  Encampment  in  that  city.  A  resolution  was 
adopted  opening  a  correspondence  with  the  Unity  in  England,  relative 
to  the  work  of  the  Order.  At  this  session  it  was  declared  unlawful  to 
wear  the  encampment  regalia  except  in  the  body  of  an  encampment  of 
patriarchs. 

An  interesting  report  was  read  by  the  Grand  Chaplain  of  his  visits  to 
lodges  in  the  West  and  South.  In  it  he  makes  a  most  complimentary 
mention  of  his  reception  by  the  Order  in  Wheeling;  by  "Boon"  Lodge, 
No.  1,  and  Chosen  Friends  Lodge,  No.  2,  in  Louisville,  and  in  New 
Orleans  and  in  Natchez.  Of  the  members  in  the  latter  city,  where  he 
assisted  in  opening  a  new  lodge,  he  speaks  in  the  following  enthusiastic 
style ;  — 

''Their  deportment  toward  me  was  simUar  to  that  of  worthy  subjects  to  a  deserving 
prince,  free  of  aU  expense  even  to  my  place  of  destination ;  voted  a  gold  medal,  and  the 
privileges  of  honorary  membership  for  life." 

From  the  very  beginning  it  seems  to  have  been  an  unbroken  chain 
of  compliments  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States;  that  its  juris- 
diction  and  dignified  authority  received  recognition  in  the  welcome  cor- 
dially given  to  its  officers  and  members  everywhere. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  89 

This  session  fixed  the  price  to  subordinate  lodges  for  charge  and  degree 
books  at  one  dollar  each,  and  for  a  set  (not  saying  how  many  constituted 
a  set),  of  encampment  books  five  dollars  was  charged.  The  work  of  the 
Order  was  reported  so  far  satisfactory  that  no  necessity  appeared  for 
changing  anything  except  the  O.B.N.  The  Grand  Secretary  was  voted 
$60  for  his  services  during  the  past  year,  and  the  end  of  the  annual  ses- 
sion of  1837  was  reached. 

Record  of  the  Te«r  1838. — Ko  ^'special"  sessions  are  recorded  as 
having  been  held  during  the  year,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in 
October,  1838,  at  the  city  of  Baltimore,  by  Grand  Sire  Samuel  H.  Per- 
kins. Kine  jurisdictions  were  represented.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
York,  having  been  reorganized,  on  what  then  seemed  to  be  an  amicable 
basis,  its  officers  elected  and  installed  by  the  indefatigable  Wildey,  sent 
John  A.  Kennedy  as  its  representative  to  this  session.  The  special 
committee,  appointed  and  sent  to  New  York  by  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its 
meeting  in  1837,  appeared  to  have  performed  its  duty  well,  and  presented 
a  short  but  explicit  report  of  its  acts  which  were  approved  by  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  who  had  been  appointed  "travelling  agent" 
at  the  meeting  in  1837,  presented  an  extensive  report  of  his  travels  and 
labors  during  the  year.  His  evangelical  voyage  was,  like  others  pre- 
viously made  by  this  large-hearted  veteran,  one  round  of  hearty  welcome 
and  work  well  done.  The  entire  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  and  other  mem- 
bers of  the  Order,  with  a  brass  band,  accompanied  him  to  Louisville, 
where  he  was  welcomed  as  before.  He  says  he  found  the  Order  there 
correct  and  perfect  in  the  work. 

While  in  New  Orleans  he  received  a  request  for  a  charter  for  a  lodge 
to  be  located  at  Houston,  "  in  the  neighboring  Eepublic  of  Texas."  It 
was  called  "Lone  Star  Lodge,  No.  1,"  and  was  instituted  July  25,  1838. 
Beturning  he  visited  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri,  Kentucky  again,  going  to 
Louisville,  Lexington,  and  Covington  in  that  state;  Indiana,  visiting 
Madison  and  Eising  Sun;  and  Ohio,  before  he  turned  his  face  toward  the 
East.  This  old  apostle  and  teacher  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  its  pul*ity 
closes  his  magnificent  report  with  a  fine  sentence  of  congratulation  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  upon  being  the  head  of  so  prosperous  an  Order,  and  rever- 
entially thanks  God  for  all  His  goodness  to  this  growing  brotherhood. 

During  this  meeting  Zenas  B.  Glazier,  of  Delaware,  was  elected  Grand 
Sire;  A.  Mondelli,  of  Louisiana,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  William  G.  Cook, 
of  Maryland,  Grand  Secretary;  and  Andrew  E.  Warner,  of  the  same 
state,  was  reelected  Grand  Treasurer.  The  work  of  the  Order  was 
ordered  translated  into  the  French  language  "without  expense  to  the 
Grand  Lodge."  The  Order  in  Albany,  New  York,  still  refusing  to  sub- 
mit to  the  readjustment  effected  by  the  Grand  Lodge  committee  in  that 


90  THE  THRES'LJNK  FRATERNITY. 

state  last  year,  a  committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  visit  them  in  the 
interest  of  peace  and  subordination.  The  colors  of  the  encampment  were 
permitted  to  be  worn  in  the  Grand  Lodge.  Grand  and  subordinate 
lodges  and  encampments  were  requested  to  send  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
impressions  in  wax  of  their  respective  seals.  This  request  was  granted 
in  very  few  instances.  Errors  noted  in  the  reports,  of  other  bodies 
of  the  Order  at  this  session,  were  numerous,  and  in  some  instances  were 
quite  amusing.  Louisiana  is  a  cause  of  complaint  because  her  report  is 
addressed  to  the  "  Right  Worshipful "  instead  of  the  "  Right  Worthy  " 
Grand  Lodge.  A  blank  form  for  the  reports  of  state  Grand  Lodges  was 
ordered,  and  the  requisite  number  sent  to  each  Grand  Secretary. 

A  member  of  one  jurisdiction  visiting  a  lodge  in  another  was  required 
to  present  a  certificate,  bearing  the  signatures  of  the  officers  and  the  seal 
of  his  lodge,  also  the  signature  of  the  Grand  Secretaiy  of  his  state  Grand 
Lodge;  prove  himself  in  the  T.P.W.  and  the  degree  in  which  the  lodge 
was  open.  Diplomas  were  further  embellished  this  year  by  the  eagle 
and  shield  and  the  motto  of  the  Order  at  the  head,  and  were  '^filled  up 
in  English,  French,  and  German."  A  resolution,  to  make  the  fees  for 
degrees  uniform  in  all  the  jurisdictions,  failed  to  pass. 

A  grand  corresponding  secretary  was  deemed  necessary,  and  Robert 
Neilson  was  appointed.  The  Grand  Sire  was  requested  to  appoint  a 
past  grand  in  each  jurisdiction  to  visit  once,  annually,  the  lodges  in  his 
district.  This  was  ordered  at  the  session  of  1835  also,  but  nothing  else 
appears  to  have  been  done  about  it|  no  one  to  this  time  appearing  in  the 
records  as  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 

The  balance  due  on  the  ^'five  hundred  dollar  silver  service, '^  presented 
to  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  appeals  to  have  been  paid  this  year.  The 
Grand  Secretary's  salary  was  increased  to  $75.  It  looks  cheap,  but  from 
the  bungling  manner  in  which  the  records  of  this  meeting  were  kept,  page 
after  page  bristling  with  inaccuracies  and  incomplete  statistics,  he  would 
have  been  a  dear  officer  at  one-half  that  amount  of  money. 

A  demand  for  the  yeas  and  nays  was  made  upon  a  proposition  to  add 
$500  to  the  sum  already  allowed  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  for  his  services 
as  travelling  agent  the  past  year.  The  vote  stood  six  to  six,  and  Grand 
Sire  Perkins  made  himself  aolid  with  Wildey  by  casting  the  deciding 
vote  in  the  affirmative.     Hopkins,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  not  present. 

There  was  a  balance  of  over  $600  in  the  treasury  at  the  close  of  this 
session.  The  Grand  Secretary  was  instructed  to  have  the  proceedings 
of  the  communication  printed  within  thirty  days  from  the  date  of  the 
adjournment,  and  that  officer  promptly  resigned.  William  G.  Cook,  of 
Maryland,  was  appointed  to  act  as  Grand  Secretary  until  the  next  annual 
session.  Wildey  was  continued  in  the  office  of  traveUing  agent,  with  the 
restraining  provision  that  his  journeyings  and  labors  should  not  entail 


THE  80VEBXIGN  QBAND  LODQJB,  91 

any  expense  upon  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  then  this  economical  body 
adjourned  to  meet  in  P^hiladelphia,  at  the  date  of  its  next  annual  com- 
munication. Thirteen  encampments  reported  414  members.  One 
hundred  and  fourteen  lodges  reported  8175  members. 

Record  of  the  Year  1839-40.  —  At  the  opening  of  the  session  in  Octo- 
ber, 1839,  but  seven  jurisdictions  were  represented,— New  York  and 
Pennsylvania  sending  two  representatives  each.  '^No  quorum '^  caused 
an  adjournment  for  one  day.  This  was  prolonged  from  day  to  day  until 
Wednesday,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  to  meet  in  Baltimore, 
April  21,  1840.  Baltimore  was  a  good  city  for  a  quorum,  one  always 
being  at  hand.  The  Grand  Secretary  did  not  present  himself  at  the 
attempted  meeting  in  Philadelphia,  andBobert  Neilson,  who  had  resigned 
this  office,  was  appointed  Grand  Secretary,  pro  tempore.  His  duties  at 
this  session  were  unusually  light. 

When  the  Grand  Lodge  assembled  in  Baltimore,  April  21,  1840,  all 
the  officers  were  present,  except  the  Grand  Chaplain,  the  duties  of  that 
office  being  satisfactorily  performed  by  George  M.  Bain,  of  Virginia. 
The  report  of  a  special  committee  showed  that  correspondence  with  the 
Order  in  Great  Britain  had  been  successfully  renewed,  and  that  a  very 
agreeable  understanding  was  likely  to  result,  securing  desirable  uniform- 
ity in  the  secret  work  used  by  the  two  countries.  Irregularities  in  this 
respect  had  greatly  hindered,  and  in  many  cases  completely  prevented, 
not  only  that  exchange  of  fellowship  incident  to  visiting  the  lodges, 
but  the  relief  of  brothers  from  either  land  who  might  be  sick  or  in  dis- 
tress in  the  other  country.  This  report  was  cordially  welcomed  by  the 
Grand  Lodge,  which,  in  two  resolutions,  expressed  its  approbation  of 
the  kindly  feeling  entertained  in  Great  Britain,  and  a  willingness  to  come 
to  the  desired  understanding  in  regard  to  the  work  of  the  Order. 

The  Grand  Sire  presented  an  able  report,  and  the  work  of  the  session 
moved  smoothly.  The  report  of  Travelling  Agent  Wildey  showed, 
among  many  items  of  interest,  that  he  had  done  his  trarelling  by  letter, 
probably  on  account  of  the  qualifying  clause  in  his  appointment,  though 
he  is  too  considerate  to  say  so.  It  showed  the  establishment  of  the  Order 
in  Tennessee,  Arkansas,  and  South  Carolina;  subordinate  lodges  having 
been  organized  in  each  state  mentioned;  also,  that  Grand  Encampments 
bad  been  chartered  in  Kew  York,  Ohio,  and  Kentucky. 

The  special  committee  reported  the  entire  failure  of  its  attempt  to 
reduce  the  brothers  in  Albany,  New  York,  to  submission,  not  only  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  but  to  this  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand 
Lodge  finally  decided  to  let  the  New  York  brothers  settle  t^heir  diffi- 
culties and  misunderstandings  among  themselves,  and  then  withdrew 
from  a  field  in  which  it  had  only  appeared  in  the  interest  of  peace 
and  harmony. 


92  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Grand  Sire-elect,  Zenas  B.  Glazier,  offered  his  resignation,  but  it 
was  unanimously  declined.  A  committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  make 
a  compilation  of  the  laws  of  the  Order.  A  committee  of  the  state  of  the 
Order  ''at  large"  is  first  mentioned  at  this  session,  and,  on  motion,  the 
Grand  ^ire  appointed  that  committee.  Another  committee  was  instructed 
to  procure  the  necessary  regalia  and  jewels  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  to 
report  what,  in  their  judgment,  would  be  the  most  suitable  regalia  and 
jewels  to  be  worn  by  the  Grand  Representatives  to  insure  uniformity. 
Each  Grand  Lodge  was  requested  to  procure  these  jewels  for  the  use  of 
its  representatives,  the  same  to  be  left  in  charge  of  this  Grand  Lodge. 

One  thousand  copies  of  the  diploma  were  ready  for  delivery,  and  the 
Grand  Lodge  fixed  the  price  of  the  same  at  $1.50  each,  to  Grand  Lodges, 
providing  that  members  should  pay  not  less  than  $2  per  copy  to  the 
state  Grand  Lodges,  and  that  they  should  only  be  sold  for  cash  with  the 
order. 

The  constitution  was  amended  by  adding  a  "  Grand  Corresponding 
Secretary  "  to  the  list  of  officers,  and  his  salary  fixed  at  $200  per  year. 
James  L.  Ridgely  was  elected  and  installed.  The  Grand  Recording 
Secretary  received  another  advance  in  his  salary  this  year;  he  was  paid 
$100,  and  $25  for  extra  services.  He  was  becoming  a  valuable,  but  not 
yet  an  expensive  officer. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  PIVOTAL  YEARS:   1840-1843. 

Record  of  the  Tear  1840.  —  When  the  Grand  Lodge  convened  in  annual 
session  in  October,  1840,  the  newly  installed  Grand  Sire,  Zenas  B. 
Glazier,  ascertaining  that  a  constitutional  quorum  had  not  appeared, 
declared  the  body  adjourned  until  the  aftemooo,  when  he  decided  a 
quorum  was  present,  there  being  in  the  meeting  a  majority  of  the 
representatives  and  proxies.  Pending  an  appeal  from  this  decision,  the 
Grand  Lodge  adjourned  until  the  following  day.  The  Grand  Sire  was 
then  absent.  George  M.  Bain,  of  Virginia,  was  elected  to  serve,  pro 
tempore;  the  appeal  of  the  evening  previous  was  withdrawn,  and  the 
business  proceeded.  Theodore  Frost  was  appointed  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 
At  the  afternoon  session  of  the  following  day,  the  Grand  Lodge  pro- 
ceeded to  elect  a  deputy  grand  sire.  The  journal  does  not  explain  why, 
although  it  does  say  that  William  W.  Moore  was  elected  for  the  residue 
of  the  term. 

The  first  contest  for  seats,  recorded  in  the  journal,  occurred  at  this 
meeting.     The  credentials  of  four  representatives  had  been  mislaid  by 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  98 

• 

the  Grand  Secretary  and  could  not  be  found.  The  decision  of  the  Grand 
Sire,  seating  these  representatives^  having  been  appealed  to  the  floor,  he 
was  sustained,  and  they  were  all  seated,  except  Eidgely. 

DifEiculties  resulting  from  the  system  of  proxy  representation  were 
settled  by  legislation  at  this  time.  It  had  been  the  custom  of  grand 
jurisdictions  at  remote  distances  from  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  practise  economy  by  authorizing  a  past  grand  sire,  and  in  many 
instances  a  grand  officer,  to  act  as  its  representative,  and  such  representa- 
tives had  been  recognized  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  As  past  grand  sire,  or  as 
officers  of  the  body,  they  had  been  entitled  to  one  vote  each,  and  they  also 
undertook  to  exercise  further  their  sovereign  right  of  suffrage  by  voting 
again :  once  in  their  official,  or  past  official  capacity,  and  once  as  proxy 
for  some  remote  jurisdiction.  At  this  session  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey 
was  the  recognized  proxy  of  Mississippi,  and  the  chair  ruled  that  he  could 
vote  but  once.  An  appeal  from  this  decision  was  sustained,  and  though 
a  Grand  Eepresentative  was  allowed  to  vote  for  himself  apd  his  absent 
colleague,  a  past  grand  sire  or  a  grand  officer  acting  as  proxy  was 
deprived  of  his  vote  in  his  official,  or  past  official  capacity.  It  seems 
an  unusually  inconsistent  and  unrighteous  decision.  Another  marked 
peculiarity  in  the  conduct  of  this  Grand  Lodge  toward  representatives 
and  proxies  therein,  was  shown  at  this  session  by  the  recorded  fact  that 
the  credentials  of  James  L.  Bidgely,  who  was  Grand  Corresponding 
Secretary,  and  who  claimed  a  seat  as  the  proxy  for  Ohio,  were  not  acted 
upon  until  Friday.  In  fact  they  were  not  referred  to  a  committee  for 
action  until  that  day,  though  the  Grand  Lodge  had  decided  by  a  yea  and 
nay  vote  on  Tuesday  that  he  was  not  entitled  to  a  seat. 

At  this  meeting  a  form  of  diploma  was  adopted  to  be  presented  to  the 
Grand  Bepresentatives  who  were  in  attendance.  The  report  of  the 
Grand  Sire  is  not  to  be  found;  that  of  the  Grand  Secretary  is  short.  It 
refers  to  a  "key"  which  had  been  received  from  the  Manchester  Unity, 
and  to  the  evils  which  befell  the  treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge  from  the 
old  and  now  defunct  system  of  collecting  postal  charges  at  the  delivery- 
end  of  the  route.  It  also  contains  a  suggestion,  afterward  made  a  law 
of  the  Order,  that  requests  for  constructions  of  law  should,  during  the 
recess,  be  addressed  to  the  Grand  Sire  instead  of  the  Grand  Secretary,  the 
former  officer  being  clothed  with  authority  in  such  cases,  only  abridged 
by  the  clause  reserving  to  the  Grand  Lodge  the  power  to  render  final 
judgment  upon  his  decisions. 

The  constitution  was  amended  at  this  session,  making  the  following 
changes:  past  grand  sires  were  allowed  a  vote  as  such  on  all  questions, 
provided  they  were  not  special  or  proxy  representatives.  The  annual 
communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  to  be  held,  commencing  on  the 
third  Monday  in  September,  in  each  year. 


94  THE  THBXS-LINK  FBATBRNITT. 

Visiting  conditions  vere  more  clearly  defined:  the  card  must  be 
'^  regular  in  form/'  signed  by  the  Noble  Grand  and  Secretary,  bear  the 
seal  of  the  lodge  from  whence  it  issued,  and  the  name  of  the  holder 
indorsed  thereon  in  his  own  proper  handwriting;  prorided,  that  a  brother 
may  visit  without  a  card  if  introduced  by  a  Orand  Representative  or 
other  elective  grand  officer  of  his  jurisdiction. 

The  subject  of  the  regalia  of  the  Order  received  much  attention  at 
this  meeting.  The  committee  previously  appointed,  in  1839,  was  directed 
to  procure  the  necessary  regalia  for  the  Grand  Representatives,  the 
expense  to  be  paid  by  the  Grand  Lodge;  and  it  was  further  provided 
that  representatives  might  appear  *^  in  the  proper  regalia  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  or  Grand  Encampment  to  which  they  are  attached.'' 

The  regalia  of  the  Order  was  declared  to  be :  a  white  apron  only  for 
initiates;  a  white  apron  and  a  white  collar  for  each  of  the  five  degrees,  — 
distinguishing  the  first  degree  by  the  white  collar,  the  second  by  a  pink 
trimming  on  the  collar,  the  third  by  blue,  the  fourth  by  green,  and  the 
fifth  by  scarlet  trimming  on  the  white  collar.  Noble  grands  and  past 
grands  wore  the  white  apron,  and  a  scarlet  collar  trimmed  with  white 
lace,  which  was  also  prescribed  as  the  regalia  to  be  worn  in  subordinate 
Grand  Lodges. 

The  encampment  regalia  was  in  some  respects  quite  unique.  For 
the  '' Initiated  or  Patriarchal  degree,"  a  black  apron  and  black  gloves 
were  worn.  These  were  used  to  designate  the  Golden  Rule  and  Royal 
Purple  degrees,  with  the  exception  that  the  apron  was  trimmed  with 
yellow  lace  in  the  Golden  Rule,  and  a  purple  collar  trimmed  in  the  same 
way  was  worn  with  the  apron  in  the  Royal  Purple  degree.  In  proces- 
sions sashes  were  worn  only  by  officers  and  past  officers,  but  the  colors  of 
the  sashes  were  not  prescribed. 

At  this  meeting  a  protest  was  presented  by  Representative  Wolford, 
of  Kentucky.  An  adjournment  was  only  saved  by  a  satisfactory  explana* 
tion  by  the  Grand  Sire,  and  the  withdrawal  of  the  protest. 

The  numbering  of  the  five  degrees  was  fixed,  and  the  Order  required 
to  conform  to  the  adopted  mode.  A  new  seal  was  ordered  to  be  constructed 
of  steel.  This  seal  was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  session  in 
1841,  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey,  the  mover  of  the  proposition. 
The  bill  for  it  is  found  in  the  report  of  the  Grand  Treasurer  in  the  jour- 
nal.    It  cost  950. 

The  Order  was  established  in  Connecticut,  and  the  encampment  in 
Arkansas,  this  year.  Upon  the  petition  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
Ohio,  the  Grand  Lodge  replied  that  no  degree  for  the  encampment  branch 
superior  to  the  Royal  Purple  was  authorized.  The  communication  from 
Ohio  contained  a  long  list  of  complaints.  It  mentions  the  existence  in 
that  state  of  a  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  the  first  one  mentioned  in  the 


THE  80VBRBIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  95 

journal.  His  name  is  not  ^ven,  bnt  the  brothers  in  Ohio  found  cause  of 
offence;  not  so  much,  perhaps,  in  the  fact  that  the  A.T.P.W.  for  1840 
had  been  commtinicated  through  him,  as  that  he  had  been  criminally 
.  tardy  in  delivering  it,  and  then  sent  it  in  writing  without  the  signature 
of  any  officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  vouching  for  its 
authenticity.  But  the  district  deputy  grand  sire  system  was  continued; 
the  journal  of  1842  published  a  list  containing  the  names  of  those  selected 
in  nineteen  jurisdictions,  the  first  that  appears  in  the  journal. 

The  matters  of  which  Ohio  complained  are  of  grave  importance,  and 
are  couched  in  plain  but  respectful  terms.  The  Grand  Lodge  referred 
the  communication  to  the  committee  on  petitions,  by  whom  it  was  care- 
fully considered,  and  such  legislation  recommended  as  would  tend  to 
correct  the  evils  of  which  complaint  was  made.  One  of  the  difficulties 
was  removed  by  sending  the  "  key  "  received  from  the  Manchester  Unity, 
and  adopted  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  in  printed  form,  to  each  Grand  and 
subordinate  lodge  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

At  the  election  this  year  some  lively  scenes  were  enacted.  Nomi- 
nations for  the  four  elective  offices  were  made  before  the  balloting  began, 
and  nine  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  put  in  nomination.  After 
the  election  was  over,  the  plan  was  adopted  by  resolution  to  nominate 
and  elect  to  one  office  before  proceeding  to  the  next.  It  was  another 
good  idea;  so  good  that  it  has  been  the  usage  ever  since,  and  has  saved 
a  world  of  trouble. 

An  appropriation  of  $350  was  made  to  pay  Brother  James  G.  Bawkins 
for  a  full-length  portrait,  made  by  himself,  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  was  requested  to  place  the  picture  in 
the  room  on  the  first  floor  of  its  hall,  immediately  in  the  rear  of  the 
Koble  Grand's  chair,  making  such  alterations  in  the  chair  as  might  be 
necessary  to  accomplish  the  purpose.  The  purchase  of  this  portrait  of 
the  first  Past  Grand  Sire  was  the  beginning  of  a  most  praiseworthy 
custom,  the  practice  of  which  has  preserved  for  future  generations  the 
likenesses  of  the  grand  men,  now  a  long  and  slowly  lengthening  list, 
who  have  worn  the  ermine  of  Odd  Fellowship,  untarnished  by  any  act  or 
neglect,  and  who  have  labored  hard  and  uncomplainingly  to  produce  the 
highly  gratifying  results  present  in  the  Order  to-day. 

Printed  oopies  of  the  journal  of  this  session  were  distributed  to  all 
the  lodges.  Another  important  order  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  permitted 
to  pass  unobserved;  this  order  required  the  Grand  Secretary  to  have  pre- 
pared a  full  and  complete  statement  of  the  accounts  of  each  Grand  and 
subordinate  body  from  1836  to  the  year  1840,  but  that  officer  never  com- 
plied. William  G.  Cook,  the  Eecording  Grand  Secretary,  was  sadly 
deficient  in  most  of  the  qualities  requisite  to  so  responsible  a  position. 
It  is  shown  in  the  records  of  1841  that  a  committee  appointed  to  inquire 


96  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

into  his  accounts  with  this  Grand  Lodge^  and  its  various  subordinates, 
showed  in  their  report,  through  the  finance  committee,  that  he  had  not 
acted  in  good  faith,  and  that  the  Grand  Lodge  would  be  a  great  loser  by 
him.  Grand  Secretary  Cook  is  the  first  officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
accused  by  it  of  dishonesty. 

To  secure  uniformity  in  reports,  a  new  blank  was  adopted,  specifying 
the  various  subjects  of  which  information  was  requested  by  the  Grand 
Lodge.  This  matter  seems  to  have  come  up  for  action  at  almost  every 
session;  the  Grand  Lodge  evidently  experiencing  as  much  difficulty  in 
discovering  a  form  that  was  practical,  as  in  persuading  the  subordinates 
to  answer  its  requests  for  information. 

The  reports  for  September,  1840,  showed  one  hundred  and  fifty-five 
lodges  with  11,166  members-,  also,  thirty-six  encampments  with  463 
members ;  the  Order  was  growing  fast,  even  if  other  statistics  could  not 
be  obtained.  The  minutes  of  this  meeting  were  read  and  approved  daily 
during  the  session. 

Record  of  the  Tear  1841.  — When  the  Grand  Lodge  assembled,  on  the 
third  Monday  in  September,  1841,  four  of  the  officers  were  absent. 
Twelve  jurisdictions  were  represented,  Connecticut  sending  her  first 
representative.  The  Grand  Sire's  report  was  highly  congratulatory, 
showing,  as  a'  sufficient  reason  for  his  happiness,  that  the  Order  had  been 
established  in  Florida  and  North  Carolina ;  Grand  Lodges  organized  in 
Tennessee  and  South  Carolina,  and  a  Grand  Encampment  in  Connecticut. 
The  tone  of  congratulation  is  in  no  wise  abated  in  referring  to  the  con- 
dition  of  the  Order  in  England;  calling  attention  to  the  extension  of  the 
Order  by  the  Manchester  Unity;  embracing  in  its  field,  besides  every 
country,  town,  and  village  in  England,  lodges  established  in  Scotland, 
Ireland,  Gibraltar,  and  even  in  the  colony  of  Kew  South  Wales.  The 
Grand  Sire,  also,  remarks  upon  the  cordial  spirit  of  friendly  and  zealous 
cooperation  between  the  members  of  the  Order  of  the  two  nations.  A 
committee  of  one  or  more  members  was  commissioned  to  visit  England, 
and  attempt  to  harmonize  the  slight  differences  in  the  work  of  the  Order, 
as  practised  here  and  there,  and  steps  were  taken  to  raise  the  necessary 
funds  to  defray  the  expense. 

The  Grand  Sire,  also,  called  attention  to  the  troubles  in  Louisiana,  a 
war  of  extermination  against  Odd  Fellowship  having  been  proclaimed  in 
that  state  by  the  Masonic  Fraternity.  The  Grand  Sire  says  that  this  is 
strange  and  unaccountable,  since  the  two  Orders,  in  almost  all  other  sec- 
tions, are  found  hand-in-hand  in  the  work  of  fraternizing  the  human 
family. 

Thomas  Wildey,  as  travelling  agent,  in  his  report  at  this  session, 
calls  attention  to  the  intolerance  and  proscription  of  the  penal  statutes 
of  Bhode  Island  and  Massachusetts.    These  laws,  aimed  at  the  secrecy  of 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  97 

Masonry,  were  affecting  the  progress  of  our  Order  as  well.  In  accepting 
this  report  the  Grand  Lodge  abolished  the  office  of  travelling  agent. 

The  report  of  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  was  voluminous  and  mainly 
devoted  to  the  points  of  difference  between  the  work  of  the  Order  here 
and  in  England,  and  included  not  only  the  correspondence  upon  the 
subject,  but  some  very  sound  advice  to  the  Grand  Lodge  as  well.  The 
letters  of  Ridgely,  submitted  with  his  report,  are  clear,  able,  and 
explicit.  He  was  the  deputed  agent  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  undertake 
the  reconciliation  of  the  differences  in  the  secret  work,  so  as  to  insure 
not  only  the  interchange  of  visits,  but  the  protection  of  members  of  one 
jurisdiction,  sick  or  in  trouble,  in  the  other.  His  first  letter,  written  in 
April,  1841,  met  with  a  most  cordial  reception  by,  and  brought  a  hearty 
reply  from,  the  Manchester  Unity.  The  letter  was  sent  to  England  by 
a  Brother  Darby,  of  Cincinnati.  The  reply  was  so  much  in  accordance 
with  Ridgely's  wishes,  that  he  immediately  answered,  and  suggested  the 
adoption  of  a  plan  of  international  visitation;  he  also  asked  for  some 
facts  supposed  to  have  been  preserved  among  the  archives  of  the  Order 
in  England,  throwing  light  upon  the  early  history  of  Odd  Fellowship. 
No  reply  came  to  this  save  such  as  was  contained  in  the  records  of  the 

* 

meeting  of  the  Annual  Movable  Committee^  held  in  the  Isle  of  Man,  in 
May  and  June,  1841,  a  copy  of  which  journal  had  been  received  by 
Ridgely.  They  had  received  information  of  the  action  by  this  Grand 
Lodge  at  its  session  in  1840,  abrogating  the  use  of  a  password  as  the  only 
means  of  identification  in  all  cases  of  international  visitations,  and 
imposing  conditions  about  visiting  that  could  not  be  fulfilled  by  mem- 
bers from  England,  without  important  changes  in  the  laws  in  force 
in  Great  Britain. 

It  seems  a  pity,  even  to  this  day,  that  this  was  done  here;  for  if  the 
other  plan  had  been  the  policy  a  few  years  longer,  it  is  almost  a  certainty 
that  the  two  Orders  would  have  become  united,  and  their  power  and 
influence  more  than  doubled. 

The  Manchester  Unity  retaliated  by  sending  information  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  that  unless  arrangements  were  made  here  to  treat  members 
arriving  from  England  in  the  true  spirit  of  Odd  Fellowship,  they  would 
take  such  steps, — by  establishing  lodges  here,  etc., — as  would  insure 
the  protection  of  their  members  in  the  United  States.  Their  own  grant 
of  exclusive  jurisdiction  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  made 
this  threat  appear  idle,  but  it  showed  plainly  that  they  were  angry  and 
with  much  show  of  justice  in  their  grievance. 

The  experience  of  many  years  tends  to  prove  that  the  people  of  these 
two  nations  can  never  be  partners  in  anything.  Each  has  shown  a  dis- 
position to  manage  and  control,  and  so  we  reach  the  conclusion  that  the 
world  is  large  enough  for  both,  if  we  continue  apart. 


98  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  constitution  was  amended  at  this  session,  admitting  Grand 
Encampments  to  representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  same  basis 
that  state  Grand  Lodges  were  admitted.  A  resolution  was  passed  recom- 
mending to  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  next  session,  the  repeal  of  this  amend- 
ment to  the  constitution.  An  attempt  to  do  this  in  1842  failed  to  receive 
the  necessary  two-thirds  vote.  Thirteen  representatives  are  recorded 
as  voting  on  each  side,  and  the  amendment  lived.  A  committee  was 
appointed  to  prepare  a  Grand  Encampment  degree,  also  one  for  past 
chief  patriarchs,  and  past  high  priests,  in  the  Grand  Encampments. 

The  index  to  the  journal,  the  constitution,  and  all  amendments  up  to 
the  annual  session  in  1841 ;  the  rules,  regulations,  and  parliamentary  de- 
cisions of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  code  of  general  laws,  as  arranged 
by  Past  Grand  Williamson,  were  approved,  ordered  to  be  printed,  and 
Brother  Williamson  was  properly  remunerated  for  his  labor. 

The  valuable  suggestion  in  Eidgely's  report,  that  a  suitable  and  safe 
place  of  permanent  deposit  be  secured,  in  which  to  store  the  Grand  Lodge 
property, — an  inventory  first  to  be  made, — was  considered  with  the 
promptness  with  which  the  Grand  Lodge  usually  heeded  the  advice  of 
this  wise  counsellor.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  carry  the  sugges- 
tion into  effect,  and  also  to  request  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  to  deliver 
to  them  for  the  same  safe  keeping  all  the  archives  of  the  Order  in  his 
possession.  This  committee  reported  at  the  session  in  1842,  recommend- 
ing that  the  Grand  Secretary  be  authorized  to  contract  with  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland  for  a  lease,  of  not  greater  length  than  ten  years,  for  a 
suitable  office-room,  and  fire-proof  vaults,  in  which  to  store  and  preserve 
the  papers,  records,  and  archives  of  the  Order. 

The  use  of  the  regalia  of  the  Order  in  all  public  processions  or  func- 
tions, except  at  funerals,  was  forbidden,  without  the  written  consent  of 
the  Grand  Lodge;  or,  during  a  recess,  of  the  Grand  Master,  in  the  juris- 
diction where  such  display  was  contemplated. 

No  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  except  a  representative  or  a  past 
grand  sire,  was  allowed  to  speak  without  first  obtaining  permission. 
Forms  for  reports  were  ordered  to  be  printed  in  the  journal. 

Grand  Sire-elect  Ridgely,  in  one  of  his  beautiful  and  characteristic 
letters,  tendered  his  resignation,  which  was  accepted,  and  the  letter  or- 
dered printed  in  the  journal.  John  A.  Kennedy  was  elected  in  his  stead. 
Ridgely  then  asked  to  be  excused  from  being  a  candidate  for  Recording 
Grand  Secretary,  but  this  request  was  denied;  he  was  elected,  the  salary 
of  his  office  increased  to  $400  a  year,  and  some  new  and  useful  articles 
added  to  his  office-outfit.     The  officers  were  installed  on  Friday.. 

The  Covenant  Magazine. — The  finance  committee  were  required  to 
report  annually  on  all  the  property  of  the  Grand  Lodge;  the  Grand 
Secretary  to  furnish  an  account  of  the  sales  of  stock,  and  the  balance 


THE  SOVEREIGN  QBAND  LODGE.  99 

remaining  in  his  office.  A  periodical,  called  the  Covenardj  was  adopted 
as  the  official  organ  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  An  editor  (Ridgely  of  course) 
was  elected,  and  Thomas  Wildey  was  chosen  agent.  A  board  of  super- 
visors composed  of  ten  persons  were,  also,  elected,  five  of  whom  were 
designated  as  '^ first  class,"  to  serve  one  year,  and  five  as  '^ second  class," 
to  serve  two  years,  —  a  new  board  of  five  members  to  be  elected  annu- 
ally, thereafter,  to  serve  two  years.  Requisite  powers  of  management 
were  voted,  and  funds  appropriated  to  carry  on  the  publication.  The 
first  report  made  by  the  board  in  1842  showed  net  earnings  amounting 
to  $378.82.  The  project  was  a  failure  almost  from  the  beginning,  and 
its  life  was  short. 

The  Grand  Treasurer  was  first  allowed  a  salary  at  the  session  in  1841; 
it  was  fixed  at  $50  x>er  annum.  The  Grand  Sire  was  directed  to  forward 
the  yearly  password  to  go  into  effect  the  first  day  of  January,  annually. 
The  minutes  of  this  session  were  not  read  daily,  as  in  1840,  nor  do  they 
appear  to  have  been  considered  or  approved  at  the  meeting  in  1842.  Re- 
ports from  all  sources  showed  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  lodges  and 
17,854  members;  thirty-four  encampments  and  834  members. 

Record  of  the  Year  1842. — At  the  meeting  in  1842  there  were  seven- 
teen Grand  Lodges  represented,  and  two  Grand  Encampments.  James 
L.  Eidgely's  title  first  appears  as  Grand  Corresponding  and  Recording 
Secretary,  meaning  that  both  branches  of  that  office  had  be^  combined 
and  put  in  charge  of  this  wonderfully  competent  and  indefatigable  man. 
The  report  of  Grand  Sire  Kennedy  was  by  far  more  voluminous  and 
comprehensive  than  any  formerly  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge;  the 
report  and  accompanying  documents  occupy  thirty-four  pages  of  the 
journal.  It  is  replete  with  congratulations  upon  the  prosperity  of 
the  Order  in  America,  somewhat  counterbalanced  by  regrets  at  the 
uncomfortable  nature  of  our  relations  with  the  Unity  in  England. 

The  deliberations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  this  session,  over  the 
Manchester  Unity  problem,  were  painfully  prolonged  and,  altogether, 
occupied  most  of  the  time  and  much  of  the  journal.  A  committee  of 
two,  James  L.  Ridgely  and  I.  D.  Williamson,  called  a  ^'foreign  mission," 
visited  England  in  the  spring  of  1842,  and  were  met  by  a  special  com- 
mittee from  the  Grand  Annual  Movable  Committee  in  Wigan.  From 
the  documents  presented  by  the  Grand  Sire,  to  whom  this  committee 
reported,  it  apx>ears  that  the  two  committees  carried  on  their  negotiations 
by  correspondence,  though  both  seem  to  have  been  quartered  in  the  Eagle 
hotel  in  Wigan  at  the  same  time.  The  visit  resulted  in  widening  the 
breach,  and  the  return  of  the  '^foreign  mission,"  regretting  the  necessity 
of  making  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  the  two  hemi- 
spheres, separate  and  distinct  communities. 

Withdrawal  from  the  Manchester  Unity.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the 


100  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

United  States  on  Friday,  September  23,  1842,  adopted  this  resolution: 
^^  That  this  Grand  Lodge  has  been  constrained  to  dissolve  the  ties  which 
have  heretofore  connected  the  Order  in  America  with  the  Manchester 
Unity  in  Great  Britain."  This  was  reaffirmed  in  stronger  terms  Sep- 
tember 22,  1843.  Thus  ended  the  dream,  almost  hopeless  of  realization 
from  the  first,  of  uniting,  in  one  concordant  whole,  the  two  great  wings 
of  Odd  Fellowship. 

For  the  first  time  the  now  old  custom  of  fixing  the  hours  for  meeting 
and  adjournment  was  put  into  practice. 

During  the  year  Grand  Lodges  had  been  organized  in  Alabama  and 
North  Carolina,  the  Order  established  in  Greorgia,  the  encampment  in 
South  Carolina,  and  a  Grand  Encampment  in  Virginia. 

A  copy  of  an  Act  of  Incorporation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  was  adopted.  This  act  evidently  was  laid  aside  to  moulder  in  the 
archives  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  No  copy  of  it  is  contained  in  the  journal, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  not  incorporated  until  February  1,  1876;  the 
articles  being  amended  in  1880,  so  as  to  change  the  title  to  "  The  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge,''  and  to  insert  as  incorporators  the  names  of  the 
officers  and  members  of  the  body  at  its  session  in  1879. 

The  supremacy  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  again  declared  in  a  resolu- 
tion prohibiting  the  recognition  of  any  innovations  in  the  work  of  the 
Order.  The  initiatory  steps  were  taken  to  abolish  the  proxy  system,  and 
provide  for  a  bona  fide  representation.  Applicants  for  charters,  to  open 
encampments,  were  required  to  be  in  possession  of  the  Koyal  Purple 
degree.  A  Grand  Encampment,  Past  Grand  Patriarch,  and  Past  Grand 
High  Priest  degrees  were  adopted,  and  each  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
was  declared  entitled  to  receive  the  three  new  degrees. 

"Good  standing"  was  first  defined  by  the  Grand  Lodge  as  "being 
free  from  all  charges,  or  holding  a  duly  authenticated  and  unexpired 
card."  The  Grand  Secretary  was  appointed  to  revise  and  publish  a  cor- 
rect journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  from  its  formation,  provided  it  be 
done  without  expense  to  that  economical  body,  and  the  minutes  of  1842 
were  ordered  to  be  printed  in  the  Covenant.  The  by-law  was  suspended 
requiring  the  Grand  Secretary  to  have  the  minutes  printed  within  thirty 
days  from  the  date  of  adjournment. 

At  the  election  of  grand  officers,  Howell  Hopkins,  of  Pennsylvania, 
was  chosen  Grand  Sire;  George  M.  Bain,  of  Virginia,  Deputy  Grand 
Sire;  James  L.  Eidgely,  Recording  Grand  Secretary,  and  Andrew  E. 
Warner  was  again  elected  Grand  Treasurer^  Bidgely  was  reelected 
editor  of  the  Covenant,  and  William  Curtis,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  chosen 
agent. 

There  was  a  balance  in  cash  on  hand  of  $1361.61;  of  which  9583.50 
was  in  uncurrent  money.     The  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Treasurer 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  101 

were,  for  the  first  time,  required  to  execute  bonds,  —  these  were  for 
$2000  each.  The  experience  of  the  Grand  Lodge  with  Grand  Secretary 
Cook  was  bearing  fruit  in  a  wise  caution.  The  minutes  of  this  session 
were  read  daily  during  the  meeting. 

At  the  close  of  1842,  there  were  two  hundred  and  sixty-five  lodges 
with  24,160  members,  and  sixty-one  encampments  with  2097  members, 
—  an  increase,  in  three  years,  of  one  hundred  and  thirty -five  lodges  and 
15,000  members,  and  of  thirty-nine  encampments  and  1500  members. 
New  York  was  far  in  the  lead  now,  having  eleven  more  lodges  than 
Pennsylvania,  and  more  than  double  the  number  of  members. 

It  is  a  matter  of  much  regret  that  the  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to 
this  date,  are  so  full  of  imperfections.  Matters  of  importance,  referred 
to  special  committees,  are  heard  of  no  more.  Amendments  to  existing 
laws,  proposed  at  one  session,  are  not  taken  up  and  considered  at  a 
subsequent  meeting.  Much  has  to  be  taken  for  granted,  the  course  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  times  showing  conclusively  that  it  had  changed  its 
laws,  disposed  of  important  business,  created  new  offices  and  committees, 
without  having  preserved  a  record  of  its  acts. 

But  in  contrast  to  this  deplorable  state  of  affairs  we  find  the  Order 
extending  its  field  of  labor;  springing  into  spontaneous  life  on  every  hand, 
full  of  vigor,  at  the  touch  of  five  brothers  of  the  "  mystic  tie  " ;  opening 
wide  its  arms  of  Friendship  and  protection  to  an  ever  increasing  host  of 
initiates;  dispensing  its  charities  with  the  lavish  hand  of  Love;  and 
teaching,  everywhere,  the  ennobling  and  cardinal  virtues  of  eternal  Truth. 
Let  us  be  content! 


SUPPLEMENTAL  AND  RITUALISTIC. 

Revision  of  the  Lectures,  etc.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
disassociated  from  the  Manchester  Unity,  and  entering  upon  an  era  that 
we  have  called  its  golden  age,  early  took  measures  to  provide  a  distinc- 
tively American  ritual.  Should  any  reader  be  favored  with  an  oppor- 
tunity to  examine  the  early  and  later  rituals,  the  term  "distinctive" 
will  become  immediately  suggestive  of  Grand  Representative  Grant's 
well-chosen  words  in  commendation  of  this  book,  in  which  the  original 
five  degrees  have  been  reduced  and  "concentrated  into  three," — the 
present  subordinate  lodge  work  of  Odd  Fellowship.  But,  prior  to 
1845,  the  ritual  was  altogether  another  composition,  in  both  the  lodge 
and  the  encampment.  This  fact  is  shown  as  well  by  the  choice  of 
emblems  and  their /ear/ttZ  and  wondrous  analogy  as  in  the  rehearsal  of 
the  improbable  and  irrelevant  so-called  histories  of  the  early  editions. 


102 


THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 


The  crude  ceremonies  of  the  earlier  days,  to  be  sure,  had  been  improved 
at  various  periods,  notably  in  1835;  but  a  comparison  of  the  rituals  of 
1835,  with  those  of  1845  and  1880,  proves  the  assertion  that  it  was  left 
for  American  Odd  Fellows  to  prepare  their  own  American  ritual. 

The  Committee  of  Revision.  —  The  committee,  by  whom  the  work  of 
1845  was  matured  and  reported,  was  composed  of  the  following  brethren^ 
of  national  reputation  and  scholarly  attainments:  the  Rev.  Edwin  H. 
Chapin,  D.D.,  Past  Grand  Master  of  Massachusetts,  afterward  of  Kew 
York  city;  the  lamented  James  L.  Eidgely;  Eev:  James  D.  McCabe, 
D.D.,  of  Virginia;  John  A.  Kennedy,  Past  Grand  Sire;  and  William 
W.  Moore,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Sire  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  The 
report  was  considered  at  a  ^^  special "  session  held  in  Baltimore,  Septem- 
ber 9-13,  1845.  The  ritual  adopted  was  officially  named:  "The  revised 
work  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  jurisdictions  thereunto  belonging." 

Members  of  1845.  —  The  faces  of  the  brethren,  composing  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  1845,  have  not  been  preserved,  but  we  give  as  a  substitute  the 
signatures,  following  the  list  of  names  in  their  "official"  order,  with 
three  unavoidable  exceptions,  designated  thus  (•) :  — 

Officers.  —  Howell  Hopkins,  M.  W.  Grand  Sire;  WiUiam  W.  Moore,  R.  W.  Deputy 
Grand  Sire,  pro  tempore ;  James  L.  Bidgely,  R  W.  Grand  Corresponding  and  Recording 
Secretary ;  Andrew  E.  Warner,  R.  W.  Grand  Treasorer ;  Bey.  Albert  Case,  W.  Grand  Chap- 
lain; John  G.  Treadwell,  W.  Grand  Marshal,  pro  tempore;  Richard  Brandt,  W.  Grand 
Guardian;  John  E.  Chamberlain,  W.  Grand  Messenger. 

Past  Graxd  Sires.  — Thomas  Wildey,  Maryland ;  John  A.  Kennedy,  New  York. 

Representatives  of  Grand  Lodges. — John  A.  Thompson,  Enoch  P.  Holden,  Mary- 
land; William  Hilliard,  William  E.  Parmenter,  Massachusetts;  Benjamin  C.  True,  David 
D.  Eagan,*  New  York ;  Joseph  Browne,  Smith  Skinner,  Pennsylvania ;  William  W.  Moore, 
William  B.  Magruder,*  District  of  Columbia ;  Francis  H.  Reynolds,  Delaware ;  David  T. 
Snelbaker,  Ohio;  Charles  W.  Whitall,  Louisiana;  Marshall  C.  Holmes,  Thomas  S.  Day, 
New  Jersey;  John  B.  Hinkle,  Kentucky;  James  D.  McCabe,  James  M.  Ford,  Virginia; 
George  Brown,  Indiana;  Isaiah  Forbes,  Missouri;  Fred.  Crosswell,  S.  B.  Brittan,  Con- 
necticut; William  F.  Davis,  Tennessee;  Robert  W.  Seymour,  South  Carolina;  Isaac  D. 
Williamson,  Alabama;  Alexander  MacRea,  North  Carolina;  Wylie  Williams,  Greorgia; 
Nathaniel  F.  Deering,  WiUiam  R.  Smith,  Maine;  Ebenezer  B.  White,*  Rhode  Island;  David 
Philbrick,  George  W.  Montgomery,  New  Hampshire. 

Representativbs  of  Grand  Encampments.  —  Richard  Marley,  Maryland ;  Charles 
McGowan,  Franklin  W.  Gilley,  New  York;  David  Churchill,  Ohio;  Taliaferro  Preston 
Sha£fner,  Kentucky;  Horn  R.  Kneass,  Pennsylvania;  E.  C.  Robinson,  Virginia;  John  L. 
Devotion,  Connecticut,*  Staats  S.  Morris,  New  Jersey;  Robert  L.  Robbing,  Massachusetts. 

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SECTION  III. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE   (continued):    THE 

GOLDEN  AGE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 

By  J.  Frank  Gbastt,  Past  Orand  Master,  Orand  Secretary  of  the 

Sovereign  Ghrand  Lodge. 


CHAPTER  I. 

SEVEN  YEARS  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 

**  Know  ye  wbd  teach  the  Saxon,  Gelt,  or  Dane, 
Id  Holland,  France,  England,  Germany,  or  Spain, 
'Tis  pleasing  to  be  schooled  in  a  foreign  tongue ; 
They  smile  so  when  one  is  right ;  and  when  one's  wrong 
They  smile  too." 

The  Session  of  1843.  —  The  small  and  faintly  glimmering  star,  which 
was  barely  visible  in  the  east  in  February,  1821,  was  slowly  ascending 
ever  toward,  but  not  yet  reaching  the  zenith,  growing  nearer  as  it  rose 
higher  into  view,  developing  in  its  radiance  and  power  a  sun  of  glorious 
brilliancy,  shedding  its  rays  of  Friendship,  Love,  and« Truth  upon  the 
millions  of  our  race  who,  rapidly  enlisting,  stretched  our  ranks  across 
this  great  continent,  until  in  1843  a  peaceful  army  of  twenty-five  thou- 
sand of  the  best  men  of  our  land  were  allied  in  the  great  cause  of  Odd 
Fellowship. 

Filled  with  joy  at  past  success,  and  turning  their  faces  radiant  with 
hope  to  the  promising  future,  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
assembled  at  Baltimore,  September  18,  1843.  Twenty  Grand  Lodges  and 
seven  Grand  Encampments  were  represented. 

The  report  of  Grand  Sire  Kennedy  was  simply  bubbling  with  happy 

congratulation  and  review  of  the  promising  condition  of  the  Order,  which 

now  had  a  firm  foothold  in  all  except  two  states  of  the  Union.     George 

M.  Bain,  of  Virginia,  having  declined  the  office  of  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 

William  S.  Stewart,  of  Missouri,  was  elected  to  that  position,  and  the 

officers  were    installed.      Representative    Hopkins,    of    Pennsylvania, 

delivered  a  short  address  upon  taking  the  chair  as  Grand  Sire,  which 

was  characteristic  of  the  firmness  and  sincerity  that  marked  the  whole 

course  of  his  life.    John  W.  Stokes,  of  Pennsylvania,  always  a  promi- 

103 


104  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY, 

nent  man  in  Odd  Fellowship,  and  afterward  Grand  Sire,  was  present  again 
this  year,  having  first  appeared  in  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1842. 

The  Daily  Journal.  —  The  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  printed 
daily  for  the  first  time,  and  it  so  facilitated  business  that  the  custom 
has  been  practised  ever  since. 

Grand  Encampments  had  been  chartered,  during  the  year,  in  Connect- 
icut, New  Jersey,  and  South  Carolina,  and  our  German  friends  expressed 
a  preference  and  fondness  for  the  American  idea  in  Odd  Fellowship,  —  to 
which  they  have  ever  since  adhered,  with  the  pertinacity  characteristic  of 
a  people  who  think  before  they  speak,  —  by  petiljioning  (informally)  for 
a  charter  to  open  a  lodge  in  Hamburg. 

The  new  legislation  of  1843  declared :  That  residence  in  the  jurisdic- 
tion was  a  necessary  qualification  for  the  office  of  Grand  Representative; 
that  the  Grand  Lodge  degree  was  an  honorary  one,  and  Grand  Lodges 
were  not  permitted  to  charge  a  fee  for  conferring  it;  that  an  initiate 
must  be  received  in  the  lodge  or  encampment  nearest  his  residence ;  that 
the  right  to  print  or  sell  the  work  of  the  Order  was  vested  solely  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States;  that  honorary  membership  was  not 
permitted ;  and  that  past  officers  or  members,  visiting  other  lodges,  might 
wear  the  jewel  and  regalia  of  the  highest  rank  they  had  attained,  if  they 
desired  to  do  so. 

Mistaken  Good  Intentions :  Session  of  1844.  —  The  death  of  Past  Grand 
Sire  Gettys  was  reported  at  the  opening  of  the  session  in  1844,  and  the 
Grand  Lodge  adopted  resolutions  testifying  to  its  love  and  respect  for 
the  man,  and  regret  at  his  death ; .  but  it  committed  that  ever  culpable 
indiscretion  of  harrowing  the  poor  widow's  heart  by  sending  her  a  copy 
of  the  black  resolutions.  She  might  have  discovered,  by  some  accident, 
that  the  Grand  Lodge  had  formally  delivered  itself  of  appropriate  out- 
ward evidence  of  its  grief  at  the  death  of  her  husband,  and  sympathy  with 
her  in  that  sad  bereavement;  and  such  a  discovery  would  have  aroused 
a  feeling  of  gratitude  to  the  membership  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  But 
that  body  dissipated  all  doubt  of  a  knowledge  of  its  demonstrations 
reaching  her,  by  sending  an  official  copy.  She  must  know  how  sorry 
they  were,  even  if  the  knowledge  had  to  be  publicly  conveyed.  This 
is  an  old  mistake,  —  one  of  those  founded  in  good  intentions  no  doubt, 
—  old  enough  to  become  obsolete,  and  is  not  entitled  to  our  respect 
because  of  its  hoary  age. 

Grand  Sire  Hopkins's  report  is  short,  but  full  and  explicit.  He  had, 
in  an  eminent  degree,  the  faculty  of  saying  the  proper  thing  in  a  few 
appropriate  sentences,  and  then  letting  the  subject  alone.  He  reports 
the  interest  lagging  in  Texas,  Ohio,  and  Illinois;  suggests  a  remedy  in 

< 

each  case,  and  reports  applications  from  Canada,  and  also  from  Great 
Britain,  for  charters  to  establish  lodges  under  the  surveillance  and  con- 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  106 

trol  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  He  granted  dispensations 
in  each  case;  and,  also,  reports  dispensations  granted  by  him  for  Grand 
Lodges  in  Maine,  Ehode  Island,  and  New  Hampshire,  and  a  Grand 
Encampment  in  Massachusetts.  New  subordinate  lodges  were  chartered 
in  Montreal  and  St.  Johns,  Canada;  in  Tredegar  and  Monmouth  in  South 
Wales,  Great  Britain. 

New  Hampshire  wanted  to  initiate  a  few  boys  twenty  years  of  age, 
the  sons  of  Odd  Fellows,  but  the  Grand  Lodge  wisely  said  "no." 

This  year  it  was  declared  that  the  A.T.P.W.  was  only  to  be  used 
by  brothers  in  visiting  other  jurisdictions  than  the  one  in  which  they 
were  members,  and  the  only  officers  of  the  lodge  to  whom  it  should  be 
communicated  were  the  noble  grands  and  vice  grands.  A  form  for 
examining  visitors  was  adopted.  The  forms  of  visiting  and  withdrawal 
cards  adopted  were  substantially  the  same  as  those  in  use  to-day.  This  ' 
is  apparent  in  the  illustration  of  the  development  of  the  visiting  card  in 
another  place.  The  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1842,  creating  the 
Past  Chief  Patriarch  and  Past  High  Priest  degrees  in  Grand  Encamp- 
ments, was  repealed.  The  work  of  the  Order  was  submitted  to  a 
committee  of  five  for  a  thorough  revision.  The  opinion  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  gravely  expressed  that  all  subordinates  should  be  opened  and 
closed  with  prayer,  but  left  the  selection  of  forms  to  them. 

The  unfortunate  enterprise  of  publishing  an  "  official  magazine "  was 
entangling  the  Grand  Lodge  in  such  a  bottomless  slough  of  indebtedness 
that  the  poor  old  Covenant  was  incontinently  knocked  in  the  head,  and 
all  the  high  hopes  its  conception  and  birth  had  excited  were  buried  with 
the  remains.  The  Grand  Lodge  turned  itself  sadly  to  the  task  of  pay- 
ing the  debts  of  the  deceased. 

Thomas  Sherlock,  of  Ohio,  was  chosen  Grand  Sire;  Greorge  W. 
Churchill,  of  Maine,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  and  those  two  competent  and 
reliable  veterans,  Ridgely  and  Warner,  were  reelected  Grand  Secretary 
and  Grand  Treasurer,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned. 

Special  and  Annual  Sessions  of  1845. — Grand  Sire  Hopkins  called  a 
"special"  session  of  the^  Grand  Lodge,*  September  9,  1845,  to  consider 
the  report  of  the  special  committee  appointed  to  revise  the  lectures  and 
charges  of  the  work  of  the  Order,  and  to  act  upon  petitions  for  charters. 
The  death  of  Past  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Neilson  was  reported,  and  a  copy 
of  the  resolutions  adopted,  sent  in  cold,  unsympathetic  ink  to  his  widow. 
She  also  received  as  a  present  from  the  Grand  Lodge  the  unsalable 
remains'  of  the  defunct  Covenant  It  was  a  funereal  time  for  Sister 
Neilson. 

The  rule  closing  the  mouths  of  grand  officers  in  debate  was  suspended 
temporarily,  and  the  wheels  of  business  revolved  smoothly.     The  report 

^  See  **  Supplemental  and  Ritnallfittc,"  at  the  end  of  the  preceding  Section. 


106  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  the  committee  was  elaborate  and  extensive,  and  it  was  not  until  late 
on  the  fifth  day  of  the  session  that  the  consideration  of  it  was  completed 
and  the  new  work  adopted,  to  go  into  effect  the  1st  of  January,  1846,  — 
two  Grand  Kepresentatives  from  Ohio,  objecting  to  that  provision  in  the 
adopted  work  permitting  a  noble  grand  to  admit  members  of  his  own 
lodge  (and  no  others)  without  the  current  term  password,  filed  a  solemn 
protest,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  sine  die. 

Grand  Encampments  were  chartered,  at  this  "special"  session,  in 
New  Hampshire  and  Maine.  At  the  annual  communication,  held  the 
following  week,  a  revision  of  the  work  in  the  encampment  degrees,  with 
forms  for  opening  and  closing  encampments,  was  adopted.  The  work  of 
the  Order  was  vastly  improved  by  each  revision.  It  was  becoming  more 
practical  and  realistic  under  the  touch  of  intellectual  thought,  and  the 
strong  test  of  experience,  and  rapidly  commending  itself  to, the  approval 
of  intelligent  men.  Each  step  was  upward,  and  the  word  "  excelsior " 
might  well  have  been  a  grand  and  appropriate  motto  for  this  essential 
branch  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

Grand  Sire  Hopkins's  report  was  more  congratulatory  than  in  1844, 
and  his  practical  paragraphs  were  well  calculated  to  spur  the  Order 
onward.  The  Grand  Secretary's  report  shows  a  marked  improvement  in 
the  financial  condition  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  an  augmented  condition 
of  incompleteness  in  returns  existed,  in  keeping  with  the  rapid  growth 
of  the  Order.  Complaints  of  the  derelictions  of  district  deputy  grand 
sires  were  numerous,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  so  amended  article  xviii.  of 
the  by-laws  as  to  permit  the  Grand  Sire  to  appoint  qualified  past  grands 
in  each  jurisdiction,  annually,  to  act  therein  as  special  agents  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  to  clearly  define  their  duties. 

In  finally  disposing  of  the  valueless  effects  of  the  Covenant,  the  Grand 
Lodge  withdrew  all  sanction  of  its  authority  and  responsibility  for  any 
and  all  publications  in  the  name  of  the  Order.  A  request  was  made  that 
all  subordinates  should  send  copies  of  their  published  proceedings  to  the 
Grand  Secretary.  The  ready  and  continued  compliance  with  this  request 
has  been  of  vast  benefit  in  many  ways.  By  the  ^  close  vote  of  23  yeas  to 
21  nays,  cards  were  adopted  for  the  wives  and  widows  of  Odd  Fellows, 
recommending  them  to  the  friendship  and  protection  of  the  members  of 
the  Order  everywhere.  All  visiting  cards  were  required  to  bear  the  sig- 
nature of  the  Grand  Secretary,  after  January  1,  1846,  and  the  price  of  the 
same  to  subordinate  Grand  bodies  was  fixed  at  five  dollars  per  hundred. 
These  cards  were  in  great  demand  and  almost  universally  used.  The  sale 
from  January  1,  1845,  to  September  16th,  —  a  little  over  nine  months,  — 
being  fifty-eight  thousand  and  seventy-six. 

Planting  the  Order  Abroad.  —  An  attempt  to  establish  a  lodge  in  Liver- 
pool, England,  failed  this  year,  and  the  condition  of  the  Order  in  that 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  107 

kingdonii  under  the  supervision' of  this  Grand  Lodge,  was  in  a  languish- 
ing condition,  pointing  unmistakably  to  its  speedy  demise,  which  soon 
followed  ;  but  the  idea  of  transplanting  Odd  Fellowship  to  Europe, 
and  other  foreign  lands,  continued  to  prevail,  and  efforts  to  accomplish 
this  were  pushed  zealously.  The  various  lectures  and  charges  were 
ordered  to  be  translated  into  the  French,  Grerman,  and  Welsh  languages, 
and  everything  possible  was  done  to  commend  Odd  Fellowship  to  the 
people  of  those  countries. 

The  length  of  terms  in  subordinate  lodges  was  fixed  at  thirteen  weeks. 
Subsequently,  though  not  at  this  session,  the  terms  of  lodges  and  encamp- 
ments were  made  equal.  Representatives  from  Grand  Encampments 
were,  for  the  fijst  time,  declared  eligible  to  the  office  of  Grand  Sire. 
Honorary  membership  was  again  inveighed  against.  Full  membership 
in  a  subordinate  lodge  was  declared  essential  to  membership  in  an 
encampment;  severance  of  the  former,  from  whatever  cause,  except  by 
the  holding  of  an  unexpired  withdrawal  card,  severed  the  latter.  The 
bond  of  the  Grand  Treasurer  was  increased  this  year  to  $4000. 

The  Session  of  1846. — The  annual  communication  in  1846  was  well 
attended.  All  the  officers  and  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  were  present, 
and  there  were  representatives  from  twenty-two  Grand  Lodges  and 
eleven  Grand  Encampments.  The  abolition  of  the  proxy  system  was 
bringing  a  host  of  new  and  able  men  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  real 
interests  of  the  distant  jurisdictions  were  represented,  and  a  new  interest 
in  Odd  Fellowship  was  diffused  in  remote  sections  of  the  country  by  these 
zealous  men  on  their  return  from  each  communication. 

Thomas  Sherlock,  of  Ohio,  the  first  Grand  Sire  from  the  great  West, 
presented  an  able  report,  full  of  happiness  and  hopefulness.  Ninety 
thousand  members,  and  $190,000  expended  for  relief,  inspired  this  young 
chieftain  as  he  wrote,  and  he  does  not  forget  to  devoutly  thank  the  Great 
Giver  of  good  gifts,  for  the  prosperity  about  which  he  is  writing.  The 
Grand  Secretary  reported  (among  other  things)  that  he  had  written  his 
name  with  pen  and  ink  on  twenty-one  thousand  cards  sinoe  the  last 
session.  He  asked  and  obtained  permission  to  substitute  a  facsimUe  of 
his  signature,  to  be  printed  on  the  margins  of  the  cards.  It  was  a  great 
and  proper  relief  to  this  hard-worked  and  under-paid  officer. 

The  old  complaint  that  supplies  were  printed  and  sold  by  lodges  and 
individuals  contrary  to  the  law  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  against  the 
peace  and  prosperity  of  its  treasury,  came  up  again  this  year,  like 
Banquo's  ghost.  By  special  resolution.  Grand  Masters  and  Grand 
Patriarchs  were  directed  to  enforce  the  law  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  in  this 
X>articttlar  respect,  in  the  varioxis  jurisdictions. 

Grand  Encampments  were  chartered  at  Alexandria,  Montreal,  and  St. 
Louis.     Begalia  and  jewels  for  the  officers  of  Grand  Encampments  were 


108  THE  THBEE'LLNK  FRATERNITY. 

proposed  and  adcTpted.  Kegalia  for  funerals^  and  the  order  in  which 
processions  in  such  cases  should  be  formed,  were  prescribed  for  the  first 
time.  The  status  of  a  member  under  sentence,  and  pending  his  appeal 
to  a  higher  tribunal  of  the  Order,  was  defined  to  be  that  fixed  by  the  laws 
of  his  own  jurisdiction.  Visiting  brothers  receiving  financial  aid  from 
lodges  other  than  their  own  were  required  to  have  the  same  indorsed  on 
their  visiting  cards.  Withdrawal  cards  were  declared  to  be  good  for  one 
year,  or  the  time  specified  therein;  they  also  severed  connection  with, 
and  discharged  from  all  liability,  the  lodge  from  whence  they  issued. 

The  Grand  Lodge  concluded  to  furnish  the  hall  in  which  the  meet- 
ings were  held  in  Baltimore,  and  gave  the  Grand  Secretary  $500  with 
which  to  pay  for  suitable  desks  and  chairs.  The  charter  and  books  sent 
to  Pioneer  and  Oriental  lodges,  in  England,  were  ordered  to  be  reclaimed, 
because  those  lodges  failed  to  report.  The  Grand  Secretary  was  directed 
to  send  a  letter  of  congratulation  and  thanks  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Aus- 
tralia, in  reply  to  "their  courteous  communication."  He  was  also 
directed  to  have  printed  lists  of  the  Grand  Representatives  prepared,  to 
be  used  in  calling  the  yeas  and  nays,  and  to  "  destroy  the  old  book  of 
illustrations,''  new  ones  containing  the  diagrams  and  language  having 
been  perfected,  and  delivered  into  his  keeping.  A  unanimous  vote  was 
again  declared  to  be  necessary  to  change  the  unwritten,  and  a  four-fifths 
majority  to  change  the  written  work  of  the  Order.  The  Dominion  of 
Canada  was  made  a  separate  Grand  jurisdiction.  Letters  from  lodges 
asking  aid  were  required  to  be  authorized  by  the  written  permission  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  where  the  aid  was  solicited.  The  terms  of 
subordinates  were  extended  to  six  months.  A  proposal  was  defeated 
requiring  the  lodges  to  work  in  the  fifth  degree.  A  committee  of  five 
was  appointed  to  prepare  a  digest  and  a  funeral  service,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  proceeded  to  the  election  of  its  officers. 

Horn  R.  Kneass,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  Newell 
A.  Thompson,  of  Massachusetts,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Ridgely,  Grand 
Secretary;  and  Warner,  Grand  Treasurer. 

This  Grand  Sire  of  the  very  peculiar  name,  for  which  he  was,  for- 
tunately for  himself,  not  responsible,  was,  in  more  respects  than  in  the 
singular  construction  of  his  name,  a  man  of  mark.  Otherwise  he  could 
not  have  survived  such  a  remarkable  combination  of  orthography  and 
been  saved  for  the  prominent  part  he  so  ably  took  in  the  affairs  of  Odd 
Fellowship.  The  first  solid  footing,  upon  consolatory  grounds,  is  reached 
by  the  Kentuckian  (lineally  descended  from  Daniel  Boone),  — floundering 
helplessly  through  the  mazes  of  the  labyrinthian  journal,  —  when  he  is 
enabled  to  contrast  the  abbreviated  orthography  of  "Boon"  Lodge,  with 
the  architectural  combination  perpetrated  in  the  name  of  "Horn  R. 
Kneass." 


THS  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  109 

Grand  Sire  Kneass  first  appeared  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  from  his  home 
in  Pennsylvania,  in  1841,  as  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  pro  tempore^  being 
elected  to,  and  installed  in,  that  office  the  same  year.  How  he  got  into 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  that  time,  the  records  of  the  session  do  not  show;  but 
Grand  Sire  Glazier,  of  Delaware,  evidently  knew  his  intrinsic  worth,  for 
his  name  appears  in  the  journal  as  Deputy  Grand  Sire  by  apx)ointment, 
at  the  opening  of  the  session,  and  he  was  installed  into  that  office, 
where  he  served  two  years.  He  represented  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1844;  the  Grand  Encampment,  in  1845-46;  was  elected 
Grand  Sire  in  1846,  and  installed  in  1847,  ably  discharging  all  the  duties 
of  the  position  for  two  years. 

A  handsome  gold  watch  and  chain  were  presented  to  Grand  Secretary 
Kidgely  near  the  close  of  this  session.  The  remarks  of  Past  Grand  Sire 
Hopkins,  in  presenting,  and  those  of  the  proud  recipient,  in  receiving, 
the  token  of  the  love  and  confidence  of  his  brethren,  are  preserved  in  the 
journal.  The  style  is  as  sincere,  and  in  every  respect  much  the  same,  as 
that  used  on  similar  occasions  to-day,  except  that  capital  letters  are  not 
used  quite  so  much  in '  designating  the  article  presented  now-a-days,  as 
appears  from  the  display  in  the  journal  to  have  been  the  fashion  then. 

Twenty-five  Tears  of  History.  —  In  closing  this  session  the  Grand 
Lodge  passed  the  last  milestone  of  its  first  twenty-five  years'  history.  It 
is  contained  in  972  printed  pages.  Nearly  that  many  pages  are  required 
for  the  proceedings  of  a  single  session  now,  and  the  end  is  not  yet. 

The  Session  of  1847.  —  ^^  1^*^  ^©  Grand  Secretary  reported  that 
he  had  bought  desks  suited  to  the  dignity  of  the  gentlemen  who  should 
use  them.  They  were  of  walnut,  and  the  shape  and  style  then  in  use 
by  the  United  States  Senators.  Nothing  better  could  have  been  desired, 
but  the  appropriation  had  run  out,  — having  been  exhausted  in  purchas- 
ing the  desks.  The  Grand  Secretary  does  not  say  so,  but  the  inference  is 
easy,  that  the  serviceable  legend,  "  standing  room  only,"  greeted  the  eyes 
of  the  Grand  Representatives,  as  they  listened  to  the  reading  of  the  able 
and  astute  Grand  Secretary's  report.  He  asked  for  $500  more  to  buy 
chairs  suited  to  the  dignity  of  the  desks,  which  no  one  disputed  who  saw 
them,  and  the  appropriation  was  made.  He  advocated  the  purchase  of 
the  plates  and  copyrights  of  the  journal,  some  of  which  were  now  the 
property  of  firms  or  individuals.  This  idea  was  adopted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  the  absolute  title  to  the  desirable  property  was  finally  vested 
solely  in  that  body. 

The  Grand  Secretary  complained  that  nothing  in  the  way  of  a  transla- 
tion of  the  work  of  the  Order  into  the  French  language  had  yet  been 
obtained  of  a  satisfactory  nature,  and  that  the  odes  were  still  being 
printed  and  sold  without  authority  of,  or  benefit  to,  this  Grand  Lodge  ; 
but  that  was  then,  is  now,  and  ever  will  be,  a  cause  for  complaint. 


110  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Laws,  edicts,  frowns,  or  anathemas  will  never  be  so  potent  that  they 
will  prevent  even  an  Odd  Fellow  from  buying  something  cheap.  The 
price  fixed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  at  which  such  supplies  shall  be  sold  is 
high  enough  to  tempt  speculators  into  the  field  of  competition.  A 
special  copyright  law,  enacted  by  the  national  government,  with  a  good 
stiff  penalty  affixed  for  its  violation,  protecting  the  Order  in  its  declared 
sole  right  to  publish  and  sell  such  portions  of  its  literature  as  it  may 
from  time  to  time  elect  to  so  distribute,  is  a  sovereign  remedy  for  this 
growing  evil,  which  is  the  cause  of  as  much  trouble  at  this  day,  as  at  any 
time  during  the  history  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

The  revenue  was  reported  to  be  $3500  less  than  it  was  last  year;  but 
the  new  digest  of  one  hundred  pages  was  adopted,  the  price  fixed  at 
thirty-seven  cents  a  copy,  and  hope  revived. 

Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  was  again  honored;  this  time  being  sent 
as  a  special  grand  representative  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America. 

If  was  decided  by  the  Grand  Lodge  that  persons  withdrawing  from 
the  Manchester .  Unity  could  ouly  join  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  by 
initiation,  clearance  cards  from  that  society  not  being  recognized  by  this 
Order.  Article  x.  of  the  constitution  was  amended  so  that  representa- 
tives to  the  Grand  Lodge  should  be  elected  to  serve  two  years.  Article 
XXV.  of  the  by-laws  was  amended  so  as  to  provide  regalia  and  jewels  for 
grand  officers  and  grand  representatives,  past  grand  officers  and  past 
grand  representatives.  The  constitutions  of  subordinate  Grand  bodies, 
and  all  amendments  thereto,  before  they  could  become  operative,  were 
required  to  have  the  approval  of  this  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Secret  Journal.  —  An  order  for  the  A.T.P.W.,  to  accompany  a 
visiting  card,  was  sanctioned  for  the  first  time.  A  "  secret "  journal  was 
ordered  to  be  kept,  but  nothing  in  the  resolution  provided  for  "  secret " 
sessions.  Charters  were  granted  for  lodges  in  the  Sandwich  Islands  and 
Venezuela.  The  work  of  the  Order  for  subordinates  was  ordered  to  be 
translated  into  the  French  and  Spanish  languages,  but  lodges  working  in 
foreign  languages  were  required  to  keep  a  record  of  their  proceedings 
in  English.  This  law  was  found  so  objectionable  that  it  was  soon 
repealed.     A  new  funeral  service  was  adopted. 

The  salary  of  the  Grand  Secretary  was  increased  to  J1200,  and  was 
made  payable  quarterly.  The  Grand  Messenger  received  $400;  and  the 
Grand  Treasurer  $100,  payable  in  the  same  way. 

An  attempt  to  admit  to  membership  Indians,  of  '^  mature  age,  and  of 
good  moral  character,"  was  defeated.  The  Grand  Lodge  doubtless 
thought  that  the  age  of  a  beardless  race  could  not  be  determined  with 
any  degree  of  accuracy,  and  they  also  felt  sure  that  a  '^good  moral 
character  "  was  an  unknown  quantity  among  the  Aborigines. 


TBE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  Ill 

Grand  Lod^  of  Britiah  North  America.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  of  British 
North  America  still  sustained  its  dignity  as  a  distinct  sovereignty,  and 
at  this  session  sent  L.  B.  Campbell  as  its  first  Grand  Representative. 

It  was  decided  that  Grand  Encampment  and  Grand  Lodge  degrees, 
and  the  Fast  Official  degrees  could  only  be  conferred  during  the  sessions, 
and  in  the  presence  of  those  Grand  bodies,  except  by  special  dispensa- 
tion, when  they  might  be  conferred  in  some  contiguous  room. 

Members  of  a  defunct  body,  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  were  entitled  to  receive  certificates  of  equal  value  with 
withdrawal  cards,  upon  satisfactory  proof  of  their  membership  and  good 
standing.  In  opening  and  closing  encampments,  prayer  was  declared  to 
be  discretionary,  but  it  could  not  be  left  out  of  the  other  ceremonies, 
being  an  integral  part  of  the  work. 

The  grand  officers  were  installed  on  the  second  day  of  the  session,  as 
required  by  the  constitution,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  on  Satur- 
day, having  been  in  session  the  entire  week. 

The  Session  of  1848. — When  it  opened  in  annual  session,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1848,  all  the  officers  were  present.  New  York  sent  two  sets  of 
representatives,  and  there  was  a  lively  contest.  This  was  the  beginning 
of  the  long  controversy  in  that  state.  The  report  of  Grand  Sire  Kneass, 
with  documents  accompanying  it,  is  immense  for  those  days,  and  exhibits 
a  vast  amount  of  work  done  by  the  Grand  Sire.  The  trouble  in  Kew 
York  was  responsible  for  the  larger  portion  of  the  report.  As  that  mat- 
ter is  fully  recounted  in  the  history  of  the  Order  in  that  state,  elsewhere 
in  this  history,  it  need  not  be  detailed  here.  When  the  matter  was 
settled  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  this  meeting,  sixteen  Grand  Representa- 
tives filed  a  protest. 

The  Grand  Secretary  enlivened  the  representatives  by  inviting  them 
to  seats  in  the  new  chairs,  which  had  cost  $64  more  than  the  appropria- 
tion.    They  all  sat  down,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  paid  the  bill. 

The  new  digest  and  supplement  were  ready,  — ten  thousand  copies  at 
a  cost  of  eleven  cents  each. 

Peter  Allan  Brinsmade  attended  this  session  as  representative  of  the 
Order  in  Honolulu. 

A  committee  on  legislation,  and  one  on  Grand  bodies  not  represented, 
were  added  to  the  list  this  year.  At  the  election  held  on  the  second  day 
of  the  session,  Bobert  H.  Griffin,  of  Georgia,  was  elected  Grand  Sire; 
A.  S.  Kellogg,  of  Michigan,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Ridgely  and  Warner 
being  reelected  to  th,e  offices  of  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Treasurer. 

For  the  first  time  the  book  of  diagrams  and  secret  work  was  put  in 
charge  of  the  Deputy  Grand  Sire  during  the  session,  with  the  request 
that  he  instruct  the  members  therein. 

The  Grand  Secretary  made  a  special  report  of  his  official  visit  to  the 


112  TBE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America,  which  was  replete  with  kind 
words  for  the  Order  there,  and  descriptive  of  his  reception  and  enter- 
tainment by  them.  In  consideration  of  the  importance  of  the  Sandwich 
Islands  contingent,  and,  perhaps,  partly  in  deference  to  the  presence  of 
Brother  Brinsmade,  a  general  subscription  of  funds  was  solicited  to  build 
a  hall  in  Honolulu.  These  funds  were  to  be  shipped  "  to  Charles  Brewer, 
2nd,"  whatever  that  may  mean. 

A  most  unrighteous  bit  of  legislation  provided  that  state  Grand 
Lodges  might  remit  initiation  fees,  and  the  lodges  were  compelled  to 
submit. 

Terms  of  Grand  Representatives.  —  Full  and  complete  instructions  in 
the  entire  work  of  the  Order  were  adopted.  The  representatives  at  this 
session  settled  the  question  of  the  length  of  their  respective  terms  of  ser- 
vice under  the  new  law  by  drawing  slips  of  paper  from  a  box,  bearing 
the  figures  "  1 "  or  "  2  " :  those  drawing  the  "  figure  2  "  being  the  accredited 
representatives  from  their  jurisdiction  for  the  year  1849, — the  terms  of 
those  drawing  the  "figure  1"  terminating  at  this  session. 

The  Grand  Lodge  rallied  to  the  aid  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  who 
was  in  financial  distress.  This  was  a  noble  act,  and  it  is  greatly  to  the 
credit  of  the  body  that  only  eight  of  its  members  voted  "nay."  The 
mortgages  on  his  home  were  paid,  and  the  aged  brother  was  allowed 
peaceful  possession,  without  expense  to  him,  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life. 

Legislation  affecting  the  encampment  branch  especially  provided  that 
scribes  of  encampments  should  be  furnished  by  secretaries  of  lodges  with 
lists  of  the  names  of  members  withdrawing,  suspended,  expelled,  or 
reinstated;  and  that  a  chief  patriarch  might  install  his  successor,  in  the 
absence  of  the  officer  designated  for  that  purpose,  and  of  all  past  chief 
patriarchs.  The  same  law  applied  to  noble  grands,  in  the  absence  of  the 
same  officer,  and  all  past  grands. 

Qualifications  for  Membership.  —  That  legislation  which  refers  to  the 
foundation  branch,  the  subordinate  lodge,  is  as  follows:  No  particular 
religious  faith  is  requisite  for  membership,  and  the  entertainment  of  any 
special  belief  does  not  disqualify ;  the  right  to  leave  the  Order  was  recog- 
nized, but  withdrawal  cards  could  be  declared  void  for  cause ;  candidates 
for  initiation  could  have  their  petitions  withdrawn  before  the  report  of 
the  committee  thereon  was  read,  but  not  afterward;  dues  might  be  paid 
at  any  time,  but  the  payment  after  illness  or  disability  begins  does  not 
entitle  the  brother  to  benefits  during  the  remainder  of  such  illness  or 
disability.     This  is  an  old,  but  a  good  law. 

A  junior  past  grand  could  be  elected  representative  to  his  state  Grand 
Lodge.  Past  grands  could  not  transfer  their  rights,  as  such,  to  other 
members;   jewels  for  all  the  officers  were  declared  as  imperative  as 


THE  80VEBEIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  113 

regalia;  the  only  form  of  prayer  adopted,  so  far,  was  that  prescribed  for 
use  at  funerals,  and  that  was  not  obligatory;  Grand  Eepresentatives  were 
directed  to  instruct  their  own  Grand  bodies  in  the  work  of  the  Order. 

The  portraits  of  Past  Grand  Sires  Gettys,  Keyser,  Perkins,  Hopkins, 
and  Sherlock  were  accepted  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  Those  of  Glazier  and 
Kennedy  were  reported  as  being  in  a  state  of  preparation. 

The  session  of  1848  was  the  first  one  held  under  the  new  law  of  elect- 
ing representatives  for  two  years.  It  was  a  good  plan  and  has  been  suc- 
cessfully practised  ever  since. 

The  report  of  Grand  Sire  Kneass  was  in  "  high  style  "  as  to  diction, 
and  was  kindly  received.  A  thousand  copies  were  printed.  Another 
new  rule  was  adopted,  which  time  has  shown  to  have  been  wisely  formu- 
lated, that  of  allowing  the  reports  of  all  the  committees,  except  that  on 
credentials,  to  lie  over  for  at  least  one  day.  It  was  also  decided  that 
legislation,  in  future,  should  be  by  bill,  as  in  congress.  For  the  first 
time  representatives  were  not  recognized  unless  clothed  in  proper  regalia. 

New  York  continued  to  make  trouble, — the  credentials  of  her  four 
representatives  were  informal,  and  they  were  not  seated.  They  filed  a 
protest,  and  a  sx)ecial  committee  was  selected  to  review  the  situation. 
There  were  two  constitutions  and  two  Grand  Lodges  in  the  belligerent 
state,  designated  as  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Northern  and  Southern  New 
York.  The  report  of  the  committee,  which  was  adopted,  with  one 
trifling  amendment,  divided  the  state,  giving  it  the  two  Grand  Lodges  it 
desired,  and  also  two  Grand  Encampments,  specifying  the  boundaries  of 
each  jurisdiction. 

The  Session  of  1849. — "^^^  ^^^^  ^  California  about  this  time,  after 
gold,  carried  with  it  a  great  number  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  a  lodge  was 
chartered  by  the  Grand  Sire  to  be  located  in  San  Francisco,  and  called 
California  Lodge,  No.  1. 

A  standing  committee  on  printing  was  appointed  by  the  Grand  Sire, 
under  an  order  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  session  in  1848. 

The  apparently  senseless  law  prohibiting  subordinates  from  corre- 
sponding with  one  another  without  the  consent  of  their  Grand  Lodges, 
was  repealed.  The  constitution  was  so  far  amended  that  the  expenses  of 
all  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  except  salaried  officers,  in  attending 
the  sessions,  should  be  paid  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  manner  of  select- 
ing Grand  Representatives  was  left  to  the  subordinate  Grand  bodied. 

The  officers  were  installed  the  second  day,  and  a  resolution  was 
adopted  to  install  in  future  on  the  first  day  of  the  session,  after  the 
reading  of  the  journal.  "  Sutherland's  Manual "  was  adopted  for  use  in 
the  Grand  Lodge  and  recommended  to  subordinates. 

The  portrait  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Horn  K.  Kneass  was  ordered  to  be 
painted. 


114  THE  THBEE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

The  Grand  Lodge  decided  that  written  resignation  severed  connection 
entirely;  if  the  resigning  brother  was  in  good  standing  at  the  time;  that 
the  Order  should  not  open  its  doors  to  the  deaf^  dumb^  or  blind;  that  it 
should  not  attempt  to  say  to  its  members  what  they  should  drink;  and 
that  members  jBan  only  be  expelled  by  proper  trials  upon  charges  preferred. 

The  Grand  Lodge  adjourned^  to  meet  in  Cincinnati  in  1850,  to  revise 
the  constitution. 

At  the  close  of  1842,  there  were  two  hundred  and  sisrty-five  lodges 
with  24,160  members,  paying  into  the  treasuries  of  those  lodges  $163,719, 
annually,  and  $43,435  for  relief.  In  seven  years,  at  the  end  of  the  year 
1849,  which  we  have  just  reached,  behold  the  wonderful  increase!  There 
were  now  seven  hundred  and  twenty-seven  lodges  and  139,242  members. 
The  revenue  was  $886,174,  and  they  paid  annually  for  relief  $365,556. 
The  additions  to  these  sums  by  the  encampments  swelled  them  over 
$80,000  in  revenue,  and  added  $26,000  to  that  paid  for  relief. 

Small  wonder  that  the  Order  grew;  such  deeds  of  charity  were  inevi- 
tably bound  to  recruit  its  ranks.  It  is  no  cause  for  surprise  that  cold 
prejudice,  against  this  brotherhood,  was  melting  in  the  warm  effulgence 
of  its  beautiful  charity,  and  that  even  its  enemies  exclaimed:  ''Great 
isOddFeUowshipI" 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  SISTH  PERIOD:   1860-1866. 

"  Oh  fairest  of  creation !  last  and  best 
Of  all  God's  works !  creature  in  whom  excelled 
Whatever  can  to  sight  or  thought  be  formed 
Holy,  divine,  good,  amiable,  or  sweet  I '' 

The  '* Adjourned"  and  Regular  Sessions  of  1850.  —  The  adjourned  ses- 
sion held  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  September,  1850,  was  in  most  respects 
a  dismal  failure.  The  absence  of  a  quorum  caused  the  Grand  Lodge  to 
adjourn  from  day  to  day,  —  from  Monday  until  Friday,  —  when  at  last  a 
quorum  was  obtained  and  the  body  began  its  work.  A  large  number  of 
amendments  to  the  constitution  were  proposed,  and  laid  on  the  table  for 
consideration  at  the  annual  session,  which  was  to  open,  according  to  law, 
the  following  Monday,  in  the  same  city.  Ko  other  business,  save  this, 
could  be  considered  at  the  "  special "  meeting,  held  under  a  resolution, 
adopted  at  the  session  of  1849,  which  fixed  the  time,  place  of  meeting, 
and  designated  the  object  for  which  it  was  called. 

An  Instance  of  Direct  Taxation. — The  representatives  did,  however, 
find  the  time  and  (all  being  interested)  obtained  unanimous  consent  to 
talk  about  money,  and  they  divided  among  themselves  the  first  mileage 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  115 

and  per  diem  ever  sanctioned  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  representatives 
received  9S  per  day^  and  six  cents  a  mile^  for  the  distance  travelled^  one 
way.  The  two  days'  meeting  cost  the  round  sum  of  $5053.32.  The 
annual  session^  held  the  following  week  in  the  same  place,  cost  in  mileage 
andpef  diem  $6413. 72^  of  which  amount  $3351.76  was  paid  for  mileage. 
This  seems  even  now,  as  it  did  then,  to  the  jurisdictions  who  were  com- 
pelled to  pay  the  money,  an  act  of  gross  injustice.  The  officers  and 
members  were  in  Cincinnati,  did  not  go  home,  and  so  travelled  '^no 
miles  "  to  attend  the  annual  session.  To  raise  this  large  sum  an  assess- 
ment was  levied  upon  each  jurisdiction  of  six  and  one-fourth  cents  per 
member.     It  cost  the  Order  of  Pennsylvania  alone  $2079.12. 

A  most  righteous  "howl"  arose  all  over  the  land,  except  in  a  few 
states  like  Texas,  Arkansas,  and  Wisconsin,  where  the  assessment  was 
less  than  ten  dollars.  A  vigorous  protest  was  filed;  the  Grand  Lodge 
repealed  the  law  providing  an  annual  assessment  for  mileage  and  per 
diem;  the  jurisdictions  gradually  paid  up  their  arrearages,  finding  what 
consolation  they  might  in  the  reflection  that  they  would  sin  no  more 
in  that  direction;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  took  into  consideration  other 
and  more  equitable  ways  and  means  of  providing  the  necessary  funds  for 
its  treasury.  This  was  a  duty  put  upon  the  finance  committee  for  the 
first  time,  in  1850,  when  they  were  directed  to  prepare  and  report  an 
estimate  of  the  probable  expense  of  holding  the  next  annual  session,  and 
other  expenses  for  the  current  year. 

The  finance  committee  performed  its  duty  as  well  as  any  work  is  usu- 
ally done  which  is  guided  mainly  by  conjecture.  Their  report,  which 
was  adopted,  maintained  the  per  diem  for  the  present  at  $3,  but  increased 
the  mileage  rate  by  making  it  five  cents  a  mile  for  the  actual  distance 
travelled  in  coming  to,  and  returning  from,  the  sessions  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  It  also  provided  that  no'  representative  from  a  jurisdiction 
delinquent  in  the  payment  of  the  assessment  for  this  purpose,  levied  in 
1850,  should  take  his  seat  until  the  same  was  fully  paid.  It  was  a 
coercive  measure,  and  though  it  worked  slowly,  it  finally  brought  in  the 
money.  Not  in  time,  however,  for  the  Grand  Secretary  said  in  his 
report  in  1851  that  on  account  of  the  neglect,  or  failure,  of  the  juris- 
dictions to  pay  these  assessments  promptly,  the  Grand  Lodge  had  lost  a 
thousand  dollars  through  being  compelled  to  force  the  sale  of  some  of  its 
investments,  upon  an  unappreciative  market,  in  order  to  provide  the 
funds  to  meet  the  demands  upon  its  treasury. 

In  1850  the  salary  of  the  Grand  Messenger  was  increased  to-  $500, 
and  that  of  the  Grand  Treasurer  to  $200. 

The  report  of  the  Grand  Sire  was  very  short.  It  presented  that 
officer's  congratulations  upon  the  peaceful  state  of  affairs  in  New  York, 
since  the  division  of  authority  there,  and  gave  some  good  and  wholesome 


116  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

advice  as  to  the  proposed  changes  iu  the  constitution,  chief  of  which  was 
his  idea  that  all  proposed  amendments  should  first  be  submitted  to  the 
subordinate  Grand  bodies  for  their  sanction. 

The  Grand  Secretary's  report  was  as  voluminous  as  ever.  It  showed 
a  most  comfortable  financial  condition.  The  debt  of  $4000,  incurred  to 
assist  Wildey  last  year,  had  been  paid,  and  that  without  embarrassment 
to  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  disturbing  its  invested  funds. 

The  Initial  Step  resulting  in  the  Degree  of  Rebekah.  — By  far  the  most 
important  event  of  this  session, —  the  one  most  far-reaching  and  bene- 
ficial in  its  results  and  in  its  effect  upon  the  whole  Order, — was  the 
initial  step  taken,  which,  finally,  resulted  in  founding  the  since  famous 
Degree  of  Bebekah.  After  the  adoption  of  cards  for  the  wives  and 
widows  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  1845,  the  ladies  had  been  left  silently  alone 
for  the  space  of  five  years.  The  journal  of  the  first  day  of  the  session  in 
ISoO  shows  that  Eepresentative  W.  L.  G.  Smith,  of  Northern  New  York, 
presented  a  resolution,  which  was  at  first  referred  to  the  committee  on 
the  state  of  the  Order,  directing  that  committee  to  inquire  into  the  pro- 
priety of  instituting  honorary  degrees ;  one  for  the  wives  and  daughters 
of  Scarlet  degree  members,  and  one  for  those  of  past  officers.  The 
conundrum  was,  evidently,  too  deep,  or  the  responsibility  to  the  ladies 
too  great,  for  the  timid  members  of  that  committee,  so  the  solution  of 
the  problem  was  turned  over  to  the  legislative  committee.  Two  members 
of  that  committee  reported  adversely  to  the  proposition;  the  other 
member,  Schuyler  Colfax,  of  Indiana,  whose  memory,  on  account  of  this 
act,  is  revered  to-day,  not  only  by  the  Daughters  of  Eebekab  but  by  the 
whole  Order,  presented  a  report  which  was  adopted.  It  embodied  a 
^^ Lady's  degree''  for  the  wives  of  Scarlet  degree  members. 

A  special  committee,  of  which  Colfax  was  chairman,  was  appointed 
to  prepare  the  degree  for  the  wives  and  daughters  of  Scarlet  members,  and 
to  report  it,  in  their  idea  of  completeness,  at  next  session. 

The  Grand  Lodge  amused  itself  in  a  dignified,  serio-comic  manner 
with  much  talk  about  "  bills  ";  the  phrase,  ^'and  be  it  further  enacted  by 
the  authority  aforesaid,"  decorating  many  pages  of  the  journal.  This 
aping  of  Congress  did  not  go  on  very  long.  The  ways  of  the  wily  politi- 
cian were  far  too  intricate  and  procrastinating  to  suit  the  views  of  sensible, 
practical  people  who  knew  what  they  wanted,  and  how  it  could  be  most 
speedily  accomplished. 

Most  of  the  constitutional  amendments  were  postponed, —  to  be  con- 
sidered at  the  session  of  1851. 

William  W.  Moore,  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  was  elected  Grand 
Sire;  H.  L.  Page,  of  Missouri,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Bidgely  and  Warner 
being  retained  in  the  offices  they  had  held  so  long. 

A  Grand  Encampment  was  chartered  in  Illinois.     The  portrait  of 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  117 

Past  Grand  Sire  Horn  E.  Kneass  was  purchased,  at  an  expense  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  $100. 

The  Grand  Lodge  reasserted  its  right  to  meet  when  and  where  it 
pleased,  the  opinion  and  protest  of  the  Maryland  contingent  to  the  con- 
trary notwithstanding.  It  likewise  revoked  the  order  for  the  translation 
of  the  work  into  the  Welsh  language.  It  permitted  past  grand  sires 
to  occupy  seats,  make  motions,  and  join  in  debate  in  the  Grand  Lodge, 
but  vested  the  right  of  suffrage  in  that  body  in  the  Grand  Representatives 
alone. 

The  Seesion  of  1851.  —  When  the  session  opened  in  Baltimore,  in  1851, 
the  officers  were  installed  on  the  first  day,  immediately  after  the  report 
of  the  committee  on  credentials  had  been  received.  Grand  Sire  Griffin's 
report  was  short,  explicit,  and  characteristic.  Its  terse  sentences  of  con- 
gratulation upon  the  growth  and  wide  extent  of  Odd  Fellowship  were 
eloquent  and  beautiful;  the  Grand  Secretary  followed  in  the  same  vein, 
and  the  session  was  very  happy  and  harmonious. 

The  adoption  of  the  '' Female  degree,"  as  the  journal  quaintly  styles 
it,  gave  the  Grand  Sire  an  opportunity  to  rule  upon  one  of  his  own 
decisions.  The  point  was  raised,  against  the  adoption  of  the  degree,  that 
changes  in  the  work  could  only  be  made  by  a  four-fifths  vote,  and  the 
Grand  Sire  ruled  that  the  adoption  of  this  degree  changed  no  part  of 
the  work.  This  decision  was  appealed,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  divided 
itself  equally  on  the  point.  The  '^casting  vote  of  the  Grand  Sire  in  case 
of  a  tie  "  saved  the  "  Female  degree,"  in  the  moment  of  its  greatest  peril. 
It  was  then  adopted  by  a  vote  of  46  to  37,  the  degree  printed  and  bound  in 
a  separate  volume  to  be  sold  as  supplies  at  one  dollar  a  copy. 

For  the  first  time  the  equitable  plan  of  numbering  the  desks,  and 
drawing  for  seats,  was  introduced,  and  ordered  to  be  practised  at  the  next 
session.  The  increasing  membership  of  the  Grand  Lodge  made  necessary 
the  purchase  of  more  desks  and  chairs. 

A  Grand  Lodge  was  chartered  in  Florida.  The  right  to  fix  the  time 
and  place  of  meeting  of  Grand  bodies  was  delegated  to  them.  The  finan- 
cial condition  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  was  again  reported  to  be  in  a 
most  deplorable  condition,  and  the  committee,— to  whom  was  referred 
the  question  of  further  providing  for  the  old  warrior,  broken  in  health 
and  fortune  in  his  old  age,, —  urged  the  Order  everywhere  to  rally  to  his 
support.  A  Wildey  fund  was  established,  and  though  the  response  to 
the  call  for  help  was  not  very  generous,  the  Grand  Lodge  so  provided 
that  he  was  never  allowed  to  suffer.  Since  the  session  in  1847,  though 
the  record  shows  that  he  was  present  at  several  sessions  during  the  time, 
his  name  does  not  appear  in  the  roster  of  officers  and  members  present  at 
any  meeting.     He  died  in  1861. 

The  Washington  Monument.  —  The  building  of  the  Washington  monu- 


118  THE  THBEE-LINk  FRATERNITY. 

ment  was  attracting  general  attention,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  contributed 
a  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollar  block  of  marble  toward  the  stately  shaft, 
bearing  upon  its  polished  face  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  an  appro- 
priate inscription,  the  work  of  Brother  Peter  Fritz,  which  was  highly 
complimented  by  the  Grand  Sire.  The  President  of  the  United  States 
sent  a  letter  of  acceptance  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  which  he  said  the 
block  of  marble  did  equal  honor  to  th^  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  to  him 
whose  memory  the  monument  was  being  built  to  commemorate. 

Colfax  added  to  his  own  reputation,  and  the  exchequer  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  by  returning  fifteen  dollars  which  had  been  paid  to  him  as  mile- 
age, in  excess  of  what  he  thought  he  was  entitled  to  receive. 

The  Grand  Secretary  was  directed  to  mail  tjp  each  Grand  Bepresenta- 
tive  eight  copies  of  the  published  proceedings.  Final  cards  issued  by  the 
Order  in  British  North  America  were  declared  valid  in  the  United  States. 
^'  Sutherland's  Manual "  was  discarded,  and  Luther  J.  Gushing's  substi- 
tuted. The  various  Grand  bodies  were  directed  to  prepay  postage  on  all 
matter  sent  by  them  through  the  mails  to  the  Grand  Secretary.  It  was 
decided  that  a  member  could  not  be  reported  in  "  good  standing  "  while  his 
lodge  held  his  unpaid  note  for  dues,  and  that  expelled  members  could 
not  be  lawfully  reinstated  in  another  jurisdiction  without  the  written  con- 
sent of  that  in  which  they  had  been  expelled. 

The  Session  of  1853.  —  The  session  of  1852  was  held  in  Baltimore. 
The  report  of  Grand  Sire  Moore  shows  him  to  have  been  a  man  some- 
thing after  the  fashion  of  Alexander  the  Great,  who  wept  because  he 
could  find  no  more  worlds  to  conquer.  He  reports  the  Order  established 
in  all  but  two  states  of  the  Union,  — a  Grand  Encampment  having  been 
chartered  in  Iowa  during  the  year. 

The  Grand  Secretary  reported  that  the  London  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
in  England,  had  made  overtures  for  a  union  with  us,  but  these  the  Grand 
Lodge  refused  to  consider  unless  the  Order  in  England  would  adopt  and 
conform  to  all  the  usages,  forms,  and  practices  laid  down  in  the  work 
of  the  Order  in  the  United  States.  The  communication  from  England 
purported  to  represent  the  united  wish  of  233,000  Odd  Fellows  in  Great 
Britain. 

An  addition  was  made  to  the  eligibility  clause  in  the  ''  Female  degree," 
declaring  that  it  might  with  propriety  be  conferred  on  the  widows  of  Odd 
Fellows  of  the  Scarlet  degree  who  had  died  in  good  standing.  Some 
conditions  of  a  peculiar  nature  accompanied  the  ''bill"  granting  this, 
and  clearly  show  the  marked  suspicion  with  which  this  degree  was 
regarded  from  its  incipiency,  — a  suspicion  which  exists  in  the  minds  of 
many  to  this  day,  —  and  further  illustrates  the  extreme  caution  with 
which  all  forward  steps  were  taken  toward  its  perfection.  These  con- 
ditions were:  That  the  woman  should  remain  a  widow;  that  the  degree 


THE  SOVEBEIGN  QRANB  LODGE.  119 

should  be  taken  in  the  lodge  of  which  her  husband  was  a  member  at  the 
date  of  his  demise;  and  that  other  women  and  their  husbands  should  be 
present,  receiving  the  degree  at  the  same  time  it  was  conferred  pn  her. 
It  was,  in  those  days  of  its  early  history,  an  honorary  degree,  conferred 
without  fee. 

At  the  election,  Wilmot  G.  DeSaussure,  of  South  Carolina,  was  elected 
Grand  Sire;  Horace  A.  Manchester,  of  Rhode  Island,  Deputy  Grand 
Sire ;  and  Ridgely,  Grand  Secretary.  Seven  nominations  were  made  for 
Grand  Treasurer,  Andrew  E.  Warner  being  the  first  on  the  list.  After 
two  ballots  had  been  taken,  an  inquiry  was  made  in  the  third  person, 
singular  number,  by  Representative  Chester,  of  Michigan.  He  wanted 
to  know  whether  Brother  Warner,  as  Grand  Treasurer,  had  obeyed  an 
order  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  passed  at  its  last  session,  requiring  him  to 
mvest  its  surplus  in  six  per  cent.  United  States  bonds.  By  permission 
Brother  Warner  was  allowed  to  make  the  humiliating  statement  that  he 
was  not  aware  such  a  resolution  had  been  passed  at  the  last  session. 
It  cost  him  his  office  as  Grand  Treasurer.  Two  more  ballots  finished  the 
race,  and  Joshua  Yansant,  of  Maryland,  who  had  been  second  in  the  con- 
test from  the  beginning,  won  by  five  votes,  and  so  ended  the  career  of  a 
faithful  officer,  whose  fidelity  in  the  discharge  of  his  trust,  during  so 
many  years,  should  have  excused  him  for  so  trifling  a  delinquency  as 
the  one  above  mentioned,  and  which  involved  the  small  matter  of  a  few 
dollars  in  interest,  and  nothing  else.  His  successor  proved  himself,  in 
every  way,  worthy  of  the  confidence  reposed.  He  earned  and  maintained 
the  sobriquet  of  "Honest  Joshua,"  and  was  Grand  Treasurer,  without  a 
single  vacation,  up  to  the  date  of  his  death  in  1884.  The  bond  of  the 
Grand  .Treasurer  was  increased  to  f  10,000  in  1852. 

The  Grand  Lodge  decided  that  a  subordinate  lodge  had  no  power  to 
adjourn,  but  must  be  closed  in  due  form ;  that  it  could  not  have  a  book  of 
the  "diagrams";  that  the  reconsideration  of  a  ball  ballot  was  inad- 
missible, though  it  might  be  scrutinized  if  fraud  was  charged,  and,  if 
established,  a  new  ballot  taken;  that  suspension  from  membership  was  a 
form  of  punishment  which  did  not  at  the  same  time  suspend  tha  accu- 
mulation of  dues,  pending  the  fulfilment  of  the  sentence;  that  visiting 
cards  could  be  granted  only  by  the  subordinate  of  which  the  brother 
applying  for  the  card  was  a  member;  and  that  in  the  formation  of  pro- 
cessions, precedence  could  be  accorded  therein  to  that  branch  of  the 
Order  in  whose  behalf  the  procession  was  organized. 

The  Grand  Sire  decided,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  approved  the  decision, 
that  duplicates  of  lost  visiting  cards  could  be  issued.  This  was  surely  a 
bad  law.  A  lost  original  card  in  the  hands  of  a  dishonest  man,  who  knew 
how  to  use  it,  would  equip  him  well  for  a  tour  of  those  rural  districts 
where  the  brethren  are  more  famous  for  deeds  of  charity,  done  with- 


120  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

out  suspicion  of  the  applicant,  than  for  their  knowledge  of  the  unwritten 
mysteries,  or  a  familiarity  with  the  ways  of  the  wicked. 

A  ceremony  for  opening  and  closing  degree  lodges  was  adopted^  and 
the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned. 

The  Session  of  1853.  — It  was  called  to  order  in  Philadelphia,  Septem- 
ber 5,  1853,  under  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  adopted  in  1851. 
The  officers  were  installed,  as  usual,  on  the  first  day.  Under  the  prac- 
tice of  this  rule,  the  anomaly  was  presented  once  in  two  years  of  listening 
to  the  report  of  the  Grand  Sire  after  he  had  surrendered  that  office  to  his 
successor,  but  this  was  soon  changed. 

Grand  Lodges  had  been  chartered  during  the  year  in  California  and 
Minnesota,  and  Grand  Secretary  Eidgely  reported  the  demise  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  British  North  America,  —  cause,  simple  inanition. 

The  Grand  Lodge  participated  in  its  first  public  procession;  at  least 
the  records  give  no  account  of  a  former  appearance.  By  invitation  of  the 
mayor,  the  body  marched  to  Liberty  Hall^  clothed  in  the  regalia  of  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

But  little  work  of  importance  was  done  during  the  session,  besides 
the  presentation  of  a  masterly  and  very  exhaustive  report,  by  a  special 
committee,  upon  that  ever-perplexing  pitoblem  of  the  proper  relation 
between  dues  and  benefits.  That  report,  with  accompanying  tables  of 
statistics  and  estimates,  occupies  fifty-eight  pages  of  the  revised  journal. 
A  donation  of  $500  was  sent  to  New  Orleans,  and  one-half  as  much  to 
Mobile,  to  be  used  in  aid  of  the  sufferers  from  yellow  fever  in  those 
cities.  The  Eebekah  degree  was  ordered  to  be  translated  into  the  Ger- 
man language;  several  former  attempts  to  accomplish  this,  and  to  have 
other  translations  made  in  French  and  Spanish,  had  failed.  The  visiting 
card  was  improved  by  requiring  that  the  several  benefits  to  which  the 
holder  was  entitled  should  be  expressed  in  the  card,  and  the  lodge  issu- 
ing it  should  be  responsible  for  refunding  all  moneys  so  paid  by  other 
lodges.  The  certificate  of  a  reputable  physician  was,  for  the  first  time, 
required  to  be  produced  in  presenting  the  claims  of  a  visiting  brother  for 
benefits,  in  other  jurisdictions  than  that  of  his  own  subordinate  lodge,  or 
encampment.  The  Grand  Lodge  decided  that  lodges  should  extend  to 
"  lunatic  members  '^  the  same  benefits  that  are  given  to  brothers  of  equal 
rank  when  afflicted  with  bodily  infirmities. 

The  Session  of  1654.  — When  the  Grand  Lodge  assembled,  September 
4,  1854,  in  Baltimore,  the  Grand  Sire  reported,  that  though  he  had  visited 
Canada,  and  made  an  honest  effort  to  resuscitate  the  Grand  Lodge  there, 
he  had  failed.  He  found  only  six  lodges  at  work,  but  so  lively  an  inter- 
est did  his  visit  awaken,  that  at  the  time  of  making  his  report,  fifteen 
were  actively  engaged  in  the  work  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  the  entire 
fifteen  were  quite  unanimous  in  a  request  to  be  taken  under  the  jurisdic- 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  121 

tion  of  this  Grand  Lodge  once  more.  The  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
British  North  America  was  surrendered^  and  the  Dominion  again  placed 
within  the  loving  arms  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

The  Grand  Secretary  reported  that*  he  had  bought  a  new  seal  and 
letter-press,  so  there  was  nothing  left  for  complaint  in  his  department. 
The  new  constitution  and  by-laws,  submitted  in  1853^  were  considered, 
variously  amended,  and  finally  adopted. 

The  overtures  of  the  Manchester  Unity,  for  the  establishment  of 
reciprocal  relations  with  the  Order  in  America,  were  met  with  the  sug- 
gestion that  the  proposition  could  not  be  considered,  unless  they  first 
adopted  the  work  and  usages  practised  here.  A  proposal  to  admit  the 
Chinese  to  membership  was  met  with  '^  ifs  "  enough  to  keep  a  Chinaman 
outside,  which,  in  the  judgment  of  the  present  scribe,  is  the  only  proper 
attitude  this  race  should  be  allowed  to  assume  toward  this  Order. 

The  Grand  Lodge  decided  that  noble  and  vice  grands  should  receive 
the  Degree  of  Rebekah  before  they  were  installed;  that  the  true  spirit 
of  Odd  Fellowship  appeared  to  be  opposed  to  the  policy  of  fining  of&cers 
for  non-attendance ;  that  the  expulsion  of  members  for  the  non-payment 
of  dues  was  a  matter  left  to  local  legislation,  but  that  the  names  of 
members  expelled  for  this  cause  should  not  be  published;  and  that  all 
balloting  for  degrees  should  take  place  when  the  lodge  was  open  in  the 
degree  for  which  application  was  made. 

The  Session  of  2855.  — Under  the  new  constitution  the  Grand  Lodge 
met  September  17,  1855,  in  Baltimore.  There  were  one  hundred  and 
four  representatives  entitled  to  seats.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  becoming 
a  large,  as  well  as  a  dignified  body,  —  the  two  graces  mentioned  being 
better  proportioned  at  this  than  at  any  previous  session.  The  officers 
elected  in  1854  were  installed  on  the  first  day,  at  "twelve  and  a  half 
o'clock,'^  says  the  journal  in  small  capitals;  but  the  reports  of  the  Grand 
Sire,  Grand  Secretary,  and  Grand  Treasurer  were  presented  before  the 
installation  this  time.  William  Ellison,  of  Massachusetts,  was  installed 
Grand  Sire;  George  W.  Race,  of  Louisiana,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Ridgely 
and  Vansant,  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Treasurer,  respectively. 

The  Grand  Sire's  report  was  as  flowery  and  eloquent  as  the  South 
Carolinian  himself.  He  quoted  his  decisions,  which  were  all,  in  the 
main,  approved.  The  Grand  Secretary  reported  two  Grand  Lodges 
chartered ;  one  was  in  the  Lower  Provinces,  and  one  in  Canada  West, 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  Order  in  British 
North  America  was  in  a  flourishing  condition  once  more.  He  had  gone 
there  in  person,  received  an  ovation,  and  infused  new  life  into  the 
brethren  of  that  section. 

The  little  tricks,  foibles,  and  conventionalities  of  politicians,  in  com- 
mon use  in  Congress,  were  beginning  to  prove  ill-adapted  to  this  practical 


122  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Grand  Lodge^  and  changes  toward  a  more  sane  basis  were  made.  When 
Milton  J.  Durham,  of  Kentucky,  who  afterward  became  Grand  Sire,  and 
who  was  present  for  the  first  time  this  year,  rose  to  address  the  Grand 
Lodge,  he  was  recognized  by  the  Grand  Sire  as  "the  representative  from 
Kentucky,"  instead  of  that  "starchier"  style,  "the  gentleman  from  Ken- 
tucky," in  vogue  in  political  assemblies. 

The  Grand  Sire  decided  that  the  act  of  suicide,  alone,  did  not  release 
a  subordinate  lodge  from  the  payment  of  benefits  to  the  family  of  a 
deceased  brother. 

There  were  now  eleven  standing  committees  consisting  of  three 
members  each.  The  mileage  and  per  diem  of  this  session  amounted  to 
$10,948.20;  and,  by  resolution,  the  mileage  was  reduced  to  four  cents, 
and  the  per  diem  to  $2. 

There  were  three  thousand  three  hundred  and  thirteen  lodges,  with 
200,600  members,  in  1855.  The  annual  receipts,  in  all  subordinates, 
were  reported  to  be  $1,243,740,  and  they  paid  for  relief  $579,612. 

It  might  not  be  uninteresting  to  compare  these  figures  with  those 
reported  in  1849,  but  they  are  entirely  unreliable,  as  to  totals  at  least.  ^ 
For  instance,  in  the  Grand  Secretary's  tabulated  statement  in  1849,  the 
whole  number  of  lodges  is  stated  to  be  727;  the  column  foots  1844.  The 
revenue  from  subordinate  lodges  is  given  as  $886,174;  the  correct  ad- 
dition of  the  figures  in  that  line  is  $946,006.  Contributing  members  are 
summed  up  as  139,242,  whereas  the  column  foots  144,596,  and  the  total 
amount  paid  for  relief  is  footed  at  (about)  $11,000  less  than  it  should  be, 
according  to  the  figures  contained  in  that  line  of  the  report.  In  this 
criticism  of  that  table,  cents  are  omitted  in  all  cases.  It  is  comforting 
to  note,  iti  the  later  reports,  that  details  such  as  these  are  expressed  with 
a  keen  regard  for  accuracy. 

When  we  embrace,  in  a  comprehensive  glance,  the  wide  domain  so 
speedily  acquired  and  organized  into  one  systematic  whole,  errors  in 
estimating  the  details  of  the  work  sink  into  insignificance,  and  thegr  cast 
no  suspicion  upon  the  under-paid  and  overworked  officer  who.  had  these 
matters  in  his  charge,  especially  when  contrasted  with  the  wholesale 
beneficence  of  the  Order  among  its  votaries. 

>  Not6  by  th6  JBdUor-in-Chie/,  —  It  1b  probable  tliat  the  statistics  of  1866,  also,  oould  haye  been  reyised 
in  the  interest  of  accuracy,  —  a  revision  now  impossible.  There  is  quite  a  discrepancy,  for  Instance,  between 
the  Vermont  state  records  and  the  Journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  no  doubt  caused  in  part 
by  the  internal  strife  in  the  Green  Mountain  Jurisdiction  at  that  time,  and  noted  elsewhere  under  the  proper 
heading.  In  1858  Vermont  reported  112T  members  in  twenty-six  lodges,  and  in  18S5  the  number  had  been 
reduced  to  522,  —given  as  1020  in  the  Journal ;  in  1856  as  780.  There  Is  a  possibility  that  the  remark  of  the 
concluding  paragraph  as  to  the  Grand  Secretary  may  have  been  equally  true  of  state  officers  of  that  rank. 
It  will  also  be  seen  upon  a  perusal  of  the  article  on  Brlttsh  North  America,  that  the  statistics  ft-om  that 
Jurisdiction  were  quite  likely  unreliable.  The  fifteen  lodges,  p.  120,  were  virtually  dormant,  although 
included  in  the  aggregate  membership. 


5:  as; 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  123 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE  SEVENTH  PEBIOD:  1866-1864. 

"  War  I  that  in  a  moment  ' 
Lay'st  waste  the  noblest  part  of  the  creation, 
The  boast  and  masterpiece  of  the  great  Maker, 
That  wears  in  yain  th'  impression  of  His  image, 
Unprivileged  from  Thee." 

The  Session  of  1856.  — The  signs  of  the  civil  war  which  was  soon  to 
break  over  this  fair  land,  in  a  deluge  of  blood  and  desolation, — those 
signs  so  easily  and  clearly  discerned  by  the  historians  who  ''told  you 
so/'  after  the  disaster  had  befallen,  — were  not  observed  by  the  happy 
band  of  officers  and  representatives  composing  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its 
session  in  Baltimore,  in  September,  1856. 

The  Grand  Sire  was  detained  at  his  home  by  illness,  but  he  sent  a 
most  excellent  report,  and  the  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Greorge  W.  Race, 
who  reigned  in  his  stead,  deported  himself  so  courteously  and  so  wisely, 
as  to  elicit  the  unanimous  approbation  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  was 
testified  in  a  vote  of  compliments  and  thanks,  and  his  promotion  to  the 
office  of  Grand  Sire. 

The  Grand  Secretary  reported  a  satisfactory  state  of  afPairs  in  depart- 
ments financial,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  had  a  most  delightful  meeting. 
The  foundation  of  a  custom,  of  which  much  complaint  was  subsequently 
made,  that  of  ''junketing,''  was  laid  at  this  session.  The  fraternity  in 
Norfolk,  Virginia,  invited  the  Grand  Lodge  to  visit  that  city,  and  take 
the  leading  rdle  in  the  dedication  of  a  new  hall  just  completed.  Captain 
Pugh  offered  the  free  use  of  his  steamboat,  the  Hunter  Woodia,  for  which 
he  afterward  received  a  copy  of  a  resolution  expressing  the  thanks  of  the 
Grand  Lodge, — the  offer  was  accepted,  and  the  Grs^d  Lodge  enjoyed 
hugely  its  first  picnic. 

Some  decisions  unique,  and  others  of  importance,  were  made  upon 
various  points  of  law.  Grand  Masters  were,  evidently,  enjoying  ad 
naiLseam,  the  honors  of  the  Order  on  all  visits  made  to  lodges.  It  was 
specified  that  they  were  due  only  on  official  visitations.  Visitors  were 
required  to  sign  their  names  on  their  cards,  in  the  presence  of  the  examin- 
ing committees.  If  one  signed  often,  writing  his. name  in  a  hand  large 
enough  to  entitle  him  to  credit  without  surety,  space  on  the  back  of  his 
card  would  soon  go  to  a  high  premium.  The  more  practical  idea  occurred, 
later,  of  having  the  visitor  identify  his  signature  on  his  card  by  simply 
writing  his  name  in  the  visitor's  register.  A  brother  holding  a  with- 
drawal card  was  declared  entitled  to  the  A.T.P.W.  for  one  year. 

It  was  decided  further,  that  the  officers  of  subordinates  could  not  be 


124  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

lawfully  installed  until  the  term  reports  were  completed,  and  all  dues  to 
Grand  bodies  paid;  that  the  dues  acoumulating  during  a  sentence  of 
suspension  might  be  remitted;  and  that  the  fees  charged  for  initiations 
and  degrees  conferred  in  one  jurisdiction  upon  residents  of  another 
should  be  paid,  by  the  body  conferring  them,  to  the  subordinate  nearest 
the  residence  of  such  members. 

Members  of  the  Bebekah  degree  were  permitted  to  organize  for  the 
purpose  of  promoting  the  cause  of  benevolence.  This  entering  wedge 
permitted  the  vitalization  and  development  of  the  idea  now  fully  presented 
in  the  Eebekah  lodge. 

Amongst  the  rubbish  in  the  Grand  Secretary's  office  were  discovered 
seven  hundred  copies  of  the  defunct  Covenant,  They  were  declared  to  be 
of  no  more  value  than  so  much  waste  paper,  and  were  presented  to  mem- 
bers of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  demand.  The  Secretary  was  prohibited  from 
filling  orders  for  supplies,  unless  accompanied  by  the  cash  in  bankable 
funds  at  par.  The  numerical  strength  of  the  standing  committees  was 
increased  from  three  to  five  members. 

The  Session  of  1857.  — When  the  Grand  Lodge  assembled  in  Baltimore 
September  21,  1857,  the  officers  were  again  installed,  immediately  upon 
the  adoption  of  the  report  of  the  committee  on  credentials,  and  before 
the  reports  of  the  grand  officers  were  presented. 

George  W.  Race,  of  Louisiana,  was  installed  Grand  Sire;  Timothy 
G.  Senter,  of  New  Hampshire,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Ridgely  and  Vansant 
were  consecrated  anew  to  the  offices  of  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand 
Treasurer,  which  they  were  filling  with  so  much  satisfaction  to  all  con- 
cerned. The  GranS  Sire  in  his  report  refers  to  "hot  politics,"  evidently 
sniffing  the  smoke  of  battle  from  afar;  he  comments  in  graceful  style  on 
the  "  strength  of  union  " ;  assures  us  that  a  decline  in  the  interest  felt  in 
Odd  Fellowship  is  not  to  be  feared  in  the  rural  districts,  but  advises  that 
a  wary  eye  be  directed  toward  the  populous  centres  where  it  is  easy  to  be 
an  Odd  Fellow,  but  where  temptations  lie  in  wait  on  every  hand  to  lure 
the  careless  brother  from  the  walks  of  true  fraternity. 

The  Grand  Secretary  reports  the  last  lodge  in  Canada -East  dead,  but 
"  evens  up  matters  "  by  assuring  us  that  the  Order  is  highly  prosperous 
in  the  Lower  Provinces. 

This  session  did  not  distinguish  itself  above  the  ordinary  meeting,  by 
acts  of  special  importance,  except  that  it  adopted  the  amendment  to 
article  xiv.  of  the  constitution,  which  fixed  the  grand  representative  tax 
at  $75  for  each  representative;  and  that  to  article  iii.,  providing  for  the 
installation  of  the  grand  officers  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  at  which 
they  were  elected.  It  was  decided  that  a  Grand  Representative  must 
possess  all  the  qualifications  required  by  the  laws  at  the  time  of  his 
election,  and  a  copy  of  the  certificate  of  his  election  was  ordered  to  be 


THE  SOVEBEIQN  GRAND  LODGE.  125 

sent  to  the  Grand  Secretary.  Permission  was  granted  the  jurisdictions 
of  Washington  and  Oregon  to  unite,  as  one,  if  they  desired.  Granting 
dispensations  by  Grand  Masters  was  prohibited,  permitting  subordinates 
to  suspend  the  payment  of  weekly  benefits.  It  was  also  decided  that  the 
ballot  should  be  taken  separately  upon  any  number  of  applications  for 
membership  by  deposit  of  card,  and  the  method  of  taking  depositions  was 
carefully  provided  in  all  trial  cases  where  oral  testimony  was  unobtainable 
through  the  absence  of  witnesses. 

The  Session  of  1858.  —  A  new  element  was  interjected  into  the  proceed- 
ings of  September,  1858,  in  Baltimore,  by  the  reading  of  a  letter  from 
William  E.  Langley,  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Victorian  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  Australian  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  This  letter  was  ad- 
dressed to  the  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California,  and  gave 
an  account  of  the  existence  of  six  lodges  in  Australia,  all  in  a  flourishing 
condition  and  well  supplied  with  funds.  The  secondary  object  of  the 
letter  was  to  ask  for  information  and  instruction,  and  to  obtain  a  stock 
of  such  supplies  as  were  in  use  by  the  Order  in  America.  The  amicable 
tone  of  the  communication,  together  with  the  fact  that  it  had  opened  a 
correspondence  with  the  Order  in  America  upon  its  own  motion,  to  the 
exclusion  of  the  Manchester  Unity,  was  judged  wisely,  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  to  indicate  their  wish  to  become  allied  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  constructed  on  the  American  plan,  and  the  Grand 
Secretary  was  directed  to  open  communication,  officially,  with  them. 
The  progress  of  these  negotiations  in  their  advance  to  a  complete  and 
satisfactory  understanding  was  watched  with  interest. 

The  Grand  Sire's  report  demonstrated  that  the  jurisdictions  of  Oregon 
and  California  had  cost  the  Grand  Lodge  nearly  $3500  more  than  they 
had  contributed,  and  a  deficit  of  that  amount  in  its  treasury  would  not 
have  existed  but  for  this  fact. 

Celel>ration  in  New  York.  —  Grand  Lodges  were  chartered  in  Nebraska 
and  Kansas,  and  elaborate  preparations  were  made  to  celebrate  the  fortieth 
anniversary  of  the  Order.  A  grand  celebration  was  arranged  to  be  given 
in  New  York  city,  April  26,  1859.  In  view  of  the  impending  national 
disaster,  so  soon  to  come,  and  so  sure  to  disseminate  sentiments  directly 
opposed  to  the  teachings  of  fraternity,  it  was  fortunate  that  this  cele- 
bration preceded  the  civil  war;  for  its  tendency  was  to  secure, — by 
giving  an  object  lesson  in  the  numerical  strength  of  the  Order,  and  the 
length,  breadth,  and  depth  of  its  lessons  in  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth, 
—  a  closer  bond  of  union  between  its  members,  in  whatever  land  they 
dwelt. 

By  a  construction  of  the  clause,  "free  white  males,"  in  the  article  of 
the  constitution  defining  the  word  ^'  eligibility ''  to  mean  members  of  the 
pure  Caucasian  race,  the  people  of  China,  Polynesia,  etc.,  were  debarred. 


126  THE  THREE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Long  may  this^  the  true  and  proper  interpretation  of  those  three  vital 
words,  obtain,  for  in  the  day  that  the  word  "white"  is  stricken  from 
our  constitution,  or  its  meaning,  as  defined  above,  be  deviated  from  this 
truth  in  the  least,  the  star  of  Odd  Fellowship  will  begin  to  descend.  It 
will  go  down,  to  sink  behind  the  dark  waves  of  disgrace,  to  rise  no  more 
forever. 

Samuel  Craighead,  of  Ohio,  was  elected  and  installed  Grand  Sire; 
Edward  H.  Fitzhugh,  of  Virginia,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  and  the  record 
remained  unbroken  when  Eidgely  and  Vansant  had  their  "  old  harness 
readjusted  "  for  two  years'  additional  service  in  their  respective  positions.. 

The  constitution  was  amended  so  as  to  give  the  elective  officers  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  the  right  to  debate  and  make  motions,  but  they  could  not 
vote  unless  they  were,  at  the  same  time.  Grand  Representatives.  The 
appointed  officers  were  effectually  gagged  in  all  cases,  except  that  by  a 
majority  vote  of  the  Grand  Lodge  they  might  talk  a  little. 

It  was  decided  that  the  right  of  past  grands  to  vote  for  grand  officers 
was  inalienable;  that  a  subordinate,  accompanied  by  one  or  both  of  its 
chief  officers,  might  visit  another  subordinate  in  a  body;  and  the  right 
to  install  officers  in  public,  under  proper  restrictions  and  conditions,  was 
delegated  to  subordinates. 

An  *' Ancient  Odd  Fellow"  defined. — That  uncertain  quantity,  an 
"Ancient  Odd  Fellow,"  was  defined  by  a  definition  which  defined  him  to 
be  "no Odd  Fellow  at  all,"  though  the  diction  employed,  by  reason  of  its 
high-sounding  ambiguity,  tickled  the  fancy  of  that  nondescript  into  a 
belief  that  "he  was  a  kind  of  a  sort  of  an  Odd  Fellow  after  all." 

It  was  decided  inexpedient  to  charter  Grand  bodies,  in  future,  in 
jurisdictions  having  less  than  one  thousand  members. 

A  Ghost  Story.  —  Four  members  of  the  legislative  committee  had  some 
rarely  good  sport  during  this  session  with  a  ghost,  which  they  say  had 
for  years  strolled,  an  unwelcome  and  uninvited  visitor,  into  the  sacred 
precincts  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Their  report  upon  this  troublesome  and 
restless  spirit  is  so  well  stored  with  both  wit  and  sarcasm,  that  it  is 
reproduced  here  from  the  journal.  A  resolution  had  been  presented  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina,  asking  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  to  lengthen  the  terms  of  subordinates,  and  referred  to  the 
legislative  committee.  The  majority  report,  which  was  adopted,  was 
signed  by  Eepresentatives  Dwinelle,  Fitzhugh,  Buckingham,  and  Edwards, 
and  contains  the  following:  — 

"  Your  committee  on  legislation  wonld  respectfully  report,  that  they  have  examined 
the  subject-matter  referred  to  them,  and  they  cannot  recommend  the  proposed  extension 
of  the  terms  of  subordinates  to  twelve  months.  For  years  the  subject,  of  the  alteration  of 
the  terms  of  subordinates,  has  been  one  of  most  persistent  and  distressing  agitation  to  this 
body,  returning  like  an  annual  epidemic,  and  stalking  through  our  halls  like  an  unquiet 
ghost  in  a  haunted  mansion.     The  Grand  Lodge  tolerated  the  afflictive  visits  of  this 


THE  SOVEBmON  GRAND  LODGE.  127 

nnireloome  gaest,  with  the  meet  fearful  patience,  nntil  the  session  of  1851,  when  a  repre- 
sentative from  North  Carolina,  distingaished  alike  by  generous  qualities  of  head  and  heart, 
a  noble  devotion  to  the  Order,  and  a  courage  worthy  of  the  cause,  undertook  to  lay  the 
spirit  of  this  ghostly  visitor,  and  consign  it  to  a  lasting  tomb.  It  appears,  by  page  1758  of 
oor  journal,  that  this  pious  task  was  solemnly  accomplished ;  the  sepulchre  was  constructed 
and  the  unwelcome  wanderer  wrapped  in  the  cerements  of  the  grave,  its  troubled  spirit  no 
more  to  stalk  before  us  like  '  Banquo's  ghost,'  to  frighten  the  souls  of  fearful  representa- 
tives. The  restless  wanderer  was,  finally,  at  repose ;  its  catholic  burial  performed,  and  the 
requiem,  requiescat  in  pace,  mournfully  dirged  forth  to  the  solemn  air.  After  some  years 
of  quiet,  during  which  the  Grand  Lodge  had  become  perfectly  reconciled  to  the  absence  of 
its  departed  intimate,  the  air  suddenly  grows  cold  about  us  with  a  deathly  chill,  and  we  are 
aware  that  our  ghostly  visitor  has  returned  to  its  former  haunts.  We  look  around  for  an 
explanation  of  the  unwelcome  phenomenon,  and  are  appalled  to  find  that  North  Carolina, 
who  oonsigned  the  intruder  to  its  tomb,  and  volunteered  to  stand  as  a  sentinel  at  Its  portals ; 
that  North  Carolina  has,  herself,  broken  the  seal  of  the  sepulchre,  and  permitted  the  restless 
spirit  to  escape,  resume  its  wanderings,  and  its  persistent  annoyances.  We  recommend  its 
exorcism  by  the  passage  of  the  following  resolution.'* 

The  last  word  in  that  resolution  is  'inexpedient,"  and  after  reading 
the  logical  reasoning  of  the  committee,  in  the  body  of  the  report,  there  is 
small  room  left  for  surprise  at  its  adoption,  or  that  the  terms  of  sub- 
ordinates have  usually  remained  fixed  at  six  months. 

The  Session  of  1859.  — The  business  transacted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  at 
its  session  in  Baltimore,  in  September,  1859,  was  so  very  unimportant  as 
scarcely  to  deserve  mention.  The  Grand  Sire  congratulated  the  Order 
on  the  improved  moral  and  intellectual  condition  of  its  membership. 
There  were  still  no  shadows  cast  before  to  indicate  the  onward  march, 
and  near  approach  of  the  demon  war.  The  celebration  of  the  fortieth 
anniversary  in  New  York  is  noted,  and  seems  to  have  been  satisfactory 
and  reassuring  to  the  last  degree.  The  Grand  Encampment  of  Delaware 
gave  up  the  ghost.  It  was  decided  that  the  rank  or  degree  of  the  holder 
should  be  specified  in  visiting  cards;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned. 

The  Session  of  i860 :  The  War  Cloud.  —  Nashville  set  wide  open  her 
gates  in  a  true  Southern,  hospitable  welcome  to  the  Grand  Lodge  when 
it  assembled  in  that  city,  in  annual  session,  in  September,  1860,  the  last 
meeting  to  be  held  in ''  Dixie  "  for  fourteen  years,  when  it  met  in  Atlanta. 
The  session  was  held  in  the  House  of  Eepresentatives'  hall,  by  invitation 
of  the  authorities.  The  Grand  Lodge  marched  to  the  hall  in  procession, 
and  were  met  and  welcomed  by  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  city. 

The  Grand  Sire  sent  a  letter,  in  lieu  of  his  presence,  regretting  'Hhat 
business  of  a  private  and  public  nature"  kept  him  at  home,  in  Ohio; 
and  Edward  R.  Eitzhugh,  the  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  presided  so  exactly 
to  the  taste  and  satisfaction  of  the  members,  that  they  gave  him  a  vote 
of  thanks  and  had  his  picture  taken,  which  was  inserted  in  the  bound 
journal. 

Grand  Sire  Craighead  referred,  in  his  report,  to  the  dark  cloud  of  war 
which  was  plainly  visible  to  all  eyes  now,  and  strongly  appealed  to  the 


128  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

members  of  this  great  brotherhood  to  stand  steadfastly  by  the  teachings 
and  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship,  "come  what  might/' 

The  ravages  of  death  in  the  now  vast  membership,  and  the  increasing 
demand  for  obituary  notice-space  in  the  journals,  were  found  a  sufficient 
excuse  for  the  economical  legislation  which  provided  for  obituary  tab- 
lets in  the  journal,  upon  which  fitting  death  notices  should  be  recorded, 
in  lieu  of  obituary  resolutions,  —  in  all  cases,  except  past  grand  sires 
and  elective  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

A  visit  was  paid  to  the  tomb  of  Andrew  Jackson,  and  the  custodian 
of  the  grounds  presented  a  memento  in  the  shape  of  a  large  arm-chair, 
made  of  hickory  withes  cut  from  the  Hermitage  estate.  A  silver  plate, 
chronicling  the  facts,  was  attached  to  the  chair  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
the  memento,  thus  labelled,  has  been  carefully  preserved  among  the  lares 
et  penates  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

One  of  the  most  important  acts  of  this  session  was  to  provide  for  the 
publication  of  five  hundred  copies  of  the  completed  journal.  This  was 
followed,  next  year,  by  the  appointment  of  a  special  committee  to  pre- 
pare a  comprehensive  index  to  all  the  journals,  and  a  new  digest.  This 
index,  which  is  a  good  one,  is  a  guide  to  all  the  published  proceedings 
from  the  beginning,  and  includes  the  year  1862.  The  work  was  the 
result  of  a  sentence  of  timely  warning  contained  in  Grand  Secretary 
Ridgely's  report  in  1860. 

Forms  were  adopted  for  dedicating  balls  and  laying  corner-stones. 
Robert  A.  Boylston,  of  South  Carolina,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  Milton 
Hemdon,  of  Indiana,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Eidgely  and  Yansant  being 
retained  in  their  respective  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility.  Thomas 
Wildey  was  present  again  at  this  session. 

The  Session  of  z86i :  Civil  War.  —  The  bloody  and  impenetrable  bar- 
riers of  civil  war  intervened  between  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  session  in 
Baltimore,  in  September,  1861,  and  not  only  the  Grand  Sire,  but  the 
representatives  from  eleven  of  the  grand  jiirisdictions  were  absent. 
Thirty  vacant  chairs  and  unoccupied  desks  stood  before  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  Herndon  as  he  rose  to  call  the  Grand  Lodge  to  order,  and  to  address 
the  members  in  a  few  short,  but  timely  and  well-worded  remarks  upon 
the  grave  situation  which  faced  them. 

The  voice  of  the  absent  Grand  Sire  was  ominously  silent.  He  could 
scarcely  have  been  more  impressive  had  he  spoken  in  tones  of  thunder, 
or  written  in  letters  of  fire  a  narrative  of  the  terrible  and  terrifying  events 
which  enforced,  not  only  his  absence  from  the  meeting,  but  in  a  great 
degree  diverted  even  his  thoughts  from  Odd  Fellowship.  He  did  not 
send  a  report. 

Thomas  Wildey  was  present  for  the  last  time.  One  month  later,  in 
the  eightieth  year  of  his  life  on  earth,  the  old  hero  and  veteran,  scarred 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  129 

with  the  battles  of  a  little  less  than  half  a  century  in  the  service  of  the 
Order  he  loved  so  well  and  served  so  faithfully,  was  called  from  a  field 
of  labor  to  one  of  peace  and  repose. 

Eesolutions  declaring  Odd  Fellowship  above  and  beyond  the  divisions 
and  classifications  of  political  party  and  sect,  reaffirming  the  perpetuity 
of  the  Order,  and  urging  members  everywhere  to  leave  all  political  differ- 
ences beyond  the  portals  of  the  Order,  were  passed  unanimously,  and 
religiously  observed.  In  view  of  the  impending  dangers  incident  to  civil 
war,  the  Grand  Secretary  was  directed  to  remove  the  archives  and  books 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  Philadelphia  or  New  York,  if,  in  his  opinion,  their 
safe  preservation  depended  upon  their  removal  from  Baltimore. 

The  territory  of  Nevada  was  attached  to  the  jurisdiction  of  California, 
and  with  hearts  filled  with  sadness  and  apprehension,  the  members  turned 
their  faces  homeward. 

The  Session  of  1862. — Deputy  Grand  Sire  Herndon,  in  his  report  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  session  in  Baltimore,  in  September,  1862,  con- 
gratulated the  Order  upon  the  fact  that  its  office  of  ministering  to  those 
in  distress  had  been  carefully  discharged ;  that  in  the  face  of  the  excite- 
ment and  dangers  incident  to  the  fratricidal  warfare  then  sweeping  the 
land,  burying  under  its  avalanche  of  death  the  loved  ones  of  many 
thousands  of  our  homes.  Odd  Fellows  were  still  true  to  one  another  and 
their  solemn  pledges  of  honor.  In  its  recitcation  of  troubles  within  and 
dangers  without,  his  report  was  like  a  funeral  dirge.  He  announced  the 
death  of  two  Past  Grand  Sires,  Thomas  Wildey  and  Horn  E.  Kneass. 
With  the  gloom  of  death  resting  on  her  altars,  and  the  ambiguous  but 
always  terrible  dangers  of  war  without  her  portals,  truly  it  seemed  that 
the  dark  days  were  come  for  the  Grand  Lodge.  Heroically  striving  to 
hold  the  Order  true  to  her  principles  and  precepts  while  she  breasted  the 
storm,  even  though  she  should  be  at  anchor  far  from  the  port  of  safety, 
the  officers  and  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  stood  nobly  at  the  helm, 
and  looked  always  hopefully  for  the  calm  which  they  felt  sure  would 
come. 

Resolutions, —  one  breathing  aloud  the  love  and  respect  of  more  than 
two  hundred  thousand  men  who  mourned  the  death  of  Wildey,  and 
another  looking  to  the  erection  of  a  grand  monument  in  honor  of  the 
great  founder  of  American  Odd  Fellowship, —  were  adopted  unanimously. 

James  B.  Nicholson,  of  Pennsylvania,  a  mail  whom  the  writer  loves 
to  honor,  and  who  is  beloved  by  Odd  Fellows  everywhere,  was  elected 
Grand  Sire.  He  first  appeared  in  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  session  in 
1859,  as  a  representative  from  his  jurisdiction.  William  H.  Young,  of 
Maryland,  was  chosen  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  Ridgely  and  Yansant  were 
reelected  in  a  manner  that  might  be  characterized  as  a  wise  policy  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  they,  together  with  the  appointed  officers,  were  installed 


180  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

before  the  close  of  the  session.  William  White,  for  many  years  the 
loved  and  honored  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky, 
was  present  at  this  meeting  as  Grand  Representative  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  that  state. 

T.  E.  Johnson,  the  Grand  Secretary  of  California,  was  commissioned 
as  special  minister  to  Australia,  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  the 
"  American  idea "  into  the  Order  there,  provided  he  thought  it  wise  to 
do  so,  and  the  brothers  of  that  far-away  land  desired  to  become  united 
with  us.  All  standing  resolutions  were  ordered  to  be  printed  separately 
and  designated  as  such,  in  an  appendix  to  each  year's  journal.  Thi9  was 
another  most  sensible  idea,  and  in  a  great  measure  prevented  the  neglect 
of  much  valuable  unfinished  business,  which  formerly  had  been  allowed 
to  remain  on  the  journals  in  a  state  of  hideous  incompleteness.  The 
elective  officers  of  subordinates  were  required  to  sign  the  reports  to 
Grand  bodies.     This  custom  has  since  obtained. 

The  Session  of  1863 '  ^^^  ^  the  War  Clouds.  —  Two  variations  charac- 
terized the  assembling  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  annual  session  in  Baltimore, 
in  September,  1863.  One  was  the  absence  of  the  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  on 
account  of  his  illness;  the  other  was  the  presence,  for  the  first  time 
since  1860,  of  the  representatives  from  Tennessee. 

Grand  Sire  Nicholson,  in  his  report,  congratulated  the  Grand  Lodge 
upon  the  fact  that  the  Order,  as  an  organization,  was  deporting  itself  well, 
and  maintaining  its  position  comparatively  unharmed,  in  the  face  of  the 
terrible  strife  that  w£Cs  ruining  vast  sections  of  the  country,  and  tossing 
its  helpless  people  like  wrecked  mariners  on  a  stormy  sea.  The  Grand 
Secretary  reported  a  gratifying  exhibit  in  the  finances,  and  a  betterment 
of  the  general  condition  of  the  Order.  In  Canada  the  progress  was 
steady  and  very  promising.  The  Grand  Lodge  authorized  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  of  California  to  organize  subordinates  in 
British  Columbia,  which  colony,  as  it  was  then  styled,  was  attached  to 
the  jurisdiction  of  California.  The  jurisdictions  of  Idaho,  Oregon,  and 
Washington  were  placed  under  the  control  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
California,  as  to  that  branch  of  the  Order.  The  "Golden  State"  was 
making  broad  its  boundaries,  and  extending  its  supervision  over  a  vast 
field ;  but  it  was  doing  its  work  well,  and  exhibiting  both  a  willingness 
and  diligence  commensurate  with  so  great  a  trust. 

Owing  to  the  inability  of  the  jurisdiction  of  Tennessee  to  send  repre- 
sentatives in  1861  and  1862,  the  Grand  Lodge  remitted  the  representative 
tax  and  sent  supplies,  gratis,  to  subordinates  in  that  state. 

Grand  Representative  Escaville  presented  a  bust  of  Wildey,  from 
which  a  special  committee  were  directed  to  procure  a  duplicate.  From 
this  moulds  were  made;  busts  of  the  illustrious  founder  to  be  cast  in 
plaster  or  bronze,  and  sold  to  members  or  lodges  at  prices  fixed  by  the 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  181 

Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Eepresentatives  present  at  this  session  finely 
demonstrated  theirnon-partisan  feeling, — toward  the  brotherhood  in  the 
jurisdictions  proscribed  by  military  lines  from  representation  in  the  body, 
—  by  directing  the  Grand  Secretary  to  send  the  printed  proceedings,  as 
well  to  absent  representatives  as  to  those  who  were  so  fortunate  as  to  be 
able  to  attend. 

Legislation  at  this  meeting  was  without  importance.  The  only  items 
worthy  of  mention  here  are  the  decisions,  that  junior  past  grands  should 
not  be  elected  to  office  during  their  terms  as  such;  that  encampments 
might  have  a  set  of  charge  books  in  each  of  the  two  languages,  English 
and  Grerman;  that  subordinates  can  lawfully  tax  members  to  maintain 
the  payment  of  weekly  benefits;  and  that  the  Grand  Lodge  would  enter- 
tain no  appeal  upon  any  question,  except  the  proper  construction  of  the 
laws,  requiring  subordinate  Grand  bodies  to  ascertain  and  certify  all 
questions  of  fact,  before  allowing  the  appeal  to  come  into  the  dignified 
presence  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  EIGHTH  PERIOD:  1864-1871. 

"  The  wars  are  o'er,  and  I'm  come  hame, 
And  find  thee  stiU  true-hearted ; 
Though  poor  in  gear,  we're  rich  in  loye, 
And  mair  we'U  ne'er  be  parted." 

The  Session  of  1864:  Cochituate  Water. — The  only  thing  to  mar  the 
pleasure  of  the  session  in  Boston,  in  September,  1864, —  except  the  con- 
tinued ravages  of  war,  and  the  enforced  absence  of  nearly  all  the 
representatives  from  the  territory  involved  in  the  controversy, — was 
the  tragical  death  of  Deputy  Grand  Sire  William  H.  Young,  of  Mary- 
land, who  was  killed  accidentally  while  on  his  way  to  meet  with  the 
special  committee  on  the  proposed  Wildey  monument,  in  Philadelphia. 

The  usual  quaint  style  for  which  classic  Boston  has  for  years  been 
famed,  permeated  all  of  the  many  ceremonies  attending  the  reception  and 
entertainment  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  Cochituate  water  was  called 
into  requisition  in  unprecedented  quantities,  and  the  fact  that  the  supply 
was  fully  equal  to  the  demand,  without  noticeable  evidence  that  the 
Bostonians  were  curtailed,  in  the  smallest  degree,  in  their  enjoyment  of 
this  remarkable  fluid,  produced  so  many  evidences  of  surprise  among  the 
Grand  Representatives,  that  they  were  invited  formally,  and  went  in  a 
body  to  the  famous  ^'  works  '^  where  the  water  was  prepared.    Past  Deputy 


132  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

Grand  Sire  Thompson  entertained  the  Grand  Lodge  at  his  home^  and  the 
welcome,  in  every  way,  was  so  full  of  sincerity  that  a  warm  place  still 
remains  in  the  hearts  of  the  membership  of  tilie  Grand  Lodge  for  the 
generous  brethren  of  Massachusetts. 

Grand  Sire  Nicholson,  in  his  report,  paid  a  handsome  and  well- 
deserved  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  dead  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  whose 
empty  chair  stood  at  his  right  hand  draped  in  mourning.  The  deep  love 
and  ever-present  sincerity  of  his  big  heart  are  in  those  lines,  a  standing 
evidence  of  the  sterling  worth  of  both  those  brothers. 

The  Order's  Eternal  Duration.  —  He  prophesied  the  eternal  duration  of 
our  Order,  and  spoke  in  terms  of  the  highest  praise  of  its  noble  deeds 
and  principles.  Eidgely's  report  was  congratulatory.  He  called  the  body 
"  The  Supreme  Grand  Lodge."  How  narrowly  he  missed  the  opportunity 
of  making  for  himself  the  reputation  of  propJiet!  If  he  had  only  written 
"Sovereign"  for  "Supreme,"  the  thing  would  have  been  done.  He 
mentioned  the  fact  that  reports  have  "  come  to  hand  "  from  all  the  juris- 
dictions within  the  Federal  lines,  and  contrasted  the  condition  between 
those  within  and  without  those  lines. 

Tennessee  was  represented  at  this  session,  but  no  other  evidence  was 
present  to  proclaim  the  speedy  coming  of  blessed  peace,  which  was, 
before  another  meeting,  to  break  down  the  barriers  responsible  for  so 
many  vacant  chairs.  Ten  of  the  Southern  jurisdictions  were  neither 
represented  nor  reported. 

*The  Lower  Provinces  and  New  Mexico  were  not  represented.  But 
the  work  of  Odd  Fellowship  was  going  on  silently;  over  $400,000  were 
spent  for  relief  this  year,  and  more  than  $12,000  were  placed  in  the 
treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge  toward  building  a  monument  to  the  memory 
of  the  dead  chieftain,  Wildey,  who  had  so  wisely  laid  the  foundatit>ns 
of  the  Order. 

-  A  large  slice  had  been  cut  off  the  western  end  of  the  great  state  of 
Virginia,  by  the  national  government,  and  christened,  in  a  moment 
of  cheap  inspiration,  West  Virginia.  The  brotherhood  in  that  new  state 
were  asking  for  recognition,  and  tlie  Grand  Lodge  appointed  a  special 
commissioner  to  look  after  them. 

Theodore  A.  Ross,  whose  name,  through  his  long  connection  with  the 
Grand  Secretary's  office,  has  become  familiar  to  every  Odd  Fellow,  was 
present  for  the  first  time,  representing  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey. 

Effects  of  the  CivU  War.  —  The  war  was  afTecting  Odd  Fellowship  in  a 
new  and  unexpected  manner,  —  the  halls  occupied,  and  in  many  instances 
)wned,  by  the  Order,  being  forcibly  taken  by  the  soldiers  and  used  as 
common  barracks ;  the  books,  records,  and  appurtenances  exposed  to  idle 
and  vicious  curiosity,  and  destroyed;  and,  in  some  cases,  the  buildings 
were  wrecked.     The  Grand  Lodge  appointed  the  Grand  Sire  and  Grand 


THE  80VEBEIQN  GRAND  LODGE  188 

Secretary  a  committee  to  lay  an  appropriate  statement  of  this  outrageous 
grievance  before  the  President,  asking  for  relief,  redress,  and  protection. 
This  matter  was  reported  finally,  by  a  committee  of  four,  in  1865.  The 
report  was  Yoluminous  enough  to  satisfy  any  committee,  surely,  and 
especially  one  which  had  nothing  to  report.  They  actually  had  done 
nothing  except  to  discover  a  number  of  similar  outrages,  which  they 
might  have  learned  by  reading  the  newspapers. 

The  spirit  of  robbery  seemed,  in  some  instances,  to  have  pervaded  the 
membership  of  the  Order;  the  Grand  Lodge  declared  the  robbery  of  the 
treasuries  of  subordinates,  —  by  spending  the  money  in  ways  unwar- 
ranted by  law,  or  dividing  it  among  the  members, —  to  be  "wrong  and 
dishonorable."  The  extreme  mildness  of  this  declaration  was  scarcely 
proportioned  to  the  gravity  of  the  offence. 

Isaac  M.  Veitch,  of  Missouri,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  James  P. 
Sanders,  of  "Northern  New  York,"  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Eidgely  and 
Yansant  were  reelected  as  usual,  and  the  officers  were  installed. 

It  was  decided  that  membership  obtained  through  the  misrepresenta- 
tion of  facts  by  the  petitioner,  as  to  age  or  other  essential  feature,  was 
fraudulent,  and  operated  to  discharge  the  body,  with  which  he  united, 
from  all  liability  growing  out  of  such  an  initiation.  The  use  of  all 
refreshments,  except  water,  in  the  lodge-rooms  was  prohibited.  Cochit- 
uate  water  was  not  prescribed,  though  to  the  influence  of  its  fine  qualities 
on  the  representatives  at  this  session  may,  perhaps,  be  ascribed  the  enact- 
ment of  this  law.  « 

Kepenting  in  advance  its  decision  made  in  1867,  excluding  from 
membership  people  with  one  arm,  the  Grand  Lodge  relented  so  far  as  to 
relegate  to  subordinate  bodies  the  settlement  of  this  question  in  its 
application  to  individual  cases.  The  Grand  Lodge  further  entertained 
itself  with  the  construction  of  a  characteristically  ambiguous  law  about 
that  troublesome  ambiguity,  an  "Ancient  Odd  Fellow,"  and  then  it 
adjourned. 

The  Session  of  1865:  Joy  unfeigned :  Happy  Reunion. — Joy  unfeigned 
and  unconfined  marked  the  reunion  in  Baltimore,  in  September,  1865. 
Peace  was  spreading  her  mantle  over  the  homes  of  our  bleeding  land. 
Time  was  busy  filling  the  furrows  and  hiding  from  view  the  hideous 
marks  of  war.  The  representatives  from  "  Dixie "  came,  gladly,  at  the 
first  opportunity,  to  occupy  the  chairs  which  had  been  carefully  kept  for 
them,  with  a  kind  thought  of  these  brothers  during  the  long  period  of 
their  enforced  absence,  and  to  grasp  the  hands  of  their  more  fortunate 
brethren  which  were  extended  in  cordial  welcome.  The  bloody  past  was 
put  behind  them,  and  in  united  phalanx  these  true  brothers  turned  their 
thoughts  and  legislation  toward  the  great  work  of  reconstruction  which 
lay  before  them. 


1S4  TBE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

J.  D.  Pollard,  whose  maltreated  and  unhappy  daughter,  long  after 
his  death,  was  one  of  the  parties  to  an  unfortunate  lawsuit,  resulting  in 
disgracing  one  state  and  almost  the  entire  nation,  was  the  representative 
from  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Kentucky  at  this  session.  No  glimpse 
of  the  terrible  shadow  to  fall  upon  the  family  of  this  honest  man,  in  the 
days  to  come,  was  permitted  him ;  and  he  was  even  so  favored  as  to  be 
taken  to  a  higher  home  before  that  catastrophe  befell  which  we  all 
deplore. 

The  death  of  Bobert  B.  Boylston,  Past  Grand  Sire,  at  his  home  in 
South  Carolina,  was  reported ;  and,  in  the  journal  of  1866,  the  beautiful 
letter  sent  to  his  widow  by  the  Grand  Secretary,  under  instruction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  her  touching  reply,  are  printed.  His  portrait  was 
ordered  to  be  hung  in  the  gallery  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  Mrs.  Boylston's 
letter  contained  suggestions  as  to  the  best  way  to  procure  a  faithful 
likeness. 

The  reports  of  the  Grand  Sire  and  Grand  Secretary  gave  fresh  impetus 
to  the  good  feeling  which  characterized  this  meeting.  The  division  in 
New  York  had  been  fused  into  one  harmonious  jurisdiction,  embracing 
the  entire  state,  under  one  Grand  Lodge  and  one  Grand  Encampment; 
the  organization  in  New  Mexico,  disrupted  by  the  great  civil  strife,  had 
been  revived;  a  Grand  Encampment  had  been  chartered  in  West  Virginia, 
and  that  of  Delaware  restored;  over  half  a  million  dollars  had  been  spent 
for  relief  during  the  year, — no  wonder  they  were  happy. 

A  liberal  amendment  to  section  four,  article  xvi.  of  the  constitution 
was  passed,  providing  for  the  speedy  restoration  of  the  Order  in  the 
South,  and  the  representative  tax  for  the  years  1861,  '62,  '63,  and  '64 
was  remitted  in  ten  Southern  states. 

The  Wildey  Monument. — The  comer-stone  of  the  Wildey  monument 
was  laid  by  Grand  Sire  Veitch,  April  26,  1865,  with  appropriate  cere- 
monies, and  in  the  presence  of  an  immense  company  of  members  and 
other  citizens.  The  monument  cost  $17,043.20,  and  there  were  more 
than  $2000  remaining  in  the  fund  after  all  expenses  had  been  paid.  The 
unveiling  of  the  monument,  which  took  place  September  26,  1865,  and 
the  interesting  details  of  that  momentous  occasion,  would  fill  a  volume. 
An  honest  effort  was  made  by  the  Grand  Secretary  to  gather  and  print  in 
the  appendix  to  the  journal  the  speeches,  ceremonies,  and  important 
incidents  of  the  occasion,  but  it  failed.  He  tried  for  two  years  to 
complete  the  compilation  before  he  gave  it  up.  After  the  work  was 
completed,  and  all  the  duties  of  the  committee  performed,  the  monument 
was  formally  surrendered  to,  and  accepted  by,  the  Grand  Lodge.  This 
magnificent  shaft  stands  on  Broadway,  in  Baltimore,  the  home  city  of 
Odd  Fellowship,  and  will,  for  many  years,  remain,  ad  it  is  to-day,  one 
of  the  handsomest  ornaments  of  that  beautiful  city. 


THE  aOVEBEION  OBAND  LODGE.  185 

Another  bust  of  Wildey  was  presented  by  James  Eryer^  of  Baltimore, 
to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

It  was  decided  that  visiting  cards  issued  in  the  South  during  the  war 
should  be  good,  even  though  they  did  not  bear  the  signature  of  the  Grand 
Secretary;  that  Grand  Eepresentatives  were  entitled  to  the  honors  of  the 
Order;  that  initiations  must  take  place  in  the  lodge  where  the  application 
was  accepted  and  the  candidate  elected;  that  imion  degree  of  Eebekah 
lodges  were  unauthorized ;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned. 

The  Session  of  z866.  — When  it  met  in  Baltimore,  in  September,  1866, 
the  Grand  Sire,  in  stately  sentences,  announced  a  veritable  revival  in 
Odd  Fellowship,  somewhat  akin, — when  considering  its  gigantic  strides 
toward  success, —  to  what  the  Western  brother  afterward  christened  with 
the  apt  name  of  "boom,"  and  the  Grand  Secretary  very  happily  and 
forcibly  seconded  him.  There  did  not  appear  to  be  an  urgent  necessity 
for  doing  anything  except  to  let  things  alone,  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
wisely  met  the  situation  by  doing  very  little. 

Nearly  $600,000  were  spent  during  the  year  in  lightening  the  burdens 
and  afflictions  of  life  among  the  members ;  the  Order  in  California  was 
prosperous  and  growing  richer,  having  over  a  half  million  dollars  in 
property  set  down  to  its  credit,  and  "happiness"  might  with  propriety 
have  been  adopted  as  the  annual  password.  The  Grand  Sire  was  directed 
to  appoint  a  day  of  general  thanksgiving. 

James  P.  Sanders,  of  New  York  this  time,  not  of  Northern  New  York 
as  before,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  E.  D.  Farnsworth,  of  Tennessee, 
Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Bidgely  and  Vansant  were  reelected  according  to 
the  now  ancient  usages  of  the  Grand  Lodge;  the  officers  were  installed, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  spent  a  little  time  in  the  luxury  of  legislating, 
from  force  of  habit. 

Help  for  the  Distressed:  Union  Rebekah  Lodges  denounced.  —  It  decided 
to  appropriate  and  distribute  financial  aid  in  the  devastated  South  to 
the  amount  of  $1000,  and  extended  the  benefits  of  the  reconstruction 
amendment,  adopted  at  last  session,  to  twelve  states,  four  of  which  were 
in  the  South.  It  again  denounced  union  Bebekah  degree  lodges  as  things 
not  to  be  countenanced  or  permitted,  and  recommended  the  preparation 
of  a  claim  for  damages  to  lodge  property,  made  by  the  soldiers  during 
the  war,  and  its  presentation,  with  a  demand  for  payment,  to  the  proper 
authorities  at  Washington;  and  it  labelled  the  portraits  in  the  gallery,  in 
large,  plain  letters.  This  was  a  good  idea, —  no  one  thing  more  enhances 
the  value  of  a  picture  than  a  good,  legible  label. 

It  decided  that  raffles,  lotteries,  etc.,  should  not  be  held  in  the  name 
of  thQ  Order  for  any  purpose;  that  the  funds  of  subordinates  might,  with 
propriety,  be  voted  to  defray  the  expenses  of  anniversary  celebrations ; 
and  that  three  black  balls  rejected  a  petitioner  for  membership  in  all 


186  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

subordinates  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  leav- 
ing to  subordinate  Grand  bodies  the  right  to  fix  the  number  in  their  own 
territory ;  authorized  the  preparation  of  a  pamphlet  defining  the  principles 
and  works  of  Odd  Fellowship;  adopted  a  new  form  for  funeral  proces- 
sions, and  closed  its  doors  sine  die. 

The  Session  of  1867.  —  When  they  were  next  opened,  it  was  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  in  September,  1867.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  rapidly  be- 
coming a  migratory  body.  A  large  modicum  of  the  spice  of  life  known 
as  'Variety,"  was  to  be  found  in  the  indulgence  of  the  habit,  and  the  old 
home  in  Baltimore  soon  became  the  place  for  an  occasional  dutiful  visit. 
The  young  bird  had  tried  its  wings,  and  was  delighted  to  discover  that  it 
could  fly. 

The  elaborately  prepared  welcome  which  usually  greeted  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  the  various  cities  where  its  meetings  were  held  was  very  mildly 
extended  by  cosmopolitan  New  York.  That  dignified  "tiger"  wagged 
its  tail  and  smiled,  and  invited  the  Grand  Lodge  to  go  and  look  at 
Central  Park,  and  it  went. 

The  Grand  Sire  and  Grand  Secretary  reported  prosperity  everywhere, 
except  in  the  region  impoverished  and  nearly  annihilated  by  the  war. 
The  amount  collected  for  the  aid  of  its  helpless  and  suffering  people, 
by  the  request  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  had  fallen  below  less  than  one- 
half  what  had  been  hoped;  but  it  is  a  significant  indication  of  the 
non-partisan  spirit  which  pervades  this  great  fraternity,  that  more  than 
one-half  of  the  $5366  contributed  to  this  fund,  to  September,  1867, 
was  collected  in  the  four  Grand  jurisdictions  of  New  York,  Ohio,  Con- 
necticut, and  Massachusetts. 

A  Grand  Lodge  in  Nevada  and  a  Grand  Encampment  in  Kansas  were 
chartered  during  the  year.  Fred.  D.  Stuart,  the  missionary  from  th« 
Grand  Lodge  to  the  Lower  Provinces  and  Canada  East,  reported,  as 
the  greatest  success  of  his  labors  in  Canada,  the  presence  of  a  representa- 
tive from  that  jurisdiction  at  this  session, —  the  first  one  in  four  years. 

The  proposition  to  rechristen  the  Grand  Lodge  and  give  it  a  sounding 
title,  consonant  with  its  dignified  relation  to  the  entire  Order,  was  grow- 
ing in  popular  favor.  Two  proposed  titles  were  submitted  this  year  for 
consideration.     It  was  a  matter  of  grave  importance,  and  "went  over." 

Anniversary  Day  established.  —  A  lithograph  portrait  of  Past  Grand 
Sire  Wildey,  accompanying  the  Ridgely  eulogy  upon  that  hero,  was 
presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  tract  attempting  to  solve  the 
conundrum,  "What  is  Odd  Fellowship?"  for  the  curious  public,  was 
adopted.  This  was  another  essay  from  the  pen  of  the  faithful  Eidgely; 
one  that  was  well  able  to  fulfil  the  object  for  which  it  was  written.  The 
26th  day  of  April  was  declared  to  be  established  as  the  anniversary  day 
of  the  Order,  with  necessary  provisions  regulating  those  cases  when  it 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  137 

fell  upon  Sunday;  the  right  of  past  grands  to  vote  was  declared  again  to 
be  sacred  and  inalienable ;  the  expulsion  of  any  one  who  should  unlaw- 
fully use  a  seal  of  the  Order  was  decreed,  and  then  the  Grand  Lodge 
adjourned  to  meet  in  Baltimore  in  1868. 

The  Session  of  z868.  — The  good  times  at  hand  and  the  indications  of 
better  days  coming  are  strongly  testified  in  the  tones  of  hopefulness  and 
assurance  characterizing  the  reports  of  both  the  Grand  Sire  and  Grand 
Secretary. 

Grand  Sire  Sanders,  ever  famous  for  his  remarkable  ability  to  say 
much  in  a  few  well-chosen  words,  was  never  more  himself  than  in  the 
report  presented  by  him  at  this  session.  There  were  shown  to  be 
245,000  members,  and  nearly  $800,000  had  been  distributed  during  the 
year  in  the  charitable  work  of  the  Order.  Grand  Lodges  had  been  insti- 
tuted in  Colorado  and  Australia,  —  in  the  latter  country  there  were 
reported  to  be  sixty-nine  lodges  and  over  4000  members;  and  in  addition 
to  the  immense  sums  expended  in  the  ordinary  avenues  of  relief,  nearly 
$14,000  had  been  contributed  to  the  work  of  reconstruction  in  the  South. 
The  wisdom  of  this  charitable  policy  was  manifested  in  every  conceivable 
way.  The  Order  was  rapidly  organizing;  the  indubitable  sincerity  of 
the  declaration  that  Odd  Fellowship  is  not  only  a  non-political  and  non- 
sectarian  institution,  but  that  distinctions,  so-classed,  are  unknown  in 
her  lodge-rooms,  was  never  more  clearly  demonstrated.  The  returns 
from  the  Southern  jurisdictions  were  like  barometers,  showing  the 
improved  and  hopeful  condition  of  the  Order  in  the  entire  district  which 
had  been  laid  waste  by  the  war. 

E.  D.  Famsworth,  of  Tennessee,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  Fred.  D. 
Stuart,  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Ridgely  and 
Yansant  being  retained  in  their  respective  offices  as  usual,  and  the  officers 
were  installed. 

Grand  Chaplain  Venable.  —  In  casting  about  him  for  one  worthy,  in  all 
respects,  to  fill  the  office  of  Grand  Chaplain  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  the  newly  elected  Grand  Sire  bestowed  the  solemn  dignity 
and  the  responsibilities  of  the  position  upon  the  Rev.  John  W.  Venable, 
of  Kentucky,  who  was  then  a  Grand  Representative  from  that  jurisdic- 
tion. To  the  wisdom  of  this  selection,  the  modest  and  efficient  manner 
in  which  he  has  discharged  the  duties  of  the  sacred  office,  the  manner  and 
bearing  of  this  kind  and  noble-hearted  officer,  and  his  loving,  gentle  spirit 
as  manifested  by  his  deportment  toward  every  one,  have  abundantly  testi- 
fied. The  Grand  Lodge  has  continued  to  show  its  appreciation  of  the 
man,  by  retaining  him  in  the  office  for  nearly  thirty  years.  Long  may 
he  live  to  retain  the  position,  and  enjoy  the  reunions  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
now  replete  for  him  with  happy  memories  of  the  past. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  invited  to  California  to  hold  its  session,  in 


188  THB  THBEE'LINK  FBATERNITT. 

1869;  and  accepted  the  inyitation^  with  the  single  proviso  that  the  Pacific 
railway,  then  in  process  of  construction,  should  be  completed  in  time. 
Templar  Lodge,  of  California,  telegraphed  its  guaranty  of  910,000 
toward  defraying  the  expenses,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  no  longer  hesitated 
upon  the  point  of  accepting  so  generous  an  invitation. 

A  special  flag  for  the  Grand  Lodge  was  adopted,  and  a  collar  and 
jewel  for  past  grand  patriarchs.  The  laws  regulating,  and  providing  for, 
the  entire  regalia  of  the  Order  were  presented  for  revision,  resulting  in 
an  amendment  to  article  xxii.  of  the  by-laws,  making  a  number  of 
desirable  changes. 

The  law  defining  eligibility  for  membership  was  again  called  in  ques- 
tion,—  the  decision,  made  in  1867,  excluding  one-armed  men  being  found 
especially  objectionable.  Since  the  close  of  the  war,  men  so  peculiarly 
marked  were  not  only  very  plentiful,  but  a  number  of  good  men  with 
one  empty  sleeve  were  knocking  energetically  with  a  single  hand  for  ad- 
mission. The  Grand  Lodge  remitted  the  question  for  decision  in  all 
individual  cases  to  subordinates,  and  it  was  heard  of  no  more.  Charles 
M.  Busbee,  of  North  Carolina,  once  said  in  a  speech  at  a  banquet  set 
before  the  Grand  Lodge  in  Topeka,  Kansas,  that  ''the  heart  of  Odd 
Fellowship  is  in  the  subordinate  lodge."  He  might  with  equal  con- 
sistency have  supplemented  the  happy  remark  quoted,  by  saying  that 
most  of  the  brains  of  Odd  Fellowship  are  to  be  found  in  the  same  place. 

The  Golden  Jubilee.  —  It  was  decided  to  celebrate  \j\i%  fiftieth  anniversary 
of  the  Order  in  Philadelphia,  in  1869,  and,  judging  from  the  elaborate 
account  in  the  journal  of  that  year,  of  the  appropriate  ceremonies  at  the 
Academy  of  Music,  and  a  procession  ten  miles  long,  containing  thirty 
thousand  men,  the  celebration  bore  a  most  fitting  relation  to  the  vast 
brotherhood  whose  rejoicings  over  the  peaceful  and  bloodless  victories  of 
Odd  Fellowship  it  was  intended  to  represent.  The  report  of  the  Grand 
Secretary,  in  that  year,  showed  that  "anniversary  day"  was  observed 
almost  universally,  wherever  the  Order  had  pitched  its  tents, — the 
rejoicing  inaugurated  at  Philadelphia  having  leavened  the  whole  lump. 

Rebekah  Degree  Lodges.  —  The  now  famous  Kebekah  degree  received  a 
few  crumbs  of  comfort  from  the  legislation  of  this  year.  Widows  of 
Odd  Fellows  who  had  not  attained  the  Scarlet  degree,  were  declared  eli- 
gible to  receive  the  degree,  if  the  lodges  to  which  their  husbands  formerly 
belonged,  consented.  This  was  evidently  due  to  that  universal  tender- 
ness of  feeling  toward  widows,  for  which  the  masculine  heart  has  ever 
been  distinguished,  because  the  law  did  not  allow  the  same  privilege  to 
the  wives  of  living  Odd  Fellows.  Subordinate  lodges  were,  likewise, 
permitted  to  institute  degree  lodges  of  the  Daughters  of  Kebekah. 

The  Law  as  to  Title  Letters.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  decided  that  the  names 
of  suspended  members  should  not  be  included  in  the  reports;  and  then  it 


THE  80VEBEIGN  QEAND  LODGE.  189 

prescribed,  in  its  usnal  maimer,  always  stately  and  dignified,  even  while 
dealing  with  trivial  questions,  that  in  future  the  combination  of  alpha- 
betical capitals  necessary  to  indicate  a  brother's  rank  in  the  Order,  should 
foUaw,  and  not  precede,  his  proper  name  as  heretofore.  This  was  another 
good  idea.  Henceforward  the  reader  of  the  journal  is  able  to  understand 
at  a  single  glance  that  J.  K.  Smith,  P.D.G.S.,  was  meant  to  indicate, 
for  instance,  that  John  Kalendar  Smith  was  a  Past  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
and  not  '^  Perhaps  Dead  and  Gone  Soul  John  Kalendar  Smith."  The 
title  habit,  when  strongly  indulged,  has  always  had  its  objectionable  side, 
in  spite  of  the  legislation  which  at  times  has  sought  to  keep  it  within 
bounds.  In  some  cases,  men  who  may  be  classed  as  '^offensively  official," 
are  found,  who  have  so  many  of  the  Boman  capital  letters  "thundering 
after"  their  otherwise  insignificant  names,  as  to  leave  the  defenceless 
alphabet  a  hopeless  ruin,  and  the  combination  of  name  and  title  resembles 
a  long  train  of  box  cars  on  a  prairie  railway. 

The  Session  of  1869.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  achieved  the  distinction  of 
being  the  first  organized  body  to  cross  the  continent  "by  rail,"  from  one 
seaboard  to  the  other,  when  it  held  its  session  in  San  Francisco,  in  1869. 
The  hospitality  extended  by  members  and  citizens  along  the  railroad,  the 
magnificent  reception  and  entertainment  greeting  the  Grand  Lodge  on  its 
arrival  at  the  western  shore,  are  things  that  must  be  seen  and  experi- 
enced to  be  understood  even  approximately.  It  has  been  the  writer's 
rare  good  fortune  to  participate  in  two  such  glorious  panoramic  journeys, 
the  memories  of  which  are  delightful,  and  will  live  with  him  always. 

Journey  across  the  Continent :  the  Order's  Progress.  —  Grand  Sire  Farns- 
worth,  in  his  very  excellent  report,  makes  especial  mention  of  the  railway 
journey  across  the  continent,  which  was  one  of  the  wonders  of  the  world 
in  1869.  This  was  by  far  the  most  expensive  session,  in  respect  to  mile- 
age and  per  diem,  held  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  costing  in  those  two  items 
alone  f  17,582.60  according  to  the  journal,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that 
since  the  record  of  1868  contains  the  telegraphed  assurance  of  $10,000 
guaranteed  for  this  particular  purpose  by  Templar  Lodge,  and  free 
passes  for  representatives  over  the  railway,  promised  by  Charles  K.  Fox, 
no  evidence  of  compliance  in  either  case  is  to  be  found  in  the  journal. 
There  is,  perhaps,  no  doubt  that  both  promises  were  fulfilled,  and  that 
the  record  should  show  it  to  have  been  done,  is  equally  plain. 

The  Grand  Sire  reported  that  he  had  travelled  much  in  the  South, 
where  his  zealous  labors  had  been  rewarded,  almost  universally,  by  a 
revival  of  the  Order.  He  had  encouraging  accounts  of  the  spread  of  the 
Order  in  New  Zealand,  and  valuable  suggestions  as  to  legislation  needed 
to  adapt  American  Odd  Fellowship  to  the  social  conditions  in  that  colony 
of  Great  Britain.  During  the  year  he  assisted  in  the  ceremony  of  dedi- 
cating Highland  cemetery,   near  Covington,   Kentucky,   and  laid  the 


140  THE  TBRBE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

corner-stone  of  the  receiving  yault,  in  this  newly  opened  cemetery, 
the  property  of  the  Odd  Fellows. 

The  Grand  Secretary's  report  showed  the  Order  to  be  worth  $9,500,000 
in  excess  of  all  liabilities,  and  in  the  highest  state  of  progress  and  pros- 
perity. Grand  Encampments  were  organized  in  Australia  and  in  Ontario. 
B.  W.  Dennis,  of  Michigan,  who  was  sent  as  a  missionary  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship to  Vermont  in  1868,  reported  great  success  in  reviving  the  Order  in 
that  state,  to  which  work  he  had  devoted  three  months  of  actual  service, 
and  he  returned  the  thanks  of  the  fraternity  there  for  the  interest  shown 
them  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  suggestion  found  in  the  Grand  Sire's  report,  that  the  time  was 
ripe  for  placing  the  degree  of  Bebekah  on  an  equal  footing  with  the 
other  branches  of  the  Order,  was  followed  by  the  adoption  of  a  resolution 
authorizing  each  jurisdiction  to  prepare  and  adopt  a  suitable  form  of 
charter  for  Rebekah  degree  lodges.  The  wives  and  daughters  of  the 
Order  were  putting  their  gentle,  patient,  willing  hands  to  the  work,  and 
the  Grand  Lodge,  realizing  that 

"  He  is  a  fool  who  hopes  by  force  or  skiU 
To  turn  the  carrent  of  a  woman's  WiU," 

and  that  her  will  in  this  instance  was  guided  by  wisdom  and  love,  slowly, 
but  surely,  yielded  to  the  increasing  demands  of  the  Kebekahs,  gradually 
widening  their  field  of  labor,  and  giving  them  new  liberty,  as  they,  by 
practical  work,  evinced  an  ability  to  meet  the  new  and  graver  demands 
upon  them. 

The  Grand  Lodge  decided  the  form  of  voting  in  subordinate  lodges  to 
be  by  the  ''usual  sign  of  an  Odd  Fellow,"  except  in  cases  of  balloting  for 
candidates ;  directed  the  Grand  Secretary  to  have  the  new  flag  present, 
and  on  display,  whenever  the  Grand  Lodge  was  in  session;  designated 
the  cards  of  the  Order  by  engraving  on  the  steel  plates,  from  which  they 
were  printed,  the  word  "withdrawal,"  or  "visiting";  declared  it  unlaw- 
ful to  take  a  charge  book  from  the  lodge-room,  or  to  write  any  of  the 
charges  or  secret  work ;  and  then  the  Grand  Eepresentatives  turned  their 
faces  regretfully  toward  the  East,  loath  to  part  from  the  attractive  scenes 
and  loving  friends  in  the  "City  by  the  Western  Sea." 

The  Session  of  1870.  —  The  indomitable  energy  of  Grand  Sire  Farns- 
worth,  his  great  love  for  the  Order,  and  his  high  appreciation  of  the 
duties  and  responsibilities  incident  to  the  dignified  position  he  held, 
kept  him  busily  engaged  during  the  two  years  of  his  incumbency.  When 
the  Grand  Lodge  assembled  in  Baltimore,  in  1870,  the  only  regret  of  the 
Grand  Sire,  as  expressed  in  his  report,  was  that  he  had  not  accomplished 
more.  Failing  in  his  attempt  to  send  some  one  to  look  after  the  interests 
of  the  Order  in  the  German  Empire,  in  response  to  an  urgent  call,  he 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  141 

undertook  the  work  himself.  The  foundation  of  the  present  prosperous 
condition  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  that  country  would  surely  have  been  the 
work  of  this  conscientious  devotee^  but  for  the  fact  of  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Franco-Prussian  war,  that  prevented  his  entrance  into  the  country 
after  crossing  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  There  is  no  mistaking  the  sincerity 
of  the  tone  in  which  he  tells  of  his  regret  at  this  failure. 

In  the  United  States  during  the  year,  he  travelled  almost  incessantly 
in  the  South,  North,  and  West;  even  going  back  to  California,  where 
generous  Templar  Lodge  further  distinguished  itself  by  contributing 
S1200  to  assist  in  establishing  the  Order  in  Germany.  It  is  impossible 
to  compute  the  good  resulting  to  Odd  Fellowship  from  the  administration 
and  travels  of  Grand  Sire  Farnsworth.  His  suggestion  that  the  title  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  should  be  changed  to  indicate  the  extent  of  its  authority, 
and  the  scope  of  its  jurisdiction,  which  embraced  the  habitable  globe, 
was  wise  and  timely,  though  it  was  years  before  the  Grand  Lodge  acted 
upon  it. 

The  report  of  the  Grand  Secretary  showed  nearly  $900,000  spent  for 
relief,  and  a  membership  of  close  to  270,000. 

At  this  session  Frederick  D.  Stuart,  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  was 
chosen  Grand  Sire;  Cornelius  A.  Logan,  of  Kansas,  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  mention  the  fact  that  faithful  Ridgely  and  ^'  Honest 
Joshua"  were  reinstalled  into  their  usual  offices,  with,  also,  the  other 
officers  elected  and  appointed. 

White's  Digest.  —  The  legislation  of  this  year  is  unimportant.  That 
worthy  of  mention  is  the  adoption  of  the  new  digest,  prepared  by  John 
H.  White,  of  New  York;  the  request  to  Grand  Lodges  that  they  take 
steps  toward  the  establishment  of  homes  where  orphans  of  Odd  Fellows 
could  be  supported  and  educated;  the  adoption  of  the  "dismissal  certifi- 
cate," and  providing  for  the  readmission, — without  participation  in 
financial  benefits, —  of  non-affiliated  Odd  Fellows  over  fifty  years  of  age. 
The  last  act  was  unwise  legislation,  but  based  upon  good  intentions. 
The  practice  of  this  custom,  under  such  a  law,  presents  in  later  years,  to 
the  prying  eyes  of  the  uninitiated,  the  spectacle  of  old  men  in  sickness 
and  misfortune,  unaided  by  a  lodge  where  they  are  known  to  hold  some 
sort  of  membership.  The  explanation  that  a  sick  and  unfortunate  brother 
is  a  non-beneficial  member,  never  yet  satisfactorily  explained  this  misfit 
application  of  two  opposite  sets  of  beneficiary  laws  in  the  same  lodge,  to 
either  the  seeker  after  information,  or  him  who  seeks  to  impart  it. 

Fon-Beneficial  Membership.  —  It  is  a  dark  page  in  our  statutes,  which 
should  be  brightened  by  the  speedy  enactment  of  a  regulation  strictly 
prohibiting  non-beneficial  membership.  The  law  already  forbids  honorary 
membership,  which  is  but  another  name  for  the  same  thing  in  effect, — 
let  it  also  prohibit  the  other.     Odd  Fellowship  should  perform  what  it 


142  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

professes^  in  all  cases,  so  that  a  just  construction  of  our  laws  will  com- 
mend its  course,  even  to  those  without  its  pale.  Let  us  take  care  of  our 
elder  brothers  in  some  other  practical  way, —  where  they  are  deserving, 
and  when  they  have  lost  their  membership  and  standing  in  the  Order,  — 
by  a  method  that  will  at  once  remove  the  stigma  of  unfairness  and 
partiality,  now  with  much  semblance  of  justice  attached  to  us  by  the 
non-elect,  through  our  observance  of  this  law,  and  give  us  a  higher  and 
unquestioned  right  to  proclaim  to  all  the  world  that  we  are  Odd  Fellows; 
proving  our  tenet,  that,  in  dispensing  our  voluntary  charity,  which  differs 
in  every  essential  from  benefits,  we  are  guided  by  love  for  our  unfortunate 
brother,  restricted  only  to  his  necessities  and  deserts.  Then  without  a 
fear  of  adverse  criticism, —  founded  in  even  a  semblance  of  injustice, — 
we  may  proudly  unfurl  our  flag,  and  march  to  a  success  in  alleviating  the 
woes  incident  to  human  life, —  to  a  result  yet  undreamed  by  the  most 
visionary  and  hopeful  Odd  Fellow  that  has  ever  lived. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  NINTH  PERIOD:  1871-1878. 

" —  above  the  reit 

In  shape  and  gesture  proudly  eminent, 
Stood  like  a  tower." 

The  Session  of  1871.  —  The  session  of  1871,  in  Chicago,  was  memorable 
in  several  respects.  Immense  throngs  of  the  brotherhood  were  present 
from  the  adjacent  states ;  committees  of  reception  were  everywhere,  and 
invitations  were  abundant  to  all  things,  including  banquets,  theatres, 
and  free  rides  by  land  and  water,  even  to  free  pictures  from  the  photo- 
graphic galleries.  The  most  remarkable  procession  ever  witnessed  in  the 
'^  Windy  City,"  to  that  time,  was  given  in  honor  of  the  occasion,  and 
the  Grand  Lodge  participated. 

The  prodigal  hospitality  lavished  upon  the  Grand  Lodge  was  bread 
cast  upon  the  waters.  When  the  news  of  the  havoc  created  by  the  great 
fire,  which  occurred  so  soon  after  the  session  closed,  reached  the  ears  of 
our  generous  brotherhood,  they  were  the  first  to  organize  relief  head- 
quarters, into  which  came  pouring,  from  Odd  Fellows  in  every  direction, 
a  torrent  of  supplies  that  could  neither  be  stayed  nor  distributed  as  fast 
as  they  arrived.  Long  after  the  demand  had  been  fully  supplied,  and 
the  fraternity  implored  to  send  no  more,  money  continued  to  come,  and, 
after  nearly  $114,000  had  been  distributed,  there  was  an  unexpended 
balance  of  over  $10,000  in  the  hands  of  the  exhausted  committee.     For 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  148 

such  charitable  acts  is  Odd  Fellowship  famous;  deeds  of  unselfish  heroism 
are  the  results  of  its  teachings.  The  sentence,  "bound  together  as 
brothers  in  one  common  tie,"  is  full  of  truth  and  significance. 

Planting  the  Order  in  Europe.  —  The  report  of  Grand  Sire  Stuart  is  full 
of  interest,  especially  in  its  narration  of  the  outlook  in  Europe,  where 
four  lodges  had  been  organized.  The  labors  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Farns- 
worth  had  not  been  thrown  away,  and  his  mantle  had  fallen  upon  the 
shoulders  of  a  most  worthy  successor.  J.  F.  Morse,  of  California,  not 
only  without  remuneration  for  his  services,  but  many  times  spending 
liberally  his  private  funds,  took  up  the  work  most  energetically,  and, 
heartily  seconded  by  Grand  Sire  Stuart,  laid  the  foundation  of  Odd 
Fellowship  in  that  land  where  it  has  since  prospered  so  well.  The  Grand 
Sire,  denied  the  use  of  Grand  Lodge  funds,  appealed  to  the  various 
Grand  jurisdictions  for  money  to  aid  in  the  conversion  of  Germany  and 
Switzerland  to  Odd  Fellowship.  The  call  met  a  prompt  response  from 
several  states,  and  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  sending  about  $3000,  raised 
in  that  way,  to  the  missionary  in  the  field.  The  lodges  in  California 
testified  their  appreciation  of  their  Grand  Representative,  J.  f.  Morse, 
and  his  missionary  work,  by  presenting  to  him  during  the  session  a 
Grand  Representative's  jewel,  made  especially  for  him. 

The  Grand  Secretary  pleaded  for  a  change  to  December  31st,  in  the 
date  fixed  for  the  close  of  the  fiscal  year,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  promptly 
amended  its  by-laws  in  accordance  with  his  request.  Ridgely  usually  got 
what  he  asked;  experience  in  granting  his  demands,  and  following  his 
suggestions,  having  demonstrated,  in  every  instance,  their  wisdom  and 
usefulness.  He  reports  a  tremendous  increase  in  membership,  over 
81,000,000  paid  for  relief,  and  an  air  of  most  wholesome  prosperity 
everywhere. 

Grand  Encampments  were  chartered  in  Minnesota  and  Vermont,  and 
an  application  was  reported  from  Peru  for  a  charter  to  open  a  lodge  in 
that  country.  Odd  Fellowship  was  growing  in  popularity  as  the  Order 
increased  in  wealth  and  influence.  Odd  Fellows  were  to  be  met  on  every 
hand,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  fact  that  a  man  in  business  was  a  member 
of  the  Order,  or  likely  to  become  one,  brought  a  most  desirable  class  of 
patronage  to  his  door.  Members  began  to  resort  to  a  use  of  the  emblems 
of  the  Order  in  advertising.  Even  the  aristocratic  saloon  keeper  put  a 
three-link  pin  conspicuously  in  the  centre  of  his  spotless  white  shirt- 
front,  hung  up  a  sheet  of  pink  paper  cambric  decorated  with  the  cabalistic 
letters  "F.L.T."  or  "I.O.O.F.,"  and  talked  Odd  Fellowship  for  patron- 
age. The  Grand  Lodge  heard  of  this  speculation  in  its  symbols,  and 
promptly  enacted  a  law,  the  enforcement  of  which  punished  those  who 
used,  or  sanctioned  the  use  of,  any  of  the  emblems,  name,  or  mottoes  of 
the  Order,  in  the  prosecution  of  a  private  enterprise. 


144  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Degree  lodges  of  the  Daughters  of  Bebekah  were  authorized  to  ballot 
on  all  applications  for  membership;  subordinates  were  forbidden  to  adopt 
as  titles  the  names  of  living  persons;  it  was  decided  that  every  brother 
present  at  a  meeting  of  his  subordinate  should  be  required  to  vote,  unless 
excused  by  the  body;  and  that  none  but  past  grands  in  possession  of  the 
Royal  Purple  degree  might  visit  the  Grand  Lodge  upon  the  avouchment 
of  a  Grand  Representative. 

The  Session  of  1872.  —  Baltimore's  love  for  the  Grand  Lodge  increased 
with  its  lengthening  years  and  growing  dignity.  The  Grand  Lodge  had 
not  only  evinced  a  fondness  for  travel,  but  had  shown  a  very  marked 
appreciation  of  banquets,  receptions,  parades,  and  free  rides.  Baltimore 
was  not  slow  to  perceive  this,  and  when  the  Grand  Lodge  "came  home," 
in  1872,  the  Baltimoreans  proceeded  to  make  home  attractive. 

The  first  attempt  at  making  a  statistical  statement  of  the  general 
condition  of  the  Order  in  a  Grand  Sire's  report,  is  to  be  found  in  that  of 
Grand  Sire  Stuart's,  at  this  session.  He  confesses  the  failure  in  his 
attempt,  but  gives  a  good  excuse.  The  custom  of  summarizing  the 
statistics,  in  a  brief  and  condensed  form,  has  since  become  an  important 
and  valuable  feature  of  the  Grand  Sire's  report. 

A  Grand  Encampment  had  been  instituted  in  Nebraska,  and  the  dead 
one  in  North  Carolina  resuscitated.  The  Order  was  growing  and  pro- 
gressing most  satisfactorily  in  Europe,  and  the  degree  of  Rebekah  was 
established  in  Berlin,  by  the  organization  of  Einigkeit  Rebekah  Lodge, 
No.  1. 

German  Grammar.  —  The  name  of  the  since  well-known  and  much-loved 
M.  Richards  Muckl^,  of  Pennsylvania,  is  first  mentioned  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  journal  this  year  by  the  Grand  Sire.  That  eternal  and  unsolvable 
puzzle,  the  "  awful "  German  grammar,  had  been  found  most  intractable 
and  unruly,  when  applied  to  the  English  style  of  our  ritualistic  language. 
Many  an  eager  would-be  translator  had  come  to  grief,  and  made  himself 
an  object  of  ridicule  by  the  ungrammatical  mess  he  had  prepared  in  the 
name  of  a  "German  ritual."  Grand  Sire  Stuart  and  the  ever-cautious 
Ridgely  were  entirely  too  wai*y  to  be  caught  in  the  meshes  of  such  a  net, 
and  wisely  took  refuge  behind  the  scholarly  Grand  Treasurer  of  Pennsyl- 
vania's Grand  Lodge,  whose  well-established  reputation,  as  a  skilled 
magician,  in  manipulating  the  concealed  sharp  swords  of  the  German 
grammar,  saved  them  from  the  laughter  of  the  educated  Grerman  brethren. 

In  the  list  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  Order  who  died  during  the 
year,  are  the  names  of  John  Boyd,  who  was  the  Grand  Guardian  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  first  meeting;  and  James  Young,  of  Baltimore. 
The  latter  was  the  father  of  James  Young,  who  has  so  often  and  so  ably 
represented  the  Order  of  Maryland  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  who  has 
justly  won  for  himself  a  high  place  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  know  him. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  145 

The  election  this  year  put  Cornelius  A.  Logan,  of  Kansas,  at  the 
head  of  the  Order,  but  he  was  never  present  during  his  incumbency. 
Milton  J.  Durham,  of  Kentucky,  who  was  elected  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
well  and  ably  administered  the  office  of  Grand  Sire,  really  serving  in 
that  capacity  for  four  years, —  though  Grand  Sire  Logan  sent  reports 
each  year  that  he  retained  the  office  of  Grand  Sire.  Not  finding  any- 
thing better  to  do,  after  selecting  the  two  officers  mentioned  above,  the 
Grand  Lodge  proceeded  solemnly  to  the  formality  of  electing  Ridgely  and 
Vansant,  as  usual,  and  then  the  installation  took  place. 

Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire.  —  A  Grand  Lodge  was  chartered  in 
the  German  Empire.  The  introduction  of  the  Order  into  that  country, 
owing  to  its  excited  political  condition,  had  been  attended  with  many 
difficulties.  Prince  Bismarck  allowed  his  suspicions  to  be  so  far  quieted 
by  the  shrewd  Ridgely  and  his  German  ally  and  aide-de-camp,  Hugo 
TVoUheim,  that  he  stamped  Odd  Fellowship  with  the  great  seal  of  his 
sanction,  and  it  took  up  its  abode  among  the  appreciative  subjects  of  the 
great  empire.  The  Grand  Lodge  expressed  its  gratitude  for  so  great  a 
favor,  by  transmitting  through  WoUheim  to  the  premier.  Prince  Bis- 
marck, a  nicely  prepared  vote  of  thanks.  This  was  done  May  3,  1872, 
and,  on  the  10th  of  the.  folio  wing  August,  its  receipt  was  acknowledged, 
without  comment,  in  as  starchy  a  reply  as  could  be  compressed  into  three 
lines. 

The  Grand  Sire  was  authorized  to  exercise  his  discretion  as  to  the 
establishment  of  the  Order  in  the  British  Isles. 

Three  new  committees  were  added.  The  growing  importance  of  the 
Kebekah  degree  accounted  for  one  on  the  degree  of  Eebekah,  and 
the  increasing  business  of  the  Grand  Lodge  made  it  necessary  to  appoint 
one  on  printing  supplies,  and  one  on  foreign  relations.  A  judiciary 
committee  had  been  added,  in  1868,  and  rule  of  order  number  nine 
amended,  increasing  the  membership  to  five,  seven,  and  nine.  There 
were  now  four  committees  of  nine,  eight  of  seven,  and  two  of  five  mem- 
bers each,  a  total  of  fourteen  standing  committees,  requiring  the  services 
of  one  hundred  and  two  representatives, —  the  distinction  of  serving  on 
committees  being  enlarged  to  reach  nearly  the  entire  body. 

The  office  of  Assistant  Grand  Secretary  was  created.  The  next  year 
it  was  decided  that  he  should  be  a  competent  book-keeper,  and  his  duties 
were  slightly  defined.  It  was  decided  in  1872  that  "combination  col- 
lars" were  suitable  regalia  for  past  grands  who  were  also  past  chief 
patriarchs;  that  eulogies  of  the  dead  should  be  presented  in  writing, 
laid  on  the  Grand  Secretary's  desk,  and  printed  in  the  journal;  and  a 
diagram  of  a  lodge-room  was  adopted,  showing  the  proper  stations  of  the 
officers  when  the  lodge  was  opened  for  business. 

The  Session  of  1873.  —  The  reception  accorded  to  the  Grand  Lodge  by 


146  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

the  Baltimoreans  in  1872,  bore  the  desired  frait  in  another  session  in 
that  city,  in  1873.  Grand  Sire  Logan  was  not  only  absent  in  Ghile^  bat 
his  report  was  not  at  hand.  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Durham  presided.  A 
page  or  two  of  expensive  telegraphing  unearthed  the  report  in  time  to 
lay  that  document  before  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  third  day  of  the 
session. 

The  report  of  the  Grand  Secretary  was  marked,  everywhere,  with  the 
word  -'progress.''  The  Order  had  been  established  in  Switzerland; 
the  Grand  Lodge  chartered  last  year  in  the  German  Empire  instituted, 
and  reported  in  a  wholesome  condition;  a  Grand  Encampment  was  char- 
tered in  Colorado;  and  over  $1,500,000  had  been  spent  in  relief.  Grand 
Representatives  Sehorn  and  Danbury  presented  to  the  Grand  Secretary  a 
remarkable  cane,  built  for  the  occasion,  combining,  with  a  small  modicum 
of  utility,  a  unique  collection  of  the  emblems  and  historical  data  of  the 
Order.  Bidgely  was  requested  to  act  as  historiographer  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  $3000  was  appropriated  to  defray  the  expense  of  preparing  a 
history  which  should  be  "up  to  date."  The  journal  does  not  specify 
which  one  of  these  events  precipitated  the  other,  but  that  remarkable 
cane  is  most  likely  responsible  for  the  history  of  Odd  Fellowship  which 
came  after  it. 

The  death  of  Past  Grand  Sire  John  A.  Kennedy  was  announced. 
Another  elaborate  and  painstaking  report  was  presented  on  the  subject  of 
dues  and  benefits  by  a  special  committee.  While  it  does  not  compare  in 
valuable  information  and  suggestions  with  that  presented  twenty  years 
before,  it  met  a  better  fate.  It  gained  one  point  only,  and  that  was  to 
secure  positive  information  as  to  the  number  of  weeks  for  which  benefits 
were  paid,  and  the  committee  was  continued. 

An  "order  of  business"  for  Kebekah  lodges,  and  a  form  of  reports 
giving  information  relative  to  the  doings  of  this  branch  of  the  Order, 
were  adopted;  dismissal  certificates  were  ordered  to  bear  the  facsimile 
signature  of  the  Grand  Secretary;  and  an  application  was  granted  to 
print  and  issue  visiting  and  withdrawal  cards  in  the  German  language, 
to  be  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire,  for  exclusive 
use  in  that  jurisdiction.  They  were  to  be  printed  only  on  the  backs  of 
similar  cards  issued,  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  in  the  English  language. 

The  Session  of  1874.  —  The  reception  and  entertainment  ceremonies 
attending  the  session  in  Baltimore,  in  1873,  were  exceedingly  mild. 
Atlanta,  Georgia,  presented  an  enthusiastic  invitation  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  that  body,  which  rarely  "let  a  good  thing  get  away,"  held  its 
session  in  the  flowery  city  of  Atlanta  in  1874.  The  welcome  was  hearty, 
the  entertainment  wholesale  and  elaborate  to  the  last  degree.  Charles 
M.  Busbee,  of  North  Carolina,  who  subsequently  became  Grand  Sire, 
and  William  W.  Morris,  of  Kentucky,  who  speedily  became,  and  still 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  147 

remains,  the  most  popular,  efficient,  and  useful  of  the  representatives, 
were  present  this  year  for  the  first  time. 

Grand  Sire  Logan  was  still  absent,  but  he  managed  to  get  his  report 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  in  time  for  reading  on  the  first  day  of  the  session. 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Durham  presided  in  such  an  able  fashion  as  to  banish 
much  of  the  regret  at  the  Grand  Sire's  absence.  Theodore  A.  Eoss, 
whose  name  has  since  become  as  well  known  as  Kidgely 's,  was  appointed 
Assistant  Grand  Secretary.  The  Grand  Sire  had  established  a  lodge  at 
Valparsfriso,  Chile,  and  Grand  lodges  were  chartered  in  Switzerland, 
British  Columbia,  Wyoming,  Montana,  and  Utah. 

The  Rebekah  branch  made  good  reports,  showing  five  hundred  and 
twelve  lodges  in  thirteen  jurisdictions;  15,213  members,  and  $3500  paid 
for  relief. 

Milton  J.  Durham,  of  Kentucky,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  John  W. 
Stokes,  of  Pennsylvania,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Ridgely  and  Vansant  were 
retained,  according  to  custom,  and  the  officers  were  installed.  A  new 
form  was  adopted  for  the  installation  of  Grand  Officers;  also,  a  new 
funeral  ceremony,  and  a  ritual  for  guidance  in  celebrating  the  anniversary 
of  the  Order.  The  committee  on  miscellaneous  business  was  discovered 
at  this  session,  and  seven  members  were  appointed  to  look  after  the  usual 
"job  lot,"  which  was  then  dumped  into  its  bureau. 

The  Uniformed  Odd  Fellows. -—The  desire  to  don  a  uniform, — and  to 
wear  it  where  all  who  care  to  see  may  look;  a  desire  which  is  seldom 
wanting  among  the  young  men  of  any  land,  and  which  is  often  redoubled 
after  the  worst  echoes  of  a  war  have  ceased  to  I'esound  in  the  ears  of  the 
people, —  manifested  its  presence  for  the  first  time  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
in  1872,  when  a  crumb  of  comfort  was  fed  to  the  "puling  infant,"  in  the 
shape  of  a  resolution  delegating  to  Grand  Encampments  the  power  to 
permit  encampment  members  to  wear  such  a  style  of  uniform,  on  parade 
occasions,  as  the  Grand  Encampment  should  prescribe ;  with  the  proviso 
that  the  funds  of  encampments  should  not  be  invaded  to  pay  for  the 
new-fancy  clothes.  The  young  fellow,  delighted  with  his  fine  toggery, 
cried  for  more,  and  a  futile  attempt  was  made,  in  1873,  to  permit  the 
wearing  of  uniforms  by  members  of  subordinate  lodges. 

In  1874  a  very  elaborate  uniform  was  prescribed  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
for  the  patriarchal  branch.  This  is  the  foundation  of  the  Patriarchs 
Militant,  now  famous  for  its  beautiful  uniforms  and  banners,  the  military 
precision  with  which,  in  many  instances,  its  attractive  drill  service  is 
performed;  noted  for  the  endless  botheration  it  has  caused,  and  still 
continues  to  produce  in  the  Senate  of  Odd  Fellowship,  but  chiefly  criticised 
for  having  worked  the  disappearance  of  thousands  of  dollars,  many  of 
which  were  drawn  from  the  treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Sire  was  authorized  to  proceed  in  the  manner  which 


148  TEE  TEBEE'LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

seemed  to  him  to  be  wisest  and  safest,  in  introducing  the  Order  into 
Austria,  where  there  still  appeared  to  be  a  latent  demand  for  it,  held  in 
check  by  the  police  supervision  at  the  sacred  borders  of  that  coveted 
Canaan.  The  government  must  first  be  most  humbly  and  respectfully 
petitioned  for  permission,  and  the  design  must  not  only  be  clearly 
shown,  but  it  must  bear  upon  its  face  no  evidences  of  a  hidden  scheme, 
within  its  ceremonies  and  mysteries,  to  sow  sedition  and  undermine  the 
government. 

Grand  Lodge  members  were  directed  to  confide  to  the  committee  on 
mileage  and  per  diem  the  lands  of  their  nativity,  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
adjourned  to  meet  in  Indianapolis,  the  capital  of  the  "Hoosier  State,"  in 
September,  1875. 

The  Session  of  1875. — Nothing  was  left  undone  by  the  brothers  and 
citizens  of  Indianapolis  in  their  endeavor  to  receive  and  entertain  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  a  manner  in  perfect  accord  with  their  high  estimate  of 
its  dignity  and  importance.  Thomas  A.  Hendricks,  governor  of  the 
state,  spoke  in  the  highest  terras  of  the  feeling  of  welcome  entertained 
by  his  constituents.  He  was  followed  by  the  mayor  of  the  city;  he  by 
Senator  Morton,  and  last,  but  not  least,  by  our  own  Schuyler  Colfax,  who 
poured  forth  such  eloquent  assurances  of  welcome  that  the  gratitude  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  remained  unappeased,  after  the  happy  response  in  its 
behalf  by  Grand  Sire  Durham,  and  refused  to  be  comforted  until  Ridgely 
appeared,  and  thanked  them  again  and  again. 

A  grand  procession  followed,  on  Wednesday,  in  which  we  are  informed 
the  uniformed  patriarchs  from  five  distant  cities  took  part,  lending  espe- 
cial charm  to  the  festive  scenes  by  reason  of  their  brilliant  regalia  an^ 
excellent  marching.  A  magnificent  banquet  next  ensued.  During  the 
week  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  special  invitation,  attended  a  reception  given 
in  their  honor  by  Governor  Hendricks  and  his  lovely  wife.  It  was  a  great 
meeting,  — its  memories  will  live  forever  with  those  who  participated. 

John  C.  Underwood  represented  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  at  this 
session,  appearing  for  the  first  time,  and  in  so  modest  a  rdle  that  there 
was  nothing  to  proclaim  in  him  the  future  Grand  Sire  and  head  of  the 
Patriarchs  Militant,  in  the  days  of  their  greatest  glory,  which  he  after- 
ward became. 

The  table  of  statistics  in  the  report  of  the  presiding  officer  is  by  far 
the  most  satisfactory  and  complete  that  had  been  presented  by  a  Grand 
Sire.  Grand  Encampments  were  organized  in  Oregon  and  Nevada,  and 
a  Grand  Lodge  in  Dakota. 

The  special  committee  on  dues  and  benefits  made  another  extended 
report,  containing  but  the  single  recommendation  that  the  committee  be  con- 
tinued, with  instructions  to  do  it  again  next  year.  The  report  was  adopted. 
It  was  the  easiest  and  shortest  way  to  solve  a  troublesome  problem. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GBAND  LODGE.  149 

The  Grand  Lodge  declared  that  a  member  of  an  encampment,  present- 
ing himself  at  a  meeting  in  uniform,  was  entitled  to  the  same  consideration 
that  was  accorded  a  member  not  so  clad;  that  an  atheist,  being  such, 
disqualified  himself  for  membership  in  an  encampment.  It  had  already 
been  decided  he  could  not  join  a  subordinate  lodge,  so  it  is  not  easy  to 
see  the  necessity  for  the  latter  decision.  Forms  for  trials  and  appeals 
were  adopted,  and  appeals  to  the  Grand  Lodge  were  required  to  be  filed 
with  the  Grand  Secretary  five  days  before  the  opening  of  the  session,  and 
the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  to  meet  in  Philadelphia  in  1876. 

America's  Centennial  Tear:  1876. — It  was  a  memorable  occasion, — 
centennial  year, — a  year  of  nearly  as  much  jubilation  within  the  great 
fraternity  of  Odd  Fellows  as  within  the  nation.  The  former  had  passed 
a  little  over  half  a  century  of  practical  experiments  into  history,  and  the 
American  idea  of  Odd  Fellowship  was  a  pronounced  success ;  the  latter 
was  burying  its  first  hundred  years,  while  it  rushed  eagerly  to  meet  the 
demands  of,  and  to  prepare  for,  the  next  age,  before  the  admiring  gaze 
of  a  whole  world,  astonished  by  the  success  and  promising  future  of  the 
American  idea  of  national  government. 

The  managers  of  the  Philadelphia  Exposition  in  honor  of  the  nation's 
hundredth  anniversary,  gave  the  Odd  Fellows  one  day,  September 
20th,  in  which  to  make  such  a  display  as  pleased  them  best.  The  Odd 
Fellows  put  17,568  men  into  a  procession  five  miles  long;  they  varied 
the  links  in  this  long  chain,  by  sprinkling  through  its  interminable 
length  ninety-two  brass  bands,  and  nine  flute  and  drum  corps,  and 
presented  to  the  people  of  Philadelphia  the  most  magnificent  spectacle, 
in  the  shape  of  a  procession,  they  had  ever  witnessed. 

The  idea  of  organizing  the  past  grand  representatives  for  social  pur- 
poses, chiefly,  originated  with  William  Robinson  Smith,  of  Maine,  and 
was  at  once  adopted. 

It  was  a  year  of  rejoicing,  and  a  comparison  of  statistics.  Grand  Sire 
Durham  combined  a  formidable  array  of  long  figures  in  his  report  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  exhibiting  a  most  solid  foundation  for  the  congratulation 
and  display  in  which  the  Order  had  indulged.  The  Grand  Lodge  felt  so 
good,  and  so  happy,  and  so  generous,  that  the  nine  past  graud  sires, 
who  attended  the  session,  were  paid  mileage  and  per  diem,  a  thing  before 
unknown. 

A  Grand  Encampment  was  chartered  in  Arkansas  and  a  subordinate 
lodge  was  organized  in  London,  again  establishing  the  Order  in  Great 
Britain.  Grand  Sire  Durham  had  met  the  stone-wall  of  prejudice  and 
suspicion  lurking  in  the  Austrian  official  mind,  which  sprang  to  arms  in 
fierce  opposition  at  the  bare  mention  of  Odd  Fellowship.  He  prudently 
retired  to  give  time  for  deliberation.  Those  official  guardsmen  are  either 
thinking  about  it  yet,  or  have  forgotten  it  utterly,  but  they  never  thought 


150  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

any  better  of  the  proposition  to  introduce  Odd  Fellowship  within  the 
sacred  precincts  of  Austria.  It  still  remains  virgin  soil,  unexplored  by 
the  peaceful  ploughshare  of  our  fraternity. 

After  four  years  of  active,  faithful  service  in  that  ofl&ce,  Grand  Sire 
Durham  handed  the  gavel  to  John  W.  Stokes,  of  Pennsylvania,  who  was 
elected  Grand  Sire  at  this  session.  The  election  of  the  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  to  the  office  of  Grand  Sire,  beginning  with  James  P.  Sanders  of  New 
York  in  1866,  was  a  custom  with  the  Grand  Lodge  by  this  time, — and 
in  no  single  instance,  since  1866,  has  this  unwritten  rule  been  broken. 
It  has  the  same  force  and  effect  as  that  other  law,  read  between  the  lines, 
of  a  wise  caution  and  long  experience,  which  resulted  in  the  selection  of 
Bidgely  and  Yansaut  every  time  an  election  was  held  in  the  Grand  Lodge, 
from  the  date  of  their  discovery  until  the  day  of  their  death. 

It  was  very  positively  affirmed  that  no  live  Indian  could  lawfully 
enter  any  lodge  of  this  Order,  either  as  a  member  or  a  visitor;  and  that 
a  lodge,  as  such,  could  not  attend,  in  a  body,  the  funeral  of  a  deceased 
Ancient  Odd  Fellow,  and  conduct  the  services  according  to  the  ritual  of 
the  Order.  This  decision  is  mentioned  because  of  its  obvious  corollary, 
that  if  an  Ancient  Odd  Fellow  was  not  quite  dead,  his  funeral  might  be 
so  attended  and  conducted  with  perfect  propriety  and  with  lasting  good 
to  the  Order.  But  for  his  well-known  kindness  of  heart,  and  the  fact 
that  the  Grand  Sire  does  not  indulge  in  jokes,  there  is  an  element  in  this 
decision  to  make  the  student  of  our  laws  suspect  a  latent  intention  to 
poke  a  little  fun,  at  that  ignis  fatuus  of  the  Order,  who  is  misnamed  an 
Ancient  Odd  Fellow.  If  that  was  the  intention  of  the  Grand  Sire,  the 
verdict  "serve  them  right"  would  follow;,  for  these  ancient  brothers  were 
continually  popping  some  question  to  annoy  and  entrap  an  unwary  and 
innocent  Grand  Sire,  or  to  make  trouble  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 

A  scheme  to  turn  the  Order  in  Colorado  into  a  life  insurance  company, 
and  to  compel  every  member  in  that  jurisdiction  to  take  out  a  policy 
"instanter,"  was,  wisely,  pronounced  unlawful  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Session  of  1877.  —  The  session  of  1877  was  held  in  Baltimore,  in 
September.  No  mention  of  reception  ceremonies,  banquets,  or  free  rides 
is  made  in  the  journal.  The  Baltimoreans,  evidently,  had  come  to  know 
that  with  the  development  of  the  infant,  once  so  tenderly  nursed  in  the 
bosom  of  Maryland's  metropolis,  into  a  lusty  and  somewhat  headstrong 
giant,  there  had  also  developed  in  the  Grand  Lodge  such  a  love  of  travel, 
such  a  feeling  of  secure  independence  of  all  the  world,  that  money  and 
time  spent  by  Baltimore,  in  lavishingly  elaborate  receptions,  expensive 
banquets,  etc.,  upon  that  body,  was  sweetness  wasted  on  the  desert  air 
of  inappreciation.  Other  cities  so  far  surpassed  her  in  such  matters 
that  she  wisely  concluded  to  pocket  her  pride  and  her  cash,  and  leave  the 
Grand  Lodge  to  journey  at  its  own  sweet  will,  contenting  herself  with 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  151 

the  cooling  assurance  that  it  was  welcome  in  its  old  home  whenever  it 
wanted  to  come  there;  an  assurance  which  is  as  much  responsible  as 
anything  else  for  the  fact  that  the  Grand  Lodge  has  held  but  four  ses- 
sions in  that  city  since  1877. 

Tal.  P.  Shaffner  represented  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Kentucky 
at  this  session,  and  continued  to  do  so  until  hi^  death  in  1881.  He  had 
rendered  the  same  service  to  the  Grand  body  in  1842,  '43,  and  '45,  and 
all  the  years  of  his  connection  with  the  Order  are  marked  with  the 
generous  deeds  of  his  noble  character,  and  the  love  of  a  big  heart,  which 
was  as  true  to  the  "  good  of  Odd  Fellowship  "  as  the  needle  is  to  the  pole. 

The  reports  of  the  Grand  Sire  and  Grand  Secretary  show  the  Order 
prospering  at  home,  and  in  all  places  abroad,  save  in  England,  where 
all  attempts  to  place  it  on  a  substantial  basis  have  ever  been  followed  by 
failure.  The  constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  amended  so  as  to  pro- 
vide that  no  mileage  should  be  paid  to  representatives  of  jurisdictions 
not  on  the  continent  of  North  America.  The  mileage  and  per  diem  cost 
the  Grand  Lodge  this  year  $18,853;  the  sessions  were  becoming  quite 
expensive.  As  another  measure  of  retrenchment  and  reform,  the  stand- 
ing resolution  was  repealed  which  provided  for  the  donation  of  the  bound 
journals,  digest,  etc.,  to  Grand  Kepresentatives. 

There  were  two  committees  on  appeals  this  year,  numbered  "one" 
and  "two,"  composed  of  nine  members  each.  Ko  reason  assigned  for 
this  fact  has  been  found  by  the  writer.  The  appointments  were  repeated 
in  1878  and  1879,  but  not  afterward.  The  special  committee  on  dues 
and  benefits  exhausted  both  the  subject  and  themselves  in  another  long 
report,  ending  with  the  recommendation  that  the  committee  be  continued, 
and  vacancies  filled  by  new  appointments.  Some  of  the  members,  per- 
haps, had  died  from  the  exhausting  efforts  of  their  long  research  after 
statistics.  The  report  was  adopted.  Nothing  but  entertainment  for  the 
committee,  and  an  immense  collection  of  statistics,  seems  ever  to  have 
resulted  from  these  protracted  labors. 

It  was  decided  for  the  Kebekah  degree  that  the  standing  of  the  wife 
of  an  Odd  Fellow  in  her  lodge  was  not  affected  by  that  of  her  husband 
in  his  subordinate  lodge;  the  essential  qualifications  for  office  in  Kebekah 
lodges  were  defined;  and  that  branch  was  restrained  from  using  the 
A.T.P.W.  of  the  subordinate  lodge.  A  sub-committee,  of  not  less 
than  two  members  of  the  finance  committee,  was  appointed  to  examine 
the  books,  vouchers,  etc.,  and  report  each  year.  Members  owing  more 
than  thirteen  weeks'  dues  were  declared  not  entitled  to  the  term  pass- 
word nor  to  benefits,  but  they  could  attend  the  meetings  of  their  lodges; 
and  it  was  further  enacted  that  members  in  arrears  for  dues  for  one  year 
might  be  suspended  from  membership. 

The  report  of  the  Grand  Secretary  shows  the  Bebekah  branch  to  have 


152  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

grown  rapidly,  especially  during  the  past  three  years.  It  had  now  nearly 
37,000  members,  had  paid  during  the  year  about  $6000  for  relief,  and 
owned  net  assets  amounting  to  over  $38,000.  The  Grand  Secretary  pre- 
sented a  compilation  of  statistics,  embracing  all  the  work  of  the  Order 
from  1830  to  the  close  of  1876. 

The  reader  may  now  turn  to  the  next  page,  or  to  the  thirteenth  chapter 
of  the  Book  of  Daniel,  in  the  family  Bible,  for  comfort,  if  he  finds  figures 
dry  reading.  They  (the  figures)  are  good  things  in  their  way,  and  the 
following  are  not  without  value. 

There  had  been  1,022,800  people  initiated  in  forty-six  years;  there 
were,  in  1876,  461,888  in  active  membership;  and  in  those  forty-six  years, 
the  vast  sum  of  almost  $24,000,000  had  been  wisely  and  judiciously 
expended  in  the  great  work  of  charity  called  relief. 

In  the  midst  of  its  rejoicing  the  Grand  Lodge  did  not  forget  to  pur- 
chase a  portrait  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Logan,  who,  though  never  present  in 
the  Grand  Lodge  during  his  term  as  Grand  Sire,  was  entitled  to  see  his 
portrait  in  the  journal  and  in  the  gallery  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Those  starchy  titles  of  "Most  Worthy,"  "Right  Worthy,"  etc.,  still 
hung  like  an  incubus  about  the  necks  of  the  members  who  had  to  address 
anybody  in  the  Grand  Lodge ;  the  pen  of  the  Grand  Secretary  was  simply 
groaning  beneath  the  weight  of  these  long,  superfluous  titles,  and  the 
eyes  of  the  type-setter  gleamed  with  fiendish  glee  as  he  mentally  calcu- 
lated the  income  from  the  setting  of  the  many  thousands  of  superfluous 
"ems"  which  they  required.  Our  reforms  came  in  the  course  of  time, 
but  they  came  exceedingly  slow. 


CHAPTER  VL 

THE  TENTH  PERIOD:    1878-1884. 

"  Tonder  fly  his  scattered  golden  arrows 
And  smite  the  hills  with  day." 

The  Session  of  1878:  Yellow  Fever.  —  The  session  of  1878  was  held  in 
Baltimore,  because  of  the  interference  of  an  unexpected  and  most  unwel- 
come visit  of  yellow  fever  to  the  South.  An  invitation  ringing  with  the 
cordiality  and  sincerity  of  hospitality,  for  which  the  Texans  are  deservedly 
famed,  was  accepted  in  1877,  and  great  preparations  for  the  reception  and 
entertainment  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  Austin,  were  already  under  way, 
when  the  thrill  of  terror  incident  to  the  acknowledged  presence  of  the 
deadly  visitor  in  the  state  of  Texas^  extended  speedily  to  all  the  land. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GBAND  LODGE.  168 

A  proclamation  from  Grand  Sire  Stokes  quickly  followed,  recalling  the 
acceptance  of  the  invitation  to  Austin,  and  notifying  all  concerned  that, 
owing  to  unwholesome  climatic  conditions  abroad,  the  Grand  Lodge  would 
remain  at  home  that  year. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia.  —  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Harmon  gave  a  report 
of  the  highly  satisfactory  state  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Australasia.  He 
had  paid  that  jurisdiction  a  visit  during  the  year.  It  embraced  New 
Zealand  in  the  arms  of  its  liberal  charter.  Brother  Harmon  had  carried 
with  him,  and  delivered  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia,  a  new 
charter,  modified  and  altered  to  suit  the  present  necessities.  The  details 
of  his  visit,  reception,  and  work  are  deeply  interesting,  and  are  printed 
in  full  in  the  journal  of  the  session.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia, 
at  the  suggestion  of  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Harmon,  was  made  independent, 
and  in  its  leading  feature  the  new  charter  bestowed  the  powers  that  had 
been  conferred  upon  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Grerman  Empire. 

The  Order  was  introduced  into  Denmark  during  the  year,  and,  judging 
from  the  report  of  the  Grand  Secretary,  was  prospering  in  all  the  foreign 
nurseries  where  it  had  been  planted,  except  in  England  and  the  West 
Indies.     It  was  then  moribund  in  these  two  countries,  and  died  in  1879. 

Those  advocating  a  change  in  the  title  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  par- 
tially gratified  at  this  session  by  a  change;  one  which  was  not  fully 
satisfactory  to  their  idea  of  its  greatness,  but  which  was,  doubtless,  a 
compromise.  By  amending  section  one,  of  article  i.  of  the  constitution, 
the  title  was  altered  to  "  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows."  It  is  a  pity  that  those  qualifying  titles  of  "  Worthy,"  etc., 
did  not  go  out  of  use  at  the  same  time,  but  it  is  as  true  in  the  history 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  in  some  other  bodies,  that  it  moves  in  a  most 
deliberate  way,  "  its  wonders  to  perform." 

A  street  uniform  for  subordinate  lodges  was  adopted.  This  must  be 
understood  in  the  plural,  for  the  specifications  were  left  to  the  pleasure 
and  wild,  untamed .  fancies  of  the  subordinate  Grand  Lodges.  Nothing 
very  fantastic  or  unique  resulted  in  many  instances  from  this  liberty. 
The  modest  taste  and  good  sense  of  the  brotherhood  is  usually  met  and 
fully  satisfied  with  a  "  plug  "  hat,  a  pair  of  gloves,  and  a  cane.  This  was 
especially  shown  by  the  "  uniforms  "  worn  by  several  subordinates  in  the 
great  procession  at  Atlantic  City,  New  Jersey,  in  1895.  These  displays, 
by  their  very  modesty  and  appropriateness,  instantly  commend  the  wear- 
ing of  such  uniforms  to  all  observers,  whether  of  the  Order  or  not. 

John  B.  Harmon,  of  California,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  Luther  J. 
Glenn,  of  Georgia,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  and,  after  the  entire  vote  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  had  been  cast  for  Ridgely  and  Vansant,  the  other  officers 
were  appointed,  and  all  were  installed. 

The  Degree  of  Eebekah,  the  importance  of  which  was  never  allowed 


154  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

to  pass  nnobserv^ed,  demanded  more  special  legislation  this  year.  Though 
its  advocates  seldom,  if  ever,  got  all  they  thought  they  wanted  in  this 
direction,  something  of  value  was  given  to  them  each  year.  This  time 
they  obtained  an  annual  password  to  be  used  in  visiting  in  other  jurisdic- 
tions. Seven  members,  irrespective  of  sex,  were  declared  a  quorum  in 
Rebekah  lodges.  A  semi-annual  password  was  ordered  to  be  promulgated 
by  Orand  Masters,  and  the  unmarried  daughters  (above  the  age  of  eighteen 
years)  of  Scarlet  degree  members  were  made  eligible  to  membership  in 
Bebekah  lodges. 

Passwords  in  Bnglish:  Signs,  etc.,  ad  lib. — Foreigners  were  politely 
requested  to  learn  enough  English  (in  case  they  joined  the  Order)  to 
pronounce  the  passwords  in  that  language.  They  might  give  the  grips 
and  signs  in  their  own.  It  was  a  good  decision,  but  its  enforcement  has 
been  attended  with  many  burlesques  of  good  English  words,  in  fruitless 
efforts  to  adapt  their  ofttimes  graceless  and  uncouth  shapes  and  curves 
to  the  more  graceful  undulations  of  some  foreign  tongue.  Subordinates 
were  again  permitted  to  make  non-beneficial  members  of  non-affiliated 
Odd  Fellows  who  were  over  fifty  years  of  age.  The  Grand  Lodge  never 
seemed  to  tire  of  tinkering  with  the  "ancient  brother,"  in  whatever  shape 
he  presented  himself, — any  more  than  it  did  of  passing  this  non-beneficial 
membership  law  at  almost  every  session. 

The  Session  of  1879.  — A  suggestion,  found  for  the  first  time  in  the 
records  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  is  contained  in  Grand  Sire  Harmon's  mes- 
sage to  that  body  at  its  session  in  Baltimore  in  1879.  It  was  to  reduce 
the  representation  to  one  representative  from  each  Grand  jurisdiction. 
This  idea,  and  another  to  hold  biennial  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
usually  have  been  disposed  of  quickly,  by  adopting  an  adverse  report 
from  some  committee,  and  neither  seems  to  have  better  promise  of 
materialization,  in  the  shape  of  a  law,  now,  than  at  the  time  of  its 
introduction. 

The  Grand  Sire  suggested  a  per  capita  tax  as  a  source  of  revenue, 
in  lieu  of  the  means  then  employed,  but  that  suggestion  also  fell  on  stony 
ground. 

The  "Sovereign"  Grand  Lodg|e. — Grand  Lodges  were  chartered  in 
Quebec  and  Washington.  The  very  appropriate  and  euphonious  word 
"  Sovereign  "  was  selected  as  the  distinguishing  title  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
It  is  so  apposite,  and  fits  so  gracefully  as  the  initial  word  in  the  title,  that 
we  do  not  cease  to  wonder  at  the  lateness  of  its  discovery  and  adoption. 
The  honor  for  the  discovery  and  proposal  of  this  marked  improvement 
seems  to  be  due  to  the  loved  and  honored  Tal.  P.  Shaffner,  of  Kentucky, 
though  the  names  of  Herring,  of  Texas,  and  Busbee,  of  North  Carolina, 
are  also  signed  with  his  to  the  proposition  to  change  the  constitution  as 
it  is  printed  in  the  journal. 


THE  80VJEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  156 

The ''Donnant  Law."  —  That  monstrosity  known  as  the  "dormant 
law,"  was  born  in  Baltimore  in  1879.  It  speedily  became  the  best 
standing  joke  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  body  inclined  its  starchy  dignity 
so  far  from  its  wonted  "stiff  perpendicular"  as  not  only  to  laugh  the 
infant  out  of  this  life,  when  it  was  scarcely  one  year  old,  but  to  make  it 
next  to  impossible  to  compose  its  features  in  proper  solemnity  to  attend 
its  funeral  in  1880.  The  loss  of  membership  on  account  of  suspensions 
for  the  non-payment  of  dues,  up  to  1877,  was  shown  to  be  460,120;  a 
tremendous  loss,  it  is  true;  too  great  to  be  repaired  by  so  young  and 
powerless  an  infant  as  the  "dormant  law."  We  neither  wonder  at  nor 
mourn  its  early  death. 

Those  in  possession  of  the  Degree  of  Kebekah  were  not  allowed  to 
receive  the  semi-annual  password  of  the  degree  unless  they  were  members 
in  good  standing  of  a  Kebekah  lodge.  The  intent  of  this  law  was  to 
swell  the  rolls  of  membership  in  this  growing  young  branch,  and  was 
not  without  good  results. 

Permission  was  given,  wherever  desired,  to  organize  auxiliary 
endowment  benefit  associations,  upon  the  special  conditions  laid  down 
in  the  law;  and  Odd  Fellows  were  accorded,  graciously,  the  privilege  of 
uniting  with  any  other  lawful  organization  without  sundering  their  con- 
nection with  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  A  very  unfair  and  unwise 
bit  of  legislation  declared  those  incapacitated  for  labor  by  old  age  not 
entitled  to  benefits,  as  were  those  of  any  age  disabled  by  sickness  or 
accident.  The  interjection  of  the  Latin  words  "jjer  «e,"  in  the  last  line  of 
the  resolution,  does  not  quite  take  away  the  sting  of  this  statute. 

A  committee  of  thirteen  was  appointed  to  make  a  complete  revision  of 
the  written  and  unwritten  work  of  the  Order.  This  was  the  step  pre- 
paratory to  that  very  important  change  in  the  whole  structure  of  Odd 
Fellowship,  which  followed  in  1881,  requiring  the  work  of  subordinate 
lodges  to  be  done  in  the  highest  degree,  then  called  the  "Third." 

The  Session  of  i88o.  —  The  reception  and  entertainment  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  Toronto,  Canada,  in  1880,  furnished  abundant  evidence,  not 
only  of  the  wisdom  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  persisting  in  its  efforts  to 
resuscitate  and  maintain  the  Order  in  the  British  possessions  in  North 
America,  but  that  the  work  had  been  done  most  thoroughly.  The  Grand 
Lodge  assembled  on  Friday,  previous  to  the  date  fixed  for  business,  and 
the  fun  began.  The  trip  to  Penetanguishene  was  made  memorable  by  an 
incident  in  the  career  of  Fred  Oarleton,  of  Texas,  who  was  a  representative 
for  the  first  time,  but  whose  virtues  so  won  upon  the  affections  of  his 
jurisdiction  that  he  was  continued  in  that  office  until  the  session  in  1894, 
when  he  was  installed  in  the  high  and  honorable  office  of  Deputy  Grand 
Sire;  followed  by  the  crowning  glory  of  his  long  page  in  the  history  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  when  he  was  installed  as  Grand  Sire,  at 


156  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

m 

Dallas,  "the  pride  of  the  Lone  Star  State,"  in  1896,  the  city  in  which 
the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  that  year  was  held. 

The  Kentuckian-Tezan  Hat  Episode.  —  When  the  warning  cry:  "All 
aboard  for  Penetanguishene,"  resounded,  the  smallest  member  of  the 
Kentucky  delegation,  the  last  man  to  leave  the  hotel  dining-room,  found 
a  very  large,  soft,  broad-brimmed,  black  hat  where  his  new  one,  pur- 
chased for  the  occasion,  ought  to  have  been,  and  that  particular  hat  was 
mysteriously  missing.  The  new  member  from  Kentucky  was  in  great 
distress,  and,  most  naturally,  appealed  to  Brother  Morris  for  help.  That 
brother  of  most  fertile  resources  in  an  emergency,  concealing  the  large 
hat  behind  his  ample  anatomy,  approached  Brother  Garleton,  then  an 
absolute  stranger  to  the  attacking  brother,  who  was  standing  alone  on  the 
lawn,  his  tall  form  towering  aloft,  the  new  hat  from  Kentucky  reposing 
in  its  diminutive  proportions  upon  the  topmost  pinnacle  of  the  uncon- 
scious Texan,  while  he,  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  he  had  a  troubled 
brother's  hat  in  his  possession,  was  casually  observing  the  stirring  scenes 
of  life  about  him,  while  he  mentally  reviewed  some  of  the  unpleasant 
occurrences  of  the  long  journey  from  his  home. 

Brother  Morris,  receiving  in  a  whisper  from  the  upward-pointing 
new  brother  from  Kentucky  an  assurance  of  his  absolute  identification 
of  his  property,  looked  innocently  into  the  eyes  of  the  Texan,  and  much 
more  innocently  asked  him  the  poetical  question :  "  Where  did  you  get 
that  hat  ?  "  Slowly  removing  the  little  hat.  Brother  Garleton  gazed  at 
it  in  surprise.  He  handed  it  to  Brother  Morris,  heaved  a  deep  sigh,  and 
in  plaintive  tones  unfolded  his  " little  tale  of  woe " :  "I  am  two  thousand 
miles  from  home,"  said  he,  "I  have  lost  my  baggage  en  route,  I  am  a 
stranger  in  a  strange  land,  and,  worse  than  all  the  rest,  am  detected  with 
another  man's  hat  in  my  possession;  now  I  must  either  go  bare-headed 
on  this  excursion,  or  stay  in  the  hotel, —  there  isn't  time  left  me  even  in 
which  to  buy  a  new  hat."  Brother  Morris  produced  the  large  hat  from 
its  place  of  concealment,  smiles  returned  to  the  face  of  the  brother 
from  Texas,  they  went  with  the  excursion  together,  and  thus  it  was  that 
a  little  thing  like  a  mistake  in  hats  laid  the  foundation  of  a  friendship 
as  lasting  as  time  itself. 

The  report  of  Grand  Sire  Harmon  is  a  fine  paper,  full  of  wise  counsel, 
and  worthy  of  the  great  Odd  Fellow  who  wrote  it.  The  Order  was 
reported  dead  in  England,  and  the  Manchester  Unity  sent  us  a  very 
handsomely  illuminated  address,  full  of  congratulations.  War  between 
Chile  and  Peru  had  nearly  wrecked  the  institutions  of  the  Order  in  those 
countries, —  elsewhere  all  was  satisfactorily  progressive. 

Ridgely'8  Last  Report.  —  The  last  report  signed  by  Ridgely  was  read 
at  this  session.  Though  in  the  city,  he  was  unable  to  attend  the  meet- 
ings.    That  noble  officer  had  faced  and  spoken  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  the 


THE  80VEBEIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  157 

pride  of  his  heart,  for  the  last  time.  He  did  not  pass  away  until 
Kovember,  1881,  but  was  never  able  to  be  present  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
again. 

The  revision  of  the  work  was  completed  and  adopted, — the  committee 
was  continued  to  supervise  the  printing  and  to  correct  errors. 

Luther  J.  Glenn,  of  Georgia,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  Erie  J.  Leech, 
of  Iowa,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Joshua  Vansant,  Grand  Treasurer;  and, 
true  to  its  long  and  unfaltering  love,  the  Grand  Lodge  again  reelected 
James  L.  Ridgely  Grand  Secretary.  All  the  officers  were  installed, — 
Ridgely,  who  was  unable  to  be  present,  was  installed  by  the  Grand  Sire 
in  his  room  at  the  hotel. 

The  field  of  the  Rebekahs  was  again  widened  by  the  passage  of  the 
law  declaring  adopted  daughters  of  Scarlet  degree  members  eligible  to 
membership  in  Eebekah  lodges.  Grand  Encampments  were  authorized 
to  prepare  suitable  military  tactics  and  regulations  for  the  government 
of  those  who  chose  to  wear  uniforms. 

A  law  was  enacted  providing  that  a  wife  might  testify  against  her 
husband  when  he  was  charged  with  inflicting  corporal  injury  upon  her. 
The  law  is  all  right,  but  that  a  necessity  for  such  a  law  existed  is  to  be 
deplored,  because  it  must  mean  that  a  so-called  Odd  Fellow,  somewhere, 
had  upon  a  time  whipped  his  wife,  —  a  crime  of  which  no  reed  Odd 
Fellow  could  possibly  be  guilty. 

The  Session  of  z88i. — When  the  Grand  Lodge  met  in  Cincinnati  in 
1881,  it  was  overrun  with  pending  legislation,  overwhelmed  with  invita- 
tions, processions,  speeches,  music,  and  feasting,  and  overcome  with 
grief  at  the  hopeless  condition  of  President  Grarfield,  who  died  from  the 
assassin's  bullet  on  the  evening  of  the  first  day's  session.  The  Grand 
Lodge  testified  to  its  feeling  of  deep  and  sincere  regret  at  this  national 
calamity  by  adopting  the  resolution,  offered  by  Representative  Busbee, 
of  North  Carolina,  who,  in  his  ever  graceful  style,  had  spoken  in  forcible 
words  its  unanimous  sentiment.  The  entire  programme  of  display  was 
left  uncompleted  the  next  day,  when  it  became  known  that  Garfield  was 
dead,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  set  itself  earnestly  to  the  task  of  the  legislation 
before  it. 

The  report  of  Grand  Sire  Glenn  touched  in  tones  of  sadness  upon 
the  continued  illness  of  Ridgely,  who,  though  still  alive,  was  not  able  to 
attend  the  meeting.  Indeed  Assistant  Grand  Secretary  Ross  says,  in  his 
report,  he  was  so  far  incapacitated  for  work  that  it  was  not  possible  to 
hold  a  consultation  with  him  about  the  preparation  of  the  report.  Thus 
it  happened  that  the  report  of  the  Grand  Secretary  in  1881  was  the  first 
one  since  1839  which  did  not  bear  the  signature  of,  and  owe  its  masterly 
merit  to,  James  L.  Ridgely. 

A  Grand  Encampment  was  chartered  in  Dakota,  and  the  Order  was 


158  THE  THREE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

prospering  everywhere.  Since  the  efforts  had  failed  to  establish  it  in 
England  and  the  West  Indies,  thereby  disposing  of  the  only  weak  plants 
in  the  field,  the  growth  in  numbers  and  in  resources  was  everywhere  satis- 
factory. 

The  Patriarchal  Circle.  —  The  first  mention  of  the  Patriarchal  Circle 
in  the  journal  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  is  found  in  the  records  of 
this  year.  Grand  Sire  Glenn  presented  with  his  report  a  circular  issued 
by  the  "  Supreme  Temple  of  the  Patriarchal  Circle  "  of  Milwaukee.  The 
object  sought  to  be  attained  by  its  issue  and  circulation  was  to  enlist, 
from  the  ranks  of  Odd  Fellowship  onlyf  recruits  who  would  unite  in  the 
propagation  of  several  new  degrees  for  uniformed  patriarchs.  There  was 
but  one  point  where  the  zealous  brothers  at  the  head  of  this  innovation 
were  in  the  wrong:  they  were  attempting  to  add  degrees,  in  the  name  of 
the  Order,  and  to  which  only  members  of  the  Royal  Purple  degree  were 
eligible,  without  first  obtaining  the  sanction  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge.  That  body  could  not  hope  to  continue  its  control  of  the  Order 
for  a  day,  if  the  point  in  controversy  was  yielded  in  the  smallest  degree. 
It  took  a  very  moderate  but  firm  position,  reaflfirming  its  exclusive  right 
to  superintend  the  secret  work  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  denied  to  all 
others  the  privilege  of  adding  to,  or  subtracting  or  varying  from,  even  in 
the  most  minute  particular,  such  work  as  the  Grand  Lodge  prescribed  and 
furnished  under  the  seal  of  its  approval.  It  likewise  prohibited  members 
of  the  Order  from  uniting  with  any  organization  using  any  portion  of 
the  emblems,  titles,  mottoes,  etc.,  of  Odd  Fellowship,  claiming  to  be  a 
branch  of  the  Order,  but  not  sanctioned  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Uniform  prevails.  —  The  contest  between  the  lovers  of  uniforms 
and  finical  display,  in  the  Northwest,  and  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
continued  for  several  years,  and  its  progress  and  effects  are  interesting 
to  note.  Slowly  but  surely  the  Grand  Lodge  wound  the  links  of  its 
mighty  power  about  the  weak  rebellion,  until  the  inevitable  happened, 
and  the  insurrection  was  effectually  crushed;  but  not  without  a  great 
concession  on  the  part  of  the  victors.  Finding  it  impossible  to  subdue 
and  control  the  overwhelming  desire  among  the  younger  members  of  the 
Order  to  strut  before  the  world, —  clad  in  the  habiliments  of  war  when 
no  danger  threatened,  to  dress  themselves  in  showy  uniforms,  which  oft- 
times  meant  display  of  pride  and  nothing  more;  and  learning  that  the 
men  who  loved  such  pompous  show  demanded  a  further  distinction  (not 
supplied  by  the  uniformed  degree  camp  law)  between  themselves  and 
those  members  of  the  Royal  Purple  degree  who  did  not  long  to  wear  a 
uniform  and  bear  a  sword, — the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  showed  its 
willingness  to  gratify  the  wishes  of  the  fraternity,  provided  it  was  done 
in  a  legitimate  and  proper  manner;  and  it  so  terminated  that  under  the 
direction  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  Patriarchal  Circle  was  annihilated  on 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  159 

the  one  hand^  and  the  since  famous  organization  called  the  Patriarchs 
Militant  was  developed  on  the  other.  This  has  been  found,  by  practical 
experiment,  to  meet  in  full  all  the  demands  of  the  most  ardent  lover  of 
military  display,  except  in  one  who  really  wants  to  fight. 

Growth  of  the  Degree  of  Rebekah.  —  Gradually  the  scope  of  the  Rebekah 
degree  was  expanding.  It  was  enlarged  this  year  by  a  broader  construc- 
tion of  the  clause  declaring  unmarried  daughters  and  the  unmarried 
sisters  of  Scarlet  degree  members  eligible  to  membership  in  the  degree. 
This  was  so  construed  as  to  admit  those  two  classes  who  were  so 
unfortunate  as  to  become  unmarried,  after  having  entered  that  happy 
estate,  through  the  death  of  a  husband  or  from  any  other  cause.  This  con- 
struction of  the  law  admitted  widows  of  all  kinds,  but  still  this  branch 
of  the  Order  continued  to  flourish  and  grow  and  prosper  far  beyond 
the  wildest  dreams  of  its  most  sanguine  advocates.  A  little  restraint 
was  put  upon  this  construction  of  the  law,  by  a  decision  that  if  a  sister 
of  the  degree  became  a  widow  while  under  a  sentence  of  suspension  for 
non-payment  of  dues,  and  married  a  man  without  the  sacred  pale  of  Odd 
Fellowship  before  being  reinstated,  she  was  debarred  from  the  privilege 
of  reinstatement,  as  long  as  she  remained  his  lawful  wife.  The  incon- 
gruity of  these  two  laws  is  manifest;  The  intent  was  to  prevent  the 
detail  of  the  secrets  of  the  degree  to  a  husband  who  was  not  entitled  to 
know  them, — but  suppose  an  initiated  or  reinstated  widow  married  an 
outsider,  what  then?  Since  our  new  woman  is  learning  how  to  vote, 
hold  office,  and  otherwise  competently  fill  positions  heretofore  reserved 
for  sovereign  man  alone,  in  most  of  the  avenues  of  business,  we  are  first 
shocked,  then  surprised,  then  admire  with  much  delight  her  remarkable 
ability  in  the  new  field  she  has  adopted;  and,  finally,  in  a  burst  of  new 
confidence,  give  her  "more  rope,"  not  in  the  hope  that  she  will  hang  her 
dear  self,  but  rather  that  she  will  cut  the  Grordian  knot  by  solving  the 
problem  of  man's  capacity  for  self-government,  and  govern  him  herself. 

The  eighteen-year-old  orphaned  daughters  of  Odd  Fellows  were  de- 
clared again  to  be  eligible  to  membership  in  Eebekah  degree  lodges. 
The  extreme  and  deserved  popularity  of  girls  of  this  tender  age  with 
the  grave  and  reverend  seigniors  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  is 
responsible,  perhaps,  for  the  frequency  with  which  this  particular  law 
has  been  reenacted. 

The  Revised  Ritual. — The  completed  work  of  the  revised  ritual  was 
presented  in  a  satisfactory  form,  and  then  came  the  enactment  of  the 
famous  law  of  1881,  requiring  all  the  work  of  subordinate  lodges,  except 
the  conferring  of  the  lower  degrees,  to  be  done  in  the  highest  degree, 
which  was  then  called  the  "Third."  This  went  into  effect  July  1,  1882, 
and  the  following  years'  experience  with  it  has  convinced  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  great  wisdom  of  the  change.     The  degrees  of  the  subordinate 


160  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

lodge  were  reduced  from  five  to  three,  and  these  were  named  the  "Pink," 
the  "Blue,"  and  the  "Scarlet."  The  Initiatory  degree  remained  as 
before  the  change,  and  was  not  a  numbered  degree.  All  the  beauties  of 
the  ritualistic  work  in  the  five  degrees  were  concentrated  in  the  three, 
and  article  xxii.  of  the  by-laws  was  amended,  adapting  the  regalia  to  this 
decided  change.  With  this  amendment,  the  apron  disappeared  from  the 
lodges  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Non-affiliated  Odd  Fellows  received  a  little  more  unimportant  atten- 
tion^ and  people  too  blind  to  distinguish  persons  and  things  were  declared 
ineligible  to  membership  in  any  branch  of  the  Order. 

The  Session  of  1882.  —  When  the  Grand  Lodge  met  in  Baltimore  in 
1882,  the  death  of  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  was  formally  announced. 
He  died  November  16,  1881,  and  the  Grand  Sire  appointed  Theodore  A. 
Ross  as  his  successor  in  the  office  of  Grand  Secretary,  on  the  19th  of  the 
same  month.  The  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  upon  receipt  of  the  news 
of  Ridgely's  death,  the  prompt  measures  taken  to  celebrate  the  great 
deeds  of  his  life  and  to  perpetuate  his  memory  by  the  erection  of  a 
magnificent  monument,  abundantly  showed  the  love  and  reverence  enter- 
tained by  that  body  for  its  dead  friend. 

The  Order  was  established  in  the  city  of  Mexico,  and  a  Grand 
Encampment  chartered  in  Wyoming.  The  report  of  Grand  Secretary 
Ross  indicated  a  tremendous  tide  of  activity.  More  than  19,000  mem- 
bers were  added  to  the  army  of  peace-loving  Odd  Fellows,  and  in  evidence 
of  their  devotion  to  our  principles  they  laid  down,  during  that  year, 
nearly  $2,000,000  on  the  altars  of  charity. 

The  stately  and  ponderous  title  of  "Most  Worthy,"  with  all  its  itera- 
tive and  tedious  variations,  was  erased  from  the  laws,  and  encumbered 
the  records  no  more  forever.  All  subordinate  jurisdictions  were  requested 
to  "follow  suit,"  and  that  nomenclature,  which  had  been  in  use  for- so 
many  years  as  to  seem  next  to  indispensable,  was  laid  upon  the  shelf  and 
forgotten. 

Erie  J.  Leech,  of  Iowa,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  Henry  F.  Garey,  of 
Maryland,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Theodore  A.  Ross,  Grand  Secretary; 
Joshua  Vansaat,  Grand  Treasurer ;  and  these,  together  with  the  appointed 
officers,  were  installed.  A  depository  was  selected  by  the  Grand  Lodge, 
in  which  its  securities  and  investments  should  be  kept. 

Uniformed  Degree  Camps  established.  —  The  uniformed  degree  camp  for 
the  uniformed  members  of  the  Royal  Purple  degree  was  instituted,  together 
with  a  set  of  specifications,  fixing  its  powers  and  prerogatives,  prescribing 
its  officers,  etc.,  and  the  Grand  Sire  issued  a  circular-letter  to  all  encamp- 
ments, calling  their  attention  to  the  new  organization,  urging  all  those 
inclined  to  make  a  display  in  uniform  to  unite  with  the  degree  camp,  and 
warning  them  against  a  connection,  in  any  way,  with  organizations  using 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  161 

the  symbols,  paraphernalia,  etc.,  of  the  Order  without  the  sanction  of  this 
Grand  Lodge.  To  Kepresentative  W.  H.  Crocker,  of  Illinois,  belongs 
the  credit  of  discovering  this  expedient,  which  rapidly  crystallized  into 
the  Patriarchs  Militant  degree. 

The  committee  on  dues  and  benefits  had  fallen  in  numbers  to  two. 
When  it  is  understood  that  the  two  remaining  members  were  Doctor 
Campbell,  of  Ontario,  and  Isaac  A.  Sheppard,  of  Pennsylvania,  no  sur- 
prise is  excited  by  the  statement,  that  both  in  point  of  statistics  and 
recommendations,  the  report  presented  by  them  at  this  session  was  by 
far  the  best  yet  laid  before  the  Grand  Lodge  on  that  complex  subject. 
The  recommendations,  which  were  calculated  to  avert  financial  dangers 
threatening  subordinates,  contained  a  clause  making  their  adoption 
obligatory  as  to  those  bodies  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  That  clause  was  stricken  from  the  report,  and,  thus 
mutilated,  the  report  was  adopted  and  the  committee  continued.  Suit- 
able blanks  were  ordered  printed  on  the  back  of  visiting  cards,  in  which 
visits  were  to  be  recorded. 

The  Session  of  1883.  —  The  session  of  1883  was  held  in  Providence, 
where  the  reception  and  entertainment  were  as  cordial,  sincere,  and  full 
of  interest  as  it  is  in  the  power  of  human  skill,  prompted  by  fraternal 
love,  aided  by  the  most  attractive  surroundings  to  be  found  on  our  Eastern 
coast,  to  make  them.  Nineteen  years  had  elapsed  since  the  Grand  Lodge 
had  met  in  New  England,  and  the  welcome  accorded  that  body  on  its 
return  showed  clearly  how  deeply  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship  had 
permeated  the  entire  people. 

Two  hundred  degree  camps  reported;  fifteen  hundred  uniformed 
patriarchs  marched  in  the  procession;  nearly  every  jurisdiction  was 
playing  with  this  new  and  expensive  toy ;  the  leaven  was  working,  and 
the  developments  were  keenly  watched.  Some  strong  laws  were  enacted 
to  prevent  the  continued  rush  into  the  Patriarchal  Circle,  which  was 
flourishing,  and  defying  the  Grand  Lodge.  Expulsion  from  the  Order 
awaited  those  who  joined;  charters  were  revoked  in  all  cases  where 
encampments  failed  or  refused  to  enforce  the  laws ;  and  a  very  dangerous 
and  threatening  attitude  was  assumed  toward  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
by  the  Order  in  the  central  Northwest. 

Revised  Rebekah  Ritual.  —  Eegalia  for  officers  in  Eebekah  lodges  was 
adopted,  and  the  revised  work  of  that  degree  was  declared  the  only  legal 
work,  to  go  into  use  immediately  upon  its  distribution.  The  right  to 
issue  visiting  cards  was  vested  in  the  noble  grand  and  secretary  of 
subordinate  Id&ges  during  a  recess  of  the  lodge  or  the  intervals 
between  meetings;  and  the  law  allowing  mileage  and  per  diem  to  the 
Junior  Past  Grand  Sire  during  the  incumbency  of  his  successor  T^as 
enacted. 


162  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  report  of  the  Grand  Secretary  showed  the  condition  of  the  Order 
in  Grermany  and  Australasia  to  be  in  a  highly  gratifying  condition. 

The  mileage  and  per  diem  at  this  session  amounted  to  nearly  $22,000; 
the  contributions  received  in  the  form  of  voluntary  subscriptions  to  the 
Ridgely  monument  fund  from  the  various  Grand  jurisdictions  amounted 
to  nearly  $13,000;  the  revenue  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  year  was  nearly 
$51,000;  the  net  profit  on  supplies  sold  was  over  $26,000;  we  had  paid 
nearly  $2,000,000  for  relief,  and  we  had  a  membership  of  nearly  half  a 
million  men.  We  were  becoming  reckless  of  large  figures;  at  the  same 
time  we  were  great,  and  hourly  growing  in  the  knowledge  of  our  greatness. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  ELEVENTH  PERIOD:    1884-1890. 

**  Like  the  leaves  of  the  forest  when  summer  is  green, 
That  host  with  their  banners  at  sunset  were  seen." 

The  Session  of  1884.  —  "^^^  intensity  of  the  fires,  ever  tended  and 
always  brilliant,  upon  the  altars  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  the  North  and  West 
never  glowed  more  brightly,  nor  illuminated  happier  faces,  than  when 
the  rays  fell  upon  the  countenances  of  the  officers  and  members  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  and  the  long  train  of  attendants  in  their  journey 
to  Minneapolis,  and  during  the  session  in  that  enterprising  city  in 
September,  1884. 

While  the  welconie  extended  to  the  Sovereign  body  each  year  spoke 
the  same  deep  sentiment  of  love  for  the  Order,  which  stirs  the  souls  of 
those  without,  as  well  as  those  within  the  sacred  pale  of  its  membership, 
the  ever-varying  circumstances  of  time  and. place  have  always  lent  a 
specific  charm  to  the  demonstrations  at  each  convocation.  Beginning 
this  year  in  Chicago,-^  whose  energetic  and  wide-awake  citizens  neglect 
no  opportunity  to  testify  to  their  extravagant  appreciation  of  Odd 
Fellowship,  and  to  whom  for  the  first  time,  since- the  great  fire  in  1871, 
was  presented"  an  opportunity  for  an  expression,  in  tones  of  eloquent 
deeds  of  kindness,  of  the  gratitude  which  yet  thrilled  their  bosoms  as 
they  remembered  the  readiness  with  which  the  strong  and  loving  arm  of 
help  was  extended  to  them,  by  the  Order,  in  their  dire  distress, — the 
pathway  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  literally  strewn  with  roses. 

The  generous  people  of  the  entire  'North  were  impelled,  by  their 
ambition,  to  so  welcome  the  representative  head  of  the  great  brotherhood 
in  s]ich  deeds  of  "v^holesale  and  lavish  hospitality,  that  the  session  in 


■ 


.jj^^r-jc.  .jj-  .j(.  .5.  .-.  .5.  .  j[.  .  j[.  .5.  .  j[.  .  jj. 


TBE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  163 

Minneapolis  will  be  characterized  forever  as  one  of  the  happiest  ever  held 
by  the  Grand  Lodge.  But  a  solemn  strain  of  deep  regret  was  heard, — 
listening  to  the  reading  of  the  otherwise  joyous  report  of  Grand  Sire 
Leech, — when  he  spoke  of  the  death  of  Grand  Treasurer  Joshua  Vansant, 
who  for  thirty  years,  with  honesty  and  fidelity,  had  discharged  the  duties 
of  his  responsible  office.  Alexander  L.  Spear,  of  Maryland,  was  appointed 
to  succeed  him. 

Grand  Lodges  had  been  organized  in  Arizona,  Idaho,  Manitoba,  and 
in  the  kingdom  of  Denmark;  and  Grand  Encampments  in  Montana  and 
Washington.  The  "  hosannahing "  theme  of  Grand  Sire  Leech,  speak- 
ing of  the  general  advance  of  Odd  Fellowship,  was  very  warmly  seconded 
by  the  report  of  the  Grand  Secretary,  in  the  array  of  statistics  and  long 
columns  of  figures,  which  were  absolutely  overwhelming. 

Henry  F.  Garey,  of  Maryland,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  John  H. 
White,  of  New  York,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Theodore  A.  Koss,  Grand 
Secretary,  and  his  long,  thundering  title:  "Grand  Corresponding  and 
Recording  Secretary,''  was,  to  the  joy  of  all,  very  sensibly  contracted 
into  the  terse,  but  equally  comprehensive  one  of  "Grand  Secretary." 
Isaac  A.  Sheppard,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  elected  Grand  Treasurer,  an 
office  which  he  held  consecutively  and  by  unanimous  consent,  until,  in 
1895,  failing  health  and  the  ever-increasing  cares  of  his  own  immense 
business  compelled  him  to  resign. 

The  war  waged  against  the  Patriarchal  Circle  was  renewed  with 
redoubled  vigor  this  year,  confidence  in  our  ultimate  and  speedy  success 
being  strengthened  greatly  by  the  report  showing  the  lively  existence  of 
ninety-eight  uniformed  degree  camps,  with  2607  members.  This  branch 
was  evidently  growing  in  popularity,  and  was  regarded  innocently  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  as  a  harmless  toy.  It  received  some  specific  attention ; 
luiiformed  degree  camps,  under  command  of  their  officers  and  in  full 
uniform,  were  permitted  to  visit  subordinate  lodges  while  in  session,  and 
a  special  committee  was  appointed  to  report,  in  1885,  such  legislation  as 
it  might  think  wise  and  safe  in  behalf  of  the  new  prodigy. 

A  darling  project  of  the  Rebekah  branch  was  laid  low  by  the  refusal 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  permit  annual  conventions,  composed  of  repre- 
sentatives from  Rebekah  lodges.  It  was  only  a  postponement,  however, 
of  that  which  persistence,  like  unto  the  perpetual  dropping  of  water  upon 
a  marble  slab,  eventually  brought  to  pass. 

The  Grand  Lodge  again  disclaimed  all  interest  in,  and  responsibility 
for,  the  contents  of  any  and  all  journals  purporting  to  be  the  official 
organs  of  the  Order.  A  jewel  for  District  Deputy  Grand  Sires  was 
invented;  the  Ridgely  monument  committee  was  authorized  to  contract 
for  a  monument,  costing  not  more  than  $20,000;  and  subordinate  Grand 
bodies  were  authorized  to  sanction  the  use  of  the  names  and  numbers  of 


164  '  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

extinct  bodies  in  their  jurisdictions,  in  the  naming  and  numbering  of  the 
newly  born  lodges  or  encampments. 

The  Session  of  1885.  —  In  September,  1885,  the  Grand  Lodge  assembled 
once  more  in  the  home-city  of  Baltimore.  Another  important  event  was 
transpiring,  connected  intimately  with  that  city.  The  great  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  was  erecting  alongside  its  shining  pathway  (again  in  Baltimor,e) 
another  magnificent  milestone  to  mark  its  progress.  The  Ridgely  monu- 
ment was  unveiled  and  accepted  on  the  second  day  of  the  session  by  Grand 
Sire  Garey,  in  behalf  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  the  presence  of  a  vast 
throng  of  loving  friends  and  with  most  elaborate  and  fitting  ceremonies. 
The  address  of  the  eloquent  Grand  Sire  left  nothing  but  approval  seeking 
expression  in  the  minds  of  those  who  heard  him.  He  spoke  in  beautiful 
sentences,  the  deep,  true,  and  strong  feelings  of  all;  and  when,  in  his 
report,  he  briefly  epitomized  and  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  the  pros- 
perous condition  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  unbounded  love  and  admiration 
for  the  dead  Grand  Secretary  was  clearly  shown  to  be  founded  on  a  rock 
as  enduring  as  time,  to  remain  unshaken  by  the  lapse  of  years. 

Removal  to  Columbus,  Ohio.  —  The  development  of  Baltimore  into  a 
great  city  from  a  smaller  one  swept  away  the  buildings  owned  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  which  contained  the  offices  occupied  by  the 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  The  situation  forced  a 
prompt  consideration  of  the  "  permanent  headquarters  "  problem,  and  it 
was  supposed  to  have  been  solved  by  the  purchase  of  property  in  Colum- 
bus, Ohio.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  protested  in  vain.  The  removal 
was  made  early  in  1887.  Baltimore  paid  (almost  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet)  the  paltry  sum  of  $4541.25,  in  1889,  for  the  ground-lease  and 
razed  buildings.  It  was  less  than  one-half  the  appraised  value,  but  it 
was  thankfully  accepted  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  body  further  pro- 
ceeded to  testify  its  approval,  by  closing  out  its  possessions  in  Columbus 
and  going  back  to  Baltimore,  with  its  offices  and  headquarters,  early  in 
1893.  In  1895  the  Grand  Lodge  bought  property  in  Baltimore,  and  from 
being  a  sort  of  tramp  in  respect  of  occupying  as  tenant-at-will, —  the  offices 
for  which  it  paid  an  annual  rent, — rose  to  the  dignity  of  living  in  a 
permanent  home,  and  owning,  m  fee  simpley  property  in  the  city  of  its 
nativity.     That  ghost  is  laid;  peace  to  its  restless  spirit. 

The  Grand  Secretary  reviewed  the  situation  most  hopefully  in  his 
report  in  1885,  and  prophesied  a  membership  of  620,000  in  1889.  It  was 
not  a  bad  guess ;  it  was  much  better  than  that  of  the  average  weather 
prophet,  even  in  these  days  of  much  enlightenment  concerning  the  doings 
of  our  eccentric  weather.    There  were  634, 335  members  December  31, 1889. 

The  Military  Arm :  Patriarchs  Militant.  —  The  Grand  Encampment  of 
Florida  was  chartered  in  1885;  the  uniformed  degree  camps  were  increas- 
ing and  multiplying,  and  decorating  the  earth;  the  infant  was  growing 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE,  165 

into  a  well-developed  baby  elephant,  but  the  peculiar  whiteness  of  its 
complexion  was  not  yet  plainly  perceptible.  A  revision  of  the  founda- 
tion and  construction  of  this  "  playhouse  of  Odd  Fellowship  "  took  place 
in  1885,  and  resulted  in  the  delegation  of  many  powers  and  vast  discretion 
(nearly  all  of  the  latter  commodity  possessed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  being 
given  away  on  this  occasion),  and  a  rechristening  took  place  in  the  name 
of  "Patriarchs  Militant."  A  grand  army  was  formed  in  true  military 
style;  the  handsomest  uniforms  ever  seen  in  the  United  States  were 
prescribed;  even  the  dead  regalia  manufacturers  turned  in  their  graves, 
regretting  the  opportunity  lost  to  them  by  an  untimely  death. 

The  army  prospered;  it  spent  money  lavishly,  but  it  grew  in  numbers; 
and,  notwithstanding  the  exceedingly  warlike  appearance  it  presented, 
nobody  was  seriously  hurt  or  frightened. 

The  Degree  of  Kebekah  did  not  allow  itself  to  be  deprived  of  notice 
amid  the  excitement  incident  to  the  presence  of  so  large  a  body  of  armed 
men  in  the  Order,  and  this  year  secured  the  appointment  of  a  committee 
to  improve  the  ritual. 

The  committee  on  dues  and  benefits  produced  more  valuable  and 
reliable  tables  of  figures ;  but  the  long,  painstaking  labors  of  these  com- 
mittees have  resulted  in  nothing  but  the  compilation  of  statistics,  which 
are  studied  by  the  few. 

A  form  of  public  dedications  was  adopted,  also  of  petitions  for  mem- 
bership,—  the  latter  was  declared  not  mandatory  in  1886.  The  Grand 
Lodge  adjourned,  thus  closing  the  last  session  held  by  that  body  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  up  to  1898. 

The  Session  of  x886.  — By  way  of  acceptable  variety  the  Grand  Lodge 
was  entertained  by  a  sail  on  salt  water,  when  it  met  in  Boston  in  1886. 
Nothing  is  said  in  the  journal  of  the  Cochituate  variety  of  water,  but  in 
many  most  agreeable  ways  the  visit  was  made  pleasant  by  the  hospitable 
entertainers.  The  Patriarchs  Militant  helped  the  display  made  in  the 
public  parade,  nearly  6000  uniformed  men  being  in  the  procession.  A 
large  share  of  the  legislation  this  year  was  devoted  to  this  ornamental 
branch, — the  report  of  the  Lieutenant-General  alone  occupying  over  one 
hundred  pages  of  the  journal.  The  reports  of  the  Grand  Sire  and  Grand 
Secretary  were  comforting  and  reassuring. 

The  revised  ritual  of  the  Kebekah  degree  was  adopted  to  take  effect 
January  1,  1887;  the  wife,  unmarried  daughter,  unmarried  sister,  the 
mother,  if  a  widow,  and  the  unmarried  step-daughter  of  an  Odd  Fellow 
were  declared  eligible  to  the  degree,  if  they  toere  white. 

John  H.  White,  of  New  York,  was  chosen  Grand  Sire;  John  C. 
Underwood,  of  Kentucky,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Ross  and  Sheppard  being 
respectively  reelected  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Treasurer;  and  after 
the  installation  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  to  meet  in  Denver  in  1887. 


166  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

The  Session  of  1887.  —  Excursions,  entertainments,  and  a  grand  recep- 
tion, led  by  the  Governor  of  Colorado,  testified  to  the  heartiness  with 
which  the  Grand  Lodge  was  welcomed  in  that  city;  and  though  the 
meetings  held  so  far  from  the  centre  of  the  Odd  Fellow  population  are 
ruinously  expensive,  yet  the  desire  to  see  new  countries  continues  to  be 
so  strong  in  the  Grand  Lodge  that  it  frequently  holds  an  annual  session 
in  some  distant  place.  The  session  in  Denver  cost,  in  mileage  and  per 
diem  alone,  over  $28,000. 

The  Rebekah  Ritual  to  be  used  only  by  Rebekah  Lodges.  —  Grand  Sire 
White  called  attention  to  the  increased  interest  in  the  Degree  of  Rebekah, 
and  counselled  moderation  of  the  extreme  views  of  those  whose  prejudice 
against  this  degree  prompted  them  to  antagonize  its  progress.  That 
clause  in  the  law  debarring  from  membership  the  widows  of  Odd  Fellows 
who  had  died  while  not  in  good  standing  was  repealed;  the  new  ritual 
was  declared  to  be  for  the  exclusive  use  of  Rebekah  degree  lodges ;  Grand 
Masters  were  authorized  to  appoint  women  who  were  past  noble  grands 
to  install  the  officers  in  Rebekah  lodges;  the  Rebekah  branch  was  heartily 
commended  for  its  zeal  and  rapid  progress;  and  a  new  form  of  burial 
service  was  adopted.  A  new  jewel  was  adopted  this  year,  with  appro- 
priate ceremonies  for  its  bestowal  upon  a  lawful  recipient.  It  was  called 
the  "  Decoration  of  Chivalry, "  and  was  to  be  conferred  upon  any  Daughter 
of  Rebekah,  or  Chevalier,  who  desired  it :  the  law  prescribed  that  it  should 
be  worn  by  the  former  at  the  throat;  by  the  latter  on  the  left  breast. 

In  view  of  the  change  of  base  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  standing 
resolution  of  1858  providing  that  all  sessions  of  that  body,  not  other- 
wise ordered,  shall  be  held  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  was  amended  by 
the  substitution  of  the  city  of  Columbus  for  Baltimore. 

The  Grand  Sire  was  allowed  $500  with  which  to  employ  a  secretary, 
and  subordinate  Grand  bodies  were  authorized  to  provide  for  the  founding 
and  maintenance  of  "  homes  "  for  the  needy  and  helpless  of  the  Order. 

The  Session  of  1888.  —  The  session  in  Los  Angeles,  California,  in  1888, 
the  one  in  which  the  present  writer  became  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
must  ever  remain  in  the  memories  of  those  who  made  the  delightful  trip 
across  the  continent  the  most  prominent  event  of  their  lives.  A  proper 
description  of  the  incidents  of  the  trip,  the  session,  the  receptions  en 
route,  the  entertainment  in  Los  Angeles,  and  the  experience  and  delights 
of  the  homeward  journey,  would  extend  these  pages  beyond  the  limit  of 
a  portable  book ;  but  the  grateful  appreciation  of  the  participants  in  the 
hospitality,  so  generously  and  lavishly  bestowed,  is  as  bright  and  perfect 
to-day  as  it  was  in  that  glorious  September  in  1888. 

Grand  Sire  JohnH.  White  again  strongly  urged  the  amendment  of  the 
laws  so  as  to  admit  eighteen  year  old  boys,  but  it  failed  to  pass,  and  so  did 
a  proposition  to  establish  a  "  Juvenile  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  "  for  even 


THB  80VEEEIQN  GRAND  LODGE.  167 

younger  children.  The  Grand  Sire,  also,  recommended  a  modification  of 
the  white  clause  in  the  law  defining  the  essential  qualifications  for  mem- 
bership; but  it,  too,  came  to  grief.  His  suggestion  that  the  regalia  be 
abbreviated  and  narrowed  to  neat  and  tasteful  dimensions  was  more  than 
fully  met  by  the  adoption  of  an  amendment  to  the  by-laws,  providing 
that  a  simple  ribbon,  colored  to  represent  the  highest  degree  the  wearer 
had  taken,  and  suspending  the  jewel  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
thereto,  might  be  worn  in  lieu  of  any  other  regalia  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 
This  liberty  has  been  very  rarely  indulged  by  the  Grand  Representatives. 
They  seem  to  prefer  the  collar. 

A  general  supervision  of  all  insurance  schemes,  limited  to  Odd 
Fellows,  was  attempted;  but  very  little  of  value  has  been,  or  ever  will 
be,  accomplished  in  that  direction.  In  mileage  and  per  diem  the  Los 
Angeles  session  cost  the  round  sum  of  $44,653.50,  and  was  by  far  the 
most  expensive  session  that  had  ever  been  held. 

John  C.  Underwood,  of  Kentucky,  succeeded  to  the  office  of  Grand 
Sire ;  and,  having  been  the  organizer  and  popular  leader  of  the  Patriarchs 
Militant  for  the  prior  two  years,  he  was  continued  in  that  office  also ;  the 
separate  title  of  "  Generalissimo  "  being  created  and  bestowed  upon  him 
for  the  next  two  years,  in  addition  to  that  of  Grand  Sire.  The  wonderful 
work  done,  both  in  extent  and  in  the  able  manner  in  which  it  was  per- 
formed, by  this  untiring  leader  during  those  two  years  is  simply  past 
belief.  The  records,  in  which  not  even  one-half  is  told,  are  voluminous ; 
and  the  brains  always,  the  hand  almost  without  exception,  of  John  C. 
Underwood  are  in  all  that  was  accomplished  or  undertaken. 

Charles  M.  Busbee,  of  North  Carolina,  was  elected  Deputy  Grand 
Sire ;  Ross  and  Sheppard  were  reconsecrated  to  their  usual  lines  of  duty ; 
the  other  officers  appointed,  and  all  were  installed.  A  "  beautified  floor- 
work  "  for  the  Rebekah  degree  was  adopted,  and  no  one,  not  even  though 
he  were  a  Grand  Representative,  was  privileged  to  witness  its  exemplifi- 
cation unless  he  also  held  membership  in  a  Rebekah  lodge.  The  right 
to  confer  the  degree  was  vested  solely  in  Rebekah  lodges,  and  all  sub- 
ordinates were  required  to  surrender  the  books  of  the  degree  in  their 
possession.  The  law  in  regard  to  widows  by  divorcement,  a  vinculo 
matrimonii^  and  unmarried  sisters  received  a  few  more  decorations  from 
the  hands  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  without  adding  to  it  much  of  value  not 
already  therein  contained,  by  a  fair  interpretation  of  the  law. 

Poet  Laureate  Hough.  —  An  unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  to  induct 
Brother  Alfred  J.  Hough  into  the  consecrated  office  of  Poet  Laureate  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge;  that  unpoetical  body  probably  concluded 
to  try  and  worry  along  a  while  longer,  without  invoking  the  assistance 
of  such  an  officer,  although  he  had  been  crowned  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Vermont  at  its  session  the  previous  February. 


168  THE  THREE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Another  attempt  to  reduce  and  equitably  distribute  the  representation 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  fell  far  short  of  its  purpose. 

The  awful  condition  of  the  German  ritual  was  referred  to  a  committee 
supposed  to  be  skilled  in  navigating  the  unknown  sea  called  the  German 
grammar.^  The  committee  asked  for  a  whole  year  in  which  to  complete 
the  dangerous  voyage  of  discovery,  and  report  upon  it.  The  request  was 
granted.  The  Grand  Lodge  adopted  a  veteran  jewel,  the  possession  of 
which  by  lawful  means  indicated  twenty-five  years  of  active  service  in 
the  vineyard  of  Odd  Fellowship  by  the  wearer  of  the  jewel. 

The  Session  of  1889.  —  The  meeting  in  Columbus,  the  new  home  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  1889,  was  seriously  interrupted  by  a  painful  accident  to 
Grand  Sire  Underwood.  Just  as  he  was  riding  down  the  street  at  the 
head  of  his  staff,  to  take  charge  of  the  immense  procession  awaiting  him, 
his  horse  slipped  on  the  asplialtum  pavement  and  fell  upon  him,  inflicting 
serious  wounds,  so  that  he  was  not  only  unable  to  participate  in  the  grand 
parade,  but  was  not  present  at  any  subsequent  meeting  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  during  the  week.  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Busbee  presided  in  the  able 
manner  which  distinguished  him  during  his  subsequent  term  as  Grand  Sire. 

The  Order  had  been  established  in  France  and  Japan  during  the  year. 
The  floor-work  in  use  by  the  Rebekah  lodges  was  so  beautiful  and  attrac- 
tive that  other  branches  of  the  Order  wanted  something  similar,  and  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  it. 

The  ravages  of  the  disastrous  flood  at  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania,  were 
graphically  described  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson,  who  had  gone  there 
in  person  to  superintend  the  distribution  of  the  supplies  sent,  in  all  con- 
ceivable shapes,  by  the  Order  everywhere.  It  was  a  narrative  of  thrilling 
interest,  and  it  was  the  writer's  good  fortune  to  hear  the  story  of  destruc- 
tion on  the  one  hand,  and  most  liberal  and  effective  help  on  the  other,  as 
it  fell  from  the  lips  of  the  Past  Grand  Sire. 

National  Rebekah  Convention.  —  In  1889  the  flrst  national  convention 
of  delegates  from  Rebekah  lodges  was  held.  Their  suggestions,  petitions, 
and  complaints  were  "  dumped  "  upon  the  shoulders  of  a  special  committee 
on  the  Degree  of  Rebekah  appointed  by  the  Grand  Sire.  The  Patriarchal 
Circle  having  fallen  out  of  sight, —  having  been  completely  obscured  by 
the  ever-increasing  grandeur  of  the  gorgeous  Patriarchs  Militant, —  the 
Grand  Lodge  withdrew  even  the  small  attention  it  had  formerly  bestowed 
upon  that  obnoxious  periphery,  by  repealing  all  the  enactments  relating 
to  it. 

The  Patriarchs  Militant  claimed  and  received  a  lion's  share  of  atten- 
tion and  legislation.  It  had  army  headquarters  now,  and  was  becoming 
as  military,  and  as  stylish,  and  as  expensive  as  heart  could  wish;   and 

1  Xote  by  1h€  EiUtor-in-Chief.  —  The  subject  of  the  Foreign  ritaal,  not  only  of  the  German  but  also 
of  other  languages,  will  be  treated  in  the  Kltual  Dlylsion  of  this  work. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  169 

its  credit  was  so  good  that  it  was  able,  later,  to  borrow  $2000  from  the 
Grand  Lodge,  without  surety  of  any  sort,  or  even  an  obligation  to  pay 
interest.  This  last  mark  of  lenity,  as  it  eventuated  in  a  few  years,  was 
wasted  on  empty  air,  for  the  principal  was  never  paid.  The  Patriarchs 
Militant  headquarters  were  getting  into  debt,  and  the  borrowing  of  the 
money,  above,  was  the  beginning  of  a  very  expensive  ending, —  an  expense 
which  bore  most  heavily  upon  the  treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The 
decoration  of  chivalry  was  lavishly  and  almost  indiscriminately  bestowed, 
thereby  cheapening  its  value  as  a  distinctive  charm. 

Forms  of  Prayer.  —  The  matter  contained  in  various  forms  of  prayer, 
heretofore  approved,  having  met  with  some  adverse  criticism,  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  Venable  of  Kentucky,  Grand  Chaplain,  at  the  request  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  prepared  two  forms,  one  to  be  used  at  the  opening,  and  the  other 
at  the  closing  of  lodges ;  these  met  and  satisfied  all  the  objections  of  the 
critics,  and  they  were  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  second  Tuesday  in  June  of  each  year  was  fixed  as  memorial  day, 
instead  of  October  20th,  that  date  having  been  found  to  be  too  late  in 
the  season  in  several  jurisdictions. 

The  special  committee  on  the  terrible  German  ritual  gave  up  the 
undertaking,  and  the  book  was  left  alone  to  its  imperfections.  The  puzzle 
remains  unsolved  to  this  day. 

The  Grand  Lodge  undertook  to  define  whom,  of  a  deceased  Odd 
Fellow's  family,  are  the  beneficiaries  entitled  to  be  paid  the  funeral 
benefits.  The  word  "  benefit "  was  a  most  unfortunate  term  in  that  con- 
nection. The  Grand  Lodge  found  out  how  absurd  it  was  one  day,  and 
then  it  substituted  the  word  "expenses,"  and  the  trouble  was  at  an  end. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   TWELFTH  PERIOD:  1890-1897. 

"  Whether  we  shaU  meet  again,  I  know  not, 
Therefore  our  everlasting  farewell  take ; 
If  we  do  meet  again,  why  we  shall  smile : 
If  not,  why  then  this  parting  was  well  made." 

* 

The  Session  of  1890.  — The  enthusiasm  of  the  fraternity  in  Kansas  in 
welcoming  the  Grand  Lodge  to  its  session  in  Topeka,  in  1890,  knew  no 
bounds;  and  the  participation  of  the  body  in  all  the  entertainment  set 
lavishly  before  it,  almost  consumed  the  first  two  days  of  the  meeting. 
Then  the  pressure  of  business  was  so  unusually  heavy,  that  it  was  neces- 
sary to  remain  in  almost  continuous  session,  both  day  and  night,  during 
the  week.     The  voluminous  journal  of  the  session  so  far  overtaxed  the 


170  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

hitherto  untried  capacity  of  the  printing  ofl&ces  in  Topeka,  that  the  daily 
journals  were  first  delayed,  and  finally  presented  fearfully  and  wonder- 
fully  printed,  on  long,  unbound  slips  of  flimsy  paper.  The  Grand  Lodge 
paid  dearly  for  its  fun  in  long  hours  of  hard  work. 

Changes  in  the  Patriarchs  Biilitant.  —  The  loan  of  the  $2000  to  the 
Patriarchs  Militant  army  headquarters,  the  condition  of  its  affairs  as 
shown  by  the  report  of  Grand  Sire  and  Generalissimo  Underwood,  the 
vast  expenditure  of  money,  and  the  ever-increasing  indebtedness  of 
the  military  headquarters,  and  the  dawn  of  the  conviction  that  the 
collection  of  the  revenue  in  the  military  branch  could  not  be  or  was  not 
being  enforced,  sounded  a  note  of  general  alarm  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 

A  special  committee  on  the  army  branch  was  appointed  to  report  at 
next  session  upon  several  points  of  vital  importance  referred  to  it.  To 
concentrate,  in  a  few  lines,  the  general  effect  and  wholesome  results  of 
the  close  investigation  of  a  special  committee  which  met  in  New  York 
City  in  February,  1892,  and  reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  session  in 
Portland,  Oregon,  in  the  following  September,  will,  in  a  measure,  com- 
plete the  history  of  this  peacefully  troublesome  army  to  the  year  1896. 

Upon  the  report  of  the  special  committee,  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
decided  that  it  was  responsible  for  the  debts  incurred  by,  or  on  account 
of,  this  new,  full-grown,  and  very  "white  elephant,"  and  paid  them; 
abolished  military  headquarters,  with  all  their  pomp  and  glory  and 
expensiveness ;  put  the  Patriarchs  Militant  in  charge  and  under  the 
supervision  of  the  various  Grand  Encampments;  prepared  an  entirely 
new  code  of  laws  for  its  government,  modulated  to  harmonize  with  its 
humbler,  bi^it  far  more  secure  estate ;  and  enjoyed  the  great  satisfaction 
of  placing  our  peaceful  warriors  upon  a  safe  financial  basis,  without 
seriously  interfering  with  the  military  plan;  and  raised  an  effectual  bar 
to  the  accumulation  of  an  indebtedness  which  could  look  to  the  treasury 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  payment.  The  newly  inaugurated  system  seems 
to  have  produced  as  nearly  perfect  content  among  the  Patriarchs  Militant 
as  is  possible  to  be  attained  among  a  warlike  peoj)le. 

Rebekah  National  Conventions :  State  Assemblies.  —  The  law  permitting 
the  holding  of  national  conventions  by  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah  was 
repealed  in  1890,  although  the  right  to  hold  state  assemblies  of  that 
branch  was  not  withdrawn.  The  prosperity  of  this  degree  continued, 
and  its  interests  were  closely  guarded  and  jealously  watched.  The  ren- 
dition of  ritualistic  work  in  elaborate  style  and  in  ornate  dress,  in  this 
degree,  greatly  heightened  its  popularity.  The  subordinate  lodges 
promptly  followed  the  example,  and  "staff- work,"  and  "beautified  floor- 
work,"  were  all  the  rage.  It  had  a  fine  effect,  and  was  speedily  followed 
by  almost  universally  good  results,  though  in  some  instances  the  "  staff  " 
found  itself  so  very  comely  in   its  own   conceit,  that  photographs  en 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  171 

co8tuine  were  on  public  exhibition,  aaid  offered  for  sale  indiscriminately. 
Beyond  the  prohibition  of  this  pernicious  practice,  and  the  enactment  of 
a  law  defining  the  extent  of  a  "  staff -captain's  "  powers,  the  Grand  Lodge, 
seeing  the  value  of  the  work  done  by  the  staffs,  allowed  them  a  wide 
range  of  fancy,  limited  only  by  the  ritual,  upon  the  sacred  precincts  of 
which  no  innovations  were  permitted. 

Charles  M.  Busbee,  of  North  Carolina,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  Doctor 
CI.  T.  Campbell,  of  Ontario,  Deputy  Grand  Sire  ;  Ross  and  Sheppard 
were  reelected;  the  installation  took  place,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  ad- 
journed to  hold  its  next  session  in  St.  Louis. 

The  Session  of  1891.  —  Besides  a  magnificent  street  parade  and  an 
illumination  which  for  brilliancy,  extent,  and  beauty  quite  took  away 
the  breath  of  the  astonished  beholders,  there  was  little  else  to  divert  the 
attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  from  the  business  before  it  in  1891.  Grand 
Sire  Busbee  was  detained  at  home  by  illness,  and  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
Campbell  presided. 

The  Minimum  Benefit  Law.  —  The  '^  minimum  benefit  law  "  was  enacted, 
providing  for  the  payment  of  not  less  than  two  dollars  per  week,  with  the 
exception  that  after  benefits  had  been  paid  to  a  member  for  one  year,  the 
rate  might  be  reduced  to  one  dollar  per  week  thereafter,  during  his  illness. 
The  Grand  Sire  was  authorized  to  approve  the  constitutions  of  subordinate 
bodies  during  a  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  use  of  the  gavel,  as  pre- 
scribed in  the  ritual,  was  prohibited  on  occasions  of  public  installations. 

The  Session  of  1892.  —  The  session  of  1892  was  held  in  Portland, 
Oregon.  It  cost,  in  mileage  and  per  diem,  the  enormous  sum  of 
^50,264.72,  an  expenditure  of  the  Grand  Lodge  funds  almost  criminal. 
It  was  a  great  excursion,  but  the  good  accomplished  was  small  compared 
with  the  heavy  expenditure  of  money. 

Grand  Sire  Busbee,  restored  to  health,  was  gladly  welcomed.  His 
magnificent  report,  and  the  remarkable  ability  with  which  he  presided, 
sealed  for  all  time  his  popularity  with  the  Grand  Lodge.  A  committee 
to  revise  and  collate  the  existing  laws,  and  suggest  new  ones  for  the 
Bebekah  degree,  was  appointed;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  testified  to  its 
admiration  of  this  institution,  which  had  increased  its  membership  more 
than  2(2,000  in  one  year. 

CI.  T.  Campbell,  of  Ontario,  succeeded  to  the  oflSce  of  Grand  Sire; 
John  W.  Stebbins,  of  New  York,  was  chosen  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  Eoss 
and  Sheppard  were  retained  in  their  positions  of  responsibility  and  trust. 

Grand  Sires  had  fallen  into  the  habit  of  making  comparisons  in  their 
reports,  contrasting  the  growth  of  Odd  Fellowship  with  that  of  other 
organizations.  The  Grand  Lodge,  believing  with  Shakspeare  that 
"comparisons  are  odorous,''  adopted  a  resolution  requesting  Grand  Sires 
to  omit  such  comparisons  in  future  reports. 


172  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITY. 

Special  mention  was  made  by  the  Grand  Sire  of  the  work  done  by 
Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Herman  Block,  of  Iowa,  in  Germany  and 
other  European  countries  in  behalf  of  the  Order.  It  prospered  like 
magic  undei'  the  hand  of  this  modest  and  most  efficient  representative, 
who  had  given  his  time  and  energies,  and  spent  his  money  freely  in 
labors  of  love.  His  reports  each  year  are  deeply  interesting;  and  with- 
out expectation  of,  or  desire  for,  remuneration,  other  than  that  which 
he  receives  in  witnessing  the  great  and  good  results  of  his  efforts,  he  still 
persists  in  carrying  on  the  work  so  well  begun. 

The  Session  of  1893.  —  ^^  view  of  the  importance  of  the  occasion,  great 
preparations  were  set  on  foot  looking  to  a  proper  display  by  the  OrdeV  at  the 
Columbian  Exposition,  or  World's  Fair,  in  Chicago  in  1893,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  decided  to  hold  its  session  at  Milwaukee  that  year.  The  great  plan 
of  establishing  "homes"  for  the  dependent  of  all  ages,  connected  with  the 
Order,  received  an  additional  impetus  in  the  form  of  liberal  legislation. 

The  report  of  Grand  Sire  Campbell  to  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Milwaukee, 
in  1893,  showed  an  increase  in  the  rank  and  file  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
during  the  year,  of  over  50,000, — and  the  Rebekah  branch  had  added 
over  26,000  to  its  long  list  of  members.  A  meeting  of  delegates,  in  the 
interest  of  this  degree,  was  to  be  held  in  Chicago  the  following  week, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  requested  the  delivery  of  all  resolutions  adopted  by 
the  meeting,  to  the  special  committee  on  the  Degree  of  Rebekah,  thus 
informing  itself,  through  the  report  of  that  committee,  of  the  things  hoped 
for  and  desired,  to  strengthen,  dignify,  and  perpetuate  this  prospering 
scion  of  Odd  Fellowship.  That  special  committee  was  directed  to  meet 
one  week  prior  to  the  next  annual  session  and  prepare  its  report. 

An  "honorable  veteran  jewel,"  signifying  fifty  years  of  active  mem- 
bership, was  adopted,  but  there  are  few  among  the  living  to  claim  it;  our 
dead,  let  it  be  reverently  hoped  and  believed,  wear  one  brighter,  more 
honorable,  and  as  enduring  as  eternity. 

Grand  Chaplain  Venable  received  from  some  of  his  friends,  through 
Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson,  a  veteran  jewel  as  a  token  of  their  love  for 
him,  and  appreciation  of  his  long  service  in  his  holy  office. 

The  Session  of  1894.  —  The  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Chattanooga, 
Tennessee,  in  September,  1894,  will  be  ever  a  memorable  one  from  the 
fact  that  it  was  held  on  the  top  of  Lookout  Mountain. 

The  Patriarchs  Militant,  and  Rebekah  Codes.  — The  revised  code  for  the 
Patriarchs  Militant,  adopted  in  1893,  was  so  far  satisfactory  as  to  leave 
little  to  be  added,  except  to  give  it  self-government;  and  but  for  the 
report  of  the  special  committee  on  the  Degree  of  Rebekah  there  would 
have  been  no  important  business  to  come  before  the  session.  This  com- 
mittee presented  its  report,  embodying  a  new  code  of  laws  for  the 
government  of  Rebekah  lodges,  which  was  adopted,  and  in  it  was  con- 


TEE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE,  173 

tained  a  provision  that  all  the  oi&cers  of  a  Eebekah  assembly  shall  be  of 
the  female  sex.  A  ceremony  for  "memorial  day  services,"  and  one  for 
the  "decoration  of  graves,"  were  adopted. 

John  W.  Stebbins,  of  New  York,  was  elected  Grand  Sire;  Fred  Carle- 
ton,  of  Texas,  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  and,  as  usual,  Boss  and  Sheppard 
were  reelected  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Treasurer,  respectively.  The 
installation  followed,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  to  meet  in  Atlantic 
City,. New  Jersey,  in  1895. 

The  Session  of  1895:  the  Saloon  Amendment*  —  This  session  will  long 
remain  famous  as  the  one  at  which  that  remarkable  addition  was  made 
as  an  amendment  to  article  xvi.  of  the  constitution  of  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge,  which  is :  "  No  saloon-keeper,  bar-tender;  or  £rof essional 
gambler  _sh all  be  eligible  to  member8hip_j[n  jhis  Qr4er>".  _  This  was 
adopted  by  ^j]^  ftyfirwhfih^^"g  ^^tftjif  147  yeas  to  32  naya^ 

Baltimore,  the  Permanent  Home.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  authorized  the 
purchase  of  an  office  and  Grand  Lodge  building  in  Baltimore;  it  further 
defined  the  powers  of  Rebekah  assemblies,  and  by  some  unimportant 
legislation,  disposed  of  a  few  perplexities  and  ambiguities  in  the  Rebekah 
code  adopted  last  year.  It  also  adopted  a  "telegraphic  cipher  and  key  "  * 
to  be  used  in  the  detection  of  those  seeking  to  defraud  the  Order.  The 
success  of  the  first  few  venturers  in  this  field  of  robbery  and  scoun- 
drelism  had  encouraged  other  sharpers  to  essay  the  same  easy  road  to 
obtain  the  comforts  of  life,  by  imposing  upon  the  generosity  of  the 
unwary.  This  cipher  and  key,  if  properly  used,  will  soon  land  a  few  of 
those  impostors  behind  the  bars  of  a  penitentiary,  and  their  occupation 
will  be  gone. 

The  session  of  1895  was  held  in  a  large  building  so  far  out  upon  a  tall 
dock  built  upon  piling  that  the  beautiful  waves  of  the  grand  Atlantic 
broke  in  ever-changing,  but  unremitting  tones  of  melody  beneath  us,  as 

1  Telegraph  Cipher  and  Key.  — 

House.  —  Is  in  oar  city,  holding  a  yisiting  card  from  your  lodge,  and  asking  of  us  financial  assistance. 

FrxDS.  —  Shall  we  aid  him,  and  draw  on  you  to  the  extent  of  .  .  . 

Casq.  — Is  in  our  city  asking  financial  assistance,  and  claims  membership  In  your  lodge  in  good 
atandlng. 

BivxE.  —  Has  your  lodge  a  member  in  good  standing  by  the  name  of  ...  ^ 

Boat.  —  He  Is  an  expelled  member  and  has  not  been  in  good  standing  for  .  .  . 

Wnrrs.  —  We  donH  know  any  such  party,  and  he  does  not  belong  to  our  lodge* 

Grip.  — Draw  on  us  for  the  amount  of  expenses  incurred. 

Caution.  —  Look  out  for  a  fraud  named  .  .  . 

Skckbtaxt.  —  He  has  a  fraudulent  cud. 

FuvAL.  —  A  member  of  your  lodge  died  here. 

Block.  —  He  is  a  fraud,  and  if  he  has  a  card  or  other  papen  from  this  lodge  they  are  forgeries. 

Rkd.  —  Holding  a  visiting  card  from  your  lodge,  died  here. 

Grkbx.  —  Wire  instructions  to  us  at  once  as  to  the  disposition  of  his  remains. 

TxLLow.  —  Is  in  our  city  and  very  sick.  Claims  membership  in  your  lodge.  Shall  we  give  him 
attendance  on  your  account  ? 

PuHPLS.  —  We  think  best  to  bury  him  there. 

LoDoa.  —  Forward  remains  to  this  place  by  .  .  . 

Rboalia.  -—  Assist  him  and  we  will  honor  draft  to  the  extent  of  .  .  . 

Help.  —  Will  your  lodge  pay  nurse  hire,  and  how  much  per  day  J 


174  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY, 

we  sat  in  solemn  council.  The  welfare  of  our  beloved  Order  was  the 
first  and  chief  care  with  all,  and  the  great  buoy  of  hope  lifted  the  minds 
of  the  representatives  high  above  the  rocks  and  shoals  of  the  pessimist, 
as  they  listened  to  the  reports,  of  the  Grand  Sire  and  Grand  Secretary. 
Nine  hundred  thousand  members  engaged  in  the  noble  deeds  of  Friend- 
ship, Love,  and  Truth, —  $3,000,000  laid  down  upon  the  altar  of  Odd 
Fellowship  in  a  single  year.  The  figures  are  astounding,  and  in  view  of 
their  truthful  accuracy  the  stir  of  pride  at  their  recital  is  pardonable. 

Homes  and  Real  Estate.  —  Add  to  this  the  Homes,  and  the  other  real 
estate  of  the  Order,  owned  in/ee  simple;  statistics  gathered  by  the  sleep- 
less energy  of  Grand  Sire  Stebbins  during  the  year.  Sixteen  and  one-half 
millions  of  dollars, — and  the  reports  from  all  jurisdictions  on  the  con- 
tinent of  North  America,  were  not  received, —  clearly  showing  how 
strongly  the  Order  is  anchored  to  the  land  of  its  birth. 

The  Session  of  1896.  —  The  enthusiasm  with  w^hich  the  invitation  to 
hold  the  session  of  1896  in  Dallas,  Texas,  was  presented  in  Atlantic  City 
by  the  representatives  from  Texas,  had  become  epidemic  in  the  course 
of  the  year,  extending  over  and  infecting  every  Odd  Fellow  within  the 
*^Lone  Star"  commonwealth.  The  southern  portion  of  Missouri  as  far 
northward  as  St.  Louis,  and  the  entire  state  of  Arkansas,  were  likewise 
involved.  Committees  of  reception,  with  pockets  overflowing  with  large 
bundles  of  elaborate  programmes  for  our  entertainment,  met  us  on  every 
hand.  The  Texans  had  not  forgot  the  alacrity  and  readiness  with  which 
our  engagement  to  meet  in  Austin,  in  1878,  had  been  cancelled  on  ac- 
count of  the  "yellow  fever  scare,'*  and  they  balanced  the  old  account 
by  sending  us  to  Hot  Springs  on  our  way  to  the  south.  Many  baths  and 
a  general  fumigation  at  that  famous  resort,  administered  to  the  representsr 
tives,  brought  them  to  Dallas  in  such  an  excellent  physical  condition 
as  to  dissipate  all  fear  of  any  sort  of  contagion. 

The  Odd  Fellows,  the  civil  officers  of  the  Lone  Star  state  and  of  the 
city  of  Dallas,  gave  us  a  welcome  and  entertainment  which  left  nothing 
to  be  desired.  Even  the  w^eather,  which  to  almost  the  moment  of  our 
arrival  had  been  disagreeable  to  the  last  degree,  suddenly  became  delight- 
fully pleasant.  Compliments  for  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  climate  of 
Texas  were  outspoken  and  unlimited. 

The  usual  demand  for  legislation  came  from  all  branches  of  the  Order, 
the  Rebekah  and  military  branches  leading  the  others,  and  in  the  order 
mentioned.  Some  of  the  prayers  from  the  woman's  department  were 
unanswered,  but  the  Patriarchs  Militant  received  all  they  asked,  and  some 
important  changes  were  made  in  the  organic  laws  governing  the  subordi- 
nate lodge  and  encampment  branches. 

Rebekah  Assemblies :  Revised  Rituals.  —  Elaborate  ceremonies  for 
Rebekah  assemblies,  and  a  new  ritual  for  Rebekah  lodges,  embodying 


THE  SOVEREION  GRAND  LODGE.  175 

many  beautiful  and  much-desired  changes,  were  adopted.  The  phenome- 
nal growth  in  this  degree,  —  nearly  28,000  members  being  added  in  1895, 
—  far  exceeding  the  other  departments,  continues  to  attract  the  attention 
and  enlist  the  cooperation  of  a  greater  number  of  the  representatives  each 
year. 

The  past  official  title  of  "  Past  Noble  Grand  "  in  Rebekah  lodges  was 
not  abbreviated  by  striking  therefrom  the  word  "Noble."  This  would 
have  been  a  hasty  and  unwise  act,  for  the  clear  distinction  between  a  past 
grand  of  a  subordinate  lodge,  and  the  same  past  officer  of  a  Rebekah  lodge, 
is  a  distinction  which  should  be  preserved,  since  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  past  grands  in  a  subordinate  lodge  differ  widely  from  those  in  a  Rebekah 
lodge. 

Sign  of  Recognition. — A  general  sign  for  the  recognition  of  brother 
Odd  Fellows  by  a  sister  of  the  degree  of  Rebekah  was  provided. 

The  ceremonies  used  in  the  degree  for  the  decoration  of  chivalry  were 
revised,  and  a  regulation  badge  was  adopted,  to  be  sold  as  supplies. 

Change  in  Encampment  Regalia. — The  encampment  regalia  was  changed, 
abolishing  the  apron  and  gloves.  The  regalia  for  this  branch  now  is 
a  plain  black  collar  for  the  Patriarchal  degree ;  the  same  trimmed  with 
yellow  for  the  Golden  Rule,  and  a  purple  collar  trimmed  with  yellow  lace 
or  fringe  for  the  Royal  Purple.  The  latter  collar,  with  crossed  crooks 
on  the  right,  and  the  letters  "  P.C.P."  on  the  left  side,  was  prescribed  for 
past  chief  patriarchs, — no  collar  to  exceed  four  inches  in  width.  It  was 
also  decided  to  permit  the  encampment  branch  to  range  itself  upon  the 
high  plane  of  the  festive  and  ornamental.  To  accomplish  this.  Grand 
Encampments  were  empowered  to  permit  subordinates,  at  their  option,  to 
confer  the  three  degrees  for  one  dollar  each,  to  fix  the  annual  dues  at  not 
less  than  one  dollar,  and  to  provide  for  the  entire  removal  of  the  require- 
ment that  weekly  benefits  shall  be  paid  by  subordinate  encampments. 

Official  Receipts.  —  An  "official  receipt  for  dues"  was  provided,  which 
may  be  used  in  lieu  of  the  visiting  card,  with  the  single  exception  that 
financial  benefits  may  not  be  drawn  upon  the  sole  evidence  of  an  official 
receipt,  until  the  lodge  from  which  it  is  issued  authorizes  such  payment. 
The  general  law  regulating  the  payment  of  benefits  was  so  changed  as  to 
permit  a  subordinate  lodge  to  provide  by  a  by-law  that  no  benefits  shall 
be  paid  for  the  "  first  one  week  "  or  the  "  first  two  weeks  "  of  any  sickness 
or  disability. 

It  was  enacted  that  grand  officers'  reports  shall  be  sent  to  the  Grand 
Representatives  two  weeks  prior  to  the  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge ;  that  in  voting  by  ball  ballot,  cubes  or  hard  ballots  of  other  shapes 
may  be  used;  that  Grand  jurisdictions  may,  at  their  discretion,  create, 
maintain,  and  disburse  an  Ancient  Odd  Fellows'  fund,  under  certain  re- 
strictions, too  numerous  to  be  quoted  here.     This  is  a  most  excellent 


176  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

provision  of  law,  and  the  credit  for  its  enactment  is  mainly  due  to  the 
persistent  efforts  of  the  representatives  from  Kew  York. 

It  was  decided  that  taking  a  withdrawal  card  for  any  purpose,  sus- 
pended membership  in  the  lodge  from  whence  it  issued,  but  did  not 
sever  all  connection  with  the  Order  unless  the  holder  thereof  failed  to 
unite  with  some  lodge  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  the  card.  This 
was  done  to  remove  all  question  of  the  right  to  wear  the  "  veteran  jewel " 
by  those  who  had,  for  any  reason,  held  withdrawal  cards  during  the  twenty- 
five  years  of  continuous  membership  prescribed  in  the  law,  and  is  a  most 
righteous  decision.  A  revised  form  of  ceremony  for  anniversary  celebra- 
tions was  adopted. 

Fred  Carleton,  of  Texas,  was  elected  Grand  Sire ;  A.  S.  Pinkerton,  of 
Massachusetts,  Deputy  Grand  Sire ;  J.  Frank  Grant,  of  Kentucky,  Grand 
Secretary ;  and  M.  Eichards  Muckl^,  of  Pennsylvania,  Grand  Treasurer* 
The  officers  were  installed  in  public  on  Saturday,  by  James  B.  Nicholson, 
Past  Grand  Sire,  and  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  to  hold  its 
next  communication  in  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Reflections.  —  The  Grand  Lodge,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six,  seems  just 
budding  from  youth  to  manhood.  Wisely  and  cautiously  does  it  hold  the 
reins  of  government.  With  what  tender  solicitude  does  it  watch  the  first 
steps,  then  the  growth  and  development  of  each  tender  offshoot  from  the 
parent  stem  of  Odd  Fellowship,  as  it  branches  from  the  home  to  make 
its  way  alone.  First  the  Encampment,  then  the  Degree  of  Rebekah,  then 
the  Patriarchs  Militant.  The  tender  hand  of  a  loving  parent  has  guided 
and  sustained  them  all  as  they  took  their  first  tottering  steps ;  the  strong 
arm  of  the  wise  and  careful  father  has  interposed  to  hold  them  in  check, 
when,  in  the  arrogance  and  self-confidence  of  vigorous  adolescence,  they 
have  essayed  to  go  too  fast  or  too  far.  We  can  but  admire  and  applaud 
that  virtue  of  wisdom  in  the  Grand  Lodge  which  has  made  it  almost 
invariably  look. well  to  its  footing  before  it  has  advanced.  Out  of  this 
has  come  a  state  of  stability,  a  feeling  of  security,  and  a  most  positive 
assurance  of  increasing  greatness  and  glory  in  the  coming  years. 

It  is  curious  to  observe  the  effect  of  climate  upon  the  Order.  The 
Korth  temperate  zone  would  seem  to  be  exactly  adapted  to  its  develop- 
ment and  growth,  for  it  is  within  the  lines  of  that  belt  the  highest  degree 
of  prosperity  is  attained.  Even  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  United 
States  the  enervating  influences  of  the  scorching  summers,  the  bark  of  the 
alligator,  and  the  bite  of  the  mosquito,  seem  inimical  to  the  health  and 
life  of  the  tender  infant,  while  the  fierce  fires  of  the  sun  in  the  torrid 
zone  destroys  its  life,  even  before  it  has  cut  its  teeth  or  learned  to  walk. 

There  is  one  virtue  in  human  life  which  is  conducive  in  the  highest 
degree  to  purest  happiness,  and  which,  more  nearly  than  anything  else, 
answers  loudly  in  the  affirmative  the  question :   "  Is  life  worth  living? " 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  177 

It  is  confined,  with  rare  exceptions,  to  the  middle  classes.  The  name  of 
this  virtue  is  Friendship.  Beginning  in  low  estate  our  Order  has 
improved  and  elevated  the  character  and  the  condition  of  mankind,  until 
it  bears  upon  its  rolls  of  membership  the  names  of  both  the  wise  and  the 
great,  while  others  of  the  same  high  quality  without  its  borders  are  its 
sworn  and  trustworthy  friends. 

To  the  restlessness  of  the  human  mind;  to  the  disposition  of  man, 
who,  like  a  child  in  that  he  is  ever  discarding  something  old  and  crying 
for  some  new  thing  in  its  stead,  must  be  attributed,  in  a  great  measure, 
the  urgent  necessity  for,  and  utility  of,  a  governing  head.  This  is  as 
true  in  Odd  Fellowship  as  in  the  management  and  control  of  any  and 
all  other  civilizing  movements.  The  constantly  recurring  demands  for 
change;  for  the  arbitration  and  final  adjustment  of  grievances;  for  the 
continual  reproduction  of  that  cement  which  unites  in  one  harmonious 
whole  the  great  body  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  perpetuates  its  existence, — 
these  demands  make  necessary  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  and  require 
its  frequent  sessions.  That  it  has  been  guided  by  love  and  wisdom  in 
the  past,  the  superb  condition  of  the  brotherhood  to-day  attests.  The 
great  command  of  our  laws :  "  To  visit  the  sick,  to  relieve  the  distressed, 
to  bury  the  dead,  and  to  educate  the  orphan,"  has  been  obeyed  in  the 
broadest  sense  of  its  literal  interpretation. 

In  a  little  more  than  half  a  century  this  Order  has  helped  nearly 
2,000,000  of  its  members  in  time  of  need;  relieved  more  than  200,000 
widowed  families ;  buried  nearly  an  equal  number  of  its  honored  dead,  with 
all  the  honors  and  ceremonies,  and  at  the  expense  of  Odd  Fellowship ;  and 
to  do  this  has  involved  the  outlay  of  nearly  $68,000,000  which  has  been 
cheerfully  contributed  to  the  noble  work.  Deeds  of  charity  are  ennobling 
and  elevating,  and  those  who  have  performed  this  great  work  are  the 
better  for  the  deeds  done  in  the  great  name  of  charity. 

Looking  to  the  future,  while  the  past  lingers  in  our  memory,  it  is  not 
difficult  to  imagine  that  the  intricate  machinery  of  Odd  Fellowship,  like 
the  "deacon's  wonderful  one  horse  shay,"  is  perfect,  and  that  no  part  of 
it  can  possibly  get  out  of  order.  The  Patriarchs  Militant  have  a  code 
of  their  own  choosing;  one  which  seems  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  the 
military  man  who  does  not  want  to  go  to  war;  the  Encampment,  ever 
doubtful  of  its  hold  on  longevity,  confesses  the  inability,  while  it 
acknowledges  the  willingness,  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  discover 
and  give  to  it  freely  the  elixir  of  life ;  the  omnipotent  and  omnipresent 
Subordinate  L^dge, — let  its  name  be  written  in  fair,  bold  type, —  goes 
sturdily  and  resolutely,  yea,  and  hopefully,  about  its  great  work,  radiantly 
confident  of  the  future;  the  Bebekahs, —  may  Heaven's  choicest  blessings 
ever  be  theirs, — true  to  the  new  ideas  and  ambition  of  woman  in  her 
enlarged  and  liberated  sphere  of  usefulness, —  will  always  be  wanting 


178  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

something,  but  as  it  will  be  for  the  benefit  of  Odd  Fellowship,  their 
requests  will  be  carefully  considered,  and  they  will  receive  all  that  it  is 
wise  to  bestow,  and  good  for  that  prospering  offshoot  to  possess. 

The  regulations  established  by  the  laws,  in  all  these  branches,  have 
brought  order  and  content  into  the  ranks.  The  adjustment  of  a  proper 
ratio  of  dues  charged,  to  benefits  paid,  will  come  some  day,  and  with  its 
coming  will  disappear  from  the  channel,  ever  broadening  and  growing 
deeper  before  our  advance,  the  rock  most  threatening  to  our  progress. 
Those  birds  of  prey  who  steal,  print,  and  sell  our  supplies,  will  soon  be 
brought  to  grief,  and  stopped  in  their  unlawful  business.  The  opposition 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  which  operated  only  to  call  attention  to 
the  worth  and  work  of  Odd  Fellowship,  was  brushed  aside  and  made  as 
nothing  by  a  single  stroke  of  the  pen  in  the  delicate  hand  of  Doctor 
CI.  T.  Campbell,  when  he  said  in  his  report  as  Grand  Sire  in  1893:  — 

"  If  the  Catholic  Church  forhide  its  adherents  to  seek  admission  to  our  Order,  the  loss  is 
theirs,  not  ours.  Odd  Fellowship  occupies  a  position  which  renders  it  unnecessary  for  us  to 
seek  the  recognition  of  any  sect  or  party.'' 

This  is  as  true  now  as  when  he  said  it,  and  the  dangers  of  persecution 
from  such  a  source  are  not  ours  to  fear. 

We  have  regulated  our  insurance  companies  upon  as  safe  and  con- 
servative a  basis  as  it  is  possible  to  build  assessment  plans  of  insurance, 
and  failures  among  them  will  cast  no  reflection  upon  the  intelligence  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  We  have  adopted  an  elaborate  floor-work, 
and  beautified  the  ritual  to  suit  the  demands  of  all  who  desire  to 
embroider  upon  its  beautiful  simplicity.  We  have  enough :  let  us  apply 
ourselves  to  the  mastery  of  its  mysteries;  to  the  practise  of  its  teachings; 
and  happiness,  content,  and  prosperity  will  settle  in  our  lodge-rooms,  and 
perch  upon  our  banners  wheresoever  they  may  be  unfurled.  We  need  no 
more  degrees.  As  John  H.  White  said,  in  his  report  as  Grand  Sire  in 
1888,  "It  is  time  to  call  a  halt.  Let  us  perfect  ourselves  in  what 
we  have." 

Other  and  grander  monuments  than  those  to  Wildey  and  Ridgely  are 
springing  up  in  the  form  of  "  homes  "  for  our  dependents  who  need  such 
protection,  and  this  work,  only  fairly  begun  and  rapidly  spreading  to  all 
lands  where  Odd  Fellowship  has  a  foothold,  is  telling  in  deeds  of  simple, 
unostentatious  charity,  the  story  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth  to  an 
admiring  world. 

Watching  over  all  this,  as  a  loving  mother  her  tender  babes,  stands 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  proclaiming  the  gospel  of  brotherly  love, 
unselfishness  for  the  individual,  cooperation  for  mankind,  as  the  sole 
remedy  for  humanity's  ills.  Its  praise  has  been  sounded  in  all  lands 
and  in  many  tongues,  but  its  influence  for  good  can  never  be  overesti- 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GBAND  LODGE. 


179 


mated.  With  wise  and  prudent  conservatism,  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
clings  to  the  ancient  and  revered  landmarks  of  the  Order,  preferring  to 
rely  upon  the  outgrowth,  development,  and  spread  of  its  inherent, 
fundamental  principles,  to  maintain,  increase,  and  perpetuate  its  useful- 
ness, rather  than,  for  the  mere  sake  of  change  and  experiment,  to  indulge 
in  new  and  untried  departures  not  warranted  by  the  profitable  experience 
of  the  past,  nor  the  pretended  requirements  of  the  present. 

We  are  wise  in  our  generation,  but  not  too  wise.  We  have  in  our 
wisdom  all  the  fruits  produced  by  the  experience  of  our  forefathers  in 
Odd  Fellowship.     Let  us  not  boast  ourselves  unseemly, 

"  Nor  think  our  fathers  fools,  so  wise  we  grow  ; 
Our  wiser  sons,  no  doubt,  will  think  us  so." 

Postscript  in  Lieu  of  a  Preface.  —  The  writer  has  sought  in  these  pages 
to  give  a  connected  history  of  the  rise,  development,  and  progress  of  Odd 
Fellowship,  through  the  guidance  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  its 
unchanged  capacity,  under  its  various  names. 

iTo  work  of  human  hand  can  be  flawless, —  imperfections  will  surely 
be  found  in  this.  An  honest  effort  to  follow  the  record  accurately  has 
attended  the  writer  of  these  pages.  The  lighter  vein  in  which  parts  of 
this  history  are  written  is  for  the  double  purpose  of  getting  out  of  the 
rut,  invariably  followed  by  former  writers  on  this  and  kindred  subjects, 
and  of  presenting  cold,  familiar  facts  in  a  new  dress,  thus  commending 
the  work  to  a  more  extensive  class  of  readers. 

With  malice  toward  none,  but  with  love  for  all,  the  pen  has  been 
guided,  as  well  as  the  thoughts  of  him  who  wielded  it,  from  first  to  last. 
In  laying  the  former  down  as  this  task  is  ended,  the  latter  run  on,  looking 
hopefully  to  the  future,  and  dwelling  fondly  upon  the  memory  of  many 
friends,  who,  in  my  thoughts  of  them,  have  stood  about  me  as  I  wrote ; 
and  to  them, —  to  those  great  and  noble  leaders  in  Odd  Fellowship,  to  all 
my  brethren,  and  lastly,  even  to  myself, — I  write  my  hearty  congratula- 
tions, that  opposite  the  name  of  our  loved  Fraternity,  can  not  be  written 
the  word  with  which  these  memoirs  are  closed, — the  end. 


^c^^c/^l^ 


179  a  THE  THRES-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Sesaion  of  1897.  — Xo  rain  had  fallen  for  many  weeks  in  the  beauti- 
ful city  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  nor  in  the  fair  region  round  about,  and 
dust  lay  thick  upon  everything  save  Odd  Fellowship,  when  the  Sovereign 
Grand  body  assembled  for  its  labors  of  love  on  the  20th  of  September. 

The  brothers  and  sisters  of  the  splendid  jurisdiction  of  Illinois,  united 
to  accord  a  welcome  to  the  visitors,  which  was  in  keepjing  with  their  pro- 
verbial love  for  the  Order,  enlisting  the  hearty  and  generous  cooperation 
of  all  their  friends,  and  scored  a  most  signal  success.  Governor  John  H. 
Tanner,  who  is  likewise  a  brother,  led  in  the  ceremonies  of  welcome,  and 
was  eagerly  seconded  by  every  one  who  could  find  an  opportunity  to 
speak  a  friendly  word  or  perform  an  act  of  kindness. 

The  Orphans'  Home.  —  While  it  is  difficult  to  say  which  particular  item 
in  the  programme  was  the  best,  and  promotive  of  the  greatest  pleasure  to 
those  participating,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  one  which  seemed  the  most 
lasting,  and  productive  of  the  best  effects,  was  a  visit  to  "  The  Odd  Fel- 
lows' Orphans'  Home,"  at  Lincoln.  It  is  the  most  magnificent  monument 
to  Odd  Fellowship  of  which  Illinois  can  boast;  and  in  the  peace,  happi- 
ness, and  contentment  written  upon  the  faces  of  its  worthy  residents  may 
be  read  a  sermon  more  eloquent  than  any  tongue  can  utter,  with  Friend- 
ship, Love,  and  Truth  for  the  text. 

All  the  Grand  bodies  of  the  continent  of  North  America  were  repre- 
sented, excepting  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Mississippi;  the  board  of 
health  in  that  state,  —  on  account  of  an  epidemic  of  yellow  fever,  which 
prevailed  in  many  portions  of  the  South,  —  having  quarantined  the  prin- 
cipal cities,  thereby  establishing  a  blockade  which  was  too  much  for 
Eepresentative  Blumenthal  to  evade.  The  newly  inaugurated  Grand 
Encampment  of  Arizona  modestly  remained  at  home  also,  but  the  insti- 
tution of  this  Grand  body  was  unanimously  approved. 

The  Grand  Sire  presented  a  short  but  concise  and  highly  appreciated 
report.  He  had  rendered  one  hundred  and  fifteen  decisions,  nearly  all  of 
which  were  approved.  The  regular  publication  of  these  in  the  fraternal 
press  was  a  new  idea,  original  with  himself,  and  seemed  to  enlist  the 
commendation  of  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  With  the  exception 
of  Brothers  Logan  and  Harmon,  all  the  Past  Grand  Sires  were  present ; 
and  the  happiest  incident  of  the  session  occurred  when  Past  Grand  Sire 
Sanders,  —  in  behalf  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  —  presented  an  "  Honorable 
Veteran  Jewel"  to  the  venerable  Grand  Chaplain,  the  Rev.  John  W. 
Venable,  of  Kentucky,  and  surprised  that  modest  and  worthy  brother  to 
the  extent  that  he  was  almost  unable  to  reply. 

An  unusual  amount  of  legislation  was  offered  for  consideration,  and  the 
committees  presented  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  reports ;  a  large  number, 
indeed,  though  many  of  them  contained  only  the  formal  disapproval  of  a 
proposed  new  law. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  179  J 

Rebekah  Legislation.  —  The  gentle  Kebekahs  came  requesting  some  privi- 
leges which  were  not  granted ;  but  their  liberties  were  extended  by  various 
approved  decisions  of  the  Grand  Sire  and  legislation  enacted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge.  The  complaints  concerning  the  new  "  Ritual  of  1896 "  were  so 
numerous  and  '^  so  loud/'  that  a  complete  revision  of  that  work  was  made, 
in  a  somewhat  desperate  hope  of  remedying  its  various  imperfections.  A 
new  ritual  for  the  Assembly  was,  likewise,  adopted;  the  regalia  and  jewels 
for  sisters  were  clearly  defined  and  described ;  a  "  look  "  at  the  ritual  was 
denied  to  all  "  curious  or  prying "  brothers  who  are  not  members  of  the 
degree ;  Grand  Lodges  were  authorized  to  permit  Assemblies  to  require 
the  returns  of  Kebekah  lodges  to  be  made  to  their  secretaries ;  also^  that 
presidents  may  commission  district  deputies  for  Rebekah  lodges ;  and  the 
20th  of  September  was  formally  declared  the  "  Anniversary  Day  "  of  the 
Rebekah  degree,  to  be  observed  and  celebrated  in  an  appropriate  manner. 
Rebekah  staffs  were  forbidden  to  have  photographs  taken,  in  the  robes  and 
costumes  peculiar  to  "  staff  work,"  for  any  purpose,  and  the  right  to  initi- 
ate the  wife  of  a  man  who  is  not  a  member  of  a  subordinate  lodge  was 
again  denied.  It  is  believed  the  legislation  as  to  the  sisterhood  was  wisely 
and  carefully  directed,  and  that  it  was  deserved, — a  gain  of  nearly  28,000 
members  in  a  single  year  being  a  strong  claim  to  recognition  and  support. 

The  gain  in  the  subordinate  lodge  membership  was  comparatively  small, 
while  in  the  encampments  a  loss  of  nearly  two  thousand  patriarchs  was 
shown.  The  Order  was  prosperous  in  all  parts  of  the  globe,  excepting  in 
France,  Italy,  South  America,  and  Cuba.  The  bloody  war  of  extermina- 
tion, which  had  been  and  is  waged  by  Spain  against  the  handful  of  patriots 
in  Cuba,  accounted  for  the  condition  in  the  "  Queen  of  the  Antilles."  The 
various  appeals  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  sympathetic  resolutions  were 
"  gingerly  "  handled,  for  fear  of  aggravating  the  troubles  of  our  brothers 
should  a  "clear  cut"  declaration  of  sympathy  be  made  for  them.  Two 
moribund  lodges  in  Peru  were  erased  by  a  demand  for  their  charters. 

«< Official  Certificate."  —  The  new  "Visiting  Certificate"  came  up  for 
consideration,  was  condemned  and  executed,  and  an  "  Official  Certificate  " 
was  created,  possessing  the  leading  characteristics  of  its  predecessor,  to  be 
of  a  cheaper  quality  as  to  workmanship  and  material,  and  to  be  sold  at  a 
lower  price.  Upon  the  subject  of  the  use  of  this  visiting  credential  the 
following  laws  were  formally  announced:  Dues  must  be  paid  in  advance 
to  entitle  the  holder  to  visit  thereon ;  it  may  be  deposited  in  like  manner 
as  a  visiting  card,  on  application  for  membership  in  another  subordinate ; 
it  is  the  ordy  form  of  receipt  for  dues  which  can  be  lawfully  given,  but  its 
issue  is  not  mandatory  unless  the  person  paying  dues  requests  a  receipt ; 
it  may  be  demanded  as  often  as  dues  are  paid,  when  it  must  be  issued 
without  charge. 

For  subordinate  lodges  it  was  declared  that  Grand  bodies  can  compel 


179  C  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

their  subordinates  to  buy  as  many  rituals  as  the  law  permits  them  to  own ; 
that  a  saloon-keeper,  who  has  been  initiated  through  ignorance  of  his  busi- 
ness, may  be  denied  the  privilege  of  taking  any  subsequent  degree,  —  pro- 
vided his  breath,  his  three-link  pin  (all  bestudded  with  flashing  diamonds) 
or  any  other  agency  betrays  him  in  time ;  and  Grand  bodies  were  author- 
ized to  place  the  residuary  assets  of  defunct  subordinates  (whose  charters 
and  effects  shall  be  surrendered),  to  the  credit  of  an  "  Aged  Odd  Fellows' 
Fund."  It  was,  likewise,  decided  that  a  past  chief  patriarch,  who  had 
been  promoted  prior  to  1892,  should  not  be  permitted  to  wear  the  new 
collar  designed  for  that  official  rank. 

Patriarchs  Militant  Branch.  —  The  army  received  its  share  of  attention, 
and  a  variety  of  legislation  was  enacted  for  its  benefit.  A  complaint  filed 
against  the  new  ritual  secured  the  appointment  of  a  "  special  committee  " 
to  eliminate  its  defects  and  report  at  the  next  session.  The  close  of  the 
fiscal  year  was  changed  to  December  31st,  but  this  does  not  affect  the  law 
as  to  elections,  terms  of  office,  etc.  A  new  and  quite  elaborate  form  for 
conferring  the  "Decoration"  and  "Grand  Decoration  of  Chivalry"  was 
adopted,  and  the  book  of  "  Army  Regulations  "  was  ordered  revised.  It 
was  decided  that  the  captain  of  the  senior  canton,  in  a  department,  is  not 
per  86  Department  Commander,  unless  he  has  been  elected  to  that  office ; 
and  that  a  canton  or  a  delegation  of  chevaliers  may,  upon  invitation  from 
the  installing  officer,  act  as  an  escort  to  assist  him  in  the  installation  of 
the  officers  of  an  encampment,  and  wear  the  uniform  of  the  Patriarchs 
Militant  degree.  A  feeble  protest,  more  weakly  resisted,  resulted  in  the 
destruction  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant  badge,  and  the  substitution  of  another, 
varying  in  two  minor  particulars  from  the  former,  at  a  loss  of  about  ^500 
to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

Official  History.  —  Representatives  Russell,  of  Texas;  Homibrook,  of 
Ontario ;  Dilks,  of  New  York ;  Daniel,  of  Georgia ;  Hoagland,  of  Nebraska, 
were  appointed  a  "  special  committee  of  five  "  to  examine  the  new  "  His- 
tory of  Odd  Fellowship,  —  The  Three-Link  Fraternity,"  and  report  upon 
the  request  of  Brother  Lee  C.  Hascall,  of  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  68,  of 
Massachusetts,  that  the  volume  be  entitled  "  The  Official  History  of  Odd 
Fellowship."  This  committee  reported  that  they  had  examined  the  work 
presented  with  special  and  critical  care, — referring  by  name  and  in  detail 
to  the  well-known  brethren  comprising  the  "  Board  of  Editors,"  and  "  Addi- 
tional Contributors  "  (pp.  3  to  6,  inclusive),  to  which  the  reader  is  referred, 
—  that  "  so  many  eminent  and  distinguished  writers  never  before  engaged 
in  the  preparation  of  a  fraternal  publication";  and,  believing  the  "book 
to  be  the  most  complete  and  authoritative  history  ever  prepared  and  pub- 
lished in  the  interest  of  Odd  Fellowship,"  submitted  the  following :  — 

"  Resolved f  That  the  request  of  Brother  Lee  C.  Hascall  be  granted,  and  that  this  book  be 
declared  the  Official  History  of  the  Order." 


KSD  LODGE. 


ISI 


liiifc§;$iH>i?iti 


'..(7t  ■ 


the  last  day  of  the  eession, 

, ,„   ._  'fiiftimittee  appointed  the  Wednes- 

.S^^itk9i^*<ii^e  Grand  Lodge  at  the  opening 
t^«iSk7^S^njiSllto  hare  been  the  deliberate  con- 
§pi?ii«iIMm^  Order. 

EH£n.S(iH.iH  VoTH^llowship  and  his  brother,  iavl- 
BATttf  J^'ai^CI/tS^^^AB  sections  at  the  next  annual 
^~"  ^  "■  ^"  "j)re8entative,  and  earnestly  con- 
accepted  and  enjoyed  was  uni- 
and  her  famous  entertainment 
uppermost.  Those  who  had 
'iiose  who  had  only  heard  of  its 
closer  acquaintance  with  it, 
made  unanimous,  —  everybody 
(Wfe^t^At'd'^  happiness  was  supreme, 
■""■■^'-^-^d  a  most  excellent  record,  and 
fl  his  high  and  responsible  posi- 
Imaintained.  The  Grand  Lodge 
ffoval  upon  his  special  eserlions, 
the  Order's  authentic  history. 
Ifitoated  amid  the  broad  prairies 
and  appropriate  there  is  little 
biennial  event,  —  added  to  the 
ity  Grand  Sire,  —  influenced  the 
ston,  that  Grand  Sire  Alfred  S. 
ttisfaction  of  being  inaugurated 
^j|^s  "  were  given  at  the  final  part- 
^W«  Boston  next  year,"  told  again 
kCSit  filled  every  heart. 


I'^M'il 


..5^-1^:^;  ' 


^ 


179  e  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Session  of  2898.  —  Fame,  honestly  earned,  is  everything.  Boston 
had  entertained  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  and  its  army  of  attending 
satellites,  twice:  in  1864,  and,  again,  in  1886.  On  the  last-mentioned 
occasion  the  impression  was  strongly  made  upon  the  minds  of  the  visitors, 
and  openly  proclaimed  by  them,  that  generous,  open-hearted  Boston  had 
not  only  eclipsed  the  festive  performances  which  characterized  its  office 
of  host  in  1864,  but  had  set  a  fashion  beyond  which  there  could  be  noth- 
ing to  be  desired  or  hoped.  That  these  happy  prophets  had,  literally, 
"reckoned  without  their  host,"  it  remained  for  the  event  of  1898  to 
demonstrate.  Even  to  those  who  had  revelled  in  famous  Southern  hospi- 
tality, and  witnessed  the  lavish,  indeliberate  generosity  of  the  great  West, 
the  occurrences  of  the  week  wei'e  a  revelation.  The  resident  population 
gathered  in  one  vast,  innumerable  company,  to  exhaust  itself  in  demon- 
strations of  welcome.  The  members  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  their 
ladies  and  friends,  were  overwhelmed  with  attention,  swept  off  their  feet, 
and,  in  elegant  carriages,  to  sweetest  music,  brought  up  the  rear  of  the 
greatest  and  most  gorgeous  procession  ever  seen  on  this  continent.  The 
dignified  and  able  "  Special  Committee  on  Thanks  "  exhausted  the  Eng- 
lish vocabulary  of  polite  superlatives  in  the  long  list  of  grateful  resolu- 
tions which  were  adopted  by  a  rising  vote  amid  a  whirlwind  of  applause. 

Grand  Sire,  and  Deputy  Grand  SireL  —  That  popular  young  attorney 
and  legislator,  Alfred  S.  Pinkerton,  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  was 
chosen  Grand  Sire  without  opposition,  and  Ohio  presented  the  winning 
candidate  for  Deputy  Grand  Sire  in  tlie  person  of  Grand  Representative 
A.  C.  Cable,  of  Covington. 

Business  Sessions.  —  The  business  of  the  session  moved  like  a  sweet 
melody  played  by  the  hand  of  a  master,  and  when  the  gavel  fell  at  its 
close,  early  in  the  afternoon  of  Saturday,  congratulations  passed  freely 
from  lip  to  lip  upon  the  speed  and  accuracy  with  which  the  vast  volume 
of  business  had  been  despatched. 

Copley  Hall,  in  which  the  session  was  held,  though  unique  and  unpre- 
possessing in  external  appearance,  was  a  model  of  convenience  and  fine 
acoustics.  A  hall  within  a  hall  upon  the  ground  floor,  with  good  light, 
convenient  arrangement  of  seats,  so  that  all  were  near  the  chair  of  the 
Grand  Sire,  were  advantages  most  unusual  to  those  who,  at  former 
sessions,  had  climbed  tiresome  flights  of  stairs  to  sit  in  the  rear  of  a  long, 
narrow  room,  and  vaguely  guess  at  what  was  going  on  in  the  charmed 
inner  circle  near  the  throne. 

Legislation.  —  A  new  value  was  given  the  much-discussed  "Official 
Certificate."  It  was  decreed  that  the  exhibition  of  such  a  document, 
showing  the  payment  of  dues  to  a  date  later  than  that  of  its  presentation, 
should  be  sufficient  authority  for  any  Noble  Grand  or  Chief  Patriarch  to 
impart  the  current  A.  T.  P.  W.  to  the  holder  of  the  certificate. 


THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE.  179/ 

The  law  requiring  annual  reports  of  Homes,  Buildings,  etc.,  owned  by 
the  Order,  was  repealed. 

The  Order  was  planted  in  the  latest  El  Dorado  by  the  institution  of 
Alaska  Lodge,  Ko.  1,  at  Douglas  Island,  Alaska,  and  the  Eebekah  arm  of 
the  Order  was  extended  to  Newfoundland,  Olive  Branch  Eebekah  Lodge, 
No.  1,  being  instituted  in  St.  Johns. 

It  was  enacted  that  all  references  in  future  to  the  "  Female  degree " 
should  be  made  by  using  the  words  ''Eebekah  degree,"  in  lieu  of  the 
words  "degree  of  Eebekah,"  or  the  initials  "D.  of  E.,"  as  heretofore. 

A  small  cloud  had  arisen  in  the  East,  but  it  was  "  no  bigger  than  a  man's 
hand,"  and  the  belief  is  general  that  it  has  been  dispersed  by  a  few  firm 
but  gentle  words  of  legislation.  In  Germany  a  new  qualification  for  the 
office  of  Grand  Eepresentative  had  been  fixed,  and  one  lodge  at  least  had 
been  initiating  as  members,  men  who  were,  at  the  time,  citizens  of  Austria. 
In  calling  the  attention  of  the  Order  in  Germany  to  these  inaccuracies,  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  expressed  the  opinion  that  they  owed  their  origin 
to  incomplete  information  of  the  language  of  the  organic  law  of  the  Order, 
which,  fixed  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  power  to  alter,  or  deviate  from, 
has  never  been  delegated  to  any  other  jurisdiction. 

PatrUrchal  Branch.  —  The  old  Eoyal  Purple  degree  uniform  was 
restored  to  the  encampments,  greatly  to  the  delight  of  a  large  number 
of  the  patriarchs ;  and  it  was  further  decided  that  an  encampment,  as  such, 
must  wear  the  regalia  of  the  Patriarchal  branch  at  the  burial  of  a  patriarch. 

Patriarchs  Militant.  —  A  new  ritual  for  the  Patriarchs  Militant  was 
adopted,  and  also  a  new  work  on  tactics,  to  be  known  as  "  The  Patriarchs 
Militant  Drill  Eegulations."  In  the  military  degree  the  work  was  gener- 
ally amended,  and,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  greatly  improved. 

Pablic  Installation.  —  Brothers  M.  Eichards  Muckl^  and  J.  Frank  Grant 
were  elected  Grand  Treasurer  and  Grand  Secretary  respectively,  and  the 
public  instaUation  of  all  the  officers,  elected  and  appointed,  was  a  prom- 
inent feature  of  the  closing  scenes,  warmly  welcomed  and  applauded  by 
the  attending  visitors  to  whom  the  doors  were  thrown  open. 

With  a  single  tap  of  the  gavel,  as  the  new  Grand  Sire  declared  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  adjourned  mne  die,  there  came  flooding  in  upon  the 
thoughts  of  all,  the  fact  that  the  delightful  session  of  1898  had  passed  into 
history.  Officers  and  members  seized  numerous  packages  of  papers,  and 
turned  their  thoughts  and  faces  homeward,  saying :  '^  Good-bye,  old  fellow ; 
meet  you  next  year  in  Detroit"  ^ 

^  Not€  6y  th0  SdUoMnrChi^. — The  Seflsions  of  1S97  tnd  1898,  preceding,  were  written  by 
Grand  Secretary  Grant.  To  those  who  have  caref nUy  perused  Brother  Grant's  inimitable 
"History  of  the  SoTerelgn  Grand  Lodge/'  pp.  65-179,  it  wUl  be  pleasing  to  know  that  the 
aamtlTe,  in  the  f  atue  at  in  the  past,  is  to  be  oontinned  to  date. 


SECTION  IV. 

THE  STORY  OP  '66 ;  OR,  THE  HISTORY  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  THE 
UNITED  STATES  (NOW  THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE),  DURING 
THE  WAR. 

Bt  James  B.  Nicholson,  Pa^  Chrand  Sire. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  NASHVILLE  SESSION:  1860. 

Prelude  to  the  History,  and  Visit  to  BCammoth  Cave. — The  session  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  at  Nashville,  September  17, 1860,  is  a  proper 
prelude  to  the  history  of  that  body  during  the  great  civil  war. 

Prior  to  the  session,  arrangements  had  been  made  by  Representative 
Hills,  of  Wisconsin,  with  the  Northern  and  Northwestern  representatives, 
to  assemble  at  Louisville  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  the  Mammoth  Cave. 
There  were  some  thirty  representatives  assembled^  and  they  sent  a  com- 
mittee in  advance  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  conveyance  to 
the  Mammoth  Cave,  from  the  railroad ;  and  after  two  days  spent  at  the 
cave  the  representatives  proceeded  to  Nashville.  As  these  representatives 
were  all  from  the  North,  there  was  a  very  free  interchange  of  opinion  on 
the  subjects  of  the  day.  The  opinion  was  very  general  that  the  Southern 
states  would  not  secede.  Some  thought  that  the  threat  was  simply  used 
for  political  purposes,  and  in  defiance  of  the  action  of  the  abolitionists 
of  the  North,  but  still  there  were  others  who  felt  apprehensive  of  trouble, 
though  they  could  not  tell  what  form  it  would  take,  so  that  there  was 
considerable  anxiety  as  to  the  final  result. 

Grand  Sire  Samuel  Craighead  was  not  present  at  the  session,  on 
account  of  his  being  a  candidate  for  Congress  in  Ohio,  and  the  importance 
of  the  contest  overweighed  his  desire  to  be  present  and  preside  at  Nash- 
ville ;  so  from  the  first  opening  of  the  session,  until  its  close,  the  feeling 
of  the  great  calamity  that  was  to  befall  the  nation  was  marked  in  every- 
thing that  took  place. 

Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey .  —  Past  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey,  notwith- 
standing the  infirmities  of   age  that  weighed  heavily  upon  him,  had 

180 


THE  STOBT  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  181 

travelled  from  Baltimore^  and  was  present  at  the  session.  As  Bidgely 
remarked:  ^His  heart  was  still  true  to  its  youthful  instincts." 

Deputy  Grand  Sire  Edward  H.  Fitzhugh,  of  Virginia,  presided. 
Unfortunately  for  him,  he  had  to  appoint  the  committees  of  the  session, 
some  of  the  appointments  were  not  satisfactory  to  the  appointees,  and  the 
result  was  that  Brother  Fitzhugh  was  not  elected  Grand  Sire.  Brother 
Robert  E.  Boylston,  of  South  Carolina,  was  elected  Grand  Sire  by  a 
majority  of  one. 

I  remember  meeting  Grand  Bepresentative  N.  P.  Iglehart,  of  Illinois, 
on  my  way  to  the  desk  to  vote.  He  stopped  and  whispered  to  me: 
"  I  never  let  politics  influence  my  vote  in  this  body,  but  I  cannot  vote 
for  a  secessionist.'^  This  incident  is  mentioned  merely  to  show  what  was 
in  the  air  or  in  every  one's  mind  during  the  session. 

Brother  Boylston  was  a  finished  gentleman,  an  able  lawyer,  and  a  ripe 
scholar,  and  no  doubt  would  have  proved  one  of  the  ablest  Grand  Sires 
that  ever  filled  the  chair  if  things  had  turned  out  differently. 

Visit  to  Mrs.  James  K.  Polk.  —  On  Wednesday,  during  the  session, 
the  Grand  Lodge  visited,  in  a  body,  and  paid  its  respects  to  Mrs.  James 
K.  Polk,  and  the  members  all  felt  that  it  was  an  occasion  that  would 
require  them  to  be  particularly  guarded  in  the  remarks  they  made.  We 
found  that  Mrs.  Polk  lived  in  a  large  mansion,  that  stood  back  some  dis- 
tance from  the  street ;  and  in  the  front  yard,  on  the  right  of  the  entrance- 
way  leading  into  the  house,  we  passed  a  large  tomb,  containing  the 
remains  of  her  husband,  the  late  President,  James  K.  Polk.  We  had  a 
pleasant  interview  with  the  lady,  and  she  seemed  to  be  delighted  with 
the  fact  that  there  were  representatives  of  every  state  and  territory  of 
the  United  States  then  present  before  her.  She  dwelt  very  pleasantly 
upon  that  circumstance,  and  upon  her  life  in  Washington.  At  the  after- 
noon session,  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  adopted  the  following  reso- 
lution :  — 

"Resolved,  unanimously ,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  hereby  express  the  great  pleasure 
derived  from  our  visit  to  Mrs.  James  K.  Polk,  and  tender  that  estimable  lady  our  onfeigned 
thanks  for  her  very  elegant,  coarteous,  and  hospitable  reception." 

Pending  the  question  upon  the  resolution,  Eepresentative  Walker,  of 
Tennessee,  said :  — 

**  Most  Wobtht  Grand  Sirs  :  —  On  behalf  of  Mrs.  Polk  I  am  reqaested  to  return  her 
sincere  thanks  to  the  members  of  this  lodge  for  what  she  is  pleased  to  consider  the  distin- 
gniahed  honor  paid  her  by  them  in  their  visit  to  her  mansion  this  morning,  and  to  assure 
them  that  she  will  cherish  the  recollection  of  the  event  as  one  of  the  pleasantest  and  most 
agreeable  of  her  life.*' 

So  this  visit  passed  off  very  pleasantly,  and  while  what  was  in  every 
mind  and  every  heart  found  no  utterance,  the  state  of  feeling  could  be 
imagined,  but  scarcely  described;  for  the  country  was  just  on  the  eve 


182  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  the  presidential  election,  and  in  the  Southern  states,  in  Tennessee 
especially,  they  were  running  candidates  in  opposition  to  both  of  the 
great  parties.  By  the  talk  of  the  people  and  the  public  meetings,  the 
"  Bell  and  Everett  ticket "  was  destined  to  sweep  that  part  of  the  country. 

The  Hermitage,  and  Tomb  of  Getaeral  Jackson.  —  The  committee  of 
arrangements  invited  the  Grand  Lodge  to  participate  in  an  excursion 
to  the  Hermitage,  and  tomb  of  General  Andrew  Jackson,  on  Thursday, 
the  20th  of  September,  and  it  is  well  to  note  the  invitation  was  accepted 
on  motion  of  Representative  Conley,  of  Georgia,  an  able  and  efficient 
representative,  who  never  sat  again  in  that  body,  owing  to  the  disruption 
of  the  country.  It  was  generally  felt  that  a  visit  to  the  former  home  of 
the  patriot  could  not  fail  to  evoke  sentiments  that  were  applicable  to 
the  present  condition  of  the  country.  The  way  the  old  hero  of  New 
Orleans  had  met  the  first  attempt  at  secession  by  South  Carolina,  with 
the  memorable  declaration :  "  The  Federal  Union,  it  must  be  preserved ! " 
had  crushed  it.  It  was  noticed  on  the  way  out,  and  on  arriving  at  the 
Hermitage,  that  Brother  Boylston,  who  was  a  representative  from  South 
Carolina,  and  some  others  from  the  South,  were  not  present.  After 
wandering  about  the  grounds  and  standing  opposite  the  grave  of  Jackson, 
every  one  seemed  to  be  filled  with  admiration  for  this  great  patriot,  and 
the  speeches  that  were  made  were  full,  and  strong,  and  hearty  responses 
to  his  patriotic  life  and  utterances. 

The  Historic  Hickory  Arm-chair. — A  collation  was  prepared  on  the 
grounds  in  front  of  the  mansion.  A  hickory  arm-chair,  made  of  withes 
grown  upon  the  Hermitage  estate,  was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
by  Grand  Representative  Walker,  of  Tennessee,  in  behalf  of  Doctor 
John  M.  Lawrence,  the  then  occupant  of  the  Hermitage  property.  The 
presentation  addresses  spoke  of  the  services  that  the  late  hero  had 
rendered  to  his  country,  and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  embodied  his  senti- 
ments. The  response  was  made  by  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Fitzhugh,  in  a  few 
fitting  words,  and  Doctor  Lawrence  was  then  called  upon,  who  responded 
as  follows :  — 

'*  Gentlemen  : — Yoa  have  called  upon  me  for  a  sentiment.  I  am  no  speaker,  but  I 
highly  appreciate  the  honor.  I  am  informed  that  there  are  representatives  of  your  Order  here 
from  every  state  and  territory  of  the  Union,  who  have  come  to  the  home  and  sepulchre  of 
the  illustrious  hero.  I  think  the  motto  of  '  Old  Hickory '  the  most  appropriate  sentiment 
that  I  can  offer.    I  therefore  give  you :   '  The  Federal  Union,  it  must  be  preserved  I ' " 

The  sentiment  was  warmly  received,  and  then  Marshal  Glascock  pro- 
posed "three  cheers  for  the  Union,"  which  were  given  with  great 
heartiness.  Representative  John  W.  Dwindle,  of  Northern  New  York, 
was  then  called  upon,  and  responded  in  a  neat  and  appropriate  address, 
steering  clear  of  the  great  questions  of  the  day. 

The  Feeling  of  Doubt  and  Gloom. — Although  the  session  was  held  in 


THE  STORY  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE,  183 

the  magnificent  Senate  chamber  of  the  capitol  building,  the  feeling  was 
one  of  doubt  and  gloom :  secession  was  in  the  very  air  we  breathed. 

Robert  Boylston  was  installed  as  Grand  Sire,  and  Doctor  Milton 
Hemdon,  of  Indiana^  was  installed  as  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  adjourned. 

I  was  putting  up  at  the  Old  City  hotel,  memorable  for  many  historic 
incidents.  That  evening  my  room  was  filled,  principally,  with  Southern 
representatives,  all  anxious  to  hear  how  Pennsylvania  intended  to  go 
in  the  approaching  election  for  President.  I  told  them  I  had  no  doubt 
that  Pennsylvania  would  cast  her  electoral  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 
This  seemed  to  surprise  them  very  much.  We  talked  over  the  matter  for 
some  time.  Gradually  one  after  another  departed,  until  there  was  but  one 
brother  left  in  the  room, — Brother  William  J.  Hoke,  of  North  Carolina, 
a  large,  stalwart,  fine-looking  man,  who  came  up  to  me,  and,  taking  both 
of  my  hands  in  his,  while  his  eyes  were  moistened  with  approaching 
tears,  said :  "  Brother  Nicholson,  let  come  what  may,  I  want  you  to  think 
of  me,  no  matter  what  you  hear,  that  I  am  a  Union  man " ;  and  then  we 
parted. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  BALTIMORE  SESSION:  1861. 

The  Civil  War  and  the  Order.  —  Before  the  time  arrived  for  the  next 
session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  -great  events  had  taken 
place.  The  thunderbolt  had  fallen !  Sumter  had  been  fired  on !  Several 
of  the  Southern  states  had  seceded  from  the  Union.  An  army  was  raised. 
The  young  men  were,  everywhere,  rushing  to  the  standard,  and  intense 
excitement  universally  prevailed.  The  battle  of  Bull  Run  had  been  fought 
and  lost,  which  caused  a  call  for  a  still  larger  number  of  men.  Amid 
all  this  excitement.  Brother  James  L.  Ridgely,  the  Grand  Secretary,  in  a 
letter  written  to  Brother  Nicholson,  on  July  9, 1861,  said  :  — 

"  I  regret  very  much  that  I  am  wholly  iinahle  as  yet  to  say  anything  satisfactory  touch- 
ing the  approaching  annual  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  I  have 
nut  ceased  my  efforts  to  impress  upon  the  Grand  Sire  my  views  as  to  the  propriety  of  defer- 
ring the  session.  ...  He  hesitates  to  assume  the  ix>wer,  and  indeed  expresses  the  opinion 
that  if  the  Union  goes  down  in  blood,  that  the  Order  will  fall  with  it.'' 

Suspension  recommended.  —  Grand  Sire  Boylston,  who  was  understood 
to  be  at  Fairfax  Court-House,  serving  as  an  aid  upon  the  staff  of  the 
commanding  Confederate  General,  issued  a  proclamation,  dated  July  15, 
1861,  recommending  "t^at  all  meetings  of  the  legislative  head  of  the 
Order  be  suspended  during  the  present  autumn  as^ftnpracticable,  unneces- 
sary, and  inexpedient.'' 


184  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  idea  of  defemng  the  session  was  felt  by  many,  throughout  the 
North,  to  be  a  great  mistake ;  that  the  Grand  Lodge  should  continue  its 
sessions,  preserving  its  historic  connections,  without  regard  to  what  was 
taking  place  in  the  Nation  at  large. 

Events  in  the  South.  —  The  circular,  containing  the  preamble  and  reso- 
lutions offered  by  Past  Grand  Master  W.  B.  Harris,  emanating  from  the 
oflBice  of  the  Grand  Secretary  of  Georgia,  proved  conclusively  that  an  effort 
was  being  made  in  the  so-called  Southern  Confederacy  to  have  a  meeting 
at  Montgomery,  and  the  committee  stated  that  they 

**  Feel  at  a  great  loss  in  attempting  to  present  properly  this  subject,  without  a  seeming 
betrayal  into  its  consideration  as  a  sectional  one,  but,  when  the  fact  is  unmistakable,  that 
war,  with  all  its  horrors,  pervades  the  land ;  that  a  disruption  of  the  United  States  govern- 
ment has  arrayed  in  hostile  attitude  different  sections  of  the  country ;  that  the  inhabitants 
of  each  section  are,  in  a  great  measnre,  interdicted  communication  with  one  another,  and 
the  intercourse  of  the  brotherhood,  to  that  extent,  broken  up;  that  the  archives  of  our 
National  Odd  Fellows'  government,  her  legislative  hall,  her  treasury,  and  all  that  pertains 
to  our  general  head,  from  the  results  of  these  troubles,  have  fallen  into  the  opposing  section 
of  the  country;  and,  above  all,  our  inability,  under  this  deplorable  condition  of  things,  to 
confer  in  annual  grand  communication  together,  we  are  forced,  involuntarily,  to  present  it 
as  such.'* 

The  committee  offered,  among  other  things,  the  following :  — 

** Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  Georgia,  that  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  cannot,  under  the  present  state  of  the  country,  preserve 
and  keep  up  its  present  organization. 

**  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodges  and  Grand  Encampments  in  the  Southern  Confederacy 
be  invited  to  send  representatives  to  meet  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  designated  by  a 
majority  of  said  Grand  Liodges  and  Grand  Encampments,  for  the  purpose  of  readjusting  the 
relations  now  existing  between  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  and  the  Grand  Lodges 
and  Grand  Encampments  of  the  Confederate  states,  and  of  considering  such  other  matters 
as  may  necessarily  grow  out  of  the  proposed  change  in  said  relation. 

**  Resolved f  That  this  Grand  Lodge  designates  Montgomery,  in  the  state  of  Alabama,  and 
the  first  Wednesday  in  August,  as  a  suitable  point  and  time  for  the  meeting  of  the  represen- 
tatives from  the  several  Grand  Lodges  and  Grand  Encampments. 

** Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Representatives  from  this  Grand  Lodge  (then  in  office), 
shaU  be  the  representatives  at  such  meeting  of  Grand  Lodges  and  Grand  Encampments." 

The  committee  consisted  of  Walton  B.  Harris,  B.  Conley,  William  H. 
Barnes,  C.  C.  Millar,  and  E.  C.  Granniss.  The  circular  was,  also,  signed 
and  sealed  by  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  Georgia, 
attested  by  George  R.  Barker,  Grand  Secretary. 

The  Proposed  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  —  This  shows 
clearly  that  there  was  an  intention  to  hold  a  meeting  and  form  a  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  prior  to  the  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  of  which  the  Northern  representatives  and 
the  whole  Order  in  the  North  were  left  in  ignorance. 

In  a  letter  written  by  George  R.  Barker,  on  July  13, 1861,  he  said:  — 

''  For  my  part  I  do  not  ^ink  that  the  author  of  the  preamble  and  resolutions  had  the 
remotest  idea  that  the  meeting  would  ever  be  held.  It  was  sufficient  for  him  to  know 
that  he  was  the  first  man  that  introduced  the  secession  movement  into  any  Grand  Lodge 


THE  8T0BT  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  185 

of  the  Southern  Ck)nfederacy.    Different  people  have  a  different  way  to  make  themfielves 
conspicuous." 

A  letter  written  by  B.  Conley,  of  Georgia,  on  the  3d  of  July,  1861,  to 
Brother  E.  D.  Farnsworth,  becomes  interesting  in  view  of  the  condition  of 
affairs  that  prevailed.    He  said :  — 

"  When  I  went  to  the  meeting  of  our  Grand  Lodge,  it  was  with  the  determination  not  to 
touch  the  subject  of  our  relations  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  inasmuch  as  the 
Order  of  the  Southern  states  had  no  cause  of  complaint  against  the  '  supreme  head '  of  the 
Order,  such  as  existed  between  the  states  and  the  general  government.  And  further,  from 
the  fact  that  we  had  the  Grand  Sire  in  our  section  of  the  country,  in  whose  hands  I  felt  that 
our  interests  were  perfectly  safe;  but  when  I  reached  Macon,  where  the  Grand  Lodge  met,  I 
found  that  a  number  of  the  representatives  had  come '  full  charged '  with  the  secession  spirit, 
and  were  for  cutting  loose  at  once  from  the  Order  at  the  North,  whether  or  no.  They  would 
scarcely  listen  to  a  suggestion  which  looked  like  a  continuance  of  our  connection  with  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

*'The  subject  was  referred  to  a  committee,  upon  which  I  was  placed,  and  the  result  was 
the  report  and  resolutions,  a  copy  of  which  you  have  received.  I  labored  on  the  committee 
to  produce  conciliation,  and  succeeded  in  staving  off  action  which  proposed  immediate  disso- 
lution, and  severance  between  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  by  referring  it  to  a  convention  to  be  held  as  designated  by  one  of  the  resolu- 
tions on  the  first  Wednesday  of  August. 

'*  We  named  Montgomery,  Alabama,  as  being  about  as  central  a  point  as  any,  and  about 
the  easiest  of  access  to  the  Order  in  the  Southern  states,  but  we  were  not  wedded  to  that 
point  particularly,  and  will  meet  our  brethren  at  any  point  that  may  be  named,  should  it  be 
determined  to  hold  said  meeting. 

"The  fact  is,  Farns worth,  there  is  really  no  necessity  for  any  such  convention,  but  it 
was  the  best  move  that  could  be  made  to  avoid  harsher  proceedings.  Before  September  the 
whole  state  of  things  may  be  changed,  Maryland  may  be  with  the  Southern  Confederacy, 
and  then  we  have  the  whole  matter  in  our  own  hands.  And  why,  under  existing  circum* 
stances,  we  should  sever  our  connection  with  the  Order  at  the  North,  unless  for  greater 
cause  than  yet  exists,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  conceive. 

'*  It  has  been  the  boast  of  the  Order  that  amid  all  the  convulsions  of  Church  and  State, 
she  has  stood  firm  and  not  mixed  up  with  the  various  questions  that  have  distracted  tJie 
country.    Why  cannot  we  still  live  without  separation? 

"  I  hardly  expected  when  our  Grand  Lodge  made  the  recommendation  for  the  meeting 
at  Montgomery  that  it  would  be  responded  to  by  a  sufiicient  number  to  warrant  its  being 
held.  I  have  not  heard  from  our  Grand  Master  as  to  what  response  he  has  had  from  the 
various  jurisdictions  in  the  Southern  Confederacy.  It  was  understood  that  if  a  respectable 
number  did  not  respond  favorably  that  the  meeting  would  not  be  held. 

**  I  do  not  know  what  the  views  of  the  Grand  Sire  are  upon  the  subject.  He  will  prob- 
ably respond  to  the  Grand  Master  of  our  State,  on  receipt  of  the  resolutions  that  have  been 
forwarded  to  him  at  Richmond,  Virginia,  where  he  now  is  with  the  army. 

"  I  received  a  letter  a  day  or  two  ago  from  Representative  I.  H.  Robinson,  of  Virginia, 
and  from  its  tenor  I  do  not  think  that  jurisdiction  will  go  to  Montgomery.  He  writes  that 
the  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia  is  a  resident  of  the  western  part  of  the 
state,  and  he  does  not  think  he  will  concur  in  the  proposed  meeting  at  Montgomery.  Robin- 
son concurs  fully  in  the  general  objects  of  the  proposed  meeting,  but  thinks  that  the  time 
named  is  too  early,  so  far  as  Virginia  is  concerned. 

"  I  have  yet  a  lingering  hope  that  peace  may  be  proclaimed,  and  that  an  early  settlement 
may  be  effected.  God  grant  that  it  may  be  so,  and  that  we  may  yet  meet  as  brothers  of  an 
undi\ided  brotherhood,  amid  all  the  distractions  which  now  divide  the  country." 

Tennessee  is  entitled  to  credit.  There  was  a  miss  meeting  of  the  Odd 
Fellows  called  at  Nashville,  over  which  Past  Grand  Master  E.  D.  Farns- 


186  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

worth  presided  (he  living  at  that  time  in  Nashville).  The  matter  of 
forming  a  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  was  presented,  and 
while  there  was  general  sympathy  with  the  South,  there  was  no  disposition 
manifested  to  secede  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  Past 
Grand  Master  Joseph  L.  Weakley,  Brother  H.  C.  Hensley,  Grand  Master, 
and  Brother  R.  B.  Barry,  Grand  Secretary,  were  present.  After  the  com- 
munication had  been  read,  Past  Grand  Master  Weakley  arose,  and  spoke 
in  opposition  to  the  proposition ;  Grand  Master  Hensley  followed  in  the 
same  strain,  and  then  Brother  R.  B.  Barry,  Grand  Secretary,  made  the 
closing  argument  against  secession  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States.  The  speeches  were  strong  and  powerful,  and  the  speakers  made 
an  eloquent  appeal  for  unity  and  fraternity,  and  for  preserving  unbroken 
their  fealty  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  The  result  was  that 
the  meeting  voted  unanimously  against  the  proposed  division  of  the  Order. 

The  Action  taken  at  the  North.  —  While  all  this  was  going  on  in  the 
South,  letters  were  flying  through  the  North  from  one  Grand  Representa- 
tive to  another.  Brother  Lamberton,  of  Pennsylvania,  wrote  that  the 
session  ought  to  be  held.  Brother  Hemdon,  the  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
wrote,  on  the  23d  of  August,  that  he  would  be  present  at  Baltimore 
with  the  delegation  from  Indiana.  Meanwhile,  a  circular  was  issued 
by  the  executive  council,  formed  by  the  Grand  Officers  of  the  Grand 
bodies  of  Connecticut,  in  which  they  thought  that  the  representatives 
should  not  go  to  Baltimore,  but  let  the  session  go  by  default.  This 
created  quite  a  stir  and  very  earnest  discussion,  and  the  day  of  its 
arrival  in  Philadelphia  I  was  informed  thereof  by  Grand  Secretary 
Curtis.  I  urged  him  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  grand  ofl&cers,  to  which  he 
promptly  responded  that  he  would  have  them  present  at  his  oflB.ce  that 
afternoon.  I  met  with  them  and  urged  the  great  danger  that  threatened 
the  Order,  and  the  existence  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 
With  Brother  Boylston,  of  South  Carolina,  as  Grand  Sire  of  the  Order, 
I  saw  how  easy  it  would  be  for  him  to  call  a  session  in  the  South,  over 
which  he  would  preside,  and  appoint  others  to  fill  the  chairs,  and  then 
claim  to  be  the  successor  and  lineal  inheritor  of  all  the  powers  and  pre- 
rogatives of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

The  Circular  to  Northern  Representatives.  —  I  urged  that  a  circular 
be  immediately  sent  out  to  all  the  representatives  of  the  Northern 
states,  urging  them  to  be  at  Baltimore  at  the  constitutional  time  fixed 
for  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  suggesting 
that  they  take  their  representative  tax  with  them,  but  not  pay  it  over 
to  the  Grand  Secretary  until  they  were  satisfied  that  we  would  have 
a  quorum.  I  had  not  the  slightest  idea,  at  that  time,  that  a  movement 
was  on  foot  for  a  meeting  of  the  representatives  of  the  jurisdictions 
in  the  Southern  Confederacy  at  Montgomery. 


THE  STORY  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  187 

The  circular  was  accordingly  sent  out.  When  the  time  for  the  session 
was  near  at  hand,  I  procured  from  the  mayor  of  Philadelphia,  the  Hon. 
Alexander  Henry,  the  following  pass,  which  entitled  me  to  go  to 
Baltimore :  — 

The  Baltimore  Pass.  — 

"Office  of  thb  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 

"  September  9, 1861. 

"  This  will  certify  that  James  B.  Nicholson  is'  well  and  personally  known  to  me  as  a 
highly  reputable  citizen  of  Philadelphia,  of  approved  zeal  and  loyalty,  and  worthily  entitled 
to  the  confidence  and  protection  of  aU  good  citizens. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereto  set  my  hand,  and  cansed  to  be  afSzed  the  Seal  of 

the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

**  Alexander  Henry,  Mayor  of  Philadelphia." 

War  Times  in  Baltimore.  —  Even  at  that  day  it  seemed  very  singular 
that  such  a  document  was  necessary  to  enable  a  person  to  go  from 
Philadelphia  to  Baltimore,  as  much  so  as  it  would  seem  now  were  a  permit 
required  to  be  enabled  to  visit  a  neighboring  city,  —  but  those  were  war 
times.  When  the  Pennsylvania  delegation  went  to  Baltimore,  the  rail- 
roads were  under  military  supervision.  Soldiers  were  stationed  and 
cannon  planted  at  Port  Deposit;  and  officers  went  through  the  train, 
followed  by  a  guard  with  fixed  bayonets,  examining  the  passes,  or  making 
inquiries  of  the  passengers  in  the  cars. 

When  we  got  to  Barnum's  hotel,  we  found  a  number  of  representa- 
tives already  assembled,  but  they  could  not  tell  whether  there  would  be 
a  quorum  on  the  morrow  or  not. 

On  Monday  morning,  September  16,  1861,  Brother  Lamberton  and 
myself  walked  from  Bamum's  hotel,  and  as  we  reached  the  corner  at 
Gay  street,  we  turned  our  eyes  at  once  toward  the  Odd  Fellows'  hall 
and  there  saw,  with  an  unspeakable  feeling  of  joy,  that  the  "  Stars  and 
Stripes"  were  waving  from  the  top  thereof. 

The  Session. — When  we  first  met  there  was  not  a  quorum  present 
After  the  committee  on  credentials  presepited  their  report  on  the  repre- 
sentatives who  were  reelected  and  of  the  new  representatives,  it  was 
acknowledged  that  there  was  a  quorum.  The  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  Milton 
Hemdon,  presided.  Frederick  D.  Stuart,  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
was  appointed  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  pro  tempore,  and  W.  H.  H.  Prall,  of 
Northern  Kew  York,  as  Grand  Marshal,  pro  tempore.  The  roll  was  called 
as  if  every  state  was  represented,  and  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  Massa- 
chusetts, the  Korthem  and  Northwestern  states,  all  responded  "  here ! " 
When  Virginia,  South  Carolina,  and  Texas  were  called,  then  silence  fell,  — 
there  was  no  one  present  to  answer  for  any  of  the  Southern  states. 

In  addition  to  the  absence  of  the  Grand  Eepresentatives  from  the 
Southern  jurisdictions,  and  the  calling  of  the  roll,  day  after  day,  of  all  the  ■ 
jurisdictions  (no  reply  being  made  to  those  from  the  South),  there  was 
little  occurred  to  show  that  civil  war  was  raging  throughout  the  land. 


188  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITY. 

A  War  Communication.  —  One  of  the  exceptions  was  a  communication 
from  J.  H.  Chase,  lieutenant  and  regimental  quartermaster  of  the  Third 
New  York  Volunteers,  and  Past  Grand  of  Fireman's  Lodge,  No.  19, 
Albany,  New  York,  which  was  as  follows :  — 

"  FoBT  McHbnrt,  Md.,  September  16, 1861. 
''  To  the  Most  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  of  the  United  States : 

"The  undersigned  takes  great  pleasure  in  transmitting  to  your  care  the  working  books 
of  Patrick  Henry  Lodge,  No.  15,  located  at  Hampton,  Virginia,  with  a  set  of  Degree  and  Gamp 
books. 

"  I  will  take  the  liberty  of  briefly  explaining  how  these  books  came  into  my  possession. 
The  regiment  to  which  I  am  attached,  —  the  Third  New  York,  —  encamped  at  Camp  Hamil- 
ton, in  June  last,  about  two  miles  from  Fortress  Monroe,  and  one  mile  from  the  village  of 
Hampton.  I  ascertained  through  a  boatman  that  there  was  an  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  as  well 
as  a  Masonic  hall,  at  Hampton,  and  knowing  that  the  village  was  entirely  deserted  on  the 
part  of  the  inhabitants,  and  exposed  to  the  pillage  and  plunder  of  the  hordes  of  negroes  who 
had  gathered  there,  and  who  had  already  committed  many  depredations  upon  the  furniture 
and  property  left  in  the  village,  and  at  the  same  time  feeling  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  the  two  Orders,  I  applied  for  and  obtained,  from  Major-Greneral  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  a 
special  order,  directing  me  to  take  a  '  sufficient  detachment,  proceed  to  the  village  of  Hamp- 
ton, take  possession  of  such  property  as  belonged  to  either  Order,  as  I  thought  proper,  and 
report  to  him.'  In  accordance  with  this  I  secured  the  services  of  Captain  John  E.  Mulford 
of  this  regiment,  with  his  company,  proceeded  to  Hampton,  and  visited  the  hall  belonging 
to  Patrick  Henry  Lodge,  No.  15,  as  I  learned  from  the  books.  I  found  that  nearly  all  the 
lodge  property  remained  in  the  hall.  The  warrants,  secretary's  books,  regalia,  and  other 
property  I  left  with  B.  M.  Johnson,  who  lived  near  the  village,  and  a  member  of  the  lodge, 
also  of  Hampton  Encampment,  No.  27.  The  working  books,  however,  I  thought  best  to 
retain  in  my  possession,  until  an  opportunity  presented  itself  of  transferring  them  to  proper 
parties  for  safety ;  such  an  opportunity  has  now  presented  itself,  and  I  take  great  pleasure 
in  delivering  them  into  your  custody,  at  the  same  time  I  sincerely  hope  your  honorable  body 
will  transmit  the  books  to  said  lodge  and  encampment  whenever  the  proper  authorities  may 
apply  for  the  same. 

"  Before  closing  I  will  state  that  since  the  time  of  taking  the  books,  the  village  has  been 
destroyed  by  fire,  by  order  of  Colonel  Magruder,  of  the  Confederate  army.  The  hall  was 
consumed  with  the  other  buildings." 

Official  Declaration  of  the  Spirit  of  Odd  Fellowship. — Eepresentative 
Escavaille,  of  Maryland,  offered  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions, 
which  weye  unanimously  adopted :  — 

'*  Whereas,  The  very  spirit  of  Odd  Fellowship,  —the  life  it  would  breathe  over  all  the 
world,  —  the  profession  it  makes  everywhere,  and  at  all  times  recognizing  but  one  nation, 
— the  earth ;  but  one  family,  —  the  race  of  man :  this  is  one  of  its  boasts,  — one  pillar  of  its 
strength ;  and  whereas,  its  universisil  adaptation  to  the  wants  of  man  is  the  demonstration 
that  its  principles  are  inspired,  —  its  doctrines  divine;  and  whereas,  the  trouble,  discord,  and 
faction,  that  so  open  and  so  fiercely  prevail  in  and  between  the  various  associations  of  the 
day,  enter  not  the  portals  of  Odd  Fellowship ;  and  whereas,  the  bickerings,  the  jealousies, 
the  strifes  for  place  apd  power,  the  spirit  of  aggrandizement,  the  thoughts  of  self,  the  con- 
tests of  sections  and  party,  which  pervade  society,  imbitter  friendships,  and  occasionally 
even  desecrate  the  sanctuary,  have  cast  no  shadow  within  our  lodges ;  and  whereas,  to  cement 
more  strongly  the  ties  that  bind  us  together,  and  to  renew  our  vows  and  devotions  upon  the 
sacred  altar  of  Odd  Fellowship,  be  it  therefore 

"Resolved,  That  the  perpetuity  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  its  beneficial  influence,  can  only 
be  maintained  and  exercised  by  a  rigid  adherence  to  its  ritual  and  fundamental  laws. 

*^ Resolved,  That  the  members  of  this  Qrand  Lodge  will  employ  every  means,  and  will 


THE  8T0RT  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  189 

endeavor  to  impTess  npon  the  minds  of  their  constituents  the  necessity  of  so  doing,  to  calti- 
Tate  and  practise  these  sentiments  and  principles,  which  will  be  best  calculated  to  preserve 
our  beloved  Order  intact,  wherever  its  benign  influence  has  spread,  wherever  the  banner  of 
Odd  Fellowship  has  been  unfurled. 

^* Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  good  Odd  Fellow,  at  all  times,  so  to  act  and  so 
to  speak,  that  their  words  and  deeds  may  give  no  just  cause  of  offence  to  those  whom  cir- 
cumstances have,  for  the  time  being,  cut  off  from  social  and  friendly  intercourse  with  us. 

"B&solved,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  hopes,  and  will  continue  to  hope,  that  the  trying 
difficulties  now  existing,  and  which  have  shaken  our  common  country  to  its  very  founda- 
tion,— causing  distrust  and  estrangement  between  brothers  and  friends, — may  be  speedily 
and  amicably  settled,  and  that  the  storm  which  is  now  raging  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of 
this  once  peaceful  and  happy  land,  may  be  assuaged,  and  the  clouds,  which  have  darkened 
the  hopes  and  blighted  the  prospects  of  a  whole  nation,  may  be  swept  away,  giving  place  to 
a  cloudless  sky,  a  bright  and  genial  sunshine,  shedding  peace,  harmony,  and  joy  over  and 
throughout  this  wide-spread  land." 

The  above  represented  the  spirit  and  the  feelings  of  the  Grand  Eepre- 
sentatives  that  were  present  at  that  session. 

Loyalty:  Ways  and  Means. — The  Grand  Lodge  moved  on  in  its  pre- 
scribed course,  and,  animated  by  the  spirit  of  loyalty  to  the  government 
and  faithful  to  its  own  laws,  believed  that  it  would  thereby  preserve  the 
unity  of  Odd  Fellowship,  promote  its  prosperity,  and  preserve  its  useful- 
ness. 

The  Grand  Corresponding  and  Recording  Secretary,  in  his  report, 
showed  that  there  would  be  a  deficiency  of  nearly  four  thousand  dollars 
in  the  treasury,  and  went  on  to  say  that 

"  The  deficiency  can  only  be  overcome  by  a  liberal  and  magnanimous  act  of  personal 
sacrifice  on  the  part  of  the  representatives  themselves,  which  doubtless  will,  under  the  cir- 
cumstances in  which  the  Grand  Lodge  is  placed,  be  promptly  met.  A  reduction  of  the  rate 
of  mileage  from  five  to  three  cents  will  provide  for  the  entire  deficiency,  which  it  is  believed 
will  not  oppress  a  single  individual,  however  distant  his  home  from  the  place  of  meeting. 
No  other  mode  of  relief  appears  available." 

But  the  committee  on  finance,  to  whom  the  matter  was  referred,  did 
not  appear  to  possess  the  liberality  that  the  Grand  Secretary  supposed, 
for  in  their  report  they  offered  a  resolution :  "  That  the  per  diem  be  three 
dollars  and  the  mileage  four  cents  for  the  Grand  Officers  and  Grand  Rep- 
resentatives at  the  present  session  of  this  Grand  Lodge."  The  resolution 
was  adopted.  The  finance  committee  claimed  that  this  would  be  suffi- 
cient to  relieve  the  treasury  of  the  deficiency.  The  amount  of  per  diem 
and  mileage  for  the  session  was  $4760.16. 

Wildey'8  Last  Appearance  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  — 
One  event  cannot  be  passed  by:  it  was  the  fact  that  Past  Grand  Sire 
Wildey  was  present,  and  it  was  the  last  time  he  was  seen  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States.  Grand  Representative  Lamberton,  in  con- 
cluding his  annual  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  Novem- 
ber 19,  1861,  speaks  of  the  presence  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  and  of 
what  shortly  followed  the  session,  in  the  following  eloquent  terms :  — 


190  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Grand  Representatiye  Lamberton's  Eulogy.— ''We  would,  brethren,  that  here  we  might 
pause.  But  we  cannot  close  this  report  without  inviting  special  action  on  your  part  in  relation 
to  a  subject  which  has  touched  sadly  the  great  heart  of  our  Order  throughout  our  whole  land. 
On  the  morning  of  the  first  day  of  our  late  session,  at  Baltimore,  when  many  familiar  faces 
were  absent,  and  we  could  not  clasp  in  fraternal  feelings  the  hands  of  those  who  ought  to 
have  been  with  us,  there  came  among  us  the  venerable  founder  of  our  Order,  and  its  first 
Grand  Sire  in  the  United  States.  Though  his  steps  were  slow  and  trembling,  and  the  hand 
of  age  was  pressing  heavily  upon  him,  his  love  was  unabated,  his  interest  unshaken,  and  his 
devotion  to  the  brotherhood  warm  and  undying.  But  his  days  were  then  nigh  full.  Once 
more,  and  for  the  last  time,  there  gathered  about  him,  with  affection  and  reverence,  the 
representatives  from  many  powerful  jurisdictions.  ' 

"  He  had  lived  to  see  the  little  handful  of  earnest  men,  who  trustfully  helped  him  to  lay 
the  corner-stone  of  our  temple,  so  increase  and  multiply  that,  spreading  from  city  to  village, 
following  the  axe  and  the  Bible  of  the  pioneer  into  and  through  the  wilderness,  they  had 
grown  to  be  the  mighty  host,  whose  works  of  mercy  were  numberless  and  whose  evening 
songs  follow  the  setting  sun  from  ocean  to  ocean.  A  month  had  just  gone,  after  the  repre- 
sentatives had  separated  to  their  homes,  and  he  had  reached  the  verge  of  eternity,  when 
suddenly,  on  the  19th  of  October,  surrounded  by  those  whom  he  loved,  and  to  whom  the 
foot-fall  of  death  was  noiseless,  he  heard  the  whispered  message :  *  The  Master  is  come.  He 
calleth  for  thee,'  and,  without  a  murmur,  he  yielded  up  his  life  to  Him  who  gave  it.  And 
now  at  Qreen  Mount,  —  fit  resting-place, — the  dust  of  Thomas  Wildey  mingles  with  its  kin- 
dred dust.  The  hand  is  still  and  cold  that  flung  out  our  broad  banner  and  wrote  upon  its 
ample  folds,  in  living  letters,  the  noble  motto  of  our  grand  brotherhood. 

"  Shall  we  mark  with  sculptured  stone  the  narrow  hill  of  earth  which  covers  the  mortal? 
Aye,  let  the  enduring  shaft  tell  of  that  humble  yet  great  worker  who,  'after  life's  fitful 
fever,  sleeps  well.'  Withal,  his  monument  is  more  imperishable  than  marble ;  for  his  memory 
will  continue  green  while  there  remains  a  brother  to  speak  the  word  of  comfort  to  the  broken- 
hearted, or  to  outstretch  a  hand  to  relieve  the  suffering,  to  lead  the  orphan,  or  wipe  away 
the  widow's  tears.  May  his  sleep  be  peaceful,  and  his  awakening  glorious  to  life  eternal,  in 
that  wondrous  land  where  there  is  no  night  or  sorrow,  in  the  presence  of  Him  who  is  our  God 
and  our  Father." 

It  is  wonderful  to  contemplate,  amid  the  fierce  passions  that  were 
agitating  the  whole  country,  that  the  Odd  Fellows  met  and  transacted 
their  business,  and  returned  to  their  homes,  without  the  expression  of 
anything  like  disrespect  for  their  brethren  who  were  absent.  It  certainly 
was  a  remarkable  exhibition  of  the  power  and  influence  of  brotherly 
love. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  BALTIMORE  SESSION:  1862. 

Odd  Fellows  meet  in  Peace :   Battle  of  Antietam  on  Maryland  Soil.  — 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  met  in  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
September  15, 1862.  The  war  was  still  going  on,  and  very  intense  feelings 
pervaded  the  country,  and  probably  in  no  place  more  than  in  the  city  of 
Baltimore.  The  provost  laarshal,  with  his  guards  and  soldiers,  had  the 
contHTol  of  the  city,  and  it  was  really  amusing  to  notice  how  very  careful 
the  Baltimore  men  were  in  giving  utterance  to  their  views  and  opinions. 


THE  8T0BT  OF  'SIXTT-FIYE.  191 

I  presume  that  they  all  had  them,  but  they  gave  no  indication  for  one 
even  to  guess  that  they  had  any  particular  ideas  in  regard  to  the  things 
that  were  going  on.  One  Grand  Representative  was  very  outspoken  in 
his  utterances  about  the  timidity  of  the  people.  He  said  he  could  not  find 
out  what  their  feelings  were  in  relation  to  the  war.  Grand  Treasurer 
Joshua  Yansant,  an  eminent  and  distinguished  citizen  of  Baltimore,  after- 
ward its  mayor,  and  a  man  who  was  always  outspoken  in  his  utterances, 
really  had  nothing  to  say.  It  was  reported  that  ladies  were  arrested,  by 
the  provost  marshal's  guards,  for  using  their  handkerchiefs  in  a  peculiar 
way  as  a  sign  of  sympathy  to  Confederate  prisoners  when  being  marched 
through  the  city. 

It  was  a  session  of  intense  anxiety,  for  Lee  had  crossed  the  Potomac 
into  Maryland,  and  while  the  Grand  Lodge  was  in  session,  the  battle  of 
Antietam  was  fought  on  Maryland  soil. 

The  Grand  Lodge  assembled,  and  there  were  seventy-two  representa- 
tives present.  The  event  of  the  session  was  the  announcement  of  the  death 
of  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  who  departed  this  life  October  10, 1861.  An 
appropriate  eulogy  was  delivered  on  the  life  and  character  of  Brother 
Wildey,  by  invitation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  by  James  L. 
Ridgely,  Past  Grand  Master,  and  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States. 

The  Wildey  Monument.  —  There  was  inaugurated  during  the  session  a 
movement  for  the  erection  of  a  monument,  not  only  to  his  memory,  but  to 
celebrate  the  establishment  of  the  Order  in  this  country  in  the  city  of 
Baltimore ;  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  collect  contributions  from 
the  brotherhood,  and  t6  get  specifications  and  a  plan  for  the  monument 
that  would  be  worthy  of  the  subject. 

A  review  of  the  session  was  made,  and  the  feelings  and  hopes  that 
were  then  growing  very  deeply  in  the  minds  of  all  were  rehearsed  by 
James  B.  Nicholson,  the  Grand  Sire,  at  his  installation,  as  follows :  — 

Grand  Sin  Nicholson's  Eloquent  Resomj  of  the  Sitnation. — "  This  has  been  an  interesting 
and  harmonious  session ;  in  some  respects  it  commands  more  than  usual  attention.  It  wiU 
be  remembered  in  after  days  that  while  '  grim-visaged  war  shook  its  horrid  front '  in  your 
very  faces,  almost  in  the  sight  of  armed  legions,  the  sound  of  whose  conflicts  reverberated 
through  the  surrounding  valleys,  you  met  to  perform  a  solemn  duty,  to  honor  the  memory  of 
the  man  before  whose  enduring  fame  that  of  destroyers.* pale  their  ineffectual  fires';  to 
lay  broad  and  deep  the  foundations  upon  which  wiU  rest  a  monument  of  grateful  affection, 
that  will  tower  above  and  outlast  the  stars.  Religion  and  music,  learning  and  eloquence, 
have  Inured  forth  their  rich  treasures  at  the  foot  of  the  shrine  that  commemorates  the 
Bervices  to  humanity  of  the  humble  hero,  Thomas  Wildbt. 

"  Surely,  peace  hath  victories  more  glorious  than  those  of  war.  None  weep  that  Wildey 
lived,  but  thousands  rejoice ;  and  if  we  are  but  faithful  to  our  duties,  miUions  will  have 
cause  to  bless  his  name,  and  that  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  America.  We 
are  the  inheritors  of  the  fruits  of  their  labors ;  let  us,  whilst  we  cherish  their  memory,  deter- 
mine that  so  far  as  in  us  lies,  the  Order  shall  be  perpetual.  When  the  historian  of  the 
present  shaU  hereafter  write  up  the  record  of  events,  we  trust  that  he  wiU  not  be  constrained 


192  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

to  say  that,  through  our  indifference,  we  goffered  the  noble  edifice  that  Wildey  reared  to 
perish  and  crumble  at  our  feet.  If  the  spirit  of  the  venerable  patriarch  is  permitted  to 
hover  over  the  scenes  that  he  loved  so  well,  and  now  looks  beamingly  down  upon  us,  I 
invoke  the  strength  and  perseverance  of  his  own  great  heart,  and  may  we  all  carry  from 
hence  a  moral  power  that  will  give  an  impetus  to  the  progress  of  the  Order  all  over  the  land ! 

'*  Our  work  is  not  done :  we  are  still  stumbling  with  uneven  pace  over  the  broken  arches 
of  the  bridge  of  time ;  the  wails  of  the  fallen  and  sinking  reach  our  ears  at  every  step,  and 
we  must  help  them,  or  they  perish.  There  is  a  mighty  sorrow  in  the  land:  the  widowed, 
the  orphaned,  and  distressed  demand  our  care,  our  sympathy,  and  our  relief.  Here  is  a 
work  worthy  of  you, — a  work  in  which  Wildey,  in  his  younger  days,  would  have  led  you. 
Gro  from  heuce  to  your  respective  jurisdictions,  thrust  your  sickles  into  the  great  harvest 
of  human  benefaction,  and  reap  flowers  perennial,  that  will  bloom  in  immortal  fragrance 
when  the  things  of  earth  shall  have  passed  away. 

"  Permit  me  to  express  the  hope,  that  the  time  may  soon  come  when  matrons  and 
maidens  shall  so  rejoice,  that  the  lisping  infant  in  its  mother's  arms  will  gleefully  repeat 
the  gladsome  words:  'Peace,  peace,  war  no  more! '  when  the  banners  .of  our  Order,  still 
high  advanced,  shall  gather  under  their  peaceful  folds  all  of  America's  sons;  when  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  shall  be  filled  with  representatives  not  only  from  Canada 
to  Louisiana,  from  New  Jersey  to  Oregon,  but  from  the  Islands  of  the  Sea,  all  uniting  their 
energies  and  exertions  for  the  triumph  of  the  principles  of  homanityi  and  for  the  spread 
of  the  Order  around  the  globe.*' 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  BALTIMORE  SESSION:  1868. 

The  Order's  Ordeal. — The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  met  in 
the  city  of  Baltimore,  September  21, 1863.  The  war  was  still  raging,  and 
there  was  a  general  feeling  of  depression  on  accomit  of  its  long  continuance. 
This  was  felt  very  deeply  in  the  Order.  There  had  been  a  large  loss  in  the 
membership,  and  a  number  of  lodges  had  become  defunct.  The  active 
men  in  the  lodges  had  enlisted  and  gone  to  the  war,  and  left  in  many 
places  so  little  material  that  the  lodges  could  not  be  kept  in  existence. 
When  the  Grand  Lodge  met,  thia  depression  was  increased  by  the  conver- 
sation of  the  Grand  Eepresentatives  with  one  another.  Each  began  to  tell 
of  the  loss  in  his  state,  and  how  the  Order  was  going  behind.  There  are 
reasons  for  believing  that  there  were  some  present  who  did  not  believe  that 
the  Order  could  survive  the  ordeal.  Among  those  who  thought  some- 
thing ought  to  be  done  to  save  the  Order  was  Grand  Representative  J. 
Fletcher  Williams,  of  Minnesota.  He  was  talking  with  the  representatives, 
and  made  a  convert,  or  at  least  found  a  sympathizer,  in  Grand  Representa- 
tive George  W.  Cassedy,  of  New  Jersey.  They  had  no  remedy  to  present, 
but  thought  one  could  be  found  if  the  Grand  Lodge  would  go  into  com- 
mittee of  the  whole  on  the  state  of  the  Order,  where  the  opinions  of  the 
representatives  could  be  freely  expressed,  and  no  doubt  various  remedies 
would  be  proposed. 


THE  8T0RT  OF  ' SIXTY-FIVE.  198 

RepreaentatlTes  of  Tennessee  arriye. — On  the  Sunday  before  the  session 
commenced,  there  arrived  at  Barnum's  hotel  Brothers  Thomas  T.  Smiley 
and  E.  D.  Farnsworth,  Grand  Representatives  from  Nashville,  Tennessee. 
These  were  the  first  representatives  that  arrived  at  Baltimore  from  the  so- 
called  Confederate  States,  although  Tennessee  was  regarded  as  a  border 
state  because  there  were  so  many  Union  men  residing  in  East  Tennessee. 

Learning  of  their  arrival,  but  finding  that  they  were  keeping  them- 
selves very  closely  confined  in  their  rooms,  I  sent  word  to  them  that  I 
woidd  very  much  like  to  see  them  in  my  room.  They  accordingly  came, 
and  after  a  lengthy  and  free  conversation  about  the  condition  of  affairs. 
Brother  Farnsworth  told  me  what  he  had  done  to  prevent  the  meeting  at 
Montgomery  of  delegates  to  a  so-called  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Confederate 
States,  and  gave  me  some  letters  that  he  had  received,  a  portion  of  which 
are  now  for  the  first  time  published. 

The  representatives  were  in  doubt  about  their  reception  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  because  Tennessee  was  indebted  for  its  grand 
representative  tax,  and  they  had  no  money  to  pay  it.  I  greeted  them 
very  cordially,  assured  them  that  their  presence  in  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
welcome,  and  that  they  would  be  recognized  and  appointed  upon  impor- 
tant committees.  Therefore,  on  Monday  morning.  Representative  Smiley 
was  appointed  on  the  legislative  committee  and  Brother  Farnsworth  on 
the  committee  on  finance.  The  Grand  Lodge  at  the  proper  time  adopted 
the  following  report  from  the  committee  on  finance :  — 

Sjrmpathy :  the  OUye  Branch.  —  **  The  comniittee  on  finance,  to  whom  were  referred  the 
preamble  and  resolntions  presented  by  Representative  Cassedy,  of  New  Jersey,  touching 
the  affairs  of  the  Order  in  Tennessee,  have  had  the  same  under  consideration,  and  submit 
the  result  of  their  deliberations. 

"  The  Order  in  Tennessee,  in  consequence  of  the  local  position  of  the  state  in  the  Union, 
has  literally  passed  through  a  baptism  of  blood,  in  which  they  have  lost  almost  everything 
bat  the  sublime  principles  of  the  Order,  which  were  too  deeply  impressed  upon  the  hearts 
of  the  brotherhood  to  be  imperilled  by  the  bloody  tramp  of  war,  or  the  convulsions  of  the 
commercial  world.  We  have  not  time  to  recite  the  sufferings,  dangers,  and  sacrifices  inci- 
dent to  the  history  of  this  devoted  jurisdiction  during  the  past  two  or  three  years.  Suffice 
it  to  say,  that  nowhere  in  all  the  land  have  the  burdens  and  sufferings  of  civil  war  been  laid 
upon  our  Order  with  a  heavier  hand,  than  in  Tennessee.  And  yet,  to  the  honor  of  our 
brethren  there,  be  it  said,  they  have  borne  them  all  with  a  heroic  fortitude  and  a  cheerful, 
self-fiacrificing  spirit,  that  make  our  hearts  swell  with  gratitude  to  the  great  God  for  their 
unbending  faithfulness  to  our  principles,  during  so  critical  a  period  of  distress  and  gloom, 
and  for  '  their  unwearied  attentions  bestowed  upon  sick  and  disabled  brethren  temporarily 
in  their  midst.* 

Iriabilities  cancelled.  —  "In  view  of  the  facts  and  the  peculiar  circumstances  which  now 
surround  our  brethren  in  Tennessee,  the  committee  recommend  the  passage  of  the  following 
resolutions :  — 

*^  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  hereby  remits  the  representative 
tax  of  the  Grand  Encampment  and  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee  for  the  years  1861  and  1862. 

"  Reaolvedy  That  the  Grand  Secretary  be,  and  is  hereby,  authorized  and  directed  to 
furnish  to  the  representatives  from  the  state,  present  at  this  session,  whatever  supplies  he 
may  deem  necessary,  to  enable  the  subordinates  to  resume  work,  and  that  the  same  be  fur* 
nished  them  without  charge  and  free  from  cost." 


194  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Key  to  Unity.  —  This  action  was  highly  important,  for  it  proved 
to  be  the  key,  in  1865,  for  unlocking  the  troubles  in  relation  to  the  ad- 
mission of  all  the  Southern  states. 

The  Gloom  deepens,  and  is  dispelled.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  went  into  the 
committee  of  the  whole  on  the  state  of  the  Order,  with  Grand  Representa- 
tive Veitch  in  the  chair.  Grand  Representative  Cassedy,  of  New  Jersey, 
led  off  with  a  despondent  account  of  how  matters  stood  in  his  state,  followed 
by  Grand  Representative  Williams,  of  Minnesota,  in  the  same  strain. 

Speaker  after  speaker  arose,  and  each  one  added  to  the  general  dejec- 
tion, by  statements  of  dismembered  and  crippled  lodges,  and  predictions 
of  coming  ruin.  I  confess  that  I  was  becoming  anxious  to  hear  some 
remedy  proposed,  after  the  doleful  remarks  that  had  been  made,  and  also 
somewhat  dispirited,  when,  suddenly,  to  my  left  there  arose  the  form  of 
Brother  John  W.  Stokes,  of  Pennsylvania.  The  thought  instantly  flashed 
through  my  mind, — What  will  he  say  ?  Will  he  predict  disaster  and  defeat  ? 
The  first  sentence  left  no  room  for  doubt.  His  voice  rang  out  like  a  bugle- 
call  to  advance  along  the  line.  Every  word  was  full  of  energy,  and  every 
sentence  filled  with  encouragement  and  hope,  and  on  he  went,  in  a  torrent 
of  true  eloquence,  recalling  the  dark  days  in  the  history  of  the  Order  in 
Philadelphia,  and  the  final  result ;  of  the  flux  and  reflux  in  the  growth  of 
the  Order ;  of  the  fact  that  the  then  existing  condition  of  affairs  was  not 
the  outgrowth  of  the  legislation,  or  of  the  principles  of  the  Order,  but  the 
very  reverse ;  that  no  legislation  on  the  part  of  the  Grand  Lodge  could 
change  it ;  that  we  had  simply  to  "  Stand  still,  and  see  the  salvation  of  the 
Lord."  That  if  we  could  not  command  success,  we  could  at  least  deserve 
it,  by  gathering  under  our  banners,  around  our  altars,  to  stand  or  fall 
together.  He  spoke  as  a  man  of  strong  and  decided  convictions,  and  of 
unwavering  and  undying  faith  in  Odd  Fellowship,  and  the  effect  was  irre- 
sistible. It  created  a  sense  of  relief.  It  was  like  the  effect  of  the  sun, 
striking  with  its  golden  beams  the  fogs  that  were  lowering  in  the  valleys ; 
and  the  clouds  that  were  clinging  to  the  hillsides  began  to  roll  away,  and 
soon  disappeared,  and  in  their  place  there  came  out  the  clear,  blue  sky, 
the  cheering  sunshine,  and  the  warbling  of  birds. 

There  were  other  speeches  made,  notably  one  by  Grand  Representative 
Kidder,  of  New  Hampshire,  who  had  made  the  report  of  the  committee  on 
finance,  absolving  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  of  Tennessee 
from  the  representative  tax  for  the  years  1861  and  1862.  Representative 
Kidder  seized  the  occasion  to  unburden  himself  of  the  gloom  that  had  per- 
vaded the  session,  and  declared  his  abiding  faith  in  the  principles  of  Odd 
Fellowship  and  its  grand  mission  in  the  world.  He  spoke  in  a  cheerful 
tone  and  carried  his  hearers  with  him,  and  when  he  closed  he  was  greeted 
with  applause.  It  was  the  last  speech  made  in  the  committee  of  the  whole 
that  day,  and  he  received  the  hearty  congratulations  of  nearly  all  the 


THE  STORY  OF  ^SIXTY-FIVE.  195 

members.  The  tide  was  turned,  and  the  gloom  and  doubt  of  the  session 
were  at  an  end.  The  committee  arose,  reported  progress,  and  asked  leave 
to  sit  again,  but  it  did  not  again  consider  this  subject.  Its  gloomy  dis- 
cussions were  ended. 

The  Wildey  monument  fund  was  reported,  the  committee  was  in- 
creased, and  another  appeal  made  to  the  Order  to  solicit  funds  for  the 
completion  of  the  monument  in  a  style  worthy  of  the  occasion. 

The  Genius  of  Odd  Fellowship.  —  Representative  Smiley,  of  Tennessee, 
just  prior  to  the  close  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  addressed  it  as  follows :  — 

"  A  complimentary  resolation  is  often  a  mere  custom.  In  presenting  this  it  is  not 
merely  formal,  but  offered  in  the  deepest  sincerity  and  trutlii  as  a  just  tribute  to  the 
presiding  officer  of  this  Grand  Lodge. 

"It  would  be  injustice  to  the  members  of  this  body  if  I  failed  to  say,  that  at  every 
step  of  the  proceedings  they  have  manifested  a  disposition  to  aid  the  officer  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties.  There  has  been  displayed  a  beauty,  sympathy,  harmony  in  their 
whole  deportment,  which  won  respect  and  commanded  admiration.  What  a  spectacle 
here  presents  itself  in  this  day  of  turmoil  and  strife  I  Representatives  from  nearly  every 
portion  of  this  Republic,  and  from  Canada,  are  assembled,  not  to  mingle  in  the  political  or 
religious  dissensions  of  the  times,  to  take  part  in  the  contests  of  ambition  or  the  strifes 
of  avarice,  but  animated  only  by  a  desire  to  counsel  together,  and  do  something  to  alleviate 
the  sorrows  and  sufferings  of  their  feUow-man. 

"  Allow  me  to  say  that  the  Order  in  Tennessee  was  encompassed  with  difficulties  that 
prevented  the  ordinary  intercourse  in  business  relations,  and  that  the  representatives  came 
here  with  some  apprehension  that  they  might  meet  with  reproof ;  but  the  cordial  and  sin- 
cere  manner  in  which  they  were  received,  both  in  a  social  and  official  manner,  banished  all 
fear  and  excited  their  warmest  gratitude. 

"  Their  report  to  the  Order  in  Tennessee  of  the  result  of  their  mission  wiU  inspire  joy 
and  new  courage. 

*'  The  Order  in  our  jurisdiction  has  been  desolated,  but  is  yet  hopeful ;  the  white  banner 
of  peace,  which  is  our  emblem,  seemed  to  hang  listless,  but  now  gentle  winds  are  rustling 
through  its  folds,  giving  life  and  animation.  That  banner  has  never  yet  been  soiled  by  dis- 
sensions, divisions,  dishonor,  and  Ood  grant  the  day  may  never  come  when  its  purity  shall 
be  stained.  It  wiH  continue  to  wave,  inviting  every  one  to  unite  with  a  great  brotherhood, 
whose  only  object  is  to  bind  up  bleeding  wounds,  and  soothe  sorrowing  hearts." 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  BOSTON  SESSION  :  1864. 

Encouraging  Events.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  met  in 
the  city  of  Boston,  September  19,  1864.  Not  only  were  the  members 
distant  from  the  scenes  of  conflict,  but  there  was  a  mtlch  better  feeling 
prevailing,  generally,  throughout  the  country,  in  which  the  members  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  also  participated.  It  was  felt  that  the  war  was  drawing 
to  a  close.  The  South,  it  was  very  evident,  was  growing  weaker,  and  less 
able  to  carry  on  the  struggle. 


196.  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  reports  made  by  the  grand  ofELcers  showed  that  the  Order  was 
prospering  more  than  it  had  been  doing  for  the  past  few  years,  and  there 
was  a  better  feeling  pervading  the  minds  of  the  members  in  relation 
to  the  continuance  of  the  Order  and  its  fidelity  to  its  mission.  Grand 
Secretary  Ridgely,  in  his  annual  report,  spoke  as  follows :  — 

Peace,  Harmony,  Brotherly-Love,  Unity.—"  In  closing  this  report,  it  is  again  the  good 
fortune  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary  to  rejoice  with  the  brotherhood  at  large  at  the  con- 
tinaed  prosperity  of  our  Order.  From  every  quarter  of  our  vast  jurisdiction,  within  the 
Federal  lines,  there  comes  up  to  the  supreme  Grand  Lodge  a  common  voice,  eloquently 
sublime,  proclaiming  in  gentle  tones,  peace,  harmony,  brotherly-love,  and  unity  predominant, 
cheering  and  soul-stirring;  the  fruit  of  this  gospel  is  increased  strength  and  power  for  good, 
and  its  high  moral  is  an  active  incentive  to  yet  nobler  efforts  in  the  path  of  duty.  May  that 
incentive  awaken  a  cordial  response  in  the  honest  heart  of  every  true  Odd  Fellow  every- 
where, and  may  it  nerve  his  arm  with  a  stalwart  purpose  '  to  weary  not  in  well-doing! ' 

"  It  is  true  that  without  these  lines,  this  picture,  bright  as  it  is  with  us,  has  its  shade; 
that  there  hangs  cloud  and  gloom  in  the  far  distance,  and  that  amid  the  sad  and  desolating 
work  which  has  been  and  is  now  enacting.  Odd  Fellowship  has,  by  the  pressure  around  it, 
been  whelmed  beneath  conflicting  elements ;  yet,  although  prostrate  and  inanimate  to  the 
natural  eye,  it  is  not  dead,  it  but  slumbers ;  the  spirit  sur\ive8  in  its  shattered  but  precious 
casket ;  the  undying  principle  has  not,  will  not  perish,  but  will  again,  when  halcyon  peace, 
with  healing  upon  its  wings,  shall  descend  in  mercy  among  the  children  of  men,  lift  its  eter- 
nal voice  to  awaken  a  kindred  and  sympathetic  pulse  in  the  heart  of  the  Order.  This  shade 
may  not,  therefore,  though  deep  and  sombre  and  sad  as  its  contemplation  now  is,  detract 
from  the  present  moral  grandeur  of  our  Order,  but  it  lends  the  more  sublimity  and  eloquence 
to  its  mission,  in  the  fact  that  it  illustrates  its  tenacity  of  life,  and  its  capability  of  endur- 
ance, amid  trials  and  conflicts  such  as  the  world  has  heretofore  never  known. 

"  The  past  and  present  of  our  history,  however  the  latter  may  be  in  part  under  severe 
trial,  invoke  us  to  a  higher  and  holier  struggle  within  our  proper  sphere.  Let  us  continue 
to  be  true  hereafter,  as  we  have  been  heretofore,  to  our  principles ;  and  under  their  guidance, 
with  our  trust  in  Grod,  we  may  await  the  future  with  a  faith  as  firm  and  unshaken  as  the 
rock  of  truth." 

The  representatives  from  Tennessee  were  again  present,  but  there 
were  no  other  representatives  from  any  of  the  Southern  states. 

New  Rule  for  Succession  of  Officers.  —  The  election  took  place  for 
officers,  which  resulted  in  the  election  of  Isaac  M.  Veitch  as  Most  Worthy 
Grand  Sire,  and  James  P.  Sanders  as  Right  Worthy  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
with  the  understanding  that  the  old  rule  should  not  be  followed,  but  that 
the  Deputy  then  elected  should  be  elected  Grand  Sire  when  the  time  came 
to  do  so. 

Wildey  Monument  Committee.  —  The  Wildey  monument  committee 
reported  their  organization,  and  their  proceedings  in  detail;  also,  the 
design  of  the  monument  was  adopted,  accompanied  with  explanations. 
They  had  issued  proposals  for  the  work  and  awarded  the  contract,  but 
had  not  yet  entered  into  it,  by  reason  of  the  deficiency  of  funds.  The 
committee  were  authorized  to  issue  a  circular  for  further  subscriptions, 
and  to  enter  into  a  contract  for  the  work. 

The  committee  on  the  Wildey  monument,  as  reconstructed  at  this 
session,  consisted  of  the  following:  Most  Worthy  Grand  Sire  James  B. 


THE  STOBT  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  197 

Nicholson,  Bight  Worthy  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Richard  Marley,  pro  tem- 
pore ;  Bight  Worthy  Grand  Secretary  James  L.  Bidgely,  Bight  Worthy 
Grand  Treasurer  Joshua  Yansant;  and  Bepresentatives  Escavaille,  of 
Maryland;  Stokes,  of  Pennsylvania;  Boss,  of  New  Jersey;  Havenner, 
of  the  District  of  Columbia ;  Bansom,  of  Kentucky. 

West  Virginia  petitions  for  a  Grand  Lodge.  —  The  application,  at  this 
session,  of  West  Virginia  for  admission  into  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  as  a  separate  jurisdiction,  was  a  subject  that  had  to  be 
treated  with  great  delicacy.  Virginia,  as  a  matter  of  course,  was  in  the 
Confederacy,  and  it  was  felt  that  nothing  should  be  done  to  disturb  the 
relations  of  the  jurisdiction  until  the  war  had  closed,  and  yet  there  was  a 
desire  to  gratify  West  Virginia  and  keep  her  lodges  in  working  order 
during  the  war.  Accordingly,  the  Grand  Sire  had  visited  West  Virginia, 
which  resulted  in  the  appointment  pf  Brother  Thomas  G.  Steele  as  special 
grand  commissioner  for  West  Virginia,  to  communicate  the  passwords  and 
give  the  lodges  proper  instructions.  This  met  with  the  entire  satisfaction 
of  the  Order  in  West  Virginia,  and  the  action  of  the  Grand  Sire  was 
approved  at  this  session. 

Report  and  Action  on  Grand  Bodies  not  represented.  —  Another  important 
matter  was  presented  by  the  committee  on  Grand  bodies  not  represented. 
The  tone  of  the  communication  of  the  committee  was  characteristic  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  during  the  whole  of  the  war ;  not  a 
word  appears  upon  its  journal  to  which  any  of  our  Southern  brethren  could 
object  at  the  close  of  the  war,  but  the  utmost  generosity  was  manifested 
by  the  Grand  Lodge.    The  report  is  as  follows :  — 

"  The  committee  on  Grand  bodies  not  represented  submit  that  they  find  nothing  new 
in  the  subject-matter  referred  to  them,  nor  anything  requiring  an  extended  report.  At  the 
last  session  of  this  Grand  body  the  hope  was  expressed  by  the  committee  that  at  this  annual 
communication  we  might  have  the  pleasure  of  greeting  representatives  from  every  jurisdic- 
tion under  the  care  of  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge.  But  that  hope  has  not  been  realized. 
The  stem  fate  of  war  stiU  decrees  otherwise,  and  we  are  again  deprived  of  the  pleasure  of 
taking  by  the  hand  representatives  from  many  jurisdictions  whom  we  would  most  gladly 
meet.  But,  although  we  have  not  the  pleasure  of  their  presence,  it  affords  the  committee 
great  satisfaction  to  learn,  as  they  do  from  the  reports  of  the  Most  Worthy  Grand  Sire  and 
Right  Worthy  Grand  Corresponding  and  Recording  Secretary,  that  they  have,  with  some  of 
the  unrepresented  jurisdictions,  been  enabled  to  hold  a  corres];>ondence  of  the  most  satisfac- 
tory (diaracter,  the  brethren  expressing  their  great  love  for  the  glorious  principles  of  our 
beloved  Order,  and  their  hope  to  meet  with  us  soon  in  Grand  Lodge. 

"  No  representatives  appear  at  this  session  from  the  jurisdictions  of  North  Carolina, 
Georgia,  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Texas,  Arkansas,  Florida,  South  Carolina,  Virginia,  Louisi- 
ana, Vermont,  and  the  British  Lower  Provinces. 

"  From  a  statement  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  AOtchell, 
it  appears  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Vermont  had  elected  a  representative,  but  for  some 
reason  not  known  to  the  committee  the  credentials  have  not  been  presented,  and  Vermont 
still  remains  unrepresented. 

"  The  Committee  offer  the  following  resolution :  — 

"  Besolvedt  That  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Corresponding  and  Recording  See^tary 
forward  to  the  representatives  of  Grand  bodies  subordinate  to  this  Grand  Lodge,  who  are 


198  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

absent  from  this  session,  the  same  number  of  copies  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Right  Worthy 
Grand  Lodge,  and  other  documents  furnished  to  the  representatives  of  this  Right  Worthy 
Grand  body,  and  shall  also  furnish  the  Grand  Secretary  of  such  Grand  bodies  not  here 
represented  the  same  number  of  copies  of  proceedings  and  other  documents  as  are  furnished 
to  the  Grand  Secretaries  of  those  Grand  bodies  represented  here  this  day,  whenever  he  shall 
be  satisfied  that  they  will  reach  the  persons  and  bodies  to  whom  sent." 

The  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Correspondence  with  the  South.  —  The  Grand  Sire  also,  as  stated,  had 
been  in  correspondence  with  the  authorities  of  the  Order  in  New  Orleans, 
and  the  committee  on  correspondence  reported  that  they  deemed  it  a 
privilege  to  recognize,  gratefully,  the  efforts  of  the  Grand  Sire  to  sustain, 
encourage,  and  strengthen  the  Order  in  that  disturbed  portion  of  our 
country,  and  gave  copies  of  some  of  the  correspondence. 

Courtesies.  —  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  was  the  recipient 
of  many  attentions,  not  only  from  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  Massachusetts,  but  from  the  civic  authorities,  and  quite  a  number 
of  private  houses  were  open  to  them  during  the  week,  and  they  were  in- 
vited to  a  number  of  receptions  ;  so  it  caused  a  very  pleasant  feeling  after 
the  hours  of  gloom  that  they  had  spent  in  Baltimore. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  BALTIMORE   SESSION:  1866. 

The  Day  appears.  —  A  great  change  had  transpired  during  the  past  year. 
Notwithstanding  the  losses  and  the  sorrows  that  were  experienced  in  so 
many  homes,  the  people,  generally,  in  the  North  were  buoyant  and 
exultant ;  the  war  had  ended  and  peace  had  been  lisped  by  mothers  and 
babes  all  over  the  land.  Sherman  had  "  marched  to  the  sea."  Eichmond 
had  fallen.    Lee  had  surrendered  on  the  ninth  day  of  April. 

The  Call  to  Union.  —  On  the  24th  of  May  Brother  Veitch  had  issued 
a  proclamation  which  was  sent  to  all  the  Southern  jurisdictions  and 
published  in  the  newspapers,  and  every  effort  was  made  that  it  should 
reach  the  authorities  of  the  Order  in  the  Southern  states.  It  was  as 
follows :  — 

**  Wkereast  Owing  to  causes  which  no  longer  prevail,  several  jurisdictions,  subordinate 
to  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  have  been  unrepresented,  during 
the  past  four  years,  in  the  parent  body ;  and, 

**  WhereaSf  Some  difficulty  is  supposed  to  exist,  as  to  the  manner  of  returning  represen- 
tatives to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  from  such  jurisdictions ;  therefore,  to  the 
end  that  all  difficulty  may  be  removed,  and  the  way  be  made  open  and  free  for  a  prompt 
restoration  to  entire  affiliation,  with  the  brotherhood,  under  the  supreme  head  of  the  Order : 


THE  STORY  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  199 

**  I,  Isaac  M.  Yeitch,  Most  Worthy  Grand  Sire  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
and  of  the  jurisdictions  of  the  Order  thereunto  belonging,  do  hereby,  by  this  my  proclama- 
tion to  the  fraternity  at  large,  declare  the  unbroken  unity  of  the  Order,  and,  by  virtue  of 
the  sovereignty  residing  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  proclaim  and  make 
known  that  there  exists  no  hindrance  to  the  reestablishment  of  the  fraternal  relations  that 
formerly  existed  between  all  the  jurisdictions  subordinate  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States ;  and  that  every  act  or  declaration  of  any  kind  whatsoever,  if  any  should  have  been 
made,  intended  to  impair  the  supreme  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
over  the  whole  fraternity,  is  hereby  declared  to  be  null  and  void,  and  of  no  force  or  effect. 

"  And  I  do  hereby  earnestly  and  fraternally  invite  and  exhort  all  Grand  Lodges  or 
Grand  Encampments,  in  such  jurisdictions  in  which  the  Order  may  have  become  disorgan- 
ized, to  reassemble,  according  to  the  forms  prescribed  by  their  respective  charters  and  con- 
stitutions, and  proceed  with  the  work  of  organization,  and  the  election  of  duly  qualified 
representatives  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  which  will  convene  in  the  city  of 
Baltimore,  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  on  the  third  Monday  of  September,  1865. 

"In  the  hope  that  our  brotherhood  may  come  forth  from  the  severe  ordeal  to  which  it 
has  been  subjected  unscathed  and  reinvigorated  by  its  trials,  and  that  its  great  heart  may 
ever  vibrate  in  unison  with  the  teaching  of  charity,  I  await  with  confidence  a  prompt  and 
cordial  response  from  every  jurisdiction,  assuring  all  who  accept  this  affectionate  invitation 
that  a  fraternal  greeting  awaits  them  upon  the  occasion  of  our  grand  annual  communication. 

'*  Done  at  the  City  of  St.  Louis,  in  the  State  of  Missouri,  on  the  twenty-fourth  day  of 
May,  Anno  Domini  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-five,  of  the  Republic  the  eighty-ninth,  and  of 
our  beloved  Order  the  forty-seventh.** 

The  Rennion. — It  was  known  that  the  Wildey  monument  would  be 
completed  by  September,  and  it  was  determined  to  have  it  dedicated  at 
that  time,  accompanied  by  suitable  demonstrations.  Baltimore  was  fully 
awake  to  the  importance  of  the  occasion,  and  various  committees  were 
created,  having  in  view  a  monster  demonstration,  not  only  of  the  Order 
but  of  the  popular  feeling  in  Maryland  toward  the  Order,  and  in  relation 
to  the  cessation  of  war  between  the  North  and  the  South. 

When  September  rolled  around,  the  Grand  Representatives  "  went  up  " 
to  Baltimore,  quite  elated  with  the  condition  of  affairs.  They  began  to 
gather  in  Bamum's  hotel  on  Saturday  and  Sunday,  and  the  greetings 
and  handshakings  that  took  place  were  joyful  and  most  cordial,  yet  sub- 
dued in  outward  expression,  because  there  were  many  of  our  brethren,  who 
came  from  the  South,  that  were  very  much  depressed  in  feeling ;  some  had 
lost  almost  everything  and  were  very  poor  indeed.  Among  those  from  the 
South,  who  assembled  at  that  time,  was  Brother  Edward  H.  Fitzhugh,  of 
Virginia,  whom  we  had  not  seen  since  the  Nashville  session,  and  others. 

It  was  learned  that  Past  Grand  Sire  Boylston,  of  South  Carolina,  had 
died  on  the  4th  of  September,  1865,  so  that  he  never  saw  a  session  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  after  his  installation  at  Nashville. 

An  item  of  news  from  South  Carolina  gave  great  satisfaction.  From 
the  report  of  Brother  Edward  Mitchell,  Grand  Secretary,  it  appeared 
worthy  of  special  notice  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  had  con- 
tinued true  in  her  fealty  to  the  Order,  although  efforts  were  made  to 
induce  a  contrary  action.  To  her  honor  is  placed  upon  record  the  open 
avowal  that  "  She  had  no  cause  of  grievance  against  the  Grand  Lodge  of 


200  THE  THBEE'UNK  FRATERNITY, 

the  United  States ;  that  she  has  always  held  a  high  and  influential  posi- 
tion in  that  body ;  and  had  ever  received  all  the  rights  and  immunities 
accorded  by  the  laws."  This  from  a  jurisdiction  which  was  supposed 
to  be  so  overwhelmed  with  secessionism  that  not  a  single  green  plant  of 
loyalty  survived ;  but  the  principle  of  fraternity  was  not  extinct  in  South 
Carolina. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  met  on  the  18th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1865,  with  every  jurisdiction  represented  except  Florida  and  North 
Carolina;  the  latter  was  not  represented  owing  to  the  sudden  death  of 
Grand  Eepresentative  Clark. 

The  Roll-Call. — The  venerable  Grand  Secretary  Bidgely  called  the 
roll  as  of  old.  The  hall  was  well  filled,  nearly  every  seat  being  occupied, 
presenting  a  different  appearance  from  what  it  had  done  during  the  war. 
There  was  indicated  in  the  countenances  of  the  Grand  Representatives  the 
feeling  of  rejoicing  and  of  exultation,  but  everything  was  quiet  as  state 
after  state  was  called  and  the  response  "here"  came  up  from  every 
member  in  the  hall ;  and  every  seat  seemed  to  echo,  as  of  old,  when  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  assembled  to  legislate  for  the  interest  of  our  common 
humanity.  When  the  roll  was  finished,  there  was  a  suppressed  exclamation 
running  through  the  hall,  showing  the  universal  gratification  that  prevailed 
among  the  members. 

Grand  Sire  Veitch,  in  his  report,  among  other  subjects,  spoke  as 
follows :  — 

*'  It  is  a  source  of  the  highest  gratification  and  rejoicing  that  we  are  permitted  to  meet 
again  the  representatives  of  nearly  all  the  jarisdictions,  who^ve  been  precluded  from  fel- 
lowship and  communion  with  us  for  the  last  four  years.  Prompted  by  the  cherished  memo- 
ries of  the  past,  and  their  undiminished  love  for  a  common  cause,  they  are  once  more  with 
us,  occupying  their  accustomed  seats,  participating  in  our  legislation,  and  cooperating  with 
us  in  our  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  cause  of  humanity.  Their  absence  from  our  annual  coun- 
cils we  have  long  deplored  and  regretted,  ever  entertaining  for  them  an  affectionate  regard, 
which  has  been  heightened  and  intensified  by  their  sufferings.  Our  hearts  are  this  day 
gladdened  by  their  presence,  and,  acknowledging  them  as  brethren  of  the  same  household, 
we  cordially  welcome  them  to  the  renewal  of  those  relations  which  onite  us  in  fraternal 
sympathy,  which  knows  no  distin/ctlon  of  country,  party,  or  sect,  and  which  seeks  to 
embrace  within  the  scope  of  its  influence  the  entire  family  of  man. 

"  As  access  could  be  had  to  the  various  Southern  jurisdictions,  I  employed  all  available 
opportunities  to  open  a  correspondence  with  them,  by  writing  to  aU  the  grand  officers,  past 
grand  officers,  and  representatives  whose  addresses  could  be  obtained,  in  which  an  affec- 
tionat-e  regard  for  them  was  expressed;  inquiry  as  to  the  condition  of  the  Order  among 
them  instituted ;  advice  and  encouragement  suitable  to  their  several  necessities  imparted ; 
an  exhortation  to  diligence  in  resuscitating  their  Grand  Lodges  and  Encampments  given, 
with  the  hope  of  securing  a  representative  from  every  jurisdiction  at  this  session.  From  aU 
these  jurisdictions  favorable  responses  were  received,  eliciting  much  valuable  information 
in  reference  to  the  Order  therein,  among  the  items  of  which  may  be  noticed  the  gratifying 
fact,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  of  South  Carolina  had  regularly  con- 
vened in  annual  sessions  and  formally  elected  their  representatives,  thereby  testifying  their 
allegiance  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

"  For  the  purpose  of  giving  an  authoritative  expression  of  our  fraternal  regard  for  those 


THE  STOBT  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  201 

jnrlidictions,  which  for  the  past  four  years  have  been  unrepresented  in  the  parent  body,  and 
with  the  view  of  remoying  all  obstacles  in  the  way  to  a  prompt  and  entire  restoration  of 
affiliation  with  the  brotherhood,  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  issue  a  proclamation,  declaring 
the  unbroken  unity  of  the  Order ;  that  the  authority  of  the  supreme  Grand  Lodge  over  the 
whole  Fraternity  was  unimpaired ;  that  there  existed  no  hindrance  to  the  reestablishment  of 
fraternal  relations  between  all  the  jurisdictions ;  and  enjoining  on  all  Grand  Lodges  and 
Grand  Encampments,  where  the  Order  has  become  disorganized,  to  proceed  to  the  work  of 
reorganization  and  the  election  of  duly  qualified  representatives,  assuring  all  who  accepted 
the  invitation  that  a  cordial  and  fraternal  greeting  awaited  them.  Publicity  was  immedi- 
ately given  to  this  proclamation,  through  the  medium  of  the  press  and  by  circulars,  which 
were  transmitted  to  the  jurisdictions  interested,  and  accepted  by  them  as  a  pledge  of  the 
siuoerity  of  oar  regard  for  them." 

The  Terms  of  Reunion. — The  main  interest  of  the  session  centred 
around  the  action  that  must  ncQessarily  be  taken  to  entitle  the  Grand 
Representatives  from  the  Southern  states  to  their  seats.  Accordingly, 
on  Tuesday,  the  committee  on  finance  presented  the  following  report :  — 

"  To  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States :  - 

"  The  committee  on  finance  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  foUowing  resolutions :  — 

** Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  hereby  remits  the  tax  of  the 
Grand  Lodges  and  Grand  Encampments  of  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina, 
Georgia,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Louisiana,  Texas,  and  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Florida, 
Arkansas,  and  Vermont  for  the  years  1861,  '62,  '63,  '64. 

**Be3oltfed,  That  the  notes  of  Grand  Lodge  of  Vermont,  for  representative  tax  for  said 
four  years,  and  notes  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  North  Carolina  given  for  taxes  and  sup- 
plies previous  to  1861,  be,  and  hereby  are,  cancelled. 

" Resolved f  That  the  Grand  Secretary  be,  and  hereby  is,  authorized  to  furnish,  upon 
reasonable  credit,  to  such  institutions  whatever  supplies  he  may  deem  necessary  during  the 
current  year." 

The  Account  by  another  Eye^Witness.  —  Upon  the  presentation  of  the 
re]X)rt,  the  Rev.  William  H.  Hill,  who  had  been  appointed  Grand  Repre- 
sentative, vice  Nathan  Porter,  that  grand  Odd  Fellow,  of  California,  and 
who,  doubtless,  had  occupied  some  of  his  time  on  the  steamship  coming  via 
the  Panama  route  (for  there  was  no  railroad  to  California  in  those  days), 
in  reading  the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  arose  to  a  point  of  order  and  referred  to  article  ii.,  of  the  by-laws 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  that  no  representative  could  be  admitted  to  a  seat 
whose  jurisdiction  was  in  arrears.  We  (the  older  members)  thought  that 
we  had  settled  that  question  upon  the  admission  of  the  representatives 
from  Tennessee,  in  1863,  and  we  were  somewhat  alarmed  by  the  question 
being  sprung  at  this  time.  I  instantly  spoke  to  Brother  Lamberton  to 
answer  Brother  Hill.  But  as  Grand  Representative  Hill  has  published 
his  account  of  the  matter  in  a  leading  fraternal  journal,  published  in  San 
Francisco,  we  will  let  him  tell  the  story  in  his  own  words :  — 

One  of  the  Glorious  Epochs.  —  "  Is  it  not  well,  in  the  history  of  eventSi  sometimes  to  look 
back  upon  facts  that  have  helped  to  shape  the  present,  as  well  as  to  entertain  joyful  and 
sanguine  anticipations  of  a  possible  and  hopeful  future  ?  I  have  so  thought.  And  while, 
doubtless,  many  of  your  correspondents  will  indulge  in  glowing  pictures  of  the  present  of 


202  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Odd  Fellowship,  — of  what  it  is  doing  for  the  brethren  and  the  world,  and  what  may  and 
should  be  its  future, — I  will  turn  the  mirror  around,  and  give  you  a  faint  glimpse  of  what 
I  have  always  considered  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  glorious  epochs  in  the  history  of 
American  Odd  Fellowship.  I  refer  to  the  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  (then  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States)  in  Baltimore,  in  September,  1865,  when  there  was  the  first 
reunion  of  brethren  after  the  sad  separation  of  the  four  years'  civil  war.  Daniel  Norcross 
and  myself  are  the  only  survivors  of  the  California  representation  of  that  year.  We  have, 
however,  brethren  from  other  states,  now  living  here,  who  were  then  present,  and  partakers, 
and  who  I  know  will  endorse  all  that  I  may  here  write.  I  now  call  to  mind  Past  Grand 
Sire  E.  D.  Famsworth,  and  Past  Grand  Master  William  H.  Barnes,  who  were  then  members 
of  that  Grand  Lodge. 

"  It  was  an  eventful  period  in  our  history.  For  four  years  the  roll  of  Grand  Lodges  had 
been  called  annually,  but  with  no  response  from  those  south  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line. 
Peace  was  now  restored.  Our  country  was  again  one.  War  had  done  its  worst  to  estrange 
brethren.  Would  the  blessings  of  peace  be  equally  extensive  in  their  operation?  How 
many  anxiously  asked  that  question  as,  in  1865,  they  wended  their  way  to  Baltimore,  the 
home  of  American  Odd  Fellowship.  The  statue  of  Thomas  Wildey,  its  founder,  was  to  be 
unveiled  and  dedicated.  Would  all  take  part,  and  from  thenceforth  there  be  no  North,  no 
South,  no  East,  no  West,  in  Odd  Fellowship? 

"  Who  could  answer  that  question  in  advance  ?  We  all  hoped,  some  believed,  but  many 
feared.  At  the  roll-call  all  the  Grand  Lodges  answered,  from  Oregon  and  Maine  to  South 
Carolina  and  Texas.  So  far,  so  good.  There  was  the  cordial  grip  as  of  old.  Still  there  was, 
or  seemed  to  be,  a  '  skeleton  in  the  closet.'  Would  the  representatives  of  those  Grand 
Lodges  that  had  met  regularly  the  past  four  years  demand  terms  of  reunion  that  the  then 
absentees  would  and  could  not  accept?  What  action  should  be  taken?  Should  the  past  be 
wholly  ignored,  and  all  go  on  as  before  the  interregnum,  without  a  word  of  explanation,  or 
of  welcome  on  the  one  side,  and  acceptance  on  the  other?  I  think  such  a  course  would  have 
been  pleasing  to  all,  if  it  could  have  been  done.  I  speak  at  least  for  myself,  but  it  was  soon 
seen  that  this  was  akin  to  the  impossible.  And  while  we  were  wondering  how  it  all  could 
be  brought  about,  amicably  and  satisfactorily,  the  whole  matter  settled  itself  in  a  most 
unexpected  way. 

"  And  what  do  my  readers  think  was  the  harmless  agency?  Money,  and  nothing  else  1 
'  What ! '  methinks,  I  hear  some  exclaim, '  were  the  Southern  representatives  bought  ? '  No, 
good  brother,  and  yet  money  did  it.  How,  I  will  now  tell.  As  I  have  said,  the  roll  of  all 
the  Grand  Lodges  was  called  annually,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  ever  consider- 
ing and  treating  itself  as  one  and  undivided.  Of  course,  when  the  question  of  the  payment 
of  the  dues  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  came  up,  there  was  no  response;  for  there  could 
be  none  from  the  absent  Grand  bodies.  The  dues  were  annually  charged,  and  now  came 
the  practical  question,  which  could  not  be  dodged.  What  action  shall  be  taken  relative  to 
those  back  dues  ?  The  Southern  Lodges,  impoverished  by  the  war,  could  not  have  paid  them, 
if  they  would.  The  Northern  representatives  were,  unanimously,  agreed  not  to  ask  for  such 
payment,  but  how  could  the  result  be  brought  about,  and  no  sensitive  mind  be  wounded  ? 

"  I  will  here  state  that  we  now  learned  authoritatively,  for  the  first  time,  that  no  South- 
em  Grand  Lodge,  —  or  to  speak  more  definitely,  of  the  Confederate  States, — had  ever  been 
formed.  Each  State  body  had  maintained  its  existence,  and  an  informal  proposition  to  form 
a  separate  Grand  Lodge  was  so  decidedly  negatived  by  South  Carolina,  and  other  States, 
that  it  was  strangled  in  its  birth.  Secession  from  the  Federal  Union,  in  the  opinion  of  these 
zealous  and  ever-faithful  brethren,  did  not  necessarily  carry  with  it  separation  from  brother 
Odd  Fellows,  and  the  latter,  therefore,  never  took  place,  save  in  the  informal  way  of  a  non- 
representation,  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  which  was  impracticable. 

"  The  finance  committee  reported  in  favor  of  the  remittance  of  all  past  dues,  on  which 
the  vote  would  have  been,  as  it  was  eventually,  unanimous,  and  heartily  so.  But  in  a 
moment,  and  as  if  by  magic,  there  sprang  up  a  discussion, — all  one-sided,  however,  and  only 
participated  in  by  Northern  representatives, — which  for  eloquence  and  pathos,  I  venture  to 
say,  has  never  been  exceeded  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  The  writer  of  this  article  was 
the  innocent  cause  of  this  gratifying  outburst  of  eloquence  and  Odd  Fellows'  patriotism. 


THE  STORY  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  208 

"For  some  reason, — what,  I  do  not  now  remember, — Vermont  was  in  arrears,  and 
the  committee  included  that  jurisdiction,  also,  in  their  favorable  report.  Wishing  the  vote 
to  be  unmistakably,  as  well  as  unanimously  on  the  Southern  Grand  Lodges  only,  I  asked 
for  an  explanation  as  to  why  Vermont  was  included,  intending  to  follow  the  question  with 
a  motion  to  take  the  vote  separately  on  the  two  portions.  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson,  of 
Pennsylvania,  an  eloquent  speaker,  jumped  to  the  conclusion  that  I  was  opposed  to  the 
proposition  to  remit  the  dues  of  the  Southern  Grand  Lodges,  and  in  a  burst  of  eloquence 
fairly  electrified  the  Grand  Lodge  with  his  appeal  that '  by-gones  might  be  by-gones,'  and 
that  the  welcome  might  be  unanimous  as  well  as  hearty.  He  was  followed  by  Representa- 
tive Lamberton,  also  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  same  side.  He  made  one  of  tiie  best  speeches 
of  the  session,  and  before  I  could  get  the  eye  and  ear  of  the  Grand  Sire,  still  another  repre- 
sentative had  followed  in  the  same  strain.  Of  course,  as  soon  as  possible,  I  explained  my 
object  in  the  inquiry  made,  which  had  started  this  flood  of  eloquence,  and  as  heartily  and 
ably  as  I  could  endorsed  all  that  the  previous  speakers  had  said.  I  need  not  tell  your 
readers  that  the  vote  was  unanimous,  but  yon  should  have  heard  it.  The  roof  was  not 
lifted,  but  it  rang  with  the  '  sound  of  many  voices.' 

"  The  end  was  not  yet.  All  the  Southern  representatives  had  thus  far  kept  their  seats 
in  silence ;  but  after  the  vote  had  been  taken,  and  thus  the  last  possible  obstacle  to  reunion 
removed,  Representative  Fitzhugh,  of  Virginia,  arose  and,  in  a  voice  almost  choked  with 
emotion,  returned  thanks  for  himself,  and  his  associates  from  the  Southern  Grand  Lodges, 
for  the  vote  just  taken,  and  especially  for  the  words  of  good  cheer  that  had  preceded  it. 
He  said  this  had  been  the  test  question.  If  the  remittance  had  been  refused,  or  grudgingly 
granted,  they  would  have  felt  that  they  were  not  wanted,  and  would  have  withdrawn.  He 
was  followed  by  others  in  like  strain,  and  many  an  eye  was  bedewed  with  tears,  as  these 
words  of  thanks  and  appreciation  fell  from  their  lips.  All  felt  that  Odd  Fellowship  in  the 
United  States  was  again  an  Unity,  and  the  prayer  went  up  from  many  a  heart  that  so  it 
might  be,  world  without  end. 

"  I  shall  never  forget  the  scenes  of  that  day  while  life  and  memory  last,  and  I  thought 
that  perhaps  some  of  your  readers  would  be  pleased  to  read,  even  at  this  late  day,  this  very 
imperfect  account  of  what  neither  pen  nor  pencil  can  fully  depict.  From  that  day  the  prog- 
ress of  Odd  Fellowship  has  been  onward  and  npward.  The  ordeal  of  war  tried  her  as  in  a 
refiner's  fire,  but  she  came  forth  as  the  pure  gold." 

The  Vote  and  the  Response.  —  We  might  make  some  minor  objection 
to  this  acconnt,  but  it  is  hardly  worth  while  to.  do  so.  Suffice  it  to  say 
that  Brother  Hill  arose  and  said  that  he  was  glad  that  he  had  made 
the  objections  that  he  did,  because  it  had  elicited  the  replies  that  had 
been  made.    He  now  begged  leave  to  withdraw  his  point  of  order. 

The  resolution  of  the  committee  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Representative  Henry  B.  Andrews,  of  Galveston,  Texas,  arose  to  return 
thanks  to  the  Northern  representatives  for  the  adoption  of  the  report,  and 
in  a  speech  that  was  filled  with  natural  eloquence,  and  in' the  most  feeling 
and  touching  manner,  he  thrilled  every  heart  that  was  present.  So  affect- 
ing were  his  remarks  that  some  of  the  elderly  representatives  who  were 
present,  could  not  refrain  from  shedding  tears  of  joy.  Past  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  E.  H.  Fitzhugh,  of  Virginia,  followed  in  an  appropriate  and  beautiful 
speech.  Brother  Fitzhugh  was  a  well-known  and  honored  brother,  and 
his  remarks  were  very  gratefully  received  by  the  members  present.  The 
scene  upon  that  occasion  will  live  forever  in  the  minds  of  those  who 
were  present.    It  really  was  the  most  complete  and  thorough  vindication 


204  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship  that  the  Order  has  ever  given,  or 
that  the  world  has  ever  seen. 

President  Johnson,  and  Cabinet,  invited  to  the  Wildey  Monument  Dedi- 
cation. —  On  the  first  day  of  the  session  Representative  Stokes,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, moved  the  following  resolution,  which  was  unanimously  adopted :  — 

"  Resolved^  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  bear  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States  a  duplicate  of  the  letter  of  invitation  forwarded  by  the  Wildey  monument  committee, 
asking  his  presence  at  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  charity,  on  Wednesday  next,  in  order 
that  he  may  encourage  this  convocation  of  brethren  from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  who  have 
met  to  cement  the  ties  of  brotherhood  and  diffuse  feelings  of  amity  throughout  the  laud." 

Grand  Sire  Veitch  appointed  the  following  committee:  Past  Grand 
Sire  Nicholson,  of  Pennsylvania ;  Representatives  Page,  of  Wisconsin ; 
Campbell,  of  Indiana ;  Farnsworth,  of  Tennessee ;  and  Ellis,  of  Maryland. 

The  committee  went  to  Washington.  They  were  met  by  Senator 
Powler,  of  Tennessee,  and  Mayor  Wallach,  of  Washington,  and  proceeded 
to  the  White  House.  They  were  there  introduced  to  and  cordially  received 
by  Andrew  Johnson,  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee  delivered  a  brief  address  to  the  Presi- 
dent, extending  to  him  the  invitation.  He  mentioned  that  all  parts  of 
the  country  were  represented  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  that  the  Southern 
brethren,  who  had  resumed  the  seats  which  had  been  vacant  for  four 
years,  had  expressed  the  most  fervent  friendship  for  their  Northern 
brethren.  They  knew,  he  said,  that  the  President  was  deeply  interested 
in  everything  which  had  a  tendency  to  restore  amicable  feelings  through- 
out the  entire  land,  and  they  believed  that  his  presence,  at  the  celebration, 
would  have  a  happy  effect  in  furtherance  of  the  desirable  end.  They, 
therefore,  extended  to  him  a  cordial  invitation  to  witness  the  cere- 
monies. 

The  President,  in  reply,  returned  thanks  for  the  visit,  and  said  he 
should  endeavor  to  accept  the  invitation ;  but  if  he  should  be  prevented 
from  visiting  Baltimore,  he  would  be  with  them  in  spirit.  He  appreciated 
the  benevolent  designs  of  the  Order,  and  was  glad  to  hear  of  the  remiion 
of  those  who  had  been  separated  during  the  late  civil  war.  Baltimore  he 
regarded  as  the  proper  geographical  position  for  the  convocation  of  their 
Grand  Lodge,  aiid  he  had  no  doubt  that  it  would  exert  a  patriotic  influ- 
ence on  all  sections  of  the  countrv. 

The  committee  spent  some  time  in  conversation  with  the  President. 
He  gave  them  reason  to  believe  that  he  accepted  the  invitation. 

Wm.  H.  Seward's  Prejudices.  —  They  then  called  upon  the  members  of 
the  Cabinet.  They  responded  very  heartily  to  the  invitation,  and  said 
they  would  certainly  go  with  the  President  if  he  went.  The  last  one 
the  committee  called  upon  was  Mr.  Seward,  and  he  received  them,  when 
he  learned  the  object  of  their  visit,  quite  coldly.      He  inquired  as  to 


I' 


S        '2' 


m 


g^i^ALTIMORE.   MARYLAND. 
feer  20.   1865. 


THE  STOUT  OF  ' SIXTY-FIVE.  205 

whether  the  President  had  really  promised  or  not,  and  said  he  would  see 
the  President  that  evening  before  he  would  give  a  reply.  It  was  apparent 
to  the  members  of  the  committee  that  the  old  anti-Masonic  prejudices  and 
feelings  were  still  rampant  in  his  mind,  and  the  committee  then  began 
to  doubt  about  the  presidential  party  appearing  in  Baltimore.  It  was 
apparent  that  they  would  not  do  so  if  Mr.  Seward,  with  his  anti-secret 
society  prejudices,  could  prevail  with  the  Cabinet  and  the  President. 

The  President  sends  Regrets.  —  The  committee  accordingly  returned  to 
Baltimore,  and  they  received  the  next  morning  the  following ;  — 

"ExBcuTiVB  Mansion, 
"  Washington,  D.C,  September  19, 1865. 

"  Gentlemen  :  I  had  hoped  to  be  able  to  accept  your  kind  invitation  for  to-morrow, 
but  I  find  upon  a  careful  survey  that  it  would  be  incompatible  with  existing  arrangements. 
"  I  pray  yoa  to  believe  that  I  rejoice  in  the  reunion  of  your  Order,  thronghont  the 
United  States,  as  an  aospicions  presage  of  the  restoration  of  order  and  complete  political 
harmony  throughout  the  Union.  I  need  hardly  say,  that  in  my  judgment,  this  is  at  the  pres- 
ent moment  the  proper  aim  of  true  patriotism. 

"  I  hare  the  honor  to  be, 

*'  Very  respectfully, 

**  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  Andrew  Johnson." 

The  "WUdey  Monnment  Dedication.  —  The  parade  came  off  on  Wednes- 
day, the  20th  of  September,  and  the  dedication  of  the  monument  took 
place  at  that  time.    The  following  is  a  description  of  the  monument :  — 

DettriptioB.  —  "  The  monument  is  a  most  beautiful  work  of  art,  chaste  in  its  character 
and  design,  and  reflects  much  credit  upon  those  originating  and  perfecting  it.  It  has  been 
located  at  a  most  commanding  point,  being  at  the  apex  of  the  hill  on  Broadway  as  it  rises 
from  Baltimore  street,  in  a  wide,  open  space,  in  one  of  the  squares  in  the  centre  of  the 
street,  with  a  good  view  on  all  sides.  The  monument  is  fifty-two  feet  seven  inches  high, 
and  stands  upon  a  base  of  rough  granite,  ten  feet  six  inches  square.  All  except  the  base 
is  marble.  Immediately  above  the  base  is  a  solid  marble  block,  facing  the  cardinal  points, 
and  in  it  have  been  placed  tablets,  with  inscriptions  encircled  by  a  wreath  ;  on  the  north 
side  of  the  base  are  the  words  :  '  He  who  realizes  that  the  true  mission  of  man  on  earth  is 
to  rise  above  the  level  of  individual  influence,  and  to  recognize  the  Fatherhood  of  God  over 
all,  and  the  Brotherhood  of  Man,  is  nature's  true  nobleman.'  The  rest  of  the  base  is  plain. 
The  north  tablet  has  the  words  :  '  This  column,  erected  by  the  joint  contributions  of  the 
lodges,  encampments,  and  individual  members  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  jurisdictions  thereunto  belonging,  commemorates 
the  founding  of  the  Order  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  on  the  26th  of  April,  1819,  by  Thomas 
Wildey.'  The  south  tablet  has  this  :  *  We  command  yon  to  visit  the  sick,  relieve  the  dis- 
tressed, bnry  the  dead,  and  educate  the  orphan. '  The  east  tablet  represents  a  female,  the 
embodiment  of  Faith,  with  her  right  band  lying  across  her  bosom,  and  the  left  upon  the 
tables  of  the  Ten  Commandments.  The  west  tablet  has  a  figure  of  Hope,  with  the  anchor, 
etc.  All  of  the  tablets  are  encircled  with  a  scroll  wreath,  beautifully  worked  in  the  marble. 
Above  these  rises  a  single  fluted  column,  of  beautiful  proportions,  and  upon  it  rests  the 
cap.  Here  are  sculptured  the  globe,  the  three  links, — Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,  —  with 
other  emblems  of  the  Order.  The  whole  is  surmounted  by  a  full  life-sized  statue  of  a 
female,  representing  Charity,  with  two  infants,  to  whom  she  is  supposed  to  be  exercising 
the  greatest  of  the  virtues,  — charity." 


206  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Procession.  —  The  procession  was  formed  under  the  supervision  of 
the  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  Brother 
Joseph  Kidder,  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Brother  John  Q.  A.  Herring, 
Grand  Marshal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland.  The  lodges  and  encamp- 
ments, not  only  of  Maryland,  but  of  the  adjacent  states  (Philadelphia 
being  well  represented),  in  full  regalia,  formed,  and  proceeded  according 
to  the  programme  through  the  principal  streets  of  the  city  of  Baltimore 
to  the  monument.  Along  the  whole  line  a  glad  and  eager  throng,  from 
housetop  to  curbstone,  greeted  and  welcomed  the  vast  procession,  and  it 
was  a  noticeable  feature  that  young  ladies,  richly  attired,  were  on  the 
sidewalks  with  buckets  of  cold  water  and  lemonade,  attended  by  their 
colored  servants,  to  wait  upon  and  serve  all  '^ho  desired  these  refreshments. 

The  procession  was  over  an  hour  in  passing  any  given  point.  It  was 
a  magnificent  outpouring  of  the  people  as  well  as  of  the  Order.  It  was 
truly  a  gala  day,  with  a  spirit  of  rejoicing  manifested  on  every  side  and  in 
every  direction.  When  the  procession  reached  the  stand,  the  presentation 
of  the  monument,  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson  to  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  took  place.  An  address  was  delivered  by  Isaac  M.  Veitch, 
M.W.G.S.,  and  brief  remarks  were,  also,  made  by  Lieutenant-Governor 
Cox,  of  Maryland;  ex-Governor  Fisk,  of  Kentucky;  H.  B.  Andrews, 
Esq.,  of  Texas;  Colonel  Doniphan,  of  Missouri;  Judge  Fitzhugh,  of 
Virginia,  and  others,  after  which  the  parade  was  dismissed. 

The  celebration  was  very  successful.  The  weather  was  admirably 
suited  to  the  outdoor  display.  The  day  was  observed  as  a  holiday  to 
a  very  large  extent ;  and  the  city  was  gay  with  flags,  and  the  streets  were 
thronged  by  an  immense  concourse  of  people.  The  procession  attracted 
great  attention,  and  was  much  more  imposing  than  was  expected.  The 
waving  flags  and  splendid  banners  carried  in  the  line,  the  showy  regalia 
of  the  members,  the  presence  of  the  orphans  supported  by  the  beneficence 
of  the  Order,  and  the  fine  music  of  the  bands,  made  the  display  one  of  the 
most  attractive  that  has  ever  taken  place  in  Baltimore.  The  ceremonies 
at  the  monument  drew  together  a  great  multitude,  and  the  scene  was  an 
imposing  one. 

First  Fraternization  of  *'the  Blue  and  the  Gray."  —  This  was  really 
the  first  fraternization  of  "the  Blue  and  the  Gray."  Men  who  had 
been  engaged  in  the  conflict,  on  both  sides,  marched  side  by  side  as 
brethren,  wearing  the  regalia  of  the  Order.  As  an  illustration  of  the 
general  feeling  that  pervaded  the  city,  Brother  Veitch  and  myself  took 
a  walk  in  the  evening,  and  in  the  best  part  of  the  city ;  the  houses  were 
generally  lighted,  and  they  were  filled  with  gay  and  joyous  groups.  We 
stopped  in  front  of  a  beautiful  mansion,  where  dancing  was  going  on; 
and  while  looking  for  a  moment  into  the  windows,  which  were  open,  a 
gentleman  came  out  and  invited  us  in,  and  would  hear  no  refusal,  but 


THE  STORY  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  207 

insisted  that  we  should  come  inside.  I  introduced  Brother  Veitch,  of 
^Missouri,  to  him,  and  Brother  Veitch  introduced  me.  We  went  in,  were 
introduced  to  the  party  assembled,  and  they  all  seemed  pleased  with  our 
presence,  and  spoke  of  the  procession  and  of  the  spirit  that  was  manifested 
in  the  day's  doings.  It  turned  out,  upon  inquiry,  that  none  of  the  gentle- 
men were  members  of  the  Order,  but  they  commended  it  very  highly  as  an 
organization,  and  for  the  great  good  that  it  had  done. 

Among  the  People.  —  In  further  attestation  of  the  feeling  that  prevailed 
among  the  people  of  Baltimore,  it  is  proper  to  notice  that  a  banquet  was 
given  by  the  corporation  of  Baltimore,  in  honor  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  at  Druid  Hill  park,  on  Thursday,  September  21, 1865. 
It  was  largely  attended,  and  speeches  were  made  by  the  officers  and 
prominent  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  by  the  mayor  and  other 
distinguished  citizens. 

Complimentary  Banquet  and  Post-prandials.  —  On  Friday  evening  a 
complimentary  banquet,  by  the  merchants  and  business  men  of  Baltimore, 
was  given  to  the  Representatives  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
at  the  new  Assembly  rooms,  where  addresses  were  delivered  by  the  officers 
and  representatives,  and  by  John  W.  Garrett  and  other  prominent  citizens. 
A  very  able  and  interesting  address  was  made  by  Major-General  Hancock, 
then  commander  of  the  Middle  Department,  and  among  his  remarks  were ' 
the  following :  — 

"  The  Odd  FeUows  of  the  United  States,  when  aU  other  bonds  were  cut  asunder,  yet 
had  a  thread  of  charity  binding  the  states  together.  In  this  re8i>ect  let  the  people  of  all 
sections  follow  their  example.  Let  them  in  legislation  legislate  for  the  whole  country.  Let 
the  North  forget  that  the  South  has  been  burdened  with  slavery,  and  let  the  South  recollect 
that  IhCason  and  Dixon's  line  is  no  longer  a  boundary  of  interest  or  prejudice.  And  let  the 
churches,  whose  highest  duty  is  to  inculcate  charity  and  good-will  among  men,  forget  that 
there  is  a  North  or  a  South,  but  worship  in  feUowship  as  they  worship  one  Gk)d." 

West  Virginia  chartered.  — During  the  session,  Eepresentative  Fitzhugh, 
of  Virginia,  asked  for  leave  to  withdraw  from  the  files  the  petition  of  the 
subordinate  lodges  in  West  Virginia  for  a  Grand  Lodge,  made  at  the  session 
of  1863.  Permission  was  given,  when  he  presented  the  petition  again,  and 
it  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  petitions.  The  committee  reported 
favorably  to  granting  charters  for  a  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  West  Virginia.  The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted ;  and 
thus  "Old  Virginia"  was  divided  into  two  jurisdictipns,  in  Odd  Fellowship, 
as  it  had  been  by  Congress  into  two  states.  The  course  pursued  by  Eepre- 
sentative Fitzhugh  reflected  the  highest  honor  and  credit  upon  him,  show- 
ing that  he  was  willing  to  accept  the  results  of  the  war.  It  was  an  act  of 
magnanimity. 

The  New  York  Reunion.  —  Another  event  occurred  during  the  session 
which  was  of  only  secondary  importance  to  the  reunion  of  the  Northern 


208  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

and  Southern  jurisdictions.  New  York,  on  account  of  internal  dissensions, 
had  been  divided  into  two  jurisdictions,  the  members  in  which,  both  com- 
bined, only  amounted  to  12,672.  As  the  result  of  the  visits  of  Grand  Sire 
Nicholson  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Southern  New  York  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Northern  New  York,  each  had  appointed  a  committee,  which  had  met  as 
a  joint  committee,  and  adopted  a  series  of  resolutions  and  programme  for 
action,  which  was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  at 
this  session.  The  legislative  committee  presented  a  series  of  resolutions 
consolidating  the  two  into  one  Grand  Lodge, —  that  of  New  York  jurisdic- 
tion. The  report  of  the  legislative  committee  was  adopted,  and  this  grand 
jurisdiction  began  anew  its  career  of  prosperity. 

A  Typkal  Incident.  —  Among  those  present,  in  1865,  was  Brother  Hoke, 
of  North  Carolina,  with  whom  I  had  parted,  in  1860,  at  Nashville.  I  was 
very  glad  to  see  him,  indeed,  and  he  reminded  me  of  what  he  had  said 
when  we  parted.  I  had,  for  my  part,  not  forgotten  it.  "  Well,"  he  said, 
"I  went  home  with. my  determination  fixed  not  to  take  any- part  in  the 
civil  war  that  I  felt  was  coming  on.  When  the  call  ^  to  arms '  was  made 
and  the  recruiting  began,  I  resolutely  stayed  at  home,  until  at  length  my 
neighbors  and  friends  were  all  gone  into  the  army,  and  I  was  comparatively 
left  alone.  I  received  several  packages  of  woman's  wearing  apparel,  and 
among  the  rest  a  hoop-skirt,  with  a  note  advising  me  if  I  intended  to  stay 
at  home  that  I  should  put  them  on  and  wear  them,  instead  of  going  about 
dressed  up  as  a  man.  Finally  I  went  into  the  war,  and  I  never  went  into 
an  engagement  and  saw  the  old  flag  waving  in  front  of  me,  but  what  I 
prayed  in  my  heart  that  before  I  would  strike  a  blow  against  the  flag  I 
loved  so  well  a  bullet  might  reach  my  hearf  This  illustrates  very  fully 
the  temper  and  feeling  that  drove  many  men  into  the  bloody  combat. 

R6sum6.  —  The  "  Session  of  1865  "  was,  indeed,  in  many  respects  the 
most  memorable  one  tliat  had  ever  been  held.  Our  country  had  been  en- 
gaged in  a  civil  war.  Battles  had  been  fought,  in  which  many  had  been 
killed,  while  many  more  were  left  to  make  their  way  through  life  as 
cripples.  A  million  of  men  had  been  in  arms,  engaged  in  fratricidal  strife, 
and  it  seemed  as  if  there  was  not  a  relic  of  fraternity  existing  among  the 
people.  Antagonism  seemed  to  be  rampant,  and  ruled  the  hour ;  but  no 
sooner  had  the  conflict  ended,  and  the  sword  was  sheathed  in  its  scabbard, 
and  the  smoke  had  died  away  from  the  mouth  of  the  cannon,  and  the  Union 
was  preserved,  than  tjiere  came  together  from  every  State  and  Territory 
representative  men  who  proved  that  Fraternity  (Love's  other  name)  still 
existed,  and  had  triumphed  over  the  s^ony  that  had  prevailed,  showing 
conclusively  that  "God  governs  in  the  affairs  of  men";  and,  with  all  due 
reverence,  it  is  scarcely  possible  that  the  angels  ever  looked  down  upon 
a  more  gratifying  spectacle  among  the  sons  of  men,  and  never  could  men 
and  angels  unite  more  lovingly  in  that  grand  anthem  which  was  first 


'j|f"-s*'-s»*s;»'*s;*-s 


■g'-5C  -5c  •jt-  -jf  -jf  -jf  -jf  -4f 


THE  STORY  OF  'SIXTY-FIVE.  209 

heard  by  the  shepherds  upon  Galilee's  shore:  "Glory  to  God  in  the 
highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good-will  to  men." 

Members  of  1865. — ^^^  faces  of  the  men  comprising  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  at  this  memorable  session,  are  reproduced  in  the 
illustration.     Those  marked  thus  (*),  below,  were  not  present :  — 

Officers.  —  Isaac  M.  Veitch,  M.W.  Grand  Sire,  St.  Louis,  Missouri ;  James  P.  Sanders, 
R. W.  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  Yonkers,  New  York ;  James  L.  Ridgely,  R.W.  Grand  Correspond- 
ing and  Recording  Secretary,  Baltimore,  Maryland ;  Joshua  Vansant,  R. W.  Graud  Treasurer, 
Baltimore,  Maryland ;  Rev.  I.  D.  Williamson,  R.W.  Grand  Chaplain,  Delhi,  Ohio ;  Joseph 
Kidder,  R.W.  Grand  Marshal,  Manchester,  New  Hampshire ;  Augustus  Pfaff,  R.\y.  Grand 
Guardian,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania;  John  E.  Chamberlain,  R.W.  Grand  Messenger, 
Baltimore,  Maryland. 

Past  Grand  Sire. — James  B.  Nicholson,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Representatives. —  Henry  B.  Andrews,  P.G.M.,  Galveston,  Texas;  Henry  Armington, 
P.G.AL,  North  Providence,  Rhode  Island;  Charles  H.  Babcock,  P.G.M.,  Brooklyn,  Ohio; 

L.  K.  Barber,*  P.G.P., ,  Mississippi ;  F.  J.  Barnard,  P.G.P.,  Mobile,  Alabama ;  William 

H.  Barnes,  P.G.M.,  Macon,  Georgia;  E.  H.  Barry,  P.G.P.,  Indianapolis,  Indiana;  W.  P. 
Buell,  P.G.M.,  Nashua,  New  Hampshire;  £.  P.  Burnham,  P.G.M.,  Saco,  Maine;  David  E. 
Burwell,  P.G.M.,  Westville,  Connecticut;  L.  M.  CampbeU,  P.G.P.,  Danville,  Indiana: 
William  Chidsey,  P.G.M.,  Springfield,  Ohio;  Thomas  C.  Coleman,  P.G.,  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee; M.  H.  Cooley,  P.G.M.,  Farmington,  Iowa;  George  W.  Dame,  P.G.P.,  Danville, 
Virginia;  John  J.  Davies,  P.G.P.,  Brooklyn,  New  York;  B.  W.  Dennis,  P.G.M.,  Byron, 
Michigan;  Ira  C.  Doe,  P.G.P.,  Saco,  Maine;  John  Doniphan,  P.G.M.,  Weston,  Missouri; 
Walter  G.  Dye,  P.G.,  Winona,  Minnesota;  F.  A.  Ellis,  P.G.,  Elkton,  Maryland ;  S.  A. 
Euholm,  P.G.M.,  Mobile,  Alabama;  Joseph  B.  Escavaille,  P.G.P.,  Baltimore,  Maryland; 
E.  D.  Farusworth,  P.G.M.,  Nashville,  Tennessee;  John  F.  Fisk,  P.G.,  Covington,  Ken- 
tucky; E.  H.  Fitzhugh,  P.D.G.  Sire,  Richmond,  Virginia;  F.  P.  Flemming,  P.G.,  Atlanta, 
Georgia;  William  E.  Ford,  P.G.M.,  Boston,  Massachusetts;  F.  M.  Foster,, P.G.M.,  Jackson, 
>tichigan;  John  P.  Foss,  P.G.,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Henry  F.  Garey,  P.G.M.,  Baltimore, 
Maryland;  St.  John  Goodrich,  P.G.,  Omaha,  Nebraska;   E.  C.  Granuis,  P.G.,  Macon, 

Georgia;  Dennis  Greggs,*  P.G.M.,  ,  Indiana;  Jeremiah  Griswold,  P.G.M.,  Mound 

City,  Illinois;  Jonathan  Harvey,  P.G.M.,  Indianapolis,  Indiana ;  John  F.  Havenner,  P.G., 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia;  William  H.  Hill,  P.G.,  Sacramento,  California;  Luther 
Homes,  P.G.M.,  New  Orleans,  Louisiana ;  William  H.  Hopkins,  P.G.,  Minersville,  PennsyU 
vauia;  Enos  H.  Jefferson,  P.G.,  Wilmington,  Delaware;  Joseph  S.  Jones,  P.G.M.,  Boston, 
Massachusetts;  B.  Kingsbury,  Jr.,  P.G.M.,  Portland,  Maine;  Joseph  Kirkup,  P.G.,  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio:  R.  A.  Lamberton,  P.G.M.,  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania;  Robert  D.  Landers, 
P.G.P.,  Jacksonville,  Illinois;  Hugh  Latham,  P.G.M.,  Alexandria,  Virginia;  Robert  Lebby,* 

P.G.M.,  ,  South  Carolina;  Erie  J.  Leech,  P.G.M.,  Keokuk,  Iowa;  Allen  C.  Lewis, 

P.G.P.,  Chicago,  Illinois ;  C.  A.  Logan,  P.G.M.,  Leavenworth,  Kansas ;  Amzi  E.  Love,*  P.G.M., 

,  Mississippi;  David  McDonald,  P.G.M.,  Racine,  Wisconsin ;  John  L.  McFarland,  P.O., 

Concord,  New  Hampshire;  William  R.  McLean,  P.G.M.,  Washington,  District  of  Columbia; 

A.  K.  Mantz,  P.G.M.,  Baltimore,  Maryland;  Charles  Marsh,  P.G.,  Nevada,  California; 
C.  A.  Marvin,  P.G.M.,  Brooklyn,  New  York;  R.  B.  Mayes,  P.G.M.,  Yazoo  City,  Mississippi; 

B.  S.  Merriam,  P.G.P.,  Keokuk,  Iowa;  George  J.  Miller,  P.G.P.,  Burlington,  New  Jersey; 
Howard  Millspangh,  P.G.M.,  New  Orleans,  Louisiana ;  Eld  ward  Mitchell,  P.G.P.,  Charleston, 
South  Carolina;  Sewell  Morse,  P.G.M.,  Brattleboro,  Vermont;  J.  F.  Munroe,  P.G.P., 
Detroit,  Michigan;  Daniel  Norcross,  P.G.P.,  San  Francisco,  California;  H.  L.  Page,  P.D.G. 
Sire,  ^lilwaukee,  Wisconsin ;  J.  D.  Pollard,  P.G.P.,  Frankfort,  Kentucky ;  Daniel  Pulsifer, 
P.G.P.,  Manchester,  New  Hampshire ;  A.  H.  Ransom,  P.G.,  Covington,  Kentucky ;  James  D. 
Rig^s,   P.G.M.,  Evansville,  Indiana;    Theodore  A.  Ross,  P.G.P.,  Newark,  New  Jersey; 

Jacob  F.  Schieffer,  P.G.M.,  St.  Louis,  Missouri;  Leonidas  Sexton,*  P.G.P., ,  Indiana; 

J.  W.  Sharp,  P.O.,  Camden,  Delaware;  J.  Alexander  Simpson,  P.G.M.,  West  Philadelphia, 


Mm 


FRATERNITY. 


iS.'^!''5.^M''fi4S]F'SC^^'""''^'^°'  l^^nasT. Smiley* P.G.,Nuh< 

'""  W  '-WJiJI«*.fc'ty.  Connecticut ;    James  Smith,  P.G.M., 

■  New  York  Cityi  Jolm  W.  Stokes,  P.G.M,. 

.  „ .H'.G.,  BocdBEtown,  New  Jeraey;  Frederick  D. 

tHi^M'.H?^il§ift?if^B;  EdwiQ  SwautoD,  P.O.M.,  New  York  City : 

* — ^fS^^Si^*^''W\m^''  ■William  Thajer,-  P.G.M., ,  South 

'- ■~"''|iBlBJi, Delaware:  William  H.  Thompson.  P.Q.P., 

^JBtArleans,  LouUlana;  James  C.  Tucker,  P.G.P., 

-— ^*"  Middletown,  Connecticut;  John  H.  White, 

ProTidence,  Rhode  iBtaod. 


1*.^  ^  B  B  '•<*■■«'• 


Part  III. 


TEE  GRAND  LODGES  OF  THE   UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 
(IN    THREE    MERIDIANS),    AND    OTHER    COUNTRIES, 
CONSIDERED  IN  RELATION  TO   THE  GOLDEN 
AGE    OF   ODD   FELLOWSHIP. 


DIVISION  III. 

FIBST  MERIDIAN. 

THE  EARLY  LODGES,  GRAND  LODGES,  AND  THOSE  OF  THE  ATLANTIC 
SLOPE :  THE  GRAND  LODGES  OF  MARYLAND,  FORMER  NEW  YORK 
AND  NORTHERN  AND  SOUTHERN  NEW  YORK  AND  PRESENT  NEW 
YORK,  MASSACHUSETTS,  PENNSYLVANIA  ;  MAINE,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE, 
VERMONT,  RHODE  ISLAND,  CONNECTICUT;  NEW  JERSEY,  DELA- 
WARE, FORMER  VIRGINIA  AND  PRESENT  VIRGINIA,  AND  WEST 
VIRGINIA,  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA,  NORTH  CAROLINA,  SOUTH 
CAROLINA,   GEORGIA,   AND  FLORIDA. 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  Parent  Lodge.  —  In  the  winter  of  1818,  Thomas  Wildey  and  John 
Welch,  Englishmen  lately  arrived  in  the  United  States,  discovered  that 
each  was  an  Odd  Fellow;  a  society  then  struggling  for  recognition,  as 
stated  in  detail  in  another  part  of  this  work.  These  men  were  humble 
mechanics,  and  little  thought  of  the  consequences  of  the  action  they 
determined  to  take  in  order  to  find  others  of  their  brethren  of  the  same 
fraternity.  The  Baltimore  -American,  under  date  of  February  13,  1819, 
contained  the  following  notice,  as  a  result  of  their  conclusions :  — 

"  Notice  to  all  Odd  Fellows:  —  A  few  members  of  the  society  of  Odd  Fellows  will 
be  glad  to  meet  their  brethren  for  consultation  upon  the  subject  of  forming  a  lodge.  The 
meeting  will  be  held  on  Friday  evening,  the  2nd  of  March,  1819." 

This  called  together  John  Duncan  and  John  Cheatham  as  associates 
and  promoters  of  the  proposed  lodge;  but  one  was  lacking  of  "five,"  the 

211 


212  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

least  number  of  Odd  Fellows  who  could  form  a  lodge,  according  to 
"ancient  usage." 

The  same  periodical  in  Maryland,  in  its  issue  of  March  27,  1^19, 
printed  the  notice  again,  this  time  stating  the  date  of  the  meeting  to  be : 
"On  Friday  evening,  2nd  April,  at  the  *  Seven  Stars,'  Second  street,  at 
7  P.M."  Richard  Eush worth  responded  to  this  call;  the  five  brothers, 
herein  named,  met  on  Monday,  April  26,  1819,  and  constituted  themselves 
"  Washington  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows."  The  "  Seven  Stars  "  is  one  of  the 
illustrations  of  this  volume. 

The  preceding  Part  gives,  in  detail,  the  growth  of  Odd  Fellowship : 
from  the  five  brothers  of  that  historic  Monday  evening  in  April,  1819, 
until  the  present  membership  of  nearly  1,000,000  brothers  (and  sisters) 
in  round  numbers ;  from  the  poverty  and  insignificance  of  that  day,  to  the 
munificent  proportions  of  its  annual  beneficence  (shown  in  "  The  Tables 
of  Relief,"  in  Part  VII.),  and  its  high  rank  among  the  honored  institutions 
of  the  world. 

How  these  results  have  been  accomplished,  by  Grand  jurisdictions, 
is  told  in  narrative  form  in  the  following  pages  of  this  book, —  in  space 
greatlj^  enlarged  from  the  original  design,'  and  scarcely  adequate,  even 
now,  to  tell  the  story. 

Explanation.  —  As  the  " mother  jurisdiction "  of  Maryland  is  "bound 
up, "  so  to  speak,  and  has  had  a  part  in  the  general  history  of  the  Order 
everywhere,  many  details  of  interest  are  not  repeated  under  its  localized 
heading, —  the  history  of  Maryland,  as  a  brother  expressed  it  (in  one 
sense),  is  the  history  of  the  Order.  From  the  fact  that  this  Grand 
jurisdiction  has  been  (with  one  minor  exception)  and  is,  the  home  or 
headquarters  of  this  great  brotherhood,  the  reader  will  find  continual 
references  to  it,  in  all  branches;  and  that  Maryland  has  maintained  an 
influential  position  in  the  Order  is  not  surprising. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  late  Past  Grand  Sire  Stokes,  at  a  great  expen- 
diture of  time  and  labor,  wrote  a  sketch  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  his  researches,  now  in  the  archives  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  have  been  utilized  in  the  preparation  of  Chapter  IV.  (following), 
together  with  other  and  original  sources  of  inquiry.  It  is  hoped  that  the 
plan  of  grouping  the  Grand  Lodges  in  the  pages  ensuing  of  this  Part, 
will  meet  the  approval  of  the  members  of  the  Order.  Notwithstanding 
the  arduous  care  exercised,  the  writers  feel  that  the  Order  owes  a  debt  of 
gratitude  to  the  collectors  of  the  data  (Additional  Contributors),  with- 
out whose  assistance  it  would  have  been  found  impossible  to  complete 
the  work.  Due  acknowledgment  is  made  in  various  places, —  and  to 
Grand  Lodges  as  well ;  for  which  grateful  thanks  are  hereby  returned. 

The  Editor-in-Chiep. 


-»«^*a»-.*gs^5fi*""I|6""-I|6""-S-  -S"  "S"  "S"  "S"  "S"  "S"  "¥" 


SECTION  I. 

THE    PIONEER    LODGES:    THE   GRAND  LODGES    OF    MARYLAND,  NEW 
YORK,   MASSACHUSETTS,   AND  PENNSYLVANIA. 

By  Charles  M.  Busbee,  Past  Ghrand  Sire. 
By  John  Medole,  Fast  Grand  Master. 
By  Eussell  G.  Dyeb,  Fast  Grand  Master. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   GRAND  JURISDICTION   OF  MARYLAND. 

Introductory. — The  first  lodge,  Washington,  No.  1,  experienced  the 
vicissitudes  attendant  upon  the  early  days  of  the  Order.  Its  disturbing 
element,  finally,  withdrew  and  formed  Franklin,  No.  2,  but  the  latter's 
legal  existence  was  not  established  until  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
August  22, 1821.     The  dispensation  was  dated  September  5th,  following. 

Columbia  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  instituted  December  17, 1823,  and  among 
the  four  candidates  admitted  that  evening  appears  the  name  of  Joshua 
Vansant,  so  long  Grand  Treasurer  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  body.  It  was 
in  this  lodge  that  James  L.  Ridgely  was  admitted,  May  27,  1829.  The 
petitioners  were :  "Thomas  Scotchburn,  Past  Grand ;  Samuel  Bickley,  Past 
Vice  Grand;  and  Brothers  Saunders,  Steward,  Turnbull,  Moore,  and 
Winn,  —  members  of  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  2.  Four  eventful  years  elapsed 
before  another  lodge  was  formed. 

Surrender  of  the  Premiership.  —  The  final  change  which  resulted  in  the 
present  representative  system  of  subordinate  lodge,  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
state,  and  sovereign  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  was  effected  at 
the  November  session  of  1824,  when  that  duplex  body,  "  The  Grand  Lodge 
of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States,"  resolved  itself  into  two  distinct 
bodies,  the  one  having  only  local  authority  as  a  state  Grand  Lodge,  the 
other  supreme  jurisdiction  over  the  several  Grand  Lodges  of  the  country. 

At  first  Washington  Lodge  was  everything.  It  was  both  a  subordinate 
lodge  and  a  Grand  Lodge,  exercising  its  jurisdiction  through  its  past 
grands  over  the  subordinate  lodges  of  Maryland;  and,  also,  over  the 
Grand  Lodges  of  the  other  jurisdictions.     It  was  due  to  the  superior  and 

213 


214  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

practical  discernment  of  the  first  Deputy  Grand  Master,  John  Pawson 
Entwisle  (subsequently  Grand  Secretary),  who  realized  the  impracticar 
bility  of  the  "Committee  of  Past  Grands,"  adopted  by  the  Manchester 
Unity,  and  its  especial  unfitness  for  this  country,  that  the  change  was 
made.  He  and  Welch  found  their  model  in  the  political  framework  of 
the  United  States.  About  six  years  were  required  for  the  evolution.  The 
first  step  was  taken  February  22, 1821,  when  Washington  Lodge  surren- 
(\ered  its»grand  warrant, — which  Wildey  had  obtained  from  England,  —  to 
the  newly  organized  "  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States," 
and  took  from  it  a  charter  as  a  mere  subordinate  lodge.  The  final  division, 
whereby  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  abdicated  its  sole  suzerainty  over 
the  several  Grand  Lodges  in  the  United  States,  and  subsided  into  a  mere 
local  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  representatives  of  each  state  Grand  Lodge  were 
admitted  to  an  equal  participation  with  the  past  grands  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Maryland  in  the  supreme  government  of  the  Order,  left  the  autonomy 
of  the  Order  purely  American.  "A  glance,"  says  Ridgely,  "discovers 
the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking;  its  delicate  nature  is  apparent.  We 
who  live  after  "the  event  find  it  all  very  easy  and  natural;  but  the  solu- 
tion was  a  discovery;  its  originators  were  full  of  practical  genius." 

The  first  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  was  held, 
according  to  the  previous  arrangement,  January  15,  1825,  at  the  hall  on 
the  corner  of  Calvert  and  Water  streets,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  There 
were  present :  Grand  Master  Wildey,  Deputy  Grand  Master  Welch,  Grand 
Warden  Mitchell,  Assistant  Grand  Secretary  Fennell,  Grand  Guardian 
•  Boyd,  Grand  Conductor  Common;  and  Past  Grands  Leed,  Nelson,  Scotch- 
burn,  Williams,  Roach,  Gill,  Freeburger,  Arman,  and  Colt. 

Short  addresses  were  made  by  the  officers ;  and,  under  the  direction  of 
Grand  Master  Wildey,  the  grand  charter  was  read  as  follows :  — 


ORDER  OF  INDEPENDENT  ODD  FELLOWS. 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern :  — 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  held  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  in  the  state  of 
Maryland,  doth  hereby  grant  this  grand  charter  to  five  past  grands  of  the  Order  of  Indepen- 
dent Odd  Fellows,  residing  in  the  state  6f  Maryland,  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  for  the  said 
state,  for  the  encouragement  and  support  of  brothers  of  the  said  Order  when  on  travel,  or 
otherwise.  And  the  said  Grand  Lodge  being  duly  formed,  is  hereby  authorized  to  grant 
warrants  or  dispensations  to  true  and  faithful  brothers  to  open  lodges  according  to  the  laws 
of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  to  administer  to  past  grands  all  the  privileges  and  benefits  appertain- 
ing to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  ensjct  by-laws  for  the  government  of  their  lodge.  Provided, 
always,  that  the  said  Grand  Lodge  do  act  according  to  the  Order,  in  conjunction  with,  and 
obedience  to,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  adhering  to  and  supporting  the  consti- 
tution thereof,  in  default  whereof  this  charter  may  be  suspended  or  taken  away,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  And,  further,  the  Grand  Lodge,  in 
consideration  of  the  due  performance  of  the  above,  do  bind  themselves  to  repair  all  damages 
or  destruction  of  the  charter,  whether  by  fire  or  other  accident,  provided  sufficient  proof  be 
given  that  there  is  no  illegal  concealment  or  wilful  destruction  of  the  same. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  215 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  displayed  the  colors  of  the  Order  and  subscribed  our  names, 
and  affixed  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  this  twenty-second  day  of 
February,  aj>.  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty-five. 

THOMAS  WILDEY,  G.M.  WILLIAM  WILLIAMS,  G.S. 

^^^•^  JOEIN  WELCH,  D.G.M.  THOMAS  l^ITCHELL,  G.G. 

j  L.  S.  I  CHARLES  COMMON,  Representative  of  Maryland. 

— . —  MAURICE  FENNELL,  Proxy  of  Massachusetts. 

THOMAS  SCOTCHBURN,  Proxy  of  New  York. 
JOHN  BOYD,  Proxy  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  and  installed  for  the  ensuing  term: 
Charles  Common,  Grand  Master;  Thomas  Scotchburn,  Deputy  Grand  Mas- 
ter; John  Nelson,  Grand  Warden;  E.  C.  Gill,  Grand  Secretary;  Henry 
Harris,  Grand  Guardian;  George  Freeburger,  Grand  Conductor. 

One  of  the  notable  events  of  this  session  was  an  address  by  Grand 
Master  Wildey,  preserved  by  Ridgely  in  his  history,  which  states  the 
situation  in  a  few  words,  and  is  important  in  that  it  shows  the  intention 
of  the  actors  in  this  event.     Grand  Master  Wildey  said :  — 

Grand  Haster  Wildey's  Address.  —  "  On  this  highly  important  occasion,  I  have  the  honor 
to  appear  before  yon  as  the  bearer  of  the  legal  instrument,  just  read  in  your  hearing,  which 
conveys  to  yonr  respectable  body  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  a  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Order 
of  Independent  Odd  Fellows.  The  grand  charter  of  the  '  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of 
the  United  States '  having  been  vested  solely  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  a  body 
composed  of  officers  and  representatives  of  the  several  state  Grand  Lodges,  it  has  granted  this 
charter  to  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  in  consideration  of  the 
concession  made  by  that  Grand  Lodge  for  the  general  welfare  of  the  Order,  in  resigning  all 
claim  or  title  to  the  charter  under  which  you  have  hitherto  conducted  your  business,  and  in 
taking  rank  in  common  with  other  state  Grand  Lodges.  You  will  find  that  this  grand  char- 
ter contains  clauses  to  that  effect,  and  I  now  deliver  it  into  your  keeping  as  your  warrant  of 
authority.  It  is  a  source  of  unfeigned  gratification  to  me,  as  it  is  to  the  Grand  Lodge  I  here 
represent,  to  find  your  body  in  so  flourishing  a  condition ;  which  enables  me  to  look  forward 
with  the  most  cheering  anticipations  to  a  successful  future;  especially  so,  in  view  of  the 
unanimity  and  cordiality  which  are  so  strikingly  manifested  among  you.  By  this  charter 
the  jwwer  is  secured  to  you  to  govern  the  Order  in  this  state ;  it  places  your  local  affairs  at 
your  own  disposal,  to  be  acted  upon  according  to  your  own  sense  of  prudence  and  discretion, 
but  requiring  you  always  to  adhere  to  the  constitution.  The  grand  officers  having  been 
instructed  in  their  respective  duties,  wiU  now  proceed  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  them ;  and 
it  win  afford  me  great  pleasure,  at  any  time,  to  render  any  assistance  in  my  power,  by  expla- 
nation and  advice." 

The  Corner-stone.  —  Grand  Master  Wildey  concluded  with  the  prophetic 
utterance  that  Maryland  would  be  "  regarded  as  the  corner-stone  "  of  the 
Order,  and  he  might  well  have  added  "the  home  of  the  institution." 

It  was  arranged  to  hold  three  quarterly  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge : 
the  middle  of  April,  July,  and  October,  and  an  annual  session  in  January, 
of  each  year.  Accordingly,  the  first  quarterly  session  was  held  April  15, 
1825.  Only  two  past  grands  were  present  besides  the  officers,  although 
the  membership  numbered  fifteen.     One  additional  member  was  admitted. 

The  second  quarterly  session,  held  July  19th,  was  attended  by  the 
five  officers.     At  the  third  quarterly  session,  with  twenty  members,  only 


216  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

thirteen  were  present.  Here,  for  the  first  time,  the  titles  "  Grand  Sire  '* 
and  "  Deputy  Grand  Sire  "  appear  of  i*ecord  and  were  recognized.  For 
what  reason  or  by  what  authority  the  change  was  made,  the  records  fail 
to  show.  No  reason  is  assigned  for  the  change,  and  as  the  constitution 
gave  no  such  style,  it  must  be  presumed  that  they  must  have  been  assumed 
and  worn  by  common  consent.  Ridgely  makes  the  conjecture  that  the 
alteration  was  made  at  an  unrecorded  and  special  meeting  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  that  it  was  therefore  done  by  a  simple 
resolution ;  and,  to  confirm  this  supposition,  cites  the  fact  that  when  the 
amended  constitution,  of  1829,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
was  adopted,  the  new  titles  were  incorporated  into  one  of  its  material  parts. 
But  however  the  new  titles  may  have  come  into  general  usage,  the  names 
are  now  familiar  and  honored.  It  is,  also,  a  fact  to  be  noted  that  at  this 
session  Richard  Marley,  of  No.  2,  was  duly  elected  and  admitted  a  mem- 
ber. At  this  July  session,  the  first  announcement  of  the  reception  of  the 
Patriarchal  degree  from  England  was  made  by  the  Grand  Sire,  and  the 
degree  was  conferred  upon  four  past  grands. 

The  second  annual  meeting  did  not  take  place  at  the  time  appointed  by 
the  constitution,  but  met  February  14,  1826.  During  this  session  Past 
Grand  Roach  was  promptly  fined  for  disrespect  to  the  chair,  and  Columbia 
Lodge,  which  had  never  reported,  was  ordered  to  make  a  full  statement 
from  December  17,  1823. 

Grand  Sire  Wildey  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted 
by  a  vote  of  eleven  to  nine :  — 

'*  Resolvedt  That  all  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  are  eligible  to  the  office  of  Most  Worthy 
Grand  Master." 

It  was  immediately  determined,  however,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  — 

"That  no  member  sliall  be  eligible  for  the  office  of  Most  Worthy  Grand  Master  unless  he 
has  served  in  three  elective  offices  in  a  subordinate  lodge." 

The  Grand  Lodge  and  Washington  and  Franklin  lodges  met  at  this 
time  in  what  was  then  known  as  Saint  John's  hall,  at  the  intersection  of 
Calvert  and  Water  streets  and  Cheaps ide,  while  Columbia  Lodge  met  in 
the-  private  parlors  of  Wildey,  at  the  comer  of  Bridge  (Gay)  and  Jones 
(Front)  streets.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  procure  a  hall  for  the 
use  of  the  three  subordinate  lodges,  the  ultimate  object  of  which  was  to 
unite  all  the  lodges  at  one  meeting-place.  This  plan  finally  resulted  in 
the  purchase,  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  of  the  interest  of  Columbia  Lodge  in 
the  hall  where  it  was  holding  its  sessions,  and  the  grand  charter  and 
emblems  were  removed  to  that  place  a  few  days  thereafter. 

The  '* Mother"  German  Lodge.  —  At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
held  January  31,  1827,  a  charter  was  granted  for  William  Tell  Lodge, 
No.  4,  and  thus  was  instituted  the  first  lodge  to  work  in  the  German 


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P.O 


^l^^^?^?^?^;©*:^^ !!?'''«  LODGE.  PRESTON. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  217 

language.  Grand  Sire  Wildey  and  others,  of  Washington  Lodge,  were  the 
petitioners  and  promoters  of  this  advance.  The  preparation  of  a  German 
charge  and  degree  book  began  at  once,  and  this  subordinate  heads  the  list 
of  a  long  line  of  lodges  in  which  our  brethren  of  that  nationality  have 
done  noble  work.  Pennsylvania  was  a  good  second,  Hermann  Lodge, 
No.  7,  being  instituted  July  28, 1828. 

Gratitude  Lodge,  Ko.  5,  was  chartered  at  a  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
March  18, 1830,  and  an  adjournment  was  taken  to  the  30th  of  the  month, 
for  the  purpose  of  instituting  the  new  lodge.  The  project  of  building  a 
temple,  —  the  first  the  Order  owned  in  America,  —  had  been  proposed, 
and  Lodge  No.  5,  together  with  those  immediately  succeeding,  were  organ- 
ized under  very  favorable  auspices.  At  the  quarterly  session,  held  the 
20th  of  the  following  October,  Harmony,  No*.  6,  was  chartered ;  January 
15, 1831,  the  dispensation  for  Friendship,  No.  7,  was  granted  and  the  26th, 
of  the  same  month,  was  fixed  for  the  installation  of  its  officers. 

Two  other  lodges  were,  also,  formed :  Marion,  No.  8,  chartered  February 
15, 1831 ;  and  Jefferson,  No.  9,  March  2nd,  following.  These  nine  lodges 
were  in  existence  when  the  first  temple  of  Odd  Fellowship  was  finished  in 
1831.     Speaking  of  this,  Ridgely  said :  — 

The  First  Temple.  —  "  One  great  element  of  success  Tras  foand  in  the  enterprise  itself. 
The  project  awakened  attention  to  the  Order,  and  enlisted  the  interest  of  a  class  of  persons 
who  had  hitherto  looked  upon  it  as  of  little  importance.  When  the  fact  was  made  known 
that  the  hall  would  certainly  be  completed,  and  that  it  would  be  dedicated  on  the  26th  of 
April,  1831,  a  rush  was  made  to  enter  the  lodges,  and  to  share  the  glory  of  that  day. 
Originally  the  working  classes  of  the  rougher  grades  constituted  almost  the  whole  body ; 
now  the  case  was  different.  Lawyers,  physicians,  merchants,  skilled  mechanics  and  trades- 
men, farmers  and  retired  gentlemen,  were  among  the  applicants  for  membership." 

The  Act  of  Incorporation.  — Prior  to  this  time  it  had  been  deemed  advis- 
able  to  secure  a  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge  from  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  state,  but  the  endeavor  had  not  been  successful.  The  reputation  of 
the  new  organization,  resulting  from  the  location  of  its  meeting-places,  its 
secret  sessions,  and  its  more  or  less  notoriety  for  hilariousness,  etc.,  did 
not  commend  it  to  the  members  of  the  legislature  as  worthy  of  becoming 
an  incorporated  body. 

At  a  special  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  held  in  September,  1826,  a 
very  remarkable  resolution  was  adopted,  pledging  the  support  of  the 
\  members  of  the  Order  to  those  candidates  for  the  General  Assembly  alone, 

j  who  would  pledge  themselves  to  make  use  of  their  influence  and  talents 

in  behalf  of  this  society,  "so  that  we  may  obtain  a  charter  from  the  Gen- 
eral  Assembly  at  its  next  session";  indorsing  the  candidacy  of  John  O. 
I  Tyson  and  R.  Purviance,  "  if  they  agree  to  the  foregoing  resolution  ";  and 

'  appointing  a  committee  to  write  these  gentlemen  and  put  the  question  to 

them:  "Will  you  support  or  not?"  Notwithstanding  all  this,  the  legis- 
lature did  not  grant  the  charter  until  seven  years  afterward,  it  bearing  the 


218  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

date  February  9, 1833.  To  us  in  these  days,  when  nearly  every  subordinate 
lodge  is  an  incorporated  body,  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  a  charter  for  this 
Grand  Lodge  seems  passing  strange.  It  shows  the  suspicion  and  distrust 
of  the  community  in  which  the  Order  commenced  its  existence,  in  respect 
to  its  underlying  principles,  and  the  barriers  that  impeded  its  early  life. 
The  resolutions  are  remarkable  in  another  aspect,  —  they  show  that  in 
those  days  the  Order  officially  dabbled  in  politics.  It  is  difficult  to  credit 
this  fact. 

During  the  sixty-four  years  intervening  since  this  Grand  body  was 
recognized  by  the  state,  it  has  welcomed  the  governing  body  thirty-eight 
times.  The  representatives  of  the  world  of  Odd  Fellowship  have  come 
within  its  borders,  have  enjoyed  its  fraternal  greetings,  its  hospitality, 
and  together  have  mingled  tears  to  the  memory  of  the  long  line  of  eminent 
brethren  called  to  their  reward.  The  Odd  Fellows  of  the  "  mother  juris- 
diction "  have  never  faltered  in  the  discharge  of  duty.  The  monuments 
to  Wildey  and  Ridgely  stand  within  the  bounds  of  h^r  capital  city,  and 
the  name  of  Henry  F.  Garey,  Past  Grand  Sire,  is  only  one  of  a  score 
whose  memories  are  revered,  and  whose  labors  are  held  in  grateful 
remembrance. 

Condition  of  the  Order.  — In  1858  there  were  ninety  lodges,  with  12,360 
members;  amount  paid  for  the  relief  of  brothers,  $28,852.14;  widowed 
families,  $18,793.95;  education  of  orphans,  $3133.68;  burial  of  the  dead, 
$8259.51;  receipts,  $89,676.07. 

In  1870  there  were  ninety-three  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  13,715; 
amount  paid  for  relief,  $73,221.64;  receipts,  $116,850.01.    - 

In  1885  the  lodges  had  increased  to  one  hundred  and  four;  members, 
10,282;  paid  relief,  $58,132.24;  receipts,  $69,457.14. 

The  last  report  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  gives  Maryland  one 
hundred  and  eight  lodges;  membership,  9023;  receipts,  $75,513.64;  paid 
for  relief,  $38,489.96. 

While  Maryland  has  declined  in  point  of  numbers,  yet  these  figures 
show  a  very  large  percentage  of  relief  paid  to  total  receipts, — a  record  of 
which  any  Grand  jurisdiction  might  well  feel  proud. 


"p.^^ 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  219 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  GRAND  JURISDICTION  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Introductory.  —  The  nineteenth  century,  above  all  other  ages  in  the 
history  of  the  world,  id  distinguished  by  the  achievement  of  greater  results, 
and  these  are  not  limited  to  any  particular  progress,  whether  in  arts, 
sciences,  industries,  literature,  civilization,  mechanism,  agriculture,  or 
development  of  the  mineral  and  metallic  wealth  of  the  earth.  No  greater 
advance  has  been  made  in  the  unfolding  of  either  than  in  fraternal  and 
benevolent  organizations  for  the  benefit  of  mankind;  and  among  the 
greatest  of  these  may  be  ranked  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows ; 
for  it  is,  practically,  the  offspring  of  the  present  century.  As  a  distinc- 
tive society,  it  was  scarcely  known  a  century  ago ;  now  it  has  become  an 
absolute  necessity.  In  the  land  of  its  independent  birth  there  is  probably 
not  a  city,  to^vn,  or  village,  however  small,  in  which  there  is  not  operated 
one  or  more  of  its  great  family  of  lodges ;  organizations  that  have  given 
practical  evidences  of  the  good  they  have  accomplished,  and  the  work  they 
are  doing  in  the  communities  in  which  they  are  situated,  in  visiting  their 
sick,  comforting  their  afflicted,  rendering  substantial  aid  to  their  needy,  and 
in  giving  decent  burial  to  their  deceased.  Odd  Fellowship  is  the  realiza- 
tion of  fraternity  without  the  sacrifice  of  independence  and  individuality. 
It  is  a  charity  without  cant,  and  does  not  humiliate  the  recipient.  Its  prin- 
ciples are  scrutinized  in  foreign  lands,  its  fraternal  features  recognized  and 
appreciated,  and  its  social  magnetism  is  gaining  for  it  a  foothold  in  many 
of  the  principal  towns  of  Europe.  It  is  popular  and  prosperous  in  several 
of  the  oceanic  islands,  and  rapidly  follows  in  the  footsteps  of  civiliza- 
tion and  Christianity,  keeping  abreast  with  the  progress  of  humane  issues. 

It  is  one  of  the  facts  of  history  that  all  great  developments  swing  into 
full  action  on  some  pivotal  event.  No  matter  how  long  may  have  been 
the  gathering  of  the  strength  of  a  movement,  there  comes  a  time  when  it 
must  be  born  to  the  world  as  a  concrete  and  recognized  force.  For  half  a 
century  the  forces  which  were  to  carry  American  Odd  Fellowship  to  the 
front,  as  one  of  the  great  fraternal,  social,  and  benevolent  associations, 
had  been  quickening.  At  times  the  progress  was  slow  and  intermittent. 
At  other  times  it  was  so  rapid  that  it,  apparently,  had  outgrown  its  own 
strength,  and  developed  here  and  there  into  "booms,"  leaving  in  the  path 
ills  which  time  alone  could  remedy;  but,  with  all  the  prejudice  and 
opposition  Odd  Fellowship  had  to  encounter,  its  progressive  march  has 
been  so  steadily  forward  as  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  learned  and 
enlightened  everywhere,  at  home  and  abroad.  In  less  than  fifty  years  the 
Order  had  risen  to  an  independent  and  useful  place  in  the  world,  capable 


^ 


220  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

of  rendering  efficient  service  to  mankind,  and  of  elevating  the  moral  and 
social  plane  of  the  middle  classes  of  society. 

It  is  impossible  to  say  at  this  time  what  may  be  the  ultimate  influence 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  upon  the  succeeding  generations 
of  the  great  future,  or  estimate  its  value  and  importance  to  suffering 
humanity.  That  these  will  be  widespread  and  lasting  no  one  can  doubt 
who  is  familiar  with  what  it  has  accomplished  in  the  past,  and  is  doing  at 
present  in  a  membership  of  nearly  one  million.  If  it  be  an  object  lesson 
for  the  world  without  our  councils,  it  will  be  no  less  a  lesson  to  learn  our- 
selves within.  Its  true  friends  need  have  no  fear  of  the  final  outcome  of 
its  efforts  for  recognition  in  foreign  lands,  when  and  where  its  principles 
become  thoroughly  known  and  its  objects  fully  understood.  It  is  with  a 
benevolent  organization  as  with  an  individual ;  eventually  it  will  be  given 
that  place  in  the  civil  and  social  fabric  which  it  wins  and  deserves,  by  an 
upright  and  consistent  course  of  action,  along  those  lines  which  tend  to 
develop,  broaden,  and  ennoble  the  intellect  and  the  moral  sense  of  every 
class. 

Man  is  the  subject  of  many  wants  not  within  the  reach  of  his  personal 
acquirements.  He  often  needs  care  in  sickness,  assistance  in  distress, 
counsel  in  difficulty,  sympathy  in  affliction,  and  encouragement  in  despair. 
He  may  frequently  stand  in  want  of  the  help  and  protection  of  his  fellow- 
man,  and  yearn  for  that  social  relation  so  necessary  to  his  well-being,  but 
so  often  denied  or  not  readily  acquired.  These  conditions  are  common  to 
mankind,  and  render  all,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  dependent  on  one 
another.  It  is,  therefore,  natural  that  men  should  have  recourse  to 
societies  founded  for  charitable  and  benevolent  purposes,  mutual  advan- 
tages, and  social  equality. 

The  First  Lodges  in  New  York.  —  It  was  with  these  views  in  mind  that, 
in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century,  a  few  sojourning  Englishmen 
united  in  opening  a  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  in  New  York  City,  where  they 
could  spend  the  social  hour  as  they  had  been  accustomed  in  their  connec- 
tion with  the  Order  in  England. 

The  first  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  organized  in  the  United  States  was 
brought  into  existence  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  the  self-institution 
plan,  late  in  the  year  1806,  and  prior  to  any  proceedings  looking  to,  and 
subsequently  resulting  in,  the  formation  of  the  Manchester  Unity  out  of 
the  several  friendly  societies  then  existing  in  England. 

Previous  to  1800  Solomon  Chambers  and  John  C.  Chambers,  father  and 
son,  were  members  of  Loyal  Westminster  Independent  Lodge  of  Odd 
Fellows,  then  meeting  in  a  tavern  known  as  the  "  Westminster  Arms,"  kept 
by  Robert  Cuthbertson,  in  the  city  of  Westminster,  England.  The  elder 
Chambers  was  noble  grand  of  the  lodge  in  1801,  and  during  his  incum- 
bency of  the  office  initiated  his  son  William  E.    John  C.  passed  through 


TffS  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  221 

the  chairs  subsequently.  He  had  made  himself  very  entertaining  and 
popular  in  the  lodge  by  his  talent  as  a  Yocalist ;  in  consideration  of  which 
service  he  was  made  the  recipient  of  a  silver  medal,  eight-pointed,  bearing 
the  inscription :  "  Loyal  Westminster  Independent  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows," 
on  one  side;  and  on  the  reverse:  ^< Presented  to  Ero.  J.  G.  Chambers, 
February  10, 1800,  L.I.O,  of  0.¥." 

Solomon  Chambers  and  his  two  sons  came  to  iN'ew  York  either  late  in 
1805  or  early  in  1806,  from  Southward,  London,  and  engaged  in  the  build- 
ing of  rowboats,  which  had  been  their  business  preyious  to  coming  to  this 
country. 

Some  time  after  their  arrival  the  two  sons  agitated  the  subject  of  open- 
ing an  Odd  Fellows'  lodge  in  New  York,  and  were  joined  by  William 
Twaites,  comedian,  and  William  Westphall,  vocalist,  two  brothers  of  the 
Order,  who  readily  united  with  them  in  their  proposition.  As  it  was  the 
law  and  custom  in  England  to  institute  a  lodge  with  not  less  than  five 
brothers,  they  induced  their  father  to  join  them  in  organizing  the  lodge. 

December  23, 1806,  the  five  brothers  met  at  Shakspeare  tavern,  No.  17 
Fair  (now  No.  135  Fulton)  street,  kept  by  Thomas  Hodgkinson,  an  old 
but  retired  actor,  and  organized  Shakspeare  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows,  in 
accordance  with  the  ancient  usage  of  self-institution.  Pursuant  to  the 
English  precedent,  the  lodge  was  named  after  the  house  where  the  meet- 
ings were  held.  Thomas  Hodgkinson,  the  proprietor  of  the  tavern,  was 
their  first  candidate  for  initiation,  and,  as  usual,  was  made  ^^  host.'' 

The  host  was  an  important  factor  in  the  English  lodges ;  he  furnished 
the  meeting-room,  light,  and  heat  free  of  charge;  and  '^Proposition  of 
Harmony  "  was  the  principal  feature  of  the  meetings,  during  recess  from 
lodge  work,  when  the  mug  and  pipe  were  in  order,  and  mirth  and  merry- 
making held  sway.  Singing  and  recitations  were  the  chief  sources  of 
amusement.  It  was  customary  at  every  meeting  to  inquire  of  the  host : 
"Is  there  any  tramp  in  waiting?"  meaning  those  who  were  seeking 
employment  or  aid  to  reach  the  next  town.  Having  no  treasury,  the 
warden's  axe  was  used  for  the  collection  of  the  contributions. 

Within  a  few  weeks  after  the  opening  they  added  several  to  their  mem- 
bership- The  first  officers  were :  Solomon  Chambers,  N.  G. ;  John  C. 
Chambers,  V.  G. ;  John  Meyer,  Secretary ;  Thomas  Hodgkinson,  Host  and 
R.  H.  S.  of  V.  G. ;  Thomas  William  Heelas,  Warden;  William  E.  Cham- 
bers, R.  H.  S.  of  N.  G. ;  William  Twaites,  L.  H.  S.  of  N.  G. ;  Benjamin 
Warry,  L.  H.  S.  of  V.  G. ;  and  William  Westphall,  Guardian.  The 
remainder  of  the  officers  were  selected  later,  and  new  offices  created. 

Solomon  Chambers  returned  to  London  in  1808,  and  there  died  in 
August,  of  that  year.  The  two  sons,  however,  remained  in  this  city,  and 
maintained  their  interest  in  the  lodge  until  its  dissolution  four  years  later. 

The  lodge  meetings  were  held  at  Shakspeare  tavern  until  May,  1809, 


222  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

when  they  were  transferred  to  No.  70  Wall  street,  at  the  "  Ring  of  Bells," 
a  house  kept  by  Brother  John  Spencer.  The  new  host  died  in  July  fol- 
lowing, which  compelled  the  lodge  to  move,  this  time  to  the  Trafalgar 
house,  No.  11  Gold  street,  of  which  Brother  John  Edgerly,  a  member  of 
the  lodge,  was  the  host.  In  1809  the  roll  of  membership  comprised 
thirty-six  well-known  citizens  and  business  men  of  New  York.  The 
meetings  were  held  regularly  at  Brother  Edgerly's  hotel,  until  after  the 
declaration  of  war  in  1812.  The  national  prejudices  of  the  landlord  were 
so  pronounced  that  the  members  refrained  from  visiting  his  house,  who, 
though  mostly  English  and  Scotch,  and  not  naturalized,  were  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  Americans,  and  hence  failed  to  attend  lodge  meetings. 
Indeed,  Edgerly  seemed  to  be  too  English  for  his  own  people,  and  the  lodge 
was  removed  to  the  private  residence  of  Brother  William  Moore,  corner 
of  Cedar  and  Temple  streets.  The  last  meeting  of  the  lodge  was  held 
at  his  house  on  September  20, 1813,  for  the  election  of  officers,  a  notice 
of  which  was  given  in  the  Daily  Columbian  of  that  date.  Owing  to  the 
reduced  membership  and  sparse  attendance,  the  meetings  were  suspended 
indefinitely  by  formal  action,  —  probably  at  that  meeting. 

Although  Englishmen  by  birth,  the  Chambers  brothers  were  not  devoid 
of  American  sentiments  and  sympathies,  for  they  entered  the  services  of 
the  government  in  the  capacity  of  ship-builders,  —  John  C.  at  New  Orleans, 
under  Greneral  Jackson,  and .  William  E.  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  Lake 
Ontario,  under  Commodore  Chauncey,  —  and  rendered  efficient  and  trust- 
worthy services.  John  C.  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three 
years,  and  died  in  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  February  3,  1870;  and 
William  E.  passed  away  at  Brooklyn,  New  York,  May  30,  1871,  in  the 
eighty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  The  latter  reunited  with  the  Order  as  an 
Ancient  Odd  Fellow  August  20,  1844,  and  was  in  full  membership  in 
Gettys  Lodge,  No.  11,  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

In  1816  Prince  Regent's  Lodge  was  organized,  on  the  self-institution 
plan,  in  New  York ;  but  its  existence  was,  evidently,  very  brief  and  of  its 
origin  nothing  further  is  known  at  this  date. 

In  1818  Brother  Moore  opened  a  public  house,  the  "Bed  Cow,"  at  No. 
46  Cedar  street,  and  became  popular  with  both  Englishmen  and  Ameri- 
cans. It  was  the  resort  for  actors,  singers,  literary  men,  printers,  and  of 
several  of  the  former  members  of  the  old  Shakspeare  Lodge,  and  others 
who  had  been  connected  with  the  Order  in  England,  drawn  to  it  by  its 
social  and  convivial  features.  A  proposition  to  revive  the  lodge  met  with 
favor,  and  was  ratified  at  once,  the  preliminaries  arranged,  and  Shak- 
speare Lodge  was  reinstituted  December  23,  1818,  —  its  twelfth  anni- 
versary, —  with  Brothers  William  Moore  (who  was  in  possession  of  all  the 
books  and  effects  of  the  lodge),  Thomas  Hilson,  Hopkins  Bobinson,  and 
James  Pritchard  as  revival  members,  and  Brothers  Bobert  C.  May  wood 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  223 

and  George  Singleton  as  adjoining  members.  It  was  claimed  a  chartei 
had  been  received  from  Manchester,  England,  recognizing  this  lodge  as 
the  supreme  head  of  the  Order  in  the  United  States;  but  there  is  no 
attainable  evidence,  however,  that  the  lodge  possessed  such  an  instru- 
ment. If  it  did  really  exist,  its  validity  was  not  acknowledged  by  the 
lodges  subsequently  organized. 

Committee  of  Past  Grands. — In  January,  1819,  the  first  candidates  for 
initiation  were  George  P.  Morris  and  Adam  C.  Flanagan,  both  printers,  — 
Past  Noble  Grand  Moore  acting  as  noble  grand,  and  also  as  host.  Shortly 
after  their  admission  the  novitiates  became  veiy  much  interested  in  the 
work  of  the  lodge,  and,  also,  active  participants  in  the  business,  and 
aspirants  for  official  advancement.  Brother  Morris,  by  earnest  and  pro- 
gressive efforts,  attained  to  the  principal  chair,  and  at  the  close  of  his 
term  was  admitted  to  membership  in  the  Committee  of  Past  Grands. 
Conscious  of  his  own  superiority  in  this  body,  he  sought  at  once  to  become 
the  master  mind,  to  the  end  that  he  might  acquire  a  controlling  influence 
and  power  in  the  Order.  He  was  a  man  of  good  address,  well  educated, 
and  ambitious,  and  hence  was  not  long  in  reaching  the  chairmanship  of 
the  committee.  Keen  of  discernment,  he  readily  comprehended  the  value 
and  influence  of  the  Order  in  the  community,  and  its  admirable  fitness  to 
better  the  condition  of  the  industrial  classes,  to  raise  their  intellectual, 
social,  and  moral  standard,  to  inculcate  a  greater  respect  for  their  per- 
sonal character,  and  educate  them  in  the  principles  of  self-reliance.  To 
this  end  he  proposed  changes  in  the  manner  of  conducting  lodge  affairs, 
especially  in  reference  to  the  convivial  features,  which  he  desired  to  have 
abolished.  He  was  not  slow,  however,  in  concluding  that  the  Committee 
of  Past  Grands,  as  such,  could  not  aid  him  fully  in  his  plans  for  the  exten- 
sion of  the  Order.  Having  ascertained  how  Lord  Abercrombie  Lodge, 
Manchester,  had  assumed  the  government  of  the  Order  in  England  by 
declaring  itself  a  Grand  Lodge,  he  proposed  the  change  of  his  lodge  to 
"The  Shakspeare  Grand  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows,"  which  would  assure  to 
it,  as  the  mother  and  senior  lodge,  the  power  and  authority  to  govern  any 
and  all  subsequent  organizations  in  the  name  of  the  Order.  He  prepared 
a  constitution  and  laws  in  accord  with  his  views  and  intents  in  support  of 
these  changes, — the  title-page  bearing  the  legend:  "Constitution  and  By- 
laws of  the  Shakspeare  Grand  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows,  Instituted  Decem- 
ber 23,  1806.  Kevived  December  23,  1818.  New  York :  Printed  by  G. 
Singleton,  1819."  ^ 

Brother  Morris's  progressive  movements  were  viewed  by  the  English 
members  as  aggressive  schemes,  and  innovations  on  ancient  usages  and 
landmarks,  and  met  with  considerable  opposition.    They  interposed  strong 

^  The  oompner  received  ft  copy  from  J&mes  H.  fieen,  the  first  noble  ^rand  of  No.  8,  in  1821,  which 
WM,  sabaeqaently,  filed  in  the  Archives  of  the  Ontn^  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 


224  TEE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

and  decided  objections  to  any  change  in  Odd  Fellowship  as  they  under- 
stood it,  and  as  it  was  practised  in  England.  It  now  occurred  to  him  that 
he  had  erred  in  investing  the  lodge,  and  not  the  Committee  of  Past  Grands^ 
with  the  title  and  authority  of  a  Grand  Lodge.  He  at  once  coincided  with 
the  majority  that  the  control  and  direction  of  the  Order  should  be  returned 
to  the  Committee  of  Past  Grands/  with  full  Grand  Lodge  powers,  and 
proposed  the  change  of  chairman  to  Grand  Master,  which  was  agreed  to 
reluctantly.  Finding  that  his  popularity  was  waning,  and  his  influence 
with  the  members  decreasing,  he  began  to  devise  other  means  to  support 
his  views  and  measures,  and  sustain  him  and  his  active  friends. 

Near  the  close  of  1820  he  headed  an  application  for  a  new  lodge,  to  be 
composed  of  personal  friends  only.  This  was  presented  formally  to  the 
Committee  of  Past  Grands,  thus  ignoring  the  Shakspeare  Grand  Lodge 
intentionally.  A  dispensation  was  granted  for  opening  Franklin  Lodge, 
No.  2,  of  Independent  Odd  Fellows,  The  lodge  was  instituted  January 
27,  1821,  at  No.  89  (now  No.  156)  Nassau  street,  —  the  location  of  the 
northerly  portion  of  the  present  Tribune  building,  —  at  the  house  of 
Brother  Edmund  Mahany. 

In  selecting  the  applicants  the  best  element  of  the  old  lodge  was  drawn 
from  those  known  to  be  friendly  to  Brother  Morris,  with  the  ostensible 
purpose  of  crippling  it  and  ultimately  affecting  its  very  existence.  After  the 
institution  of  the  new  lodge,  Shakspeare  Lodge,  which  had  been  taken 
from  Past  Grand  Moore's  house  in  Cedar  street  to  a  house  in  Water  street, 
near  Peck  Slip,  discontinued  its  meetings,  and  none  were  held  after  the 
summer  of  1821,  —  an  event  anticipated  and  devoutly  desired  by  Grand 
Master  Morris. 

Adam  Clark  Flanagan  left  Shaks3)eare  Lodge  with  Brother  Morris,  as 
they  had  been  warm  personal  friends  since  their  joint  initiation ;  yet  he 
did  not  agree  with  him  in  all  of  his  proposed  reform  measures,  —  notably 
that  for  curtailing  improper  indulgence  under  the  order  of  business: 
"  Proposition  of  Harmony.''  This  he  looked  upon  as  too  great  a  change 
to  succeed.  Brother  Morris's  great  desire  was  to  dispense  with  all  con- 
vivial practices  in  the  lodge,  convert  the  Order  into  a  respectable  benevo- 
lent institution,  increase  its  lodges,  expand  its  usefulness,  and  plant  its 
lodges  wherever  a  location  could  be  secured  and  maintained,  with  a  central 
control  in  New  York.  His  plans  for  improving  the  work  and  usages  of 
the  Order  were  eminently  proper  and  praiseworthy,  but  its  membership 
were  not  ready  to  yield  to  such  advanced  propositions. 

Brother  Flanagan  and  others  in  Franklin  Lodge,  to  avoid  the  acrimo- 
nious discussions  and  dissensions  stimulated  by  Brother  Morris,  decided 
upon  leaving  the  lodge  and  opening  another  up-town.     The  Committee  of 

>  yoU  by  the  Editor-in-Chief.  -The  reftder  will  readily  dnw  a  pcnUd  wtth  this  decision  and  the 
"  correspondences  '*  noted  in  pp.  89-41. 


TBS  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  225 

Past  Grandsy  on  application,  granted  and  issued  a  dispensation,  signed  by 
George  P.  Morris,  Grand  Master,  and  Washington  Lodge,  No.  3,  of  Inde- 
pendent Odd  Fellows,  was  instituted  in  November,  1821,  at  the  Westchester 
house,  No.  21  Bowery,  kept  by  Zaehariah  Mead,  who  was  made  the  lodge 
host  James  H.  Beers  was  the  first  noble  grand,  and  Adam  G.  Planagan 
the  first  vice  grand,  who  were  installed  in  due  and  ancient  form.  An 
intimation  as  to  what  this  form  of  ceremony  was  is  not  available  from  any 
known  source ;  that  there  was  one  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  they  sang 
a  hymn  to  the  air  of  "  God  save  the  King,"  the  words  of  which  were :  — 

"  All  hail !  most  Noble  Grand, 
Created  to  command, 

Noble  Grand,  haU  I 
May  you  with  health  be  crown'd, 
Mirth  to  dispense  aroond, 
Whilst  song  and  joy  abound, 

Noble  Grand,  haU  !  " 

This  was  used  in  these  and  all  other  lodges  on  similar  occasions  for 
many  years,  or  until  the  convivial  practices  in  the  lodge,  under  the  rule 
"  Harmony,"  were  abolished  by  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States. 

As  an  up-town  lodge,  Washington,  No.  3,  did  not  succeed.  It  was 
destitute  of  the  vocal  and  musical  attractions  that  drew  to  the  other  lodges 
new  applicants,  and  never  failed  to  secure  the  attendance  of  the  older  mem- 
bers ;  hence,  the  brothers  were  disappointed  and  dissatisfied,  and  at  the 
end  of  the  first  term  they  surrendered  the  dispensation,  —  some  returning 
to  Franklin  Lodge,  and  others  not  renewing  their  membership  in  the  Order. 

In  all  these  movements  Brother  Morris  was  the  master-spirit  and  mov- 
ing genius.  He  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  upbuild  a  respectable  brother- 
hood, and  root  out  the  objectionable  practices  of  the  English  system,  so 
preralent  in  these  American  lodges. 

An  application  was  presented  to  the  Committee  of  Past  Grands,  soon 
after  the  institution  of  Franklin  Lodge,  by  some  of  the  former  members  of 
Shakspeare  Grand  Lodge,  for  a  dispensation  to  open  a  lodge  in  Brooklyn, 
New  York,  which  was  granted  and  issued,  signed  by  Grand  Master  Morris ; 
and  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  4,  was  instituted  by  the  Grand  Master,  January  3, 
1822,  at  the  house  of  James  Claridge  (one  of  the  applicants),  at  No.  49 
Main  street,  Brooklyn.  This  was  deemed  practically  an  endorsement,  not 
only  of  Morris's  projected  changes,  but  of  the  supervising  powers  of  the 
Committee  of  Past  Grands. 

Grand  Master  Morris's  plans  for  the  expansion  of  the  purposes  of  the 
Order,  the  extension  of  its  lodges  to  other  states,  and  the  increase  of  its 
membership,  with  New  York  as  a  centre,  were  well  known  among  his 
friends  and  co-workers.     As  a  result  growing  out  of  his  plan  was  the 


226  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

organization  of  Pennsylvania  Lodge,  in  Philadelphia.  Brother  John  B. 
Eobinson,  a  member  of  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  2,  of  New  York,  while  on  a 
temporary  visit  to  Philadelphia,  was  instrumental  in  the  organization  of 
the  lodge.  He,  with  four  other  brothers,  self-instituted  Pennsylvania 
Lodge,  No.  1,  December  26,  1821.  They  initiated  a  fifth  member  to  fill 
the  place  of  Brother  Robinson,  who  had  acted  only  temporarily.  This 
lodge  had  no  knowledge  of  any  lodges  existing  in  Baltimore  at  that  time, 
and  in  June,  1823,  informed  Brother  Wildey,  on  his  visit  to  the  lodge, 
that  they  expected  to  receive  a  dispensation  from  New  York.  They  pre- 
ferred their  self-instituted  existence,  rather  than  submit  to  the  autliority 
of  a  Grand  Lodge  over  which  they  could  not  expect  to  exercise  an  influ- 
ence equal  to  their  merits.  Under  such  views,  application  had  already 
been  made  to  Columbia  Lodge,  in  New  York,  for  a  dispensation,  with  the 
design,  ultimately,  of  uniting  with  that  and  other  lodges  in  organizing  a 
general  Grand  Lodge  on  equitable  principles.  It  was  during  the  pen- 
dency of  this  application  in  New  York,  that  Grand  Master  Wildey 
appeared  and  offered  from  his  Grand  Lodge  such  terms  for  a  general 
union  as  induced  concurrence. 

The  members  of  Columbia  Lodge  were  constantly  on  the  alert  for  Odd 
Fellows  arriving  from  England,  and  several  were  added  soon  after  the 
lodge  was  organized.  Among  these  were  well-informed  brothers,  who 
readily  criticised  the  manner  of  instituting  and  working  the  lodge  as 
being  totally  at  variance  with  the  modes  to  which  they  were  accustomed. 
They  advised  the  lodge  of  the  many  changes  and  improvements  occurring 
in  the  Order  in  England,  looking  to  a  more  systematic  and  extensive 
organization  of  the  lodges  in  every  part  of  the  Order.  No  lodge  was 
recognized  as  legally  instituted  and  in  regular  standing,  not  working  under 
a  dispensation  granted  and  issued  by  unquestioned  authority-,  regularly 
and  formally  endowed  with  such  power.  The  ancient  usage  of  self -institu- 
tion had  been  repudiated,  and  practically  abolished.  Those  members  of 
Columbia  Lodge  who  had  been  connected  with  Shakspeare  Grand  Lodge, 
knew  that  it  was  self-instituted,  had  not  existed  by  warrant  of  any  dis- 
pensation legally  granted,  and  hence  could  not  transmit  any  such  power 
itself;  therefore  the  dispensation  granted  to  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  2,  by 
the  Committee  of  Past  Grands,  was  deemed  deficient  of  power  and  irregu- 
lar in  authority  to  enable  the  lodge  to  work  lawfully. 

The  members  of  Columbia  Lodge  decided  to  remedy  any  defects  in  the 
lodge's  existence  under  its  present  doubtful  authority,  and  promptly  set 
about  obtaining  a  legal  dispensation,  and  confidentially  intrusted  their 
application  to  a  brother  in  Liverpool,  with  a  request  to  submit  it  to  a  lodge 
legally  authorized  to  issue  a  regular  dispensation.  This  brother  presented 
the  petition  to  the  Duke  of  Sussex  Lodge,  No.  2,  Liverpool,  which  granted 
the  following  form  of  dispensation  :  — 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  227 


I.  O.  OP  O.  F. 

This  dispensation  and  these  presents,  granted  from  the  Loyal  Beneficent  Doke  of 
Sossex  Lodge,  of  Independent  Odd  Fellows,  No.  2,  of  the  Liverpool  district,  held  at  the 
honse  of  Brother  Jajnes  Whittaker,  Regent  tavern,  Scotland  place,  in  the  town  of  Liver- 
pool, in  the  County  Palatine,  of  Lancaster,  in  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,  to  five  brothers  of  the  said  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  to  enable  them  to 
open  and  establish  a  lodge,  under  the  title  of  the  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  — ,  to  be  held  at  the 
house  of  Brother  James  Claridge,  No.  49  Main  street,  Brooklyn,  Long  Island,  New  York, 
United  States ;  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  two  pounds  and  two  shillings,  to  be  remitted 
to  the  said  Beneficent  Duke  of  Sussex  Lodge  for  this  dispensation.  This  dispensation  and 
these  presents  are  not  to  be  altered  or  amended  without  the  consent  of  the  officers  and 
brothers  of  the  Loyal  Philanthropic  Liverpool  district  Grand  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Independent 
Odd  Fellows,  as  well  as  of  the  officers  and  brothers  of  the  above-mentioned  Loyal  Beneficent 
Duke  of  Sussex  Lodge,  No.  2,  of  the  Liverpool  district  (the  mother  of  the  Columbia). 

It  is  hereby  enjoined  that  the  brothers  of  the  Columbia  Lodge  meet  at  such  times  and 
on  such  conditions  as  are  expressed  in  the  by-laws  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows; and  that  they  do,  upon  oath,  see  that  this  dispensation  and  these  presents  be  not 
altered  or  destroyed ;  that  they  do  not  initiate  a  person  into  this  our  Order  for  a  less  sum 
than  the  laws  (presented  to  them  with  this  dispensation  by  the  said  Beneficent  Duke  of 
Sussex  Lodge)  express,  so  that  the  lodge  and  Order  may  be  kept  truly  respectable ;  that 
they  do  not  open  any  other  lodge  of  this  Order  without  the  consent  of  the  aforesaid  Grand 
Lodge  ;  and  that  they  do  appoint  officers  in  the  said  lodge  to  execute  these  presents.  It 
is  agreed  that  the  officers  and  brothers  of  the  Columbia  Lodge  shall  not  deviate  from  the 
principles  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  and  that  should  any  dispute  arise,  so  as  to  cause  a  matter  in 
question  in  said  Columbia  Lodge,  which  they  cannot  conveniently  settle,  they  shall  refer  the 
same  to  a  Committee  of  Past  Grands  to  settle  and  do  justice  to  the  parties  concerned  in  the 
said  matter  in  question;  and  that  the  officers  and  brothers  of  the  said  Columbia  Lodge 
shall  comply  with  this  dispensation  and  these  presents,  and  observe  and  conform  themselves 
strictly  to  the  laws  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  according  to  the  purport, 
principle,  true  intent,  and  meaning  thereof.  It  is  also  agreed  that  the  brothers  of  the  said 
Columbia  Lodge,  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  Liverpool  district  Grand  Lodge  (hereby 
given),  shall  elect,  appoint,  and  authorize  (from  time  to  time),  fit  and  proper  persons  as 
officers,  to  put  in  execution  and  to  enforce  a  due  observance  (as  aforesaid)  of  the  laws  and 
regulations  of  the  Independent  Order ;  and  should  they  (the  brothers  of  the  said  Columbia 
Lodge)  hereafter  wish  to  remove  the  lodge,  they  shall  show  sufficient  cause  for  such  removal. 
Lastly,  it  is  agreed  that  if  at  any  time  hereafter  it  should  happen  that  the  said  Columbia 
Lodge  should  be  destroyed  by  fire  or  otherwise,  the  said  Beneficent  Duke  of  Sussex  Lodge, 
or  any  other  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order,  shall  relieve  their  distress,  in  case  of  necessity. 

Granted  the  fourteenth  day  of  November,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty-two, 
by  the  parties  concerned  in  these  presents,  who  have  hereunto  subscribed  their  names  and 
afilxed  the  seal  of  the  Liverpool  District  as  witness :  — 

JOHN  WILLIAMSON,  P.G.M.         JOHN  DODGSON,  N.G. 

T.  C.  STANISTREET,  P.G.M.  ROBERT  BULMER,  V.G. 

JAMES  CLARKE,  G.M.  JOHN  ACKERS,  S. 

WILL.  RENSHAW,  P.G.M.  JOSEPH  WILKINSON,  P.V.G. 

JOHN  EVANS,  P.D.G.M.  JOSEPH  CONOLLEY,  P.S. 

WM.  SPENCER,  P.G.M.  GEO.  BRADGATE,  C.S. 

WILLIAM  SMITH,  P.G. 

ISAAC  WARBECK,  P.G.,  pr.  procuration  G.  B. 

WILL.  SPENCER,  P.G. 

GEORGE  BRADGATE.  P.G. 

WILL.  RENSHAW,  P.G. 

JOHN  DA  VIES.  P.G. 


228  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

The  dispensation  was  not  received  by  the  lodge  until  late  in  January, 
1823,  having  been  delayed  in  transit.  In  the  meantime,  Columbia  had 
been  removed  from  Brooklyn,  and  located  at  No.  279  Grand  street,  Xew 
York,  near  Eldridge  street,  at  the  "Eclipse  and  Sir  Henry,"  kept  by 
Brother  James  Lovett. 

On  receipt  of  the  dispensation,  the  lodge  filled  the  blank  with  No.  1, 
and  as  such  claimed  to  possess  superintending  powers  over  the  other 
lodges  in  New  York,  being  the  first  lodge  to  have  received  an  English 
dispensation  in  this  country,  as  the  brothers  believed. 

Grand  Master  Morris  and  his  friends  in  Franklin  Lodge  withdrew 
from  the  Order  and  further  contest,  believing  that  the  warrant  from  Eng- 
land conferred  superior  powers  on  Columbia  Lodge,  which  would  bring 
them  into  unpleasant  relations  with  that  lodge.  He  did  not  return  to  the 
Order  until  February  25,  1846,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York 
authorized  Howard  Lodge,  No.  60,  to  receive  him  as  an  Ancient  Odd 
Fellow.  In  1847  he  withdrew  from  No.  60,  and  was  one  of  the  peti- 
tioners for  Orion  Lodge,  No.  278,  and  held  membership  therein  until  the 
lodge,  subsequently,  surrendered  its  charter.  He  was  born  in  New  York 
City  October  10, 1801,  and  died  there  July  6, 1864. 

Franklin  Lodge  continued  the  contest  for  supremacy  with  Columbia 
Lodge,  and  denied  the  right  of  No.  4,  to  outrank  No.  2  or  to  exercise  any 
authority  or  direction  over  them.  Franklin  Lodge  had  removed  from 
Mahany's,  in  Nassau  street,  to  the  house  of  Brother  John  Grover,  No.  147 
(now  No.  159)  Grand  street.  The  two  lodges  meeting  in  close  proximity 
in  the  same  street,  their  hostility  and  rivalry  toward  each  other  were 
bitter  in  the  extreme.  Benjamin  Downing  was  noble  grand  of  Franklin 
Lodge,  and  Bussell  Watts  was  noble  grand  of  Columbia  Lodge,  —  the 
former  claiming  seniority  by  date  of  institution,  and  the  latter  by  charter. 
Brother  Downing  was  the  only  member  of  No.  2,  who  acquiesced  in  the 
decision  of  the  validity  of  the  English  dispensation  held  by  Columbia 
Lodge.  Benjamin  Downing  was  born  in  Stamford,  Connecticut,  March 
10, 1784.  He  afl&liated  with  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  2,  in  1821,  having  been 
initiated  into  the  Ancient  Order  in  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  at  Harwich, 
England,  January  10, 1808,  while  on  a  visit. 

Thomas  Wildey  and  Subsequent  Events.  —  Thomas  Wildey  was  initiated 
in  Lodge  No.  17,  under  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  London 
Union  Odd  Fellows,  duiing  the  year  1804,  in  London.  Three  years  later 
he  was  instrumental  in  the  institution  of  Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  38,  and 
was  its  first  noble  grand.  The  society  of  Odd  Fellows  with  which  he  was 
connected  was  one  of  the  many  independent  organizations  that  united  in 
forming  the  Manchester  Unity  of  Odd  Fellows  in  1809,  the  origin  of  the 
present  Unity  in  England. 

He  left  England  July  30, 1817,  and  arrived  in  Baltimore  September  2nd, 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JUBI3DICTI0N8,  229 

following.  He  and  John  Welch,  John  Duncan,  John  Cheatham,  and 
Bichard  Bushworth  opened  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Baltimore,  April 
26, 1819,  by  self-institution,  —  the  first  of  what  is  now  recognized  as  the 
IndependerU  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  the  following  year  the  lodge 
obtained  a  charter  from  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  at  Preston,  Lancaster, 
England,  dated  February  1, 1820,  but  not  received  until  October  23, 1820, 
which  gave  it  a  sort  of  legal  standing  that  it  did  not  hare  as  a  self-insti- 
tuted lodge. 

An  application  had  been  made  previously  to  the  Abercrombie  Grand 
Lodge  of  Manchester  for  a  dispensation,  which  was  issued  January  7, 1820, 
but  it  never  reached  the  lodge. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States  having  been 
organized,  at  its  session  of  February  22, 1822,  it  was 


"  Ordered,  That  letters  be  written  to  New  York  and  Boston,  and  every  endeavor  be  made 
to  open  a  correspondence  with  the  same.' 


91 


Grand  Master  Wildey,  on  his  way  to  Boston  to  institute  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  arrived  in  New  York  June  4, 1823,  and  invited  a 
general  meeting  to  hear  his  plan  for  a  national  organization.  The  meet- 
ing was  held  in  the  room  of  Franklin  Lodge,  at  Ko.  147  Grand  street. 
Grand  Master  Wildey  was  obliged  to  preside,  as  neither  party  would 
remain  in  the  room  if  a  member  of  the  opposite  lodge  should  occupy  the 
chair.  He  briefly  explained  his  plan  for  state  Grand  Lodges  and  a  repre- 
sentative general  Grand  Lodge.  He  offered  the  charter  procured  by 
Washington  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Maryland,  from  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  of 
Preston,  England,  sanctioned  by  the  Manchester  Unity  and  the  Lord 
Abercrombie  Grand  Lodge,  as  the  instrument  under  which  to  concentrate 
the  Order  in  the  United  States.  The  question  was  immediately  raised, 
whether  the  dispensation  Columbia  Lodge  had  received  from  the  Loyal 
Beneficent  Duke  of  Sussex  Lodge,  No.  2,  of  Liverpool  district,  was  a  valid 
instrument.  This  Grand  Master  Wildey  was  mutually  required  to  deter- 
mine before  either  side  was  willing  to  learn  his  plan.  On  perusal  of  the 
dispensation  he  found  it  to  be  a  better  document  than  that  received  by 
Washington  Lodge  from  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  Preston ;  and  that  it 
had  received  the  sanction  of  the  district  Grand  Lodge,  which  the  other  had 
not.  Hence  he  ignored  the  Franklin  Lodge  claim  of  seniority,  and  recog- 
nized the  validity  of  Columbia  Lodge's  dispensation.  Had  he  known  that 
the  Philanthropic  Grand  Lodge  of  Liverpool  district,  including  the  Duke 
of  Sussex  Lodge,  had  been  expelled  by  the  Grand  Annual  Committee  of 
the  Manchester  Unity  on  the  19th  of  May,  preceding  the  issue  of  Colum- 
bia Lodgers  dispensation,  he  probably  would  have  decided  otherwise.  On 
the  contrary,  an  adverse  decision  would  have  provoked  a  conflict  that 
would  have  raised  two  rival  standards  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  the  defeat 


230  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  his  sckeme.  The  Duke  of  York  Lodge's  dispensation,  assuming  to  con- 
fer the  power  on  the  authorities  in  Maryland,  to  grant  a  warrant  or  dis- 
pensation to  a  number  of  lodges  in  any  state  of  the  Union,  was  submitted 
for  confirmation ;  the  decision  of  the  committee  of  the  Manchester  district, 
January  7, 1821,  and  that  of  the  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  Salford, 
June  25,  1821,  were  conflictiifg  in  their  views  of  the  law. 

In  recognizing  Columbia  Lodge's  dispensation  legal,  Brother  Wildey 
resolved  to  induce  the  lodge  to  surrender  to  him  the  English  dispensation, 
and  succeeded  by  granting  in  return  a  free  warrant  for  Columbia  Lodge, 
No.  1,  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States. 

The  correspondence  which  took  place  during  the  pendency  of  the  appli- 
cation is  important,  as  showing  how  perfectly  one  portion  of  the  Order  was 
destitute  of  all  knowledge  of  the  condition  of  the  rest.  The  same  designs 
for  accomplishing  the  extension  of  the  beneficence  of  the  Order  as  devised 
by  John  P.  Entwisle  in  Baltimore, — the  same  ambition  for  realizing  these 
plans  throughout  the  country  as  exhibited  by  Thomas  Wildey,  —  were  at 
the  precise  time  absorbing  the  soul,  genius,  and  devoted  services  of  George 
P.  Morris,  in  New  York.  This,  too,  without  Morris,  Wildey,  or  Entwisle 
having  the  slightest  knowledge  of  one  another's  designs  or  purposes. 
Indeed,  it  may  be  conceded  that  Morris  was  not  aware  of  their  existence, 
nor  they  of  his. 

The  Grand  Lodge  Charter.  —  The  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge  was  duly 
received,  June  24,  1823.  The  past  grands  convened  at  Brother  James 
Lovett's,  No.  279  Grand  street.  Grand  Master  Wildey  presiding.  There 
were  present,  Past  Grands  John  B.  Robinson,  James  Simister,  James 
Claridge,  John  Grant,  and  Russell  Watts. 

Having  read  the  following  dispensation  in  the  hearing  of  the  past 
grands,  he  duly  obligated  them  and  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge,  with  John 
B.  Robinson,  Most  Worthy  Grand  Master :  — 

ORDER  OF  INDEPENDENT  ODD  FELLOWS. 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern :  — 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States,  hy  authority  of  a  grand  charter, 
granted  hy  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  held  in  the  horough  of  Preston,  County  Palatine,  of 
Lancaster,  England, 

Doth  herehy  grant  this  grand  charter  to  five  past  grands  of  the  Order  of  Independent 
Odd  Fellows,  residing  in  the  state  of  New  York,  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  for  the  said  state, 
for  the  encouragement  and  support  of  brothers  of  the  said  Order,  when  on  travel  or  other- 
wise. And  the  said  Grand  Lodge,  being  duly  formed,  is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered 
to  grant  warrants  or  dispensations,  to  true  and  faithful  brothers,  to  open  lodges  according 
to  the  laws  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  to  administer  to  the  past  grands  all  the  privileges  and 
benefits  appertaining  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  enact  by-laws  for  the  government  of  their 
lodge.  Provided,  always,  that  the  said  Grand  Lodge  do  act  according  to  the  order,  and  in 
conjunction  with  and  obedience  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  adhering  to  and 
supporting  the  constitution  thereof. 

In  default  thereof  this  charter  may  be  suspended  or  taken  away,  at  the  decision  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 


TBE  OBAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS. 


231 


And  farther,  the  Grand  Lodge  (in  consideration  of  the  due  performance  of  the  above), 

do  bind  themselves  to  repair  all  damages  or  destruction  of  the  charter,  whether  by  fire  or 

other  accident;  provided  proof  be  given  that  there  is  no  illegal  concealment  or  wilful 

destruction  of  the  same. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  displayed  the  colors  of  our  Order, 

and  subscribed  our  names  and  affixed  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge 

of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States,  this  fourth  day  of  June,  a.d. 

one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty-three. 

PAST  GRAKD8. 

THOMAS  WILDEY,  G.M.  DUNCAN  McCORMACK. 

JOHN  WELCH,  D.Q.M.  JAMES  LEED. 

THOMAS  MITCHELL,  G.W. 
JOHN  PAWSON  ENTWISLE,  G,8. 
JOHN  BOYD,  G.G. 
WILUAM  LABKAM,G.G. 


0   ■=-•  F 


Is  '.n » 


JOHN  NELSON. 
WILLIAM  TONQ. 
THOS.  SCOTCHBURN. 
WILUAM  WILLIAMS. 
WILLIAM  ANSTICE. 


P  r  M  K 


BVJiP 


Friendship  Lodge  of  Independent  Odd  Fellows  was 
self-instituted  at  Pleasant  Valley,  Dutchess  county, 
New  York,  but  no  date  is  furnished.  This  was  the 
.first  lodge  to  unite  with  Columbia,  under  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  New  York,  by  formal  application. 
On  motion,  —  in  December,  1825,  —  it  was 

"  Resolved t  That  a  charter  and  degpree  books  be  granted  to  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  2, 
to  be  held  in  Pleasant  VaUey,  Dutchess  county.  New  York." 

Hope  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  chartered  April  24, 1826,  to  be  located  in  Albany. 

Strangers'  Refuge  Lodge  was  chartered  November  24, 1826,  as  No.  4, 
but  was  not  opened  until  a  later  date.  The  applicants  were  English 
members  from  lodges  in  and  near  Manchester,  and  did  not  find  Columbia 
Lodge  working  on  the  same  principles  as  the  English  lodges ;  hence  their 
application  for  a  dispensation.  When  they  received  their  charter,  they 
discovered  the  lodge  was  placed  under  restrictions  that  were  very  unsatis- 
factory to  the  members.  They  deemed  the  charges  for  the  degrees,  in 
addition  to  the  initiation  fee,  an  imposition.  They  opposed  the  past 
grands'  "  adjoining  fee  "  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  collection  by  that 
body  of  ten  per  centum  of  their  receipts.  The  Grand  Lodge,  in  fact,  was 
termed  an  innovation  on  the  Movable  Committee  as  established  by  the 
Manchester  Unity.  April  10,  1827,  they  made  a  formal  complaint  to 
Grand  Master  Wildey,  and  received  for  reply:  — 

"  That  communications  from  lodges  in  a  state  where  a  Qrand  Lodge  exists  will  not  be 
entertained  by  the  authorities  at  Baltimore.  All  they  have  to  do  is  to  obey  their  Grand 
Lodge,  be  subservient  to  its  laws,  and  to  examine  a  little  more  carefully  the  structure  of 
American  Odd  Fellowship,  and  they  will  soon  learn  that  we  are  of  the  same  stamp  as  the 
lodges  they  have  lately  left.  The  language  of  their  complaint  would  jeopardize  the  charter 
of  any  lodge." 

Not  being  satisfied  with  the  result,  they  appealed  to  Mark  Wardle^ 
Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Manchester  Unity,  in  England,  with  no 
more  success.    He  advised  that,  — 


232  THE  THBEE'LINK  FBATEBNXTT. 

**  Those  who  founded  and  oondncted  the  Order  in  America  are  perhaps  as  much  attached 
to  their  gpstem  as  we  are  to  ours,  and  that  hastj  and  premature  interference  is  not  the  way 
to  reformation.  Yon  are  requested  to  obey  the  laws  of  the  Order  as  yon  find  them  in  the 
country  you  have  adopted." 

Under  date  of  Jtrne  29, 1827,  similar  complaints  were  made  by  Friend- 
ship Lodge,  of  Pleasant  Valley.  They  regarded  the  "  Independent "  title 
as  a  misnomer.  To  be  independent,  they  should  exist  without  being 
tributary  to  any  lodge.  They  understood  the  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
to  be  such  as  had  been  given  to  every  lodge  in  Europe,  which  allowed  any 
lodge  with  a  dispensation  to  open  lodges.  They  claimed  that  the  assump- 
tion of  any  other  power  or  authority  was  unconstitutional,  and  inconsistent 
with  the  spirit  of  the  institution. 

The  response  to  Friendship  Lodge  was  similar  to  that  made  to 
Strangers'  Refuge  Lodge,  with  like  explanations  and  suggestions:  — 

"  "When  you  have  complaint  to  make,  or  dissensions  to  adjust,  or  need  information,  you 
will  address  your  grievance  to  your  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  has 
no  direct  connection  with  a  lodge  while  under  the  jurisdiction  of  a  state  Grand  Lodge.'' 

Strangers'  Eefuge  Lodge  became  so  dissatisfied,  ultimately,  in  regard  to 
the  mode  of  being  governed,  that  they  renounced  both  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  state  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  permitted  the 
offices  to  be  filled  by  men  who  declared  they  would  not  support  a  Grand 
Lodge  of  any  description,  in  which  they  were  sustained  by  a  unanimous 
vote  of  the  lodge ;  for  which  action  the  lodge  was  suspended  from  fellow- 
ship August  22, 1827. 

In  September,  1827,  Past  Grand  Russell  Watts  and  others  applied  for 
a  charter  for  a  lodge,  to  be  located  in  Albany,  assuming  the  title  of  Friend- 
ship Lodge,  No.  4.  As  this  was  using  the  name  of  one  lodge  and  the 
number  of  another,  both  in  existence,  the  Grand  Lodge  decided :  **  That 
no  two  lodges  in  this  jurisdiction  shall  be  of  the  same  name  or  number." 
The  lodge  was  opened  November  7, 1827,  as  Philanthropic,  No.  5. 

Strangers'  Refuge  Lodge  having  answered  the  Grand  Lodge,  through 
its  committee,  that  they  would  neither  acknowledge  the  authority  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  nor  support  the  existing  government  of  the 
Order  in  the  United  States,  was  expelled  from  all  the  rights  and  privi- 
leges of  the  Order  throughout  the  world  December  16,  1827, — the 
expulsion  to  extend  to  all  the  members  of  the  lodge  suspended  August  22, 
1827.  This  action  was  approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  January  15, 1828,  and  published  in  the  principal  papers  in  Balti- 
more, Philadelphia,  New  York,  Albany,  Boston,  and  Washington  City. 

While  under  expulsion,  this  lodge  assumed  the  powers  and  preroga- 
tives of  a  Grand  Lodge,  and  issued  a  dispensation  for,  and  opened,  Benevo- 
lent Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Paterson,  New  Jersey.  Subsequently  Strangers' 
Refuge  applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  for  reinstatement. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS,  288 

under  a  promise  to  be  obedient  to  its  authority,  and  strictly  conform  to 
the  usages  and  regulations  of  the  Order.  May  4, 1829,  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States  authorized  and  empowered  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
York  to  reinstate  the  lodge  on  such  terms  as  it  deemed  expedient,  refimd- 
ing  the  fee  for  opening  Benevolent  Lodge,  in  Paterson,  in  violation  of  law. 

The  Rise  and  Settlement  of  the  Hew  York  Question.  —  At  the  annual  ses- 
sion of  the  Grand  Lodge,  held  August  15, 1828,  Eussell  Watts  was  elected 
and  installed  Grand  Master.  This  was  the  last  session  it  held  in  New 
York  City. 

In  the  journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  May  4, 1829, 
is  found  the  first  and  only  reference  to  this  subject. 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  was  remoyed  from  the  city  of  New  York  to  Albany, 
during  the  previous  year.  No  authority  or  sanction  on  the  part  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  favorable  to  this  act,  appears  on  record." 

What  led  to  the  removal  is  left  solely  to  inference.  No  indication  of 
such  intent  appears  in  the  proceedings  of  the  session  of  August  15, 1828. 
Brother  Russell  Watts  was  elected  and  installed  Grand  Master  at  that 
session.  Whether  the  institution  of  Hope  Lodge,  Ko.  3,  and  Philan- 
thropic Lodge,  No.  6,  was  the  condition  precedent  to  the  precipitate 
movement  on  the  part  of  Grand  Master  Watts,  is  only  a  deduction  from 
premises.  That  he  did  it  without  warrant  of  authority,  or  consent  of 
those  who  elected  him,  is  manifest. 

In  June,  1829,  the  Movable  Committee  (Grand  Sire  Wildey,  and  Past 
Grand  Master  Thomas  Small,  of  Pennsylvania),  visited  New  York,  and 
found  the  Order  inactive,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  removed  to  Albany. 
Eepairing  to  that  city,  the  Grand  Sire  was  favorably  impressed  with  the 
apparent  advantage  the  Order  gained  by  the  removal.  He  promised  to  give 
them  a  new  charter,  locating  the  Grand  Lodge  in  Albany.  On  his  return  to 
New  York  he  called  for  the  charter  of  1823,  which  he  destroyed  in  the 
presence  of  its  custodians,  saying :  "  He  had  tried  them  for  six  years,  and 
found  they  were  not  fit  to  work  a  Grand  Lodge."  In  this  act  he  exceeded 
his  powers.  He  should  have  reclaimed  the  charter,  if  the  necessity  for 
such  a  proceeding  existed,  and,  on  returning  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  reported  accordingly ;  no  doubt  it  would  have  been  recalled 
by  vote,  a  new  charter  issued  locating  the  Grand  Lodge  in  Albany,  and  his 
motives  approved.  Had  this  course  been  taken,  the  discordant  acts  of 
1836  would  probably  have  been  averted,  that  led  to  the  occurrences  of 
1848-49,  resulting  in  a  division  of  the  state  into  two  jurisdictions,  which 
was  maintained  for  seventeen  years. 

As  there  were  not  five  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  available  in 
Albany  to  form  a  quorum,  immediately  on  his  return  to  that  city,  where 
he  resided.  Grand  Master  Watts  constituted  a  committee  of  himself  and 
two  members,  who  admitted  six  local  past  grands  to  membership  in  the 


234  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

Grand  Lodge,  without  consulting  that  body.  With  these,  the  first  meet- 
ing was  held  in  Albany,  September  19,  1828,  but  no  reference  to  the  sub- 
ject of  removal  was  made  in  the  proceedings.  At  the  third  monthly 
meeting  the  seats  of  all  non-resident  officers  were  declared  vacant,  and 
filled  by  Albany  past  grands.  Their  succeeding  transactions  presented  a 
remarkable  and  disreputable  contention  for  offices.  During  1829  three 
formal  elections  were  held  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  as  many  different 
candidates  elected  Grand  Master,  and  to  other  offices,  each  claiming  the 
respective  positions  by  warrant  of  such  elections.  The  subordinate  lodges 
received  little  or  no  attention,  and  their  neglected  condition  became  so  un- 
satisfactory that,  at  the  session  of  June  4, 1830,  Lodges  Nos.  3,  5,  and  7, 
of  Albany,  surrendered  their  charters,  and  were  consolidated  into  one  lodge, 
receiving  a  free  charter  as  Union  Lodge,  No.  8.  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  2, 
of  Dutchess  county,  also  surrendered,  for  like  reasons.  Of  the  eleven 
sessions  provided  by  law,  to  be  held  from  August,  1830,  to  August,  1831, 
through  apathy  or  discord,  only  one  was  attended  by  a  quorum,  two  held 
by  four  members,  one  by  three,  and  the. remaining  seven  failed  to  organ- 
ize, there  being  no  quorum.  Such  is  the  history  of  the  lamentable  situ- 
ation of  the  Grand  Lodge  furnished  by  its  own  records ;  and  very  little 
information  can  be  obtained  from  the  same  source  as  to  the  condition 
of  the  lodges  under  its  control.  William  L.  Osborn,  of  Albany  City 
Philanthropic  Lodge,  No.  5,  was  elected  and  installed  Grand  Master, 
August  7, 1829. 

The  membership  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  from  its  organiza- 
tion, in  1823,  to  the  time  now  under  consideration,  appears  to  have  been, 
generally,  illy  qualified  to  conduct  the  functions  of  such  a  body,  designed 
to  govern  lodges,  grant  charters,  or  revoke  them  for  cause,  hear  appeals, 
redress  grievances,  and  to  legislate  for  the  successful  operations  of  the 
Order  within  its  charge.  The  minutes  show  a  remarkable  inefficiency  as 
a  legislative  body,  and  incompetency  was  apparent  among  the  leaders. 
The  Order  was  composed,  mainly,  of  English  and  Scotch  operatives  and 
tavern-keepers, — plain,  honest,  uneducated,  and  unpretending  men,  who 
were  better  fitted  to  follow  the  lead  of  capable  rulers  than  to  govern  and 
guide. 

Grand  Sire  Wildey,  in  his  report  relative  to  his  official  visit  to  Albany 
in  June,  1833,  says :  — 


« 


It  was  with  much  regret,  indeed,  that  I  witnessed  the  lukewarroness  which  seems  to  per- 
vade the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York.  Had  not  my  greatest  exertions  been  used  in  assembling 
the  members  of  that  body,  as  your  Grand  Sire,  I  would  have  been  compelled  to  leave  the  seat 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  without  having  been  welcomed  to  their  city  by  them.  I 
am  sorry  to  make  such  a  statement,  but  duty  to  the  Order  compels  me ;  aud  such  is  the 
state  of  affairs  in  the  once  flourishing  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  —  the  very  cradle  of  Odd 
Fellowship.  By  an  inertness  of  the  governing  powers  it  is  suffering  the  Order  to  become 
paralyzed." 


THE  QRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  235 

Evidently  the  Grand  Sire  was  not  as  well  pleased  with  the  Grand  Lodge 
in  Albany  in  1833  as  he  was  on  his  visit  there  in  1829.  On  this  report 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  expressed  its  regret  that  the  Order 
in  New  York  was  not  in  the  flourishing  condition  hoped  for,  and  recom- 
mended the  Grand  Sire  have  a  particidar  care  for  the  interests  of  the 
Order  in  that  jurisdiction  during  the  current  year,  and  report  necessary 
measures,  in  relation  thereto,  at  the  next  session. 

At  an  adjourned  session  in  1833,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  August  16, 1834,  Past  Grand  John 
F.  Ingold,  of  No.  13,  was  seated  as  the  regular  representative  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  —  this  being  the  first  session  at  which  it  was 
not  represented  by  a  proxy  from 'another  jurisdiction. 

At  the  annual  session  of  1834,  Past  Grand  Charles  Mowatt  was 
accredited  as  the  representative  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York. 
During  the  session  he  was  elected  Grand  Treasurer,  but  was  not  installed 
until  1835.  Past  Grand  Master  Daniel  P.  Marshall,  of  New  York,  was 
elected  Deputy  Grand  Sire  in  1834.  Failing  to  receive  notice  of  his  elec- 
tion, and  hence  defaulting  in  his  acceptance,  or  appearance  for  installation, 
the  ofl&ce  was  filled  by  a  new  election  in  1835. 

In  1834  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  was  authorized  to  open  a  ses- 
sion of  said  body  in  the  city  of  New  York,  to  admit  qualified  past  grands 
of  the  city  lodges  as  members,  and  several  availed  themselves  of  the  oppor- 
tunity at  a  special  meeting  held  July  3, 1835. 

In  1835  the  committee  of  correspondence  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  was  directed  to  address  a  congratulatory  letter  to  the  officers 
and  brethren  of  the  Manchester  Unity,  England,  on  behalf  of  the  said 
Grand  Lodge  and  Odd  Fellowship  in  America,  upon  the  state  of  the  Order 
in  this  country,  including  other  subjects  relating  to  its  interests.  (In  the 
light  of  subsequent  events,  and  the  wonderful  story  in  reply,  this  was  sig- 
nificant) Referring  to  the  reform  measures,  adopted  from  time  to  time, 
the  committee,  among  other  things,  said :  — 

"  Among  the  first  of  the  improvements  in  the  Order  in  America,  required  by  duty  and  a 
decent  respect  for  the  opinions  of  mankind,  was  the  abolition  of  all  social  and  convivial 
practices  at  lodge  meetings ;  since  when  it  has  riveted  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  virtuous 
of  all  classes,  and  augmented  our  numbers  almost  incredibly.  As  uniformity  and  harmony 
in  the  work  of  the  Order  throughout  the  globe  are  so  obviously  essential  to  the  universality 
of  Odd  FeUowship,  we  are  confident  that  in  so  important  a  matter  as  any  alteration  in  the 
work,  no  definite  action  will  ever  be  taken  by  the  brethren  in  England  without  our  knowl- 
edge and  assent.  We  are  charged  to  solicit  from  you  a  detailed  historical  account  of  the 
origin,  rise,  and  progress  of  the  Order ;  and  this  part  of  our  charge  we  desire  complied  with 
literally  and  promptly.  No  matter  how  humble  or  obscure  may  have  been  its  beginning,  — 
no  matter  for  what  purpose  instituted,  — let  us  have  the  period  and  circumstances  of  its  ori- 
gin, that  it  may  be  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  Order  in  America.  We  are  neither 
ashamed  nor  unwilling  to  expose  to  the  public  gaze  what  we  have  been,  since  we  are  pre- 
pared to  exhibit  what  we  are ;  and  thus,  by  instituting  the  comparison,  claim  the  rank  among 
the  benefactors  of  mankind  to  which  our  works  justly  entitle  us." 


236  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

This  was  signed  by  Eepresentatives  James  L.  Ridgely,  of  Maryland ; 
Charles  Mowatt,  of  New  York ;  Howell  Hopkins,  of  Pennsylvania ;  and 
Thomas  Wildey,  Past  Grand  Sire.  The  response  to  the  request  for  the 
"  origin  "  may  be  found  on  pages  46  and  47,  and  is  mentioned  by  several 
other  writers  in  this  work. 

By  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  1835,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  was  permitted  to  hold  its  meetings  in  the  cities 
of  Albany  or  New  York  during  the  pleasure  of  tjiis  grant. 

Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  visited  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  in 
annual  session,  in  Albany  August  6,  7,  1835,  installed  the  officers-elect, 
and  was  well  pleased  with  his  reception.  He  reported  in  October,  1835, 
to  the  Grand  Sire  that  the  brethren  in  *  New  York  were  conforming  in 
every  particular  to  the  general  usages  of  the  Order ;  that  harmony  and 
prosperity  existed,  presenting  a  very  flattering  prospect,  the  members 
guaranteeing  a  much  greater  increase.  This  was  not  essentially  true; 
for  the  members  in  the  Grand  Lodge  were  ill  at  ease,  while  in  the  lodges 
they  were  greatly  at  unrest.  Confidence  and  sincerity  were  waning  in 
the  former,  and  the  turbulent  spirit  of  opposition  and  defiance  was  mani- 
fest in  the  latter.  Tompkins  Lodge,  No.  9,  had  been  suspended  for 
refusing  to  make  quarterly  returns  and  pay  the  percentage  due  the  Grand 
Lodge ;  while  Strangers'  Refuge  Lodge,  No.  4,  under  the  tutorage  of  the 
elder  members,  declining  to  make  returns  or  pay  the  dues  thereon,  con- 
tinued to  confer  degrees  at  a  nominal  charge,  kept  its  records  and 
accounts  irregularly  and  unsatisfactorily,  and  set  the  authority  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  at  defiance.  No.  9  was  suspended,  and  No.  4  expelled  from 
all  the  privileges  of  the  Order.  Nos.  5,  and  6,  made  no  returns ;  No.  12, 
incorrect  return.  No.  10  made  no  return,  but  paid  its  percentage. 
It  was  ordered  that  the  quarterly  password  be  withheld  from  lodges  not 
making  regular  returns  and  paying  all  arrearages.  All  these  acts  trans- 
pired in  the  presence  of  the  Past  Grand  Sire,  and  certainly  they  were  not 
in  accord  with  his  report  of  the  harmony  and  prosperity  existing  in  New 
York.  Tompkins,  No.  9,  made  application  for  a  renewal  of  its  charter, 
which  was  not  granted.  An  extra  meeting  was  held  September  11, 1835,  to 
receive  and  act  upon  reports  and  documents  submitted,  with  the  petition  of 
twenty-five  of  the  former  members  of  Strangers'  Refuge  Lodge,  who  were 
in  no  way  connected  with  the  early  grievances  or  the  later  unlawful  acts 
of  the  lodge,  for  a  charter  for  Perseverance  Lodge,  No.  17.  This  appli- 
cation was  earnestly  and  respectfully  indorsed  by  thirty-seven  Grand 
Lodge  members,  representing  several  of  the  lodges  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  solicitous  for  the  readmission  to  membership  of  those  who  were 
worthy,  whose  conduct  in  life  was  irreproachable  and  standing  in  society 
respectable,  whose  individual  conduct  as  members  of  the  Order  was  in  no 
wise  reprehensible.  »  The  charter  was  accordingly  granted. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  237 

At  the  quarterly  meeting,  held  February  5, 1836,  a  new  form  of  con- 
stitution was  submitted  as  a  substitute  for  the  existing  code.  At  the 
annual  session,  August  6^  1836,  this  proposed  constitution  was  considered, 
when  all  provisions  therein  referring  to  encampments  were  eliminated 
from  the  instrument,  thus  severing  all  control  and  supervision  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  over  that  branch  of  the  Order.  It,  also,  provided  that  "  all 
sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  be  held  in  the  city  of  New  York." 
This  was  a  substitute  for  "  city  of  Albany,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by 
the  Grand  Lodge."  As  amended,  the  constitution  was  adopted  as  a 
whole,  on  call  of  yeas  and  nays,  twenty-seven  in  the  affirmative  and  eight 
in  the  negative,  the  latter  being  the  Albany  vote.  Grand  Master  Liese 
declared  it  finally  adopted  and  in  force.  Past  Grand  Kennedy  offered 
the  motion,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourn  at  once,  to  meet  in  New  York 
on  the  24th,  which  was  "  concurred  in." 

On  the  first  day  of  the  session,  and  prior  to  the  adoption  of  the  new 
constitution,  August  20th,  the  officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year, 
all  resident  members  of  Albany. 

At  the  first  session  in  New  York,  August  24, 1836,  the  questions  were 
raised  by  Past  Grand  Kennedy,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  had,  on  the  6th  of 
August,  elected  a  brother  as  Grand  Master  who  had  not  been  nominated 
at  a  previous  meeting,  as  required  by  the  constitution  then  in  force,  and 
when  a  regularly  nominated  candidate  was  before  the  Grand  Lodge ;  that 
the  brothers  elected  as  Grand  Master  and  Deputy  Grand  Master  were  not 
qualified  to  hold  seats  or  visit  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States; 
that  the  installation  of  the  officers-elect  had  not  taken  place  at  the  time 
when  the  constitution,  in  force  during  the  election,  was  repealed  and 
superseded,  and  before  the  present  constitution  went  into  effect.  On  the 
proposed  action,  —  to  declare  the  offices  of  the  Grand  Lodge  vacant,  so 
far  as  regards  the  election  of  the  present  August  5th,  and  said  election 
null  and  void,  —  a  spirited  and  acrimonious  discussion  occurred,  and 
resulted  in  its  concurrence.  New  York  having  a  preponderance  of  votes 
present.  An  election  was  ordered  to  be  held  September  19th,  all  lodges 
in  the  state  to  be  notified. 

At  the  session  of  September  14th,  Past  Grands  Kennedy,  Liese,  and 
Small  were  constituted  a  committee  of  inquiry,  to  report  at  the  November 
session :  (1)  By  what  authority  was  the  grand  charter  of  1828  granted 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  ?  (2)  Had  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  taken  any  action  on  the  subject  of  changing  the  charter  of 
1823  for  that  of  1828  ?  (3)  Is  the  grand  charter  of  1828  a  legal  instru- 
ment ?  (4)  What  disposition  was  finally  made  of  the  charter  of  1823  ? 
(5)  Can  the  original  charter  be  restored  ?  It  will  be  remembered  that  in 
June,  1829,  Grand  Sire  Wildey  demanded  and  destroyed  the  charter  of 
1823,  without  any  authority  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 


238  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Grand  Representative  was  directed  to  bring  to  the  notice  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  the  difficulties  existing  in  this  state  in 
regard  to  the  degrees,  and  the  manner  in  which  brothers  from  England 
conferred  them. 

At  the  session  held  September  26, 1836,  Grand  Master  Liese  was  chosen 
Grand  Representative.  On  the  presentation  of  his  certificate  of  election, 
at  the  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  tlie  United  States,  October 
3,  1836,  it  was  met  by  a  protest,  alleging  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New 
York  adjourned  its  annual  session  without  appointing  a  representative ; 
that  the  assemblage  from  which  Brother  Liese  claimed  his  authority  was 
an  unconstitutional  and  illegal  meeting  of  a  number  of  individuals 
belonging  to  the  Order,  and  not  the  act  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and,  there- 
fore, the  protestants  remonstrated  against  his  being  accredited  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York.  This  was  signed  by  Brothers 
Daniel  P.  Marshall  and  William  L.  Osborn,  committee  from  a  part  of  the 
past  grands  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York.  The  protest  was  presented 
by  Representative  Ridgely,  of  Maryland,  and,  with  the  certificate  of  elec- 
tion, referred  to  a  committee.  This  course  in  regard  to  the  certificate 
was  somewhat  irregular  and  unusual.  The  committee  on  credentials  had 
reported  the  certificate  "  made  out  in  due  form,  and  properly  authenti- 
cated." It  was  customary,  when  a  seat  was  contested,  the  claimant  being 
present  and  eligible,  with  his  certificate  "in  due  form,"  to  admit  him 
to  the  seat  on  organizing,  and  subsequently  pass  upon  the  question  of 
his  right  to  retain  membership.  The  special  committee,  composed  of 
Representatives  Ridgely,  Gettys,  Wolford,  and  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey, 
after  receiving  statements,  testimony,  and  arguments  from  both  sides, 
made  a  lengthy  and  conciliatory  report,  from  which  the  following  is 
quoted,  embodying  its  entire  purport :  — 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York,  having  elected  its  officers  at  its  regular 
annual  meeting,  adjourned  sine  die,  failing  to  qualify  the  brethren  entitled  by  the  suffrage 
of  the  lodge  to  installation.  At  a  subsequent  period  the  late  Grand  Master,  Past  Grand. 
Master  Liese,  convened  the  Grand  Lodge,  opened  it,  and  as  such  they  proceeded  to  adopt  an 
entire  new  constitution ;  the  Grand  Lodge  was  declared  moved  to  the  city  of  New  York ;  and 
this  body  was  to  take  possession  of  the  effects  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  and  assemble 
in  the  city  of  New  York.  Among  other  proceedings,  they  elected  Past  Grand  Master  Liese  their 
representative,  who  presents  his  credentials,  claiming  his  seat  in  this  body  as  the  Grand  Kepre- 
sentative  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York. 
Nothing  can  be  more  obvious  than  that  the  adjournment  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  session  in 
Albany,  sine  (fie,  was  an  adjournment  until  the  next  stated  period  of  meeting  by  the  consti- 
tution ;  and  even  supposing  that  the  emergency  produced  by  the  failure  to  install  the  officers- 
elect  might  have  authorized  the  exercise  of  sound  discretion  in  calling  a  special  meeting  of 
that  body,  its  functions  could  not,  with  any  propriety,  have  extended  beyond  providing  for  the 
emergency,  to  wit,  the  installation  of  the  officers-elect;  and  it  may  well  be  doubted,  even  in 
such  a  view  of  the  power  to  call  a  special  meeting,  whether  the  call  could  properly  originate 
from  an  individual  claiming  to  be  Grand  Master,  and  exercising  the  powers  of  that  office, 
whose  functions  had  expired  by  the  constitutional  limitation ;  but  for  so  important  a  purpose 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  239 

as  the  adoption  of  organic  law  and  fandamental  regulationSi  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  the 
irregularity  of  the  meeting,  and  of  the  consequent  defectiveness  of  all  subsequent  proceed- 
ings."! 

From  these  conclusions,  the  committee  formulated  and  rendered  their 
decision :  — 

'*  That  the  certificate  of  election  of  Past  Grand  Master  Frederick  Liese,  as  a  representa- 
tive to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  does  not, 
in  the  opinion  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  proceed  from  a  constitutional  meeting  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  New  York ;  and  that  Past  Grand  Master  Frederick  Liese  is  not  entitled  to  a  seat 
in  this  body,  as  the  representative  of  the  state  of  New  York." 

The  report  and  resolution  were  adopted  on  a  call  of  the  yeas  and  nays. 

The  antagonistic  nature  of  the  dispute  existing  in  New  York,  no  doubt, 
prevented  the  committee  from  entering  into  the  merits  of  the  unpleasant 
contest,  or  arriving  at  a  correct  understanding  of  the  facts.  They  were 
anxious  to  conciliate  the  strained  feeling  among  the  brethren,  and  adjust 
the  difficulties  to  the  satisfaction  of  both  parties.  Hence  their  views  of 
the  proceedings,  upon  which  their  conclusions  were  based,  were  not  in  con- 
sonance with  the  facts  as  they  occurred. 

The  journal  of  the  annual  session  of  August,  1836,  does  not  represent 
the  Grand  Lodge  as  having  adjourned  sine  die  on  the  6th,  the  second  day 
of  the  session.  On  that  day,  among  other  proceedings,  the  body  decided 
to  consider  the  proposed  constitution,  as  submitted  February  5th,  in  lieu 
of  the  one  adopted  in  1832,  and  "  now  in  force."  Five  articles  were  acted 
upon,  and  "  disposed  of  "  by  amendment  and  adoption.  While  the  provi- 
sion for  charter-fee  and  extra  expenses  "for  openings"  were  under  dis- 
cussion, and,  before  the  debate  was  concluded,  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned, 
—  no  day  or  date  named. 

On  the  20th  of  August  it  was  convened  pursuant  to  the  order  of  the 
Grand  Master,  to  resume  the  business  of  the  annual  session,  and  was 
opened  in  the  usual  manner.  The  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Warden  pres- 
ent,— other  offices  filled  jpro  tempore.  The  remainder  of  the  proposed  arti- 
cles were  amended  and  adopted.  It  was  then,  on  call  of  the  yeas  and  nays, 
resolved  to  strike  out  all  of  the  old  constitution  from  and  after  the  title 
of  the  body,  and  insert  the  articles  offered  February  5th,  and  as  amended 
in  Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Master  announced  the  amended  constitution 
finally  adopted  and  in  force,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adjourned,  to  meet  in 
New  York,  August  24th.  By  a  succession  of  adjournments,  —  to  August 
29th,  September  14th,  21st,  and  29th,  — the  annual  session  was  continued. 

>Th«  report  of  the  committee,  with  the  resolutions,  were  mislaid,  and  could  not  be  found  while  making 
up  the  proceedings  for  the  press,  immediately  after  the  close  of  the  session.  The  chairman  of  the  committee, 
however,  Aimtohed  the  Orand  Secretary  with  a  report  and  resolutions,  varying  in  form,  but  substantially  the 
same  In  import,  with  those  presented  by  the  committee,  which  were  published  in  lUu.  —  Journal,  18S6, 
pp.  ttOy  tfl. 

The  Orand  Secretary  made  an  explanation  as  to  the  report  of  the  committee  presented  at  the  annual 
communication,  in  1686,  on  the  allairs  of  the  Order  in  the  state  of  New  York,  and  was  happy  to  inform  the  Grand 
Lodge  that  he  had  come  into  possession  of  the  original  document,  and  that  it  was  regularly  recorded  as 
originally  reported  by  the  committee.  ^Journal,  1887,  p.  980. 


240    '  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Ou  the  last  date  the  officers-eleet  were  installed,  the  Grand  Representative 
elected,  and  the  session  formally  closed.  In  neither  instance  of  adjourn- 
ment is  sine  die  mentioned  in  the  journal. 

As  to  the  legal  ability  of  a  Grand  Master  to  exercise  the  powers  of  office 
whose  functions  had  expired  by  constitutional  limitation,  the  constitution 
then  in  force,  and  all  others  since,  provide  that  "  All  grand  officers  shall 
be  installed  to  serve  until  the  next  annual  session,  and  the  installation  of 
their  successors."  Such  is  now  the  law  in  every  department  of  the  Order ; 
therefore,  the  Grand  Master  did  not  assume  and  exercise  any  doubtful 
power  in  so  presiding  and  fulfilling  all  the  duties  of  the  office  until  his 
successor  was  installed. 

However,  it  was  commendable  in  the  most  eminent  degree  that  the 
committee  exercised  their  best  efforts,  by  argument,  persuasion,  and  the 
conciliatory  tone  and  expression  of  their  report,  to  bring  about  a  satisfac- 
tory adjustment  of  all  disputes  and  the  settlement  of  any  differences  exist- 
ing in  the  Order  in  New  York,  and  to  restore  harmony  and  prosperity  among 
the  lodges  and  their  members.  In  order  to  manifest  the  absence  of  any 
personal  feeling,  in  refusing  the  claimed  membership  in  the  Grand  body, 
on  the  same  day  of  this  action  Past  Grand  Masters  Liese,  Marshall,  and 
Osborn,  by  vote,  were  invited  to  seats  in  the  Grand  Lodge-room,  to  wit- 
ness the  proceedings  of  the  body;  and  Past  Grand  Master  Liese  was 
elected  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 

A  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Pearce, 
Past  Grand  Sire  Gettys,  and  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  to  examine  into 
the  situation  of  affairs  in  the  state  of  New  York ;  to  make  an  effort  to 
adjust  the  difficulties  existing  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  that  jurisdiction; 
and  to  proceed  forthwith  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  assigned  them, 
if  found  necessaiy. 

November  4, 1836,  past  grands  representing  Lodges  Nos.  5,  8,  12,  and 
16,  assembled  in  Stanwix  Hall,  Albany,  and  held  what  they  termed  a 
"quarterly  meeting"  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  — Past  Grand  Master  Dillon,  Grand  Master,  pro  tempore  ; 
Samuel  T.  Wells,  Deputy  Grand  Master;  Daniel  P.  Marshall,  Grand 
Secretary,  pro  tempore. 

A  committee  appointed  at  a  meeting  of  past  grands,  held  September  6th, 
to  consider  the  circular  issued  from  New  York,  August  29, 1836,  reported :  — 

*'  That  the  annual  session  was  adjourned  on  the  second  day,  previous  to  the  installation 
of  its  oflficers-elect,  and  without  specifying  any  day  for  its  future  meeting;  that  the  Grand 
Master  called  an  extra  meeting  in  Albany,  which  was  considered  by  the  Albany  members  as 
an  illegal  and  unauthorized  meeting,  and  they  refused  to  attend  or  take  part  in  its  proceed- 
ings ;  that  they  passed  a  new  constitution,  seized  upon  the  property  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  clandestinely  removed  the  same  to  the  city  of  New  York,  where  they  organized  what 
they  called  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  the  state  of  New 
York.    This  committee  issued  a  counter  circular,  signed  by  the  officers-elect  under  the  old 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  241 

coDstitQtion,  and  by  several  past  grand  officers  and  past  grands,  for  the  purpose  of  putting 
the  subordinate  lodges  on  their  guard  against  countenancing  the  usurpation  of  the  brethren 
claiming  to  be  the  Grand  Lodge ;  and,  also,  notifying  them  that  the  Grand  Lodge  would  assem- 
ble at  the  quarterly  meeting  in  November,  in  Albany,  when  the  officers-elect  would  be 
installed ;  all  communications  to  be  addressed  to  the  late  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Master- 
elect,  at  Albany.  The  committee  claimed  that  the  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  annual 
meeting,  published  by  the  New  York  party,  had  been  found  to  be  grossly  incorrect,  and  evi- 
dently prepared  to  add  a  coloring  to  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  that  would  give  the 
adoption  of  the  said  new  constitution  at  the  subsequent  meetings  an  appearance  of  correct- 
ness." 

Two  members  of  the  committee  had  attended  the  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  made  a  report  of  the  full  text  of  their 
protest  to  that  body  and  the  action  taken  thereon. 

In  October  the  chairman  of  the  committee  issued  a  circular  of  the  follow- 
ing import: — 

*'  On  behalf  of  a  committee  appointed  at  a  meeting  of  the  past  grands  of  Albany,  I 
addressed  copies  of  the  within  circular,  early  in  September,  to  all  the  lodges  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York.  The  package  intended  for  the  lodges 
in  the  city  of  New  York  accidentally  came  into  the  hands  of  Brother  Past  Grand  Master 
Liese,  who  destroyed  them,  as  he  has  since  informed  me.  Having  understood  that  Brother 
Liese  and  his  associates  are  still  claiming  to  be  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York, 
by  virtue  of  proceedings  adopted  at  the  said  extra  meeting,  I  have,  as  chairman  of  the  above- 
mentioned  committee,  considered  it  my  duty  to  apprise  you,  and  through  you  the  lodge  over 
which  you  preside,  of  the  true  state  of  affairs." 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  proceed  to  New  York  and  demand, 
"of  whom  they  may  be  possessed,"  the  warrant,  book  of  minutes,  seal, 
papers,  etc.,  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  A  draft  of  a  summons  was  submitted 
and  approved,  as  follows :  — 

"  Brother  Frederick  Liese.  —  In  pursuance  of  a  reSblntion  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  its  quarterly  session  November  4,  lS3(i,  you  are 
hereby  summoned  to  attend  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  the  state  of  New  York,  to  be  held  in  Albany  18th  instant,  to  answer 
to  the  said  Grand  Lodge  for  having  by  misrepresentation  obtained  possession  of  the  funds 
and  other  property  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge ;  and,  also,  for  a  gross  assumption  of  the  office  of 
Grand  Master,  and  violation  of  your  obligations  as  an  Odd  Fellow." 

November  18, 1836,  the  committee  were  not  prepared  to  report  in  writ- 
ing the  result  of  their  mission  to  New  York,  and  further  time  was  accorded. 
Past  Grand  Master  Daniel  P.  Marshall  was  elected  representative  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  at  this  meeting. 

November  25th  the  committee  reported  that  Frederick  Liese  admitted 
having  the  funds  received  from  the  late  Grand  Secretary,  and  declared  his 
intention  to  retain  their  possession  until  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  determined  the  legality  of  the  proceedings  of  the  brethren  in  New 
York  City,  claiming  to  be  the  Grand  Lodge ;  whereupon  the  committee 
served  upon  him  the  summons  issued  by  the  Albany  Grand  Master.  The 
committee  made  a  demand,  also,  upon  Brother  John  A.  Kennedy,  who 
replied  that  he  had  no  property  in  his  possession  belonging  to  Albany. 


242  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

They  applied  to  several  lodges  for  their  returns  and  percentage,  and  were 
informed  that  they  recognized  the  body  in  New  York  City  as  the  legitimate 
Grand  Lodge,  and  supported  the  constitution  adopted  August  20,  1836. 
They  visited  Teutonia  Lodge,  which  refused  them  admission. 

As  a  result  of  this  report  the  Albany  Grand  Lodge,  November  25th,  — 

"  Resolved t  That  Frederick  Liese  be  expelled  from  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, and  cut  off  from  all  the  rights,  benefits,  and  privileges  of  the  society.  That  Lodges 
Nos.  1, 10, 11, 14,  and  17,  all  in  the  city  of  New  York,  are  severally  suspended,  and  prohib- 
ited from  the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  lodges  of  the  Order,  and  their  members  interdicted 
all  communication  therewith;  notice  of  such  suspension  to  be  given  to  all  lodges  in  the 
state  of  New  York,  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  states. 
The  Grand  Representative  was  instructed  to  procure  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  a  warrant,  in  lieu  of  the  one  clandestinely  taken  from  the  custody  of  this  Grand  Lodge ; 
the  Grand  Secretary  to  obtain  a  new  seal,  facsimile  of  the  old  one." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Albany  Grand  Lodge,  February  3, 1837,  a  commu- 
nication addressed  to  Daniel  P.  Marshall,  dated  Philadelphia,  January  5, 

1836,  from  John  Pearce,  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  was  read,  inviting  him  to 
meet  the  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  at  an  early 
date,  to  settle  the  difficulties  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  letter  and  Brother 
Marshall's  reply  thereto  were  ordered  on  file,  —  the  purport  of  the  latter 
is  not  intimated. 

The  New  York  Grand  Lodge  held  an  adjourned  meeting  February  17, 

1837,  and  enacted  the  following :  — 

"  Any  members  of  this  Order,  assembled  as  the  Grand  Lodge  other  than  in  this  Grand 
Lodge,  forfeit  all  claims  to  fellowship  in  this  Order,  and  the  subordinate  lodges  to  which  they 
may  be  attached  are  directed  to  expel  any  such,  on  satisfactory  evidence. 

"  Lodges  recognizing  the  authority  of  any  body  purporting  to  be  the  Grand  Lodge,  other 
than  this  Grand  Lodge,  or  refusing  to  expel  a  member  connected  with,  or  who  counsel  and 
support  such  spurious  lodge,  shall  be  expelled. 

"  That  all  imputations  on  the  character  or  conduct  of  Grand  Master  Frederick  Liese,  in 
his  intercourse  with  this  Order,  are  unfounded,  and  have  resulted  from  malevolence  and 
revengeful  feeling,  and  that  the  course  he  has  pursued  is  hereby  approved." 

At  this  session  an  address  was  prepared  and  adopted,  to  be  submitted 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  and  all  Grand  Lodges  through- 
out the  world.  It  was  framed  with  great  care,  reviewing  the  status  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  from  its  chartered  date,  in  1823,  to  the  "present  time,  when 
the  unhappy  state  of  disaffection  existing  makes  it  imperative  on  the 
Grand  Lodge  to  resort  to  this  extraordinary  mode  of  laying  before  the 
Order  at  large  a  full  view  of  the  events  and  circumstances  which  are  con- 
nected with  the  subject."  The  document  being  too  lengthy  for  reproduc- 
tion here,  the  closing  paragraph  and  the  protest  only  will  be  given :  — 

"The  peculiar  position  in  which  this  Grand  Lodge  was  placed  by  the  very  irregular 
mode  of  proceeding  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  at  the  October  session,  1836, 
in  regard  to  this  Grand  Lodge,  has  made  it  necessary  for  it  to  protest  against  the  proceed- 
ings of  that  body,  at  its  next  session,  to  wit :  — 

"  WTiereaSf  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York  did,  on  the  26th  of  September, 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  J[URISDICTI0N8.  243 

1836,  elect  Grand  Master  Frederick  Lieee  the  Grand  Representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States  for  one  year ;  and 

"  Whereas,  The  said  Grand  Representative  presented  to  the  said  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  his  credentials,  duly  authenticated,  together  with  the  returns  and  dues  from 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York,  as  submitted  and  cei*tified  by  the  present  grand 
officers  and  the  renewed  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  and 

**  Whereas,  The  said  returns  and  dues  were  received  and  accepted,  and  the  credentials 
of  the  said  Grand  Representative  not  accepted ;  therefore 

"The  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  doth  hereby  most  respectfully,  but  firmly  and  sol- 
emnly, protest  against  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  not 
admitting  the  Grand  Representative  of  this  Grand  Lodge  to  his  seat  as  a  member  of  that 
body,  to  which  he  had  been  duly  accredited  as  required  by  the  constitution  of  the  Grand 

Lodge  of  the  United  States.  ,,_  ,  ^        ,  ,, 

"Frsdsbick  Libsb,  Orand  Master. 

"  Attest :  Chablbs  McGowan,  Grand  Secretary," 

This  was,  also,  signed  by  fifty-five  past  grands,  representing  Lodges 
Nos.  1,  10, 11, 13, 14,  and  17. 

At  an  adjourned  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
held  May  16,  1837,  it  was  ordered :  — 

"  That  the  Grand  Secretary  deliver  to  the  committee  of  correspondence  all  letters  and 
documents  which  he  has  received  touching  the  interest  of  the  Order  in  New  York,  or  the 
integrity  of  this  body,  whether  addressed  to  him  officially  or  individually,  —  provided,  in 
his  opinion,  he  will  not  be  required  to  violate  any  injunction  of  secrecy  or  rule  of  honor  in 
furnishing  any  letters  addressed  to  him  reflecting  upon  the  integrity  of  this  body." 

The  committee  appointed  October  5, 1836,  reported  May  17, 1837 :  — 

"  After  the  adjournment  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  your  committee  addressed  a  letter  to 
Daniel  P.  Marshall,  of  Albany,  upon  the  subject  of  their  appointment,  requesting  an  inter- 
view with  him  and  others  concerned,  in  the  city  of  New  York.  This  interview  he  declined 
(by  letter  of  January  9, 1837),  alleging  that  his  official  duties  in  this  matter  had  expired, 
and  he  referred  your  committee  to  Jacob  T.  B.  Van  Vechteu,  of  Albany.  With  this  gentle- 
man your  committee  have  had  no  communication. 

''After  having  had  an  extensive  communication  with  the  members  of  the  Order  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  and  having  seen  a  printed  circular  emanating  from  the  members  at  the 
city  of  Albany,  your  committee  have  arrived  at  the  opinion  that  it  is  not  in  their  power  to 
adjust  the  differences,  and  restore  harmony  between  the  members  of  the  city  of  New  York 
and  those  of  the  city  of  Albany. 

"  Your  committee  will  close  this  communication  by  informing  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  that  the  subordinate  lodges  of  the  city  of  New  York  are  prosperous  far 
beyond  any  former  example." 

Representatives  Ridgely,  Pearce,  and  Gettys  were  constituted  a  com- 
mittee to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  forfeiting  the  charter  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  Kew  York.  The  committee  submitted  a 
lengthy  preamble,  setting  forth  the  fact,  among  other  acts,  — 

"That  after  the  body  in  New  York  had  been  declared  an  unconstitutional  Grand 
Lodge,  it  has  declined  and  refused  obedience  to  the  authority  thus  unequivocally  expressed, 
has  protested  by  printed  circulars  against  the  said  determination,  and  has  assumed  to 
ezerdse  the  functions  of  a  state  Grand  Lodge  in  defiance  of  the  decision  of  the  highest 
department  of  Odd  Fellowship  admitted  and  acknowledged  in  the  United  States.  That  the 
body  purporting  to  be  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  at  a  session  held  in  Albany,  did 
decline  and  refuse  to  adhere  in  good  faith  to  the  decision  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 


24-t  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY, 

States,  and  did  hastily  and  unceremoniously  expel  Past  Grand  Master  Liese  from  the  Order, 
and  suspend  the  functions  of  all  the  subordinate  lodges  meeting  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
without  giving  your  committee,  charged  with  the  investigation  and  reconciliation  of  the 
differences,  any  opportunity  to  examine  and  report  the  evidence  to  this  Grand  body  at  an 
adjourned  session,  to  be  held  May  15, 1837,  for  that  purpose,  thus  exhibiting  g^eat  insubordi- 
nation and  open  disobedience  to  the  authority  of  this  body. 

^'Resolved,  That  the  grand  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  in  the  state  of  New  York  is  hereby  forfeited  and  annulled ;  and  the  Grand 
Secretary  is  directed  to  demand  a  surrender  of  the  said  charter,  books,  funds,  and  all  docu- 
ments connected  with  the  Order  in  said  state. 

^'Resolvedy  further.  That  a  committee,  to  consist  of  five  members,  be  appointed,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  repair  to  the  town  of  Poughkeepsie,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  having 
given  at  least  one  month's  notice  to  Brother  Van  Vechten,  of  Albany,  and  Brother  Liese,  of 
New  York,  informing  them  respectively  of  the  purpose  of  said  committee,  by  authority  of 
this  Grand  Lodge,  to  make  an  effort  to  reorganize  the  fraternity  in  that  state,  and  request- 
ing, respectively,  their  attendance  at  Poughkeepsie,  on  a  day  to  be  designated,  and  the 
attendance  of  all  other  past  grands  who  may  feel  an  interest  in  the  subject;  and  that 
Brothers  Van  Vechten  and  Liese  be,  also,  requested  by  the  committee  to  cause  all  the  past 
grands  in  said  state  to  be  notified  of  the  meeting  of  said  committee  at  Poughkeepsie." 

The  lodges  were  to  be  informed  by  the  Grand  Secretaiy  that  they 
were  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  and  required  to  report  accordingly.  The  report  of  the  committee 
on  returns  at  the  next  session  shows  that  the  lodges  in  New  York  City 
made  reports  as  required,  while  those  out  of  that  city  failed  to  make  any 
returns. 

The  committee  on  the  situation  of  the  Order  in  New  York  were 
authorized  to  restore  the  original  charter  on  satisfactory  evidence  of  a 
restoration  of  order  in  that  state  [marginal  notation  of  its  having  been 
annulled  this  day,  and  restored  by  the  committee]. 

In  observance  of  the  requirements  of  their  appointment,  the  com- 
mittee appeared  at  Poughkeepsie  August  2,  1837,  and  were  met  by  a 
large  number  of  members  of  the  Order  resident  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
and  Past  Grands  Marshall  and  Dillon  from  Albany.  After  fully  explain- 
ing to  them  the  object  of  their  mission,  the  deep  regret  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  at  the  unfraternal  occurrences  and  acts  of 
violations  of  law  and  utter  disregard  of  all  authority,  —  and  a  free  expres- 
sion of  their  own  disposition  to  aid  and  assist  them  harmoniously  to 
settle  the  difference  existing  among  themselves,  and  were  prepared  to 
return  the  charter,  and  reinstate  the  Order  in  New  York  to  its  proper 
situation  and  standing,  provided  they  would  harmonize  among  them- 
selves,—  the  committee  urgently  recommended  to  them  that  the  veil  of 
oblivion  be  drawn  over  past  transactions,  and  that  they  meet  together  in 
peace,  and  heartily  join  in  the  exercise  of  those  sentiments  of  friendship 
and  brotherly  regard  so  strongly  inculcated  by  the  principles  of  the 
Order,  —  remembering  that  charity  directs  that  the  faults  of  a  brother 
should,  if  repented,  be  forgiven.  This  forcible  and  pathetic  appeal  to 
their  better  judgment,  as  men  and  Odd  Fellows,  had  not  the  desired 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  245 

effect ;  and  the  committee  were  unable  to  effect  the  object  of  their  appoint- 
ment, and  failed  to  accomplish  any  satisfactory  result.  In  order  to  give 
them  an  opportunity  for  the  reconsideration  of  their  rejection  of  the 
proffered  offices  of  reconciliation,  the  committee  adjourned,  to  meet  in 
Baltimore  September  29, 1837.  In  this  they  were  also  disappointed.  The 
members  in  Albany  persisted  in  demands  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  com- 
mittee, were  not  made  in  the  spirit  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  to  which  the 
brothers  of  New  York  City  could  not  assent. 

At  the  session  of  October  3, 1837,  the  committee  reported :  — 

**  That  the  members  of  the  Order  residing  in  Albany,  notwithstanding  the  act  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  by  which  the  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York 
was  annulled,  still  continue  to  refuse  obedience  to  the  decision  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  and 
claim  to  act  as  a  Grand  Lodge,  and  as  such  have  recently  elected  grand  officers. 

**  Notwithstanding  this  continued  act  of  disobedience  and  insubordination,  your  com- 
mittee, earnestly  desirous  that  all  the  advantages  of  the  Order  should  be  extended  to  the 
members  thereof,  wheresoever  situate,  and  believing  it  would  tend  to  the  advancement  of 
the  Order  in  New  York,  if  they  had  a  legal  charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge,  recommend  that  a 
charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge  be  granted  to  the  past  grands  of  the  state  of  New  York,  upon  the 
terms,  and  in  the  manner  following  :  — 

**  That  a  committee  of  this  Grand  Lodge  be  appointed,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  meet  at 
such  place  in  the  state  of  New  York  as  may  be  most  suitable;  and  after  having  caused 
notice  to  be  given  to  each  subordinate  lodge  in  that  state,  working  under  a  legal  charter, 
requiring  them  to  send  their  past  grands  to  meet  such  committee  at  a  time  to  be  by  them 
appointed,  at  which  time  and  place  the  said  committee  shall  open  a  special  meeting  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  and,  after  the  past  grands  assembled  shall  have  elected 
the  reqoisite  number  of  officers  for  a  Grand  Lodge,  shall  install  the  officers  then  elected,  as 
the  grand  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York,  and  shall  deliver  to  them  a 
charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge,  to  be  styled  the  '  Grand  L^^dge  of  New  York,'  —  provided  they 
receive  a  constitutional  application  for  the  same,  —  together  with  a  copy  of  the  constitution 
and  by-laws  in  force  in  the  late  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  as  adopted  in  1832,  except  that 
part  of  article  vi.  of  the  constitution  which  fixes  the  location  of  said  Grand  Lodge,  which 
shall  be  the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  said  Grand  Lodge  until  the  same  be  altered  or 
amended  according  to  the  provisions  contained  therein." 

This  report  was  signed  by  Thomas  Wildey,  Past  Grand  Sire ;  Repre- 
sentatives Ridgely,  Lucas,  Hopkins,  Glazier,  and  Sanderson. 

On  the  concurrence  in  this  report,  the  petitions,  certificate,  and  other 
documents  from  sundry  lodges,  in  the  hands  of  the  committee,  were  directed 
to  be  returned  to  the  parties  presenting  them. 

A  petition  was  presented  from  Lodges  Nos.  1, 10, 11,  13,  14,  and  17,  of 
the  city  of  New  York,  praying  for  a  charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge  for  the 
state  of  New  York,  and  to  be  located  in  the  city  of  New  York ;  which  was 
referred  to  the  committee  on  affairs  of  the  Order  in  New  York. 

This  controversy,  growing  out  of  the  illegal  transfer  of  the  location  of 
the  seat  of  the  Grand  Lodge  from  the  city  of  New  York,  where  its  charter 
located  it,  to  the  city  of  Albany,  by  the  Grand  Master  in  1828,  without 
the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  —  which  contention  had  greatly  retarded  its  progress,  and  nearly 


246  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITY. 

destroyed  its  usefulness,  in  the  past  few  years,  —  was  now  on  the  eve  of  a 
gratifying  termination,  through  the  wise  and  conciliatory  course  of  action 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  at  its  session  of  October,  1837, 
and  the  judicious  and  pacific  execution  of  its  orders  and  requirements  of. 
its  missionary  committees.  The  removal  was  neither  beneficial  in  a  finan- 
cial view,  nor  satisfactory  in  its  semblance  of  prosperity.  From  1829  to 
1834,  the  Albany  lodges  neither  rendered  reports  nor  made  payments  of 
their  proportion  of  expenses  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  While  two  lodges  were 
opened  in  that  city  soon  after  the  removal  in  1829,  the  second  was  impover- 
ished to  make  a  third,  in  order  to  create  the  qualifying  number  of  past 
grands  to  open  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  accomplished,  the  three  lodges 
were,  subsequently,  consolidated  into  one. 

While  this  condition  lasted,  assured  progress  and  permanent  prosperity 
were  not  likely  to  characterize  the  loose  and  inefficient  methods  of  govern- 
ment. The  lodges  were  neglected,  funds  misapplied,  remittances  unac- 
knowledged, the  Q.P.W.  unchanged  for  several  successive  terms,  com- 
munications unanswered,  —  great  lack  of  uniformity  in  the  work  of  the 
Order,  each  lodge  having  a  system  of  its  own.  An  effective  and  harmoni- 
ous Grand  Lodge  was  greatly  needed  at  that  time,  to  suppress  insubordi- 
nation, allay  irritation  and  contention,  guarantee  to  the  lodges  stable  and 
consistent  government,  and  to  infuse  vigor,  zeal,  and  activity  into  the 
membership. 

When  the  decision  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  made  at 
its  May  session,  1837,  was  promulgated,  and  the  lodges  in  New  York  City 
were  brought  under  its  immediate  control  and  supervision,  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  New  York  ceased  holding  its  sessions.  The  Albany  dissentients 
continued  their  defiant  course,  and  held  a  meeting  July  7, 1837,  at  which 
a  communication  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  was 
discussed  and  the  resolutions  attached  criticised.  In  these  were  tendered 
the  employment  of  all  fair  and  honorable  means  to  produce  harmony  and 
good  feeling  between  the  brothers  in  the  state  of  New  York ;  instructed 
its  representative  to  vote  for  the  reestablishment  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  when  that  subject  should  be  taken  up  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  and  expressed  a  dissent  from  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Albany  in  expelling  individuals  or  lodges  in 
the  city  of  New  York  from  the  benefits  of  the  Order ;  and  that  all  well- 
accredited  members  from  that  city  would  be  received  into  the  lodges  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  as  heretofore. 

To  this  action  the  Albany  past  grands  took  exception  as  to  the  assump- 
tion of  the  authority  of  one  Grand  Lodge  to  dictate  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
any  other  state  what  members  they  should  expel,  or  what  lodges  they 
might  suspend,  or  how  great  a  measure  of  disobedience  was  to  be  exhib- 
ited before  they  should  be  expelled  or  suspended.    A  lengthy  reply  had 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  247 

been  prepared,  traversing  the  history  of  the  New  York  controversy  in  a  con- 
cise form,  as  they  viewed  it,  which  was  approved  and  ordered  to  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Cohimbia,  with  a  request 
that  said  body  would  not  erect  itself  into  a  court  for  the  supervision  of  the 
different  state  Grand  Lodges. 

A  communication,  with  copies  of  the  proceedings  of  the  May  session 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  was  received  and  read.  A  com- 
mittee was  raised  to  prepare  and  report 

"  A  manifesto  setting  forth  the  constitutional  rights  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  to  an  uncon- 
trolUd  exercise  of  Us  authority,  within  the  bounds  of  its  jurisdiction ;  and  inquiring  into  the 
right  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  to  declare  the  charter  forfeited  without  good 
and  sufficient  cause,  or  without  a  formal  trial ;  also  the  right  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge  to 
assume  at  pleasure  the  supervision  of  the  subordinate  lodges  in  this  state." 

A  committee  was  authorized  to  attend  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  at  Poughkeepsie,  August  2nd,  and 
present  the  manifesto  prepared,  and  such  other  views  as  might  be  neces- 
sary to  maintain  the  constitutional  independence,  honor,  and  dignity  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York. 

The  subordinate  lodges  of  the  jurisdiction  were- to  be  informed:  — 

"  That  notwithstanding  the  passage  of  a  resolution,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  declaring  them  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  that  body,  it  will  not  be  neces- 
sary for  them  to  notice  the  passage  of  the  said  resolution  until  called  upon  in  an  official 


manner." 


At  an  adjourned  meeting  July  14,  1837,  the  committee  presented 
their  preparation  of  the  manifesto,  to  be  laid  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  for  its  consideration.  The  proceedings  of  that  body  on 
the  affairs  of  New  York,  of  May  17, 1837,  were  the  introductory,  followed 
by  a  solemn  denial  of  the  right  for,  or  the  justice  of,  such  action  on  the 
part  of  the  Supreme  body.  The  report  of  the  committee,  of  which  James 
L.  Ridgely  was  chairman,  is  given  in  full,  and  passed  under  review  and 
critical  criticism,  claiming  that  the  Albany  Grand  Lodge  and  its  members 
had  been  unfairly  and  unjustly  considered ;  had  been  condemned  without 
a  hearing ;  had  unanimously  elected  the  usurper.  Grand  Master  Liese,  to 
the  second  office  in  the  Order,  thereby  encouraging  and  rewarding  insub- 
ordination. After  several  protests  and  demands,  the  manifesto  closes  with 
this  declaration :  — 

"  The  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York,  having  counted  weU  the 
cost,  and  knowing  their  rights,  will  defend  and  maintain  them,  relying  in  fuU  confidence 
on  the  support  of  an  intelligent  public,  who  will  sustain  them  in  their  efforts  to  obtain  justice. 
Resistance  to  injustice  and  usurpation  is  the  sheet  anchor  of  justice!  in  the  cause  of  justice, 
who  would  not  r^oice  to  he  a  martyr?  " 

It  was  a  lengthy  paper,  as  full  of  acrimony  as  it  was  possible  to  incor- 
porate,—  every  line  teeming  with  bitterness  of  feeling  and  sharpness  of 
langoage,  —  and  its  intemperate  expressions,  no  doubt,  influenced,  to  some 


248  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

extent^  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  at  its  October 
session  in  1837. 

At  a  meeting  August  4, 1837,  the  committee  reported  having  attended 
the  session  in  Poughkeepsie,  of  the  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  in  the  expectation  of  obtaining  possession  of  the  charter. 
While  they  were  earnestly  advised  to  cordially  associate  with  the  mem- 
bers of  the  suspended  lodges  in  the  city  of  New  York,  in  conversation 
they  represented  that  they  could  not  join  with  those  brethren  except  they 
acknowledged  their  error  and  returned  to  their  allegiance ;  in  which  case 
they  would  be  restored  to  their  original  standing  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 
This  proposition  was  indignantly  rejected  by  the  brethren  of  New  York 
City.  All  propositions  failing  to  receive  a  joint  acceptance,  the  Grand 
Lodge  committee  adjourned  to  meet  in  Baltimore,  prior  to  the  October 
session,  to  hear  and  consider  further  suggestions  and  plans  for  restoring 
harmony  in  the  state  of  New  York. 

The  committee  held  itself  within  the  rigid  lines  of  dispassionate  deliber- 
ation in  dealing  with  this  question  of  vital  interest  to  New  York,  and  the 
Order  at  large.  The  committee  itself  was  unexceptionable,  inasmuch  as 
each  of  the  six  was  a  brother  known  to  possess  understanding  and  character 
as  an  Odd  Fellow.  Both  sides  should  have  recognized  that,  as  far  as  it 
was  possible  to  guarantee,  the  committee  would  treat  the  matters  placed  in 
their  hands  for  adjustment  with  impartiality,  and  freedom  from  prejudice 
or  personal  bias.  They  were  to  act  with  prudence,  zeal,  and  integrity ;  to 
conciliate  both  parties,  to  restore  harmony  if  possible,  but  under  no  circum- 
stances to  yield  to  the  claims  or  demands  of  one  faction,  to  the  disad- 
vantage or  detriment  of  the  other. 

At  this  session  Grand  Lodge  officers  were  elected  and  installed.  The 
body  resolved  to  refrain  from  the  "  exercise  of  such  of  the  functions  belong- 
ing to  it  as  may  interfere''  with  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  until  after  the  annual  session  in  October;  and  the  subor- 
dinate lodges  were  informed  that,  when  they  should  be  officially  notified 
of  being  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  they  were  to  make  their  returns  and  pay  the  percentage 
due  to  said  Grand  Lodge,  until  after  the  October  session.  The  session  was 
then  adjourned  sine  die. 

After  the  decision  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  the  session  of  October,  1837, 
became  known  to  the  Albany  brethren,  they  were  more  violent  in  speech 
and  action  than  ever  before.  A  meeting  of  the  past  grands  was  convened 
November  17th,  at  which  they  repudiated  the  powers  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  denounced  its  authority,  renounced  adherence  to  its 
dominion,  and  constituted  and  declared  themselves  an  independent  state 
Grand  Lodge,  in  defiance  of  all  law  and  mandates.  They  issued  to  all 
lodges  a  circular,  setting  forth,  in  the  name  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 


i^-OTSMSijs^a-B-  -S-  ■»•;«;  -5-  -S-  -S-  -S- 


T^^ 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  249 

Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  the  state  of  New  York,  their  views, 
declarations,  and  determination  indicated  by  their  action,  and  claimed 
to  be  in  legal  operation  as  such  Grand  Lodge. 

At  the  session  of  October,  1838,  Grand  Sire  Perkins,  in  his  annual 
report,  submitted  two  documents  from  a  committee  of  the  brethren  in 
Albany,  in  connection  with  which  he  said ;  — 

"The  difficulties  between  our  brethren  of  New  York  and  Albany  appear  not  yet  to  be 
finally  settled.  Their  feelings  are  so  alienated,  that  a  cordial  union  between  them  is  not  to 
be  expected,  at  least  for  many  years  to  come.  Our  brethren  in  Albany  express  much  desire 
to  continue  in  connection  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  but  candidly  confess 
that  they  see  not  how  it  can  be  done,  except  by  granting  them  a  charter  for  a  state  Grand 
Lodge,  to  be  located  at  Albany,  and  to  have  jurisdiction  over  the  lodges  that  will  now  com- 
pose it,  and  such  others  as  shall  hereafter  be  formed  north  and  west  of  some  geographical 
lines." 

In  view  of  this  statement,  a  select  committee  was  appointed,  to  visit 
Albany,  and  endeavor  to  impress  upon  the  brethren,  in  Albany  and 
Kensselaer  counties,  the  propriety  and  necessity  of  their  submission  to 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York. 

In  order  to  prevent  the  Albany  brethren  from  visiting  lodges  in  other 
jurisdictions,  the  Grand  Lodge  ordered  that  no  "  travelling "  or  "  visiting 
card "  be  issued  by  any  lodge  subordinate  to  its  jurisdiction,  to  a  member 
thereof,  unless  countersigned  by  the  Grand  Secretary.  The  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  in  1838,  adopted  and  promulgated  a  similar  order  for 
all  Grand  Lodges. 

The  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  appointed 
in  October,  1837,  to  meet  the  past  grands  of  New  York,  convened  at  New- 
burg,  New  York,  November  21, 1837,  and  proceeded  to  the  business  of  their 
appointment.  They  received  a  formal  application :  from  Columbia  Lodge, 
No.  1;  New  York  Lodge,  No.  10;  Gettys  Lodge,  No.  11;  Germania 
Lodge,  No.  13 ;  Teutonia  Lodge,  No.  14 ;  and  Perseverance  Lodge,  No.  17, 
for  a  grand  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York.  No  other  appli- 
cations being  submitted,  the  committee  granted  the  charter  to  the  peti- 
tioning lodges.  Properly  authenticated  certificates  to  entitle  the  past 
grands  to  vote  were  presented:  from  No.  1,  twenty-four  past  grands; 
No.  10,  fourteen ;  No.  11,  thirteen ;  No.  13,  eight ;  No.  14,  eight ;  No.  17, 
eight  Of  these,  forty-four  were  present  and  qualified.  The  officers 
were  elected,  with  James  Alcock,  Most  Worthy  Grand  Master. 

The  committee  submitted  the  question  of  location,  when  forty-three 
voted  for  the  city  of  New  York,  and  one  for  Poughkeepsie. 

The  committee  then  ordered  an  adjournment  to  the  23d,  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  at  the  Masonic  hall  in  Broadway,  south  of  Pearl  street,  for  the 
purpose  of  installing  the  officers  and  presenting  the  grand  charter.  At 
this  meeting,  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  officiated  as  installing  officer,  and 
delivered  to  the  Grand  Master  the  charter  and  a  constitution  and  roles  of 


250  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

order  (being  the  code  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Albany,  June  1, 
1832),  for  its  government,  until  altered  or  amended  in  a  legal  manner. 
The  charter  reads  as  follows :  — 

INDEPENDENT  ORDER  OF  ODD  FELLOWS. 

To  all  tohom  it  may  concern,  these  come  greeting :  — 

The  Grand  Lodgb  of  thb  United  States  of  America,  the  aoarce  of  all  true  and 
legitimate  authority  in  Odd  Fellowship  in  the  United  States  of  America,  on  the  petition 
of  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  1;  New  York  Lodge,  No.  10;  Gettys  Lodge,  No.  11;  Germania 
Lodge,  No.  13 ;  Teutonia  Lodge,  No.  14 ;  and  Perseverance  Lodge,  No.  17,  of  the  state  of 
New  York,  they  having  seven  past  grands  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  FellowSy  in 
good  standing,  residing  in  the  state  of  New  York,  hereby  grant  this  grand  charter  to  said 
lodges,  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  to  be 
located  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

And  the  said  Grand  Lodge,  being  duly  formed,  is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered 
to  grant  warrants  and  dispensations  to  true  and  faithful  brothers,  to  open  lodges  in  the 
said  state  according  to  the  laws  and  usages  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  to  administer  to 
all  past  grands  the  privileges  and  benefits  appertaining  to  a  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  enact 
by-laws  for  the  government  of  the  same.  Provided  always,  that  the  said  Grand  Lodge  be 
held  in  the  city  aforesaid:  And  that  they  pay  due  respect  and  obedience  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  by  acting  in  conjunction  therewith,  and  in  every  manner 
supporting  its  constitution  and  by-laws.  In  default  thereof,  this  charter  may  be  sus- 
pended, or  taken  away,  at  the  decision  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  And 
further,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  consideration  of  the  due  performance  of 
the  above,  do  bind  themselves  to  repair  all  damages  or  destruction  of  the  charter,  whether 
by  fire  or  other  accident :  Provided,  sufficient  proof  be  given  that  there  is  no  illegal  con- 
cealment or  wilful  destruction  of  the  same. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  displayed  the  colors  of  our  Order,  and  subscribed  our  names, 
and  affixed  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  this  twenty-first  day  of  Novem- 
ber, A.D.  1837. 

BBPBE8KNTATIVE8. 

.  ^    ^  /Maryland,  Samuel  H.  Perkins,  M.W.G. Sire. 

'  \  Pennsylvania.  Frederick  Libse,  R.  W.  D.  G.  Sire. 

Andrew  E.  Warner,  Dist.  Columbia.  Robert  Nbilson,  R.  W.  G.  Secy. 

8  La    /^'^^siana,  Andrew  E.  Warner,  R.W.G.Treas. 

'  \  Ohio.  GoTTLiCH  F.  BuHRE,  W.  G.  Guardian. 

„  T»  r^  f  Delaware, 

Zenas  B.  Glazier,  -<  ^.       .     ' 

I.  New  Jersey. 

Henry  S.  Sanderson,  Kentucky. 

William  S.  Smith,  |  J"!?'"'''' 

I  Indiana. 

Granted  in  place  of  the  original  grand  charter  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United 
SUtes,  dated  June  4, 1828. 

Witness  my  hand,  this  sixth  day  of  May,  1$12. 

JOHN  A.  KENNEDY,  Grand  Sire. 

The  seal,  worded:  "Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
I.O.O.F.,  1823,"  was  adopted  as  the  official  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

At  a  special  session  December  26,  1837,  communications  were  pre- 
sented from  German  Colonial  Lodge,  No.  16,  and  Firemen's  Lodge,  No.  19, 
— No.  16  acknowledging  herself  subordinate  to  this  Grand  Lodge,  and 
No.  19  making  formal  application  for  a  charter.  The  Grand  Lodge 
immediately  recognized  German  Colonial  Lodge,  No.  16,  as  subordinate 


TEE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  251 

to  its  jurisdiction,  and  ordered  that  the  lodge  be  instructed  to  report 
accordingly. 

Firemen's  Lodge  was  instituted  March  17, 1837,  by  a  body  claiming  to 
be  a  Grand  Lodge,  and  during  the  period  (August,  1836,  to  November  21, 
1837)  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  did  not  recognize  as 
regular  any  New  York  Grand  Lodge  proceedings,  and  hence,  so-called 
Firemen's  Lodge  had  no  legal  existence.  The  Grand  Lodge,  in  order  to 
manifest  its  sincere  desire  of  reuniting  the  Order  within  this  stato,  and 
its  disposition  to  withdraw  all  impediments  to  an  honorable  adjustment 
of  difficulties,  consonant  with  its  dignity,  readily  granted  a  charter  to  the 
petitioners  and  their  present  associates  for  Firemen's  Lodge,  No.  19,  to  be 
located  in  Albany ;  and,  further,  confirmed  the  proceedings  of  the  brethren 
as  a  lodge,  from  and  after  March  17, 1837,  so  far  as  they  "  do  not  in  any 
way  compromise,  controvert,  or  impugn  the  authority  and  jurisdiction  of 
this  Grand  Lodge,"  or  the  rights,  powers,  and  privileges  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States.  In  consideration  of  the  unsettled  condition 
of  the  Order  at  the  time  the  brethren  commenced  operations  and  paid  a 
charter  fee  to  an  unauthorized  body,  the  Grand  Lodge  surrendered  its 
claim  to  the  amount  of  the  fee. 

January  5, 1838,  on  application  of  the  officers  and  members,  Lafayette 
(late  Ward)  Lodge,  No.  18,  at  Poughkeepsie,  a  charter  for  said  lodge 
and  the  confirmation  of  their  proceedings, — from  and  after  February  3, 
1837,  —  were  granted. 

February  26, 1838,  the  Grand  Lodge  declared  null  and  void  the  action 
of  the  so-called  Albany  Grand  Lodge  in  October  and  November,  1836,  and 
February,  1837,  in  suspending  the  lodges  in  the  city  of  New  York,  which 
never  went  into  effect;  and,  also,  of  November,  1836,  declaring  Past 
Grand  Master  Frederick  Liese  expelled,  and  which  was  not  recognized 
by  any  Grand  or  subordinate  lodge  outside  of  Albany. 

From  this  time  may  be  dated  a  new  era  in  the  progress  and  prosperity 
of  the  Order  in  New  York  state.  Some  of  the  recalcitrant  lodges  were 
yielding  to  the  new  condition  of  affairs,  and  submitting  to  the  authority 
•  of  the  Grand  Lodge  as  reestablished  November  21,  1837,  at  Newburg; 
other  recusant  lodges  in  Albany  and  Troy  were  visited,  by  the  committee 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  November,  1838,  but  their  exer- 
tions were  ineffectual  for  the  purposes  of  reconciliation.  These  refractory 
lodges  adhered  to  the  hope  of  eventual  recognition,  and  grant  of  a  charter 
for  an  independent  state  Grand  Lodge ;  on  the  ground  that  the  Grand  Sire, 
in  his  report  in  October,  1838,  said  that  he  ^<  finds  nothing  in  our  constitu- 
tion which  directly  forbids  the  granting  of  a  second  charter  on  geographi- 
cal lines." 

May  11,  1839,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  formulated  a  remon- 
strance against  any  action  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 


262  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

liaving  for  its  object  the  division  of  the  limits  in  the  jurisdiction  of  a  state 
Grand  Lodge  for  any  purpose. 

May  15^  1839,  a  committee  was  directed  to  visit  the  recusant  lodges  on 
or  before  June  next,  and  inform  them  that,  unless  they  acknowledged  the 
lawful  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  on  the  first  day  of  August,  following, 
the  charters  of  City  Philanthropic  Lodge,  No.  5 ;  Union  Lodge,  No.  8 ;  and 
Washington  Lodge,  No.  12,  of  Albany,  with  their  moneys  and  other  prop- 
erties, would  be  declared  forfeited  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of 
New  York,  with  a  public*  notification  of  the  illegally  constituted  lodges : 
Watervliet  Lodge,  of  Watervliet ;  Franklin  Lodge,  of  Troy ;  and  Ameri- 
can Lodge,  of  Albany. 

The  special  committee  on  recusant  lodges  reported,  August  6,  1839, 
that  at  their  recent  visit  the  Albany  brethren  admitted  they  would  never 
acknowledge  the  Grand  Lodge  located  in  the  city  of  New  York ;  that  they 
had  the  Grand  Lodge  in  Albany,  'Hfnot  in  fact,  in  faith,"  and  intended  to 
grant  charters  in  this  and  in  other  states,  on  application.  In  Nos.  5,  and  8, 
the  committee  were  refused  admission  officially,  but  invited  as  members, 
which  the  committee  declined.     The  other  lodges  pursued  the  same  course. 

August  19, 1839,  the  Grand  Lodge  declared  Nos.  5,  8,  and  12,  located 
in  Albany  and  Troy,  together  with  all  and  singular  of  their  respective 
members,  to  be  expelled  from  all  connection  with  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows;  their  charters  reclaimed,  and  their  books,  funds,  and 
other  properties  forfeited  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  bodies  styled  Watervliet  Lodge,  No.  20,  in  Watervliet ;  American 
Lodge,  No.  21,  in  Albany;  and  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  22,  in  Troy,  were 
declared  irregularly  constituted  and  spurious,  and  destitute  of  any  connec- 
tion, or  fellowship  whatever,  with  the  Order  throughout  the  world. 

September  14,  1839,  sixty-four  officers  and  members  of  the  spurious 
Franklin  Lodge  in  Troy,  having  become  satisfied  that  the  charter  granted  to 
them,  November  17, 1837,  had  been  issued  by  a  body  which  had  no  legal 
right  to  exercise  the  powers  of  a  Grand  Lodge,  applied  for  a  charter  for 
Franklin  Lodge,  to  be  located  in  Troy ;  being  convinced  that  the  legal  Grand 
Lodge  was  located  in  the  city  of  New  York,  as  rechartered  November  21, 
1837.  The  Grand  Lodge,  desirous  of  doing  all  in  its  power,  compatible  with 
its  dignity,  toward  restoring  erring  or  deluded  brothers  to  honor  and  use- 
fulness, granted  a  charter  to  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  24,  on  the  same  terms 
and  conditions  as  applied  to  Firemen's  Lodge,  No.  19. 

February  11, 1840,  thirty-three  officers  and  members  of  the  spurious 
American  Lodge,  No.  22,  in  Albany,  petitioned  for  a  charter  from  the  estab- 
lished Grand  Lodge,  which  was  granted  (in  manner  and  form  as  other  spuri- 
ous lodges  were  admitted  to  the  Order),  as  No.  32. 

April  21, 1840,  the  Grand  Sire  reported  the  pleasing  intelligence  that 
many  of  the  brethren,  and  some  of  the  lodges,  who  had  long  refused  alle- 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  253 

glance  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  had  come  under  its  jurisdiction, 
with  every  prospect  of  harmony  being  speedily  restored;  also,  that  no 
further  action  was  necessary  or  expedient,  except  to  interdict  fraternal 
intercourse  with  members  of  lodges  not  in  good  standing  with  said  Grand 
Lodge.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  decided  to  sustain  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  New  York  in  the  exercise  of  its  authority  over  all  the  lodges 
and  brethren  in  the  state;  also,  that  it  was  inexpedient  for  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  take  any  further  action  on  the  present  difficulties  in  the  state 
of  New  York ;  and  that  a  copy  of  these  proceedings  be  furnished  to  the 
brethren  in  Albany  and  Troy. 

June  30, 1840,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  reported  in  good  stand- 
ing twenty-eight  lodges ;  members,  2477 ;  initiated  in  the  previous  three 
months,  676;  readmitted,  49;  receipts,  $7105.75;  relief,  $4161.78. 

In  August,  1840,  in  order  to  effect  a  moire  prompt,  efficient,  prudent, 
and  economical  application  of  the  funds  of  lodges  appropriated  for  the 
relief  of  distressed  travelling  brothers,  it  was  deemed  advisable  and 
expedient  that  general  relief  committees  should  be  established  in  places 
where  more  than  a  single  lodge  existed,  —  the  lodges  constituent  to  sup- 
ply the  means  of  relief  in  proportion  to  their  receipts.  By  authority  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  district  relief  committees  were  organized,  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  necessary  officers  and  sub-committees ;  the  lodges  represented 
therein,  respectively,  to  contribute  the  funds  required  for  the  purpose,  to 
be  applied  only  to  the  relief  of  distressed  brethren  on  travel,  who  could 
prove  themselves  in  every  respect  worthy.  The  contributing  lodges  in 
each  district  were  to  establish  the  maximum  of  relief  to  be  applied  to  each 
case  at  one  time,  and  to  provide  against  a  too  frequent  repetition  of  appli- 
cations, or  other  abuse  of  the  relieving  powers  of  the  district  committee,  — 
the  amounts  paid  to  be  indorsed  upon  the  applicant's  card.  The  funds 
were  surrounded  with  other  necessary  safeguards.  By  this  mode  the 
lodges  were  relieved  of  the  duty  of  investigating  individual  cases,  and 
immediate  assistance  was  assured  to  worthy  applicants,  thus  avoiding  a 
tardy  response  by  the  lodges. 

In  September,  1841,  the  lodges  located  in  the  counties  of  New  York 
and  Kings  were  requested  to  report  to  the  Grand  Secretary  the  number  of 
travelling  brothers  presenting  English  cards  or  "  clearances,"  who  had  been 
relieved  by  each  lodge  within  the  year  ending  June  30,  1841,  and  the 
amount  paid  for  such  relief,  —  an  aggregate  statement,  to  be  made  from 
such  reports,  and  forwarded  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  at 
its  approaching  session. 

June  2, 1841,  the  Annual  Movable  Committee  of  the  Manchester  Unity 
adopted  this :  — 

"  That  the  board  of  directors  communicate  to  the  next  conference  of  the  United  States, 
that  unless  arrangements  be  made  in  America  previous  to  the  next  Annual  Movable  Com- 


254  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

mittee,  so  as  to  treat  members  arriving  from  England  in  the  true  spirit  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
the  directors  will  be  under  the  necessity  of  making  such  arrangements,  for  the  interest  and 
comfort  of  the  members  of  the  Independent  Order  now  i7i  America,  <u  to  them  seem  mosi 
proper,'* 

The  difficulty  complained  of,  in  obtaining  admission  into  our  lodges, 
existed  by  reason  of  the  changes  from  the  ancient  work,  which  had  been 
made  in  England.  Changes,  however,  had  also  been  made  in  the  work 
and  the  law  in  America.  The  previous  practice  as  to  English  travelling 
brethren  had  been  re^nacted  in  this  language :  — 

"  No  individual,  claiming  to  visit  or  deposit  his  card  in  a  lodge  of  tfiese  United  States^ 
shall  be  so  admitted,  unless  he  present  a  regular  card  signed  by  the  Noble  Grand,  and 
attested  by  the  Secretary,  under  the  seal  of  the  lodge,  and  the  name  of  the  individual  hold- 
ing said  card  be  indorsed  thereon  in  his  own  proper  handwriting/' 

This  virtually  excluded  the  Manchester  Unity  members  from  our 
lodges,  as  no  English  brother,  versed  only  in  their  work  as  then  in  force, 
could  possibly  work  his  way  into  an  American  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows. 
Thus  many  were  unable  to  visit  because  of  their  limited  knowledge  of 
the  ritual.  A  practice  was  in  vogue  for  unauthorized  parties  to  visit 
departing  mechanics  for  America,  at  the  railway  stations  and  large  sea- 
port towns  in  England,  and  urge  them  to  take  cards  representing  mem- 
bership in  Manchester  Unity  lodges,  imparting  to  them  a  meagre  idea  of 
the  work ;  alleging  that  by  presenting  these  cards  to  an  American  lodge 
they  would  be  admitted  to  membership,  assisted  to  procure  employment, 
or  furnished  relief  if  needed.  For  this  card  a  fee  of  ten  English  shillings 
was  exacted.  Hence  applications  were  denied,  admissions  refused,  and 
the  irregular  cards  repudiated.  When  this  fraudulent  practice  was 
detected  by  the  relief  committees,  complaints  were  made,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge,  in  1841,  called  for  reports  from  the  lodges  as  to  amounts  paid 
to  English  brethren  during  the  year  then  ending. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  September, 
1843,  all  connection  between  the  Manchester  Unity  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
was  severed,  the  latter  body  claiming  and  declaring  exclusive  authority 
to  create  lodges  and  encampments  of  Odd  Fellows  of  the  Independent 
Order,  and  holding  all  persons  who  adhered  to,  or  acknowledged,  a  depend- 
ence upon  the  Manchester  Unity  as  enemies  to  the  peace  and  advance- 
ment of  Odd  Fellowship,  to  be  refused  admission  until  they  should  have 
renounced  allegiance  to,  or  connection  with,  the  English  Unity. 

In  1863  this  law  was  so  modified  as  to  allow  American  lodges  to 
receive  into  membership,  by  initiation,  members  of  the  Manchester  Unity 
without  severance  of  their  connection  with  the  English  Order.  The  two 
Orders  have  no  fraternal  intercourse,  and  are  as  widely  separated  in  mode 
of  working,  in  methods  of  finance,  and  in  systems  of  law  as  are  the  Odd 
Fellows  and  Masons. 


THE  OBAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS,  265 

In  1841  the  constitutional  law  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  was 
so  amended  as  to  provide  for  the  establishment  of  degree  lodges,  to  confer 
the  live  subordinate  degrees  of  the  Order.  This  course  had  been  deemed 
advisable  and  expedient,  in  order  that  a  better  conferment  of  the  degrees 
might  be  realized  and  maintained,  than  had  been  obtained  from  the  fre- 
quent changes  under  the  three  months'  terms  of  the  noble  grands  of 
lodges,  many  of  whom  were  not  only  indifferent,  but  incompetent,  to  an 
acceptable  rendition  of  the  work  and  lectui'es. 

Under  the  provision  of  this  amendment  several  of  the  foremost  workers 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  were  petitioners,  and  charters  were  granted  for 
Kew  York  Degree  Lodge,  No.  1 ;  and  Bowery  Degree  Lodge,  No.  2,  to  be 
located  in  the  city  of  New  York.  No.  3,  at  Buffalo ;  and  Nos.  4,  and  5,  at 
New  York,  soon  followed. 

Linmediately  after  the  promulgation  of  this  law  remonstrances  against 
its  operation  were  received  by  the  Grand  Lodge  from  several  lodges,  and 
efforts  made. to  repeal  it.  The  Grand  Master  met  with  strenuous  opposi- 
tion to  his  "  taking  up  "  the  lecture  books  in  the  lodges,  and  efforts  were 
made  to  file  charges  against  him  for  his  acts  in  the  premises.  Subse- 
quently the  Grand  Lodge  instructed  the  Grand  Master  to  return  to  the 
lodges  their  degree  books,  as  these  were  their  property  bought  and  paid  for. 
The  lodges  in  Troy  continued,  persistently,  to  violate  the  degree  law,  which 
prohibited  them  from  conferring  the  degrees,  and  the  District  Deputy 
preferred  charges  against  them.  A  special  committee  was  authorized  to 
visit  the  lodges  and  examine  the  complaints.  Their  records  proved  the 
violations  alleged,  and  the  lodges  passed  resolutions  denying  the  authority 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  premises,  and  reassured  the  committee  that 
they  should  confer  the  degrees  upon  their  members  as  they  had  done  prior 
to  the  passage  of  the  law,  and  as  they  assumed  to  be  their  rights  under 
their  charters.  On  this  being  reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  charters  of 
Franklin  Lodge,  No.  24 ;  Trojan  Lodge,  No.  27 ;  and  Eensselaer  Lodge, 
No.  53,  were  suspended  during  the  pleasure  of  the  Grand  body.  The 
demand  for  the  respective  charters  was  made  by  the  District  Deputy  and 
compliance  refused,  the  lodges  having  continued  to  work  as  usual  in  a 
lodge  capacity.  At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  delegates  repre- 
senting the  refractory  lodges  appeared  and  presented  petitions  for  their 
reinstatement.  Agreeing  to  an  unconditional  surrender  of  charters  and 
properties,  Nos.  24,  27,  and  53,  were  reinstated,  on  receipt  of  the  effects 
by  the  District  Deputy,  pledged  to  comply  with,  and  be  governed  by,  all 
the  laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  ended  further  controversy  on  the 
"  degree  question." 

September  22, 1841,  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  reported  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  that  he  had  visited  the  Order  in  New  York, 
Jime  2nd,  next  preceding,  and  witnessed  with  great  pleasure  the  enthu- 


256  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

siasm  which  prevailed  among  the  brethren  in  advancing  the  cause  of 
Odd  Fellowship :  — 

**  In  company  with  a  namber  of  brethren,  I  proceeded  to  Albany,  where  great  prepara- 
tions were  being  made  to  celebrate  the  eighteenth  anniversary  of  the  Order,  in  that  state,  on 
the  following  day,  June  4th.  In  the  formation  of  the  procession,  I  was  assigned  a  distin- 
guished position  in  line,  and  participated  in  the  festivities  of  the  occasion  with  great  pleas- 
ure. From  the  members,  to  whom  I  paid  my  resx>ects,  I  learned  that  the  prospects  of  the 
Order  were  nowhere  brighter  than  in  that  section. of  New  York.  In  Troy  I  visited  the 
encampment,  and  observed,  with  great  satisfaction,  the  skill  of  the  members  in  the  patri- 
archal Order.  I  visited  Poughkeepsie,  and  found  the  brethren  in  that  town  sedulously 
engaged  in  the  correct  practice  of  the  work.  Returning  to  New  York  City  on  the  7th, 
I  attended  the  Grand  Lodge,  then  in  session,  and  witnessed  its  deliberations.  As  guest  of 
the  brethren,  I  remained  three  days,  and  visited  several  of  the  subordinate  lodges,  in  all 
of  which  I  found  the  work  conducted  after  the  ancient  usage.  The  Order  in  New  York, 
when  its  former  depressed  condition  is  considered,  has  within  a  few  years  past  progressed 
most  astonishingly  in  numbers,  respectability,  and  harmony,  and  is  no  doubt  at  this  time 
far  in  advance  of  all  the  other  states  in  prosperity.  This  result  has  been  brought  about  by 
untiring  zeal  and  industry  on  the  part  of  the  grand  officers,  and  by  a  strict  attention  upon 
lodge  duties  by  the  brethren." 

The  Grand  Lodge  fully  indorsed  and  sustained  the  views  of  Past 
Grand  Sire  Wildey,  as  the  quarterly  report  of  the  lodge  returns  to  June  30, 
1841,  for  the  three  months  previous,  exhibited  a  very  satisfactory  condition 
and  a  wonderful  increase :  Lodges,  41 ;  initiation,  1643 ;  by  card,  63 ;  rejec- 
tions, 230 ;  degrees  conferred,  2514 ;  percentage  to  Grand  Lodge,  $751.70 ; 
contributing  members,  6538 ;  lodge  receipts,  $17,722.96;  relief,  $10,834.05. 

In  August,  1845,  fifty-two  lodges  were  reported  as  having  been  added 
during  the  year,  making  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven  working,  with  a 
membership  of  about  16,000. 

At  no  time  during  the  prior  fifteen  years  had  there  been  less  unde- 
sirable and  unprofitable  excitement,  agitation,  or  division  in  the  juris- 
diction of  New  York  than  at  the  period  under  consideration.  The 
legislative  work  of  the  Grand  Lodge  appeared  to  have  been  brought  to 
a  well-regulated  and  reliable  system.  The  great  aim  and  end  of  the 
brotherhood  was  directed  to  the  increase  and  extension  of  the  principles 
and  benefits  of  the  institution  to  every  accessible  part  of  the  state.  The 
Order  was  in  a  highly  prosperous  and  flourishing  condition  wherever 
located,  and  its  rapid  spread  bid  fair,  at  no  distant  day,  to  be  known  and 
appreciated  in  every  part  of  this  continent.  The  wise  admonition  of 
Past  Grand  Sire  Perkins  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  on  the  occa- 
sion of  his  visit,  was  not,  however,  lost  to  sight:  "As  you  have  got 
through  one  difficulty,  you  have  a  still  greater  one  to  encounter,  and  that 
is  prosperity"  It  is  too  true  that  in  times  of  prosperity  we  are  apt  to 
overstep  the  bounds  of  reason,  and  frequently  wander  from  the  beaten 
track,  to  find  ourselves,  when  too  late,  overwhelmed  with  troubles  and 
confusion,  which  might  easily  have  been  obviated,  had  the  chart  laid 
down  for  instruction  and  guidance  been  followed. 


THS  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  267 

As  early  as  1840,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  forcibly  impressed  with  the 
absolute  necessity  of  limiting  the  issue  of  charters  for  lodges  in  localities 
where  further  extension  was  not  only  unwarranted,  but  would  prove 
injurious  to  the  lodges  already  established,  in  order  to  prevent  the  Order 
in  New  York  from  outgrowing  the  strength  needed  for  its  healthy  preser- 
vation. At  the  annual  session  of  1841,  the  constitution  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  so  amended  as  to  require,  in  the  city  and  county  of  New  York, 
not  less  than  thirty  petitioners  for  a  new  lodge,  ten  of  whom  should  be 
Scarlet  degree  members.  This  was  the  first  restraining  action  to  allay 
the  solicitude  for  their  own  safety,  of  lodges  protesting  against  granting 
charters  for  additional  subordinates  where  not  needed,  and  which  could 
only  be  a  drain  upon  the  resources  of  those  existing. 

In  the  years  immediately  following,  lodges  were  not  only  multiplying 
at  a  rapid  rate,  but  the  membership  of  the  brotherhood  was  increasing 
much  faster.  The  Order  was  finding  its  way  into  every  department  of 
business  and  employment.  Every  sphere  of  life  was  represented;  men 
of  every  profession,  —  of  art,  science,  and  literature,  the  representatives 
of  the  monetary  institutions,  the  leading  officials  of  the  state  and  munici- 
pal governments,  —  men  of  character,  influence,  and  power  were  unit- 
ing with  the  lodges,  and  manifested  a  warm-hearted  attachment  to  the 
institution,  evincing  a  fraternal  interest  toward  all  who  stood  upon  the 
common  platform  of  the  great  principles  of  the  Order.  Not  only  so  in 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  but  by  its  kind  offices 
and  noble  examples  of  true  friendship  it  was  winning  and  commanding 
respect  and  attention  in  every  section  of  the  American  continent. 

Revision  of  the  Work.  —  In  1844  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  revise 
the  written  work  of  the  Order,  improve  its  language,  and  eliminate  some 
of  the  objectionable  features  it  had  inherited  from  the  Manchester  Unity. 
An  able  committee,  composed  of  some  of  the  best  minds  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  was  selected  by  ballot  for  the  purpose. 
Many  desirable  changes  were  made  and  new  features  introduced  in  their 
report  rendered  at  the  session  of  1845.  The  revision  as  adopted  was  a 
literary  success,  if  not  a  practical  reform.  With  further  changes  adopted 
in  1848,  1857,  and  at  other  dates,  it  was  substantially  the  work  that 
served  the  Order  so  well  for  thirty-five  years;  when,  in  1880,  it  was 
superseded  by  the  work  now  in  force.  Since  then  it  has  undergone  vari- 
ous mutations,  and  at  each  session  the  desire  for  change  is  made  apparent 
in  both  the  written  and  unwritten  work.  If  it  escapes  the  reforming 
spirit  of  the  age,  —  the  bane  of  so  many  institutions  of  man,  —  and  be 
maintained  in  its  purity  of  principles  and  teachings,  the  Order  may  be 
handed  down,  from  sire  to  son,  to  remote  generations,  promoting  happi- 
ness, peace,  and  good-will  among  all  who  may  be  subject  to  its  healthful 
influence. 


268  '    THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

June  4, 1847,  the  Grand  Lodge  celebrated  its  twenty-fourtli  anniver- 
sary by  a  public  procession,  and,  also,  by  taking  part  in  the  ceremonies  of 
laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  contemplated  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  on  Grand 
and  Centre  streets  in  the  city  of  New  York ;  and  June  4, 1849,  the  Grand 
Lodge  observed  its  twenty-sixth  anniversary  by  dedicating  to  Odd  Fel- 
lowship the  noble  temple,  reared  in  its  name  and  consecrated  to  its  uses, 
which  had  been  in  course  of  erection  during  the  previous  two  years. 

New  and  Old  Constitutions  and  Two  Grand  Lodges.  —  At  the  quarterly 
session  of  February,  1846,  a  special  committee  was  charged  with  an  inves- 
tigation of  the  financial  department  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  report 
the  condition,  amount,  safety,  deposit,  disbursement,  deficiency,  and  secu- 
rity of  bond,  of  the  funds  of  the  Grand  body.  This  report,  and  the  action 
thereon,  though  having  no  direct  bearing  upon  any  other  question,  were 
the  incidents  that  led  to  other  developments,  portending  ill  results  to  the 
peace  and  prosperity  of  the  Order  in  this  state.  The  manner  of  conduct- 
ing the  business  of  the  Grand  Lodge  fostered  a  growing  discontent  on  the 
part  of  the  members  representing  lodges  distant  from  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment. The  mode  of  representation,  the  indifference  of  the  city  officers 
and  members  to  attend  day  sessions,  their  overpowering  presence  at  night 
meetings,  the  frequent  adjournments,  the  holding  of  sessions  in  the  absence 
of  the  out-of-town  past  grands,  the  time  consumed  by  the  call  of  votes  by 
representation  on  every  question,  the  procrastination  of  the  business  by 
dilatory  motions  and  prolonged  discussions, — all  acted  in  concert  to  render 
the  country  members  dissatisfied  and  restless,  realizing  that  they  and  their 
lodges  were  in  a  great  measure  forced  into  disadvantage  as  to  their  rights 
and  interests.  As  a  result,  several  amendments  to  the  constitution  were 
submitted  during  this  session,  designed  and  tending  to  remove  or  abate 
the  objectionable  features  and  unjust  provisions  of  law,  and  to  remedy  the 
evils  complained  of,  —  in  a  measure  at  least. 

When  the  proposed  amendments  were  under  consideration  at  the 
annual  session,  a  proposition  to  call  a  convention  to  revise  the  consti- 
tution and  by-laws  was  passed  by  an  almost  unanimous  vote,  all  sections  of 
the  state  being  fairly  represented.  This  convention  elaborated  a  code  that 
provided  for  the  organization  of  district  grand  committees  with  various 
powers  as  to  local  interests;  for  a  representative  system  on  a  basis  of 
membership ;  for  stated  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  mode  of  nominat- 
ing Grand  Lodge  officers  in  district  grand  committees  and  their  election  in 
the  lodges;  for  an  examination  of  appeals;  raising  revenue  for  Grand 
Lodge  expenses ;  manner  of  amending  the  constitution ;  and  other  reforms 
deemed  necessary  by  a  large  number  of  the  intelligent  and  interested  mem- 
bers of  the  Order.  The  existing  constitution  was  admitted  to  be  no  longer 
adapted  to  the  needs,  or  even  adequate  to  the  existence,  of  the  Order  in 
New  York. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JUBiaDlCTIONS.  259 

The  incalculable  increase  of  the  Order  had  so  enlarged  the  Qrand  Lodge 
that  it  had  outgrown  the  provisions  of  its  constitution^  and  retarded  the 
transaction  of  the  business  of  the  Grand  body.  The  amended  instrument, 
formulated  by  the  convention,  which  was  neither  more  nor  less  than  an 
enlarged  committee  created  for  the  purpose,  was  engrossed,  compared,  certi- 
fied, and  transmitted  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  to  be  printed  and  copies  by 
him  sent  to  the  lodges  for  their  inspection  and  approval  or  disapproval. 

At  the  meeting  of  that  body  held  in  December,  1846,  the  consideration 
of  the  proposed  amended  constitution  was  opposed,  on  the  ground  that  the 
Grand  Lodge  charter  was  granted  to  the  lodges,  and  individually  they 
were  entitled  to  direct  representation  and  participation  in  its  proceedings; 
that  it  was  proposed  to  constitute  the  Grand  Lodge  on  principles  and  in  a 
manner  totally  at  variance  with  the  letter  and  spirit  of  its  charter,  and 
delegate  power  to  an  organization  unknown  to  the  Order,  which  the  Grand 
Lodge  did  not  possess  under  the  said  charter,  and  thereby  deprive  lodges 
of  rights  and  privileges  assured  by  the  laws  of  the  Order.  The  objec- 
tions were  entertained  by  the  Grand  Master,  and  sustained  by  the  Grand 
Lodge.  Several  efforts  were  made  at  the  February  quarterly  session,  in 
1847,  to  reconsider  or  rescind  the  action  taken  in  December  previously,  all 
of  which  were  ruled  out  of  order  by  the  Grand  Master,  who  refused  to 
entertain  any  appeals  from  his  decisions  thereon.  A  numerously  signed 
protest  by  representatives,  on  behalf  of  protesting  lodges,  was  presented 
and  ordered  to  be  entered  on  the  journal. 

Subsequent  attempts  to  appeal  from  the  decisions  were  "  ruled  out "  by 
the  Grand  Master,  as  he  held  that  they  involved  constitutional  questions. 
By  unanimous  consent  an  appeal  from  these  decisions  was  permitted  to  be 
taken  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

At  the  annual  session  of  that  body  in  September,  1847,  the  appeal  was 
referred  to  the  committee  on  appeals.  The  committee  rendered  a  very 
lengthy  and  exhaustive  report,  deciding  that  the  Grand  Master  did  not 
form  an  independent  part  of  the  governing  power.  While  presiding,  the 
body,  and  not  the  Grand  Master,  must  for  the  time  be  the  final  judge.  In 
order  to  aid  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  out  of  its  existing  difficulties, 
the  committee  recommended  that  the  constitution  in  force  prior  to  August, 
1846,  be  declared  the  fundamental  law  of  the  Grand  body;  that  article 
vi.,  section  one,  the  amendatory  clause  of  said  constitution,  which  had 
been  "  stricken  out,"  be  restored  and  declared  in  full  force  and  effect ;  that 
the  form  of  constitution  reported  by  the  convention,  except  such  parts 
as  this  Grand  Lodge  strike  out,  be  referred  to  the  Gmnd  Lodge  of  New 
York,  to  be  considered  at  its  session  in  November  next,  and  determined, 
with  full  power  to  adopt  or  reject,  or  amend  and  adopt,  as  if  formally 
before  it  for  final  action  in  pursuance  of  article  vi.,  section  one,  of  ita 
constitution  of  August,  1846. 


260  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

At  the  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  August,  1847,  a  committee 
of  conference,  composed  of  three  representatives  from  the  city  lodges  and 
three  from  the  country  lodges,  was  appointed,  to  retire  and  report  speedily 
a  plan  of  an  amicable  settlement  of  the  pending  difficulties  relative  to  the 
constitution,  —  the  members  of  the  committee  to  be  selected  by  the  respec- 
tive parties  interested.  The  committee  presented  the  compromise  form  of 
a  constitution  they  had  agreed  upon,  — 

**  Indalging  in  the  confident  expectation  that  the  deliberations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  upon 
the  form  of  constitution  they  present,  will  be  as  harmoniously  and  satisfactorily  conducted 
as  have  been  their  own ;  and  that  it  will  meet  with  as  cordial  an  approval,  by  all  parties 
interested  therein,  as  it  received  from  the  committee." 

This. was  signed  by  Charles  McGowan,  Alfred  A.  Phillips,  and  George 
H.  Andrews,  on  behalf  of  the  city  lodges ;  and  by  Theodore  Dimon,  John 
W.  Dwindle,  and  Daniel  P.  Barnard,  representing  the  country  lodges. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  asked  to  permit  a  vote  to  be  taken  on  the 
proposition :  — 

**  That  the  representatives  of  lodges  not  located  in  the  city  of  New  York,  present  at  this 
session,  do  unanimously  adhere  to  the  compromise  constitution  offered  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
yesterday,  on  the  terms  and  conditions  of  adoption  agreed  upon ;  and  that  such  adherence  is 
hereby  tendered  to  the  representatives  of  the  city  lodges,  to  remain  open  for  a  vote  to  be 
taken  by  said  city  representatives,  at  any  meeting  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  to  be  held  on  or 
before  the  15th  of  September,  1847." 

The  past  grands  present,  of  both  city  and  country  lodges,  unanimously 
agreed  to  have  the  proposition  placed  on  the  journal.  For  the  purpose  of 
fairly  accomplishing  the  object,  the  compromise  constitution  was  to  be 
printed  and  copies  transmitted  to  each  lodge  immediately. 

At  the  quarterly  session  in  November,  1847,  in  lieu  of  the  compromise 
constitution,  a  member  of  the  conference  committee,  representing  the 
country  lodges,  submitted :  "  That  the  form  of  constitution  reported  by  the 
convention  held  in  November,  1846,  be  and  hereby  is  amended  and  adopted 
and  declared  to  be  the  constitution  of  this  Grand  Lodge."  This  was  an 
amended  form  of  the  convention  constitution,  and  not  that  instrument  as 
referred  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  to  be  acted  upon  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  at  this  session.  Amendments  were  offered, 
and  decided  in  order  by  the  Grand  Master.  The  decision  was  reversed, 
and  on  call  of  the  previous  question  the  vote  was  taken  on  the  convention 
constitution,  as  amended  informally  outside  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
declared  adopted  by  two-thirds  of  the  votes  by  representation  of  lodges. 
The  minority  voted  protesting  against  the  manner  of  the  present  pro- 
ceedings of  a  majority  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  well  as  against  the  proceed- 
ing itself,  in  not  considering  and  voting  upon  the  convention  constitution 
as  referred  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  in  amending  it 
before,  and  not  allowing  it  to  be  amended  after,  being  taken  up  for  action. 

A  convention  of  lodges,  represented  by  delegates,  was  called  in  the  city 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  261 

of  New  York  subsequent  to  the  November  session,  at  which  a  statement 
covering  their  views  was  reported,  implying  that  the  convention  constitu- 
tion, in  the  form  referred  to  it,  was  never  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
New  York ;  that  the  instrmnent  voted  upon  was  not  the  form  of  consti- 
tution directed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  to  be  submitted 
for  action;  that  when  the  previous  question  was  ordered,  it  brought  the 
vote  of  the  body  direct  upon  a  document  that  was  not  the  constitution  it 
purported  to  be ;  that  the  only  proposition  to  amend  which  could  legally 
be  entertained  was  not  before  the  body;  and  that  the  constitution  in 
force  prior  to  August,  1846,  was  the  only  one  to  be  obeyed  and  respected 
by  the  lodges. 

A  convention  of  past  grands,  representing  the  district  grand  commit- 
tees and  lodges  favorable  to  the  new  constitution,  was  held  at  Albany, 
in  January,  1848,  at  which  was  presented  an  address  setting  forth  its 
views,  to  be  circulated  among  the  lodges,  recommending  that  their  repre- 
sentatives refrain  from  attending  or  recognizing  any  pretended  session 
which  might  be  held  under  the  old  constitution,  holding  all  its  acts  as 
invalid.  A  series  of  resolutions  was  adopted,  declaring  the  status,  power, 
and  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  under  the  new  constitution,  and  the 
duties  of  its  loyal  officers ;  also,  protesting  against  any  interference  on  the 
part  of  the  Grand  Sire,  and  repudiating  the  authority  of  any  commission 
to  investigate  and  decide  on  matters  concerning  New  York.  An  address 
was,  also,  prepared  and  adopted,  to  be  transmitted  to  the  brethren  of  the 
Order  throughout  the  United  States,  inviting  their  attention  to  a  history 
of  the  controversy,  the  legislation  relative  to  the  proposed  constitution, 
the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  a  summary  of 
the  position  of  the  Order  in  the  state  of  New  York.  It  was  severe  in  its 
denunciation  of  everybody  and  every  act  not  subservient  to  the  new  con- 
stitution, and  was  signed  by  two  of  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  com- 
mittee of  conference  on  a  compromise  constitution,  and  prime  movers  of 
the  constitution  purporting  to  be  the  amended  convention  constitution. 

Under  date  of  November  17,  1847,  the  Grand  Master  then  in  office, 
Joseph  E.  Taylor,  addressed  an  official  communication  to  Grand  Sire  Horn 
K.  Kneass,  reciting  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  relative  to  the 
adoption  of  a  constitution  at  its  November  session,  and  asked  official  advice 
and  instruction  as  to  the  course  he  should  pursue.  He  also  propounded 
three  distinct  propositions :  — 

**  First,  Should  not  the  constitution ,  referred  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
have  been  before  the  Qrand  Lodge  of  New  York  at  its  November  session,  before  amend- 
ments could  be  offered  to  the  same  ?  Second,  That  constitution  not  being  before  the  Grand 
Lodge  at  its  November  session,  could  another  offered  in  lieu  of  it  be  legally  adopted  ?  Third, 
Must  the  constitution  as  adopted  by  the  lodge  at  its  November  session,  if  legally  adopted,  be 
immediately  put  in  force?  " 

To  ihejirst,  the  Grand  Sire  answered:  *'  The  form  of  constitution  reported  by  the  con- 


V 


262  TIIE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

▼ention,  except  as  corrected  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  was  referred  by  that 
body  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  to  be  taken  up  for  action  at  its  November  session, 
with  power  to  adopt  or  reject,  or  amend  and  adopt.  When  so  taken  up  it  might  have  been 
amended,  but  not  sooner."  To  the  second :  **  If  this  form  of  constitution  was  not  taken  up 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  at  its  November  session,  but  a  different  one,  the  taking 
up  of  the  latter  form  was  without  authority  of  law,  and,  if  adopted,  its  adoption  is  a  nul- 
lity.*'  To  the  third:  "The  proviso  in  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  in  which  there  was  legislation  of  a  very  special  character,  poiuts  clearly  to  the 
positive  necessity  of  having  the  approval  of  the  said  Grand  Lodge  anterior  to  its  becoming 
binding  and  operative.  I  communicated  these  sentiments  at  once  to  the  Grand  Master  of 
New  York,  who,  in  a  becoming  spirit,  issued  a  proclamation  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  over  which  he  presided,  in  conformity  to  my  said  official  communication  to  him.  From 
this  decision  it  pleased  some  of  the  fraternity  of  New  York  to  dissent." 

December  29, 1847,  the  Grand  Sire  appointed  a  commission  to  leam 
tlie  facts  as  they, might  be  unfolded,  and  the  law  they  believed  to  be 
applicable  to  the  case,  and  report  to  the  Grand  Sire,  —  the  ultimate  deci- 
sion and  responsibility  to  continue  with  him.  They  organized  in  New 
York  January  17,  1848,  and  made  a  requisition  upon  the  Grand  Master 
and  Grand  Secretary,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  for  authenticated 
copies  of  the  manuscript  journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  touching  the  adoption 
of  a  constitution  by  that  body  at  its  November  session,  in  1847.  Grand 
Master  Taylor,  in  reply,  said  he  was  ready  to  furnish  the  commission  with 
all  the  information  in  his  power  relative  to  the  matter ;  that  he  was  not 
in  possession  of  a  manuscript  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  November  • 
session,  but  the  original  minutes,  taken  during  the  session,  were  in  the 
keeping  of  John  G.  Treadwell,  the  Grand  Secretary.  In  his  response  to 
the  commission  the  Grand  Secretary  stated  that :  — 

"  The  new  constitution  went  into  effect  on  the  adjournment  of  the  November  session, 
and  the  annual  session  would  be  held  in  August  next ;  in  the  ijiterim  no  business  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  could  be  transacted.  As  a  member  of  the  Order,  and  an  officer  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  New  York,  I  cannot,  under  my  obligation  to  that  body,  whose  agent  I  am,  recog^ 
nize  your  body  as  meeting  under  sanction  of  law,  to  try  either  myself,  the  members,  or  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  this  state.  Whenever  a  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  this  state  shall  be 
held,  either  annual  or  special  (if  one  be  called),  I  shall  submit  your  communication  to  the 
said  Grand  Lodge,  for  such  action  as  it  may  take  in  the  premises." 

The  commission  then  concluded  to  consider  the  report  of  the  proceed- 
ings, referring  to  the  matters  at  issue,  as  they  appeared  in  the  printed 
journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  bearing  date  November  3,  1847,  and  the 
examination  of  parole  testimony,  as  the  next  best  evidence  within  their 
reach. 

The  commission  came  to  the  conclusion,  unanimously,  that:  — 

(1)  The  form  of  constitution  acted  upon  at  the  November  session  was  not  the  form  of 
constitution  passed  upon  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  to  be  submitted  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  New  York.  (2)  The  form  of  constitution  alleged  to  have  been  adopted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  contains  new  matter  at  variance  with  the  law  of  the  particu- 
lar case,  and  the  general  laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  (3)  The  form  of 
constitution  prescribed,  if  it  had  been  in  all  respects  regularly  submitted  to  and  adopted, 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  263 

or  amended  and  adopted,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  woald  have  been  piOTisionally 
in  force. 

Subsequently  Joseph  R.  Taylor,  Grand  Master,  reported  and  pre- 
sented to  the  commission  forty-one  sheets  of  the  manuscript  minutes  of 
the  November  session,  1847,  —  eighteen  sheets  missing, — in  the  hand- 
writing of  John  G.  Treadwell,  and  signed  by  him.  On  examination  of 
the  manuscript  minutes,  the  commission  discovered  essential  differences 
between  the  written  and  the  printed  minutes. 

The  commission  rendered  their  report  to  the  Grand  Sire  Ma-rch  9, 
1848;  and,  on  the  28th  of  the  same  month,  he  officially  informed  the  Grand 
Master  that  the  constitution  which  was  in  force  prior  to  August,  1846, 
was  still  the  fundamental  law  of  the!  said  Grand  Lodge,  to  which  he 
yielded  a  prompt  and  full  acquiescence.  By  this  decision,  and  the  action 
thereon,  the  spirit  of  discontent  and  dissatisfaction  which  had  been 
aroused,  instead  of  being  subdued,  was  greatly  increased,  denying  the 
power  of  the  Grand  Sire  to  interfere  or  direct  in  the  premises.  It  was 
claimed  by  the  adherents  of  the  new  constitution  that  there  was  not  a 
single  allegation  of  fact  assumed  by  the  grand  commissioners,  and  satis- 
factorily proved  before  them,  by  such  testimony  as  they  received,  which 
was  true.  The  opinion  of  the  Grand  Sire,  based  upon  the  report  to  him 
of  the  commission,  being  communicated  to  the  past  grands  and  subordi- 
nate lodges  throughout  the  state,  was  disregarded  by  them,  with  the  same 
unanimity  with  which  they  had  previously  refused  to  obey  Grand  Master 
Taylor's  proclamation. 

In  accordance  with  the  principles  evolved  in  the  new  constitution,  the 
standing  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  involved  in  said  instrument, 
held  a  meeting  in  New  York  on  January  26, 1848,  and  resolved :  — 

"  That  Joseph  R.  Taylor,  Grand  Master  ;  Jacob  Storms,  Deputy  Grand  Master ;  and 
Matthew  Bird,  Grand  Treasurer,  by  refusing  to  meet  with  the  standing  committee,  or  to 
recognize  the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  adopted  at  the  last  November  session,  and 
by  adhering  to  a  constitution  which  has  been  annulled  and  is  no  longer  in  foirce,  and  main- 
taining an  organization  thereunder,  have  abandoned  their  respective  offices,  and  said  offices 
are  now  vacant." 

The  vacancies  were  filled  by  an  election  and  installation,  and  the  com- 
mittee granted  charters  to  nearly  forty  new  lodges. 

At  the  February  quarterly  session  of  the  old-constitution  Grand 
Lodge,  several  communications,  repudiating  its  authority  and  ignoring  its 
legal  existence,  were  received  and  presented  by  the  Grand  Master,  action 
upon  which  resulted  in  removals  and  incriminating  charges,  and  counter 
removals  and  charges,  each  Grand  Lodge  claiming  jurisdiction  and  author- 
ity under  its  respective  constitution.  All  lodges  deemed  in  contempt  of 
authority  of  the  old  Grand  Lodge  were  suspended  during  its  pleasure. 

The  new-constitution  Grand  Lodge  was  convened  August  21, 1848,  in 


264  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

New  York  City.  The  Grand  Master's  report  recommended  that  no  definite 
action  be  taken  relative  to  those  lodges  refusing  allegiance  to  this  body, 
until  after  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in 
September.  William  L.  G.  Smith,  Past  Grand  Master,  presided  until  an 
election  was  held,  at  which  605  votes  were  cast,  resulting  in  the  choice  of 
Daniel  P.  Barnard,  Grand  Master;  Jetur  Gardiner,  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Andrew  Saul,  Grand  Warden ;  William  H.  H.  Prall,  Grand  Secretary ; 
Theodore  A.  Ward,  Grand  Treasurer ;  John  W.  Dwindle  and  Theodore 
Dimon,  Grand  Eepresentatives. 

At  the  annual  session  of  the  old-constitution  Grand  Lodge  in  August, 
1848,  an  amended  constitution  was  adopted.  While  a  large  number  of 
lodges  were  represented,  it  was  painfully  apparent  that  the  cord  of 
Friendship  had  been  severed,  the  bonds  of  Love  loosened,  and  the  light 
of  Truth  dimmed;  that  the  breach  was  unhealed,  and  many  familiar 
forms  and  faces  were  absent,  from  this  council  of  the  old  Grand  Lodge, 
who  had  hitherto  weathered  the  storms  of  prejudice,  passion,  and  bigotry. 
With  a  sincere  desire  to  reconcile  conflicting  views,  and  to  restore  harmony 
and  unity  in  the  jurisdiction,  it  was  decided  and  recommended  that  all 
kindness  and  consideration,  consistent  with  a  due  observance  of  the  laws 
of  the  Order,  be  manifested  toward  those  lodges  that  have  disavowed  the 
authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  recognized  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States.  In  order  to  facilitate  such  return,  the  Grand  Master  was 
requested  to  call  special  sessions  in  his  discretion,  to  consider  applications 
for  such  reinstatements  as  might  be  offered. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  September,  1848,  created  a 
special  committee,  selected  by  ballot,  to  whom  all  the  matters  in  con- 
troversy in  the  jurisdiction  of  New  York  were  referred.  After  a  delib- 
erate examination  of  the  facts  presented,  the  committee,  upon  their 
deductions  from  the  evidence,  recommended  that  John  J.  Davies  and 
James  W.  Hale  be  admitted  to  seats  as  the  legal  representatives  from 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  and  Joseph  D.  Stewart  and  W.  W.  Dib- 
blee,  as  the  legal  representatives  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  New 
York;  that  the  Grand  bodies  by  whom  the  foregoing  representatives 
were  elected  or  appointed,  are  thereby  recognized  as  having  a  legal  exist- 
ence  under  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 
These  recommendations  were  fully  acquiesced  in,  and  indorsed  by  affirma- 
tive action. 

The  testimony  taken  before  this  committee  is  not  only  a  matter  of 
history  and  of  record,  but  was  of  extraordinary  interest  to  the  Order  at 
large,  and  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  fraternity  in  the  state  of  New 
York.  It  included  the  deductions  and  decisions  of  the  committee  upon 
which  depended  the  fate  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  with  its  three 
hundred  and  forty-eight  lodges,  and  upward  of  34,000  members.    To  dis- 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  266 

member  its  jurisdiction^  by  either  a  separate  Grand  Lodge  or  a  total  loss 
to  the  Order  of  over  two  hundred  lodges,  would  be  fatal  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  a  united  family.  Harmony  and  prosperity  could  not  possibly  be 
maintained  in  a  jurisdiction  divided  into  two  Grand  Lodges  under  the 
existing  circumstances  and  conditions. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  having  been  declared  by  the  Supreme 
body  to  be  in  possession  of  all  the  powers  and  privileges  exercised  or  enjoyed 
by  other  state  Grand  Lodges,  had  adopted  a  course  that  was  kind,  concili- 
atory, and  forbearing  toward  the  lodges  it  had  suspended,  which  induced 
several  to  apply  for  reinstatement,  when  their  petitions  were  cheerfully 
received  and  favorably  considered.  This  course,  pursued,  was  the  means 
of  promoting  cordial  feelings  between  the  returning  and  the  receiving 
brethren^ — mild,  yet  firm;  liberal,  but  legal;  conciliatory,  yet  without 
a  compromise  of  dignity.  While  many  lodges  and  individual  members 
returned  to  their  allegiance  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  there  were  a  few  of  the 
more  refractory  that  treated  the  authority  of  that  body  with  flagrant  con- 
tempt, in  defiance  of  all  law  and  order.  These  were  dealt  with  as  the 
merits  of  their  acts  deserved,  —  expelled.  There  seemed  to  be,  however, 
a  growing  indisposition,  on  the  part  of  the  more  reasonable  dissentients, 
to  continue  longer  to  occupy  their  present  anomalous  relations  to  Odd 
Fellowship. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  September, 
1849,  a  special  committee  was  ordered,  to  take  into  consideration  the  state 
of  the  Order  in  New  York.  To  this  action  the  representatives  of  New 
Tork  entered  a  formal  protest,  as  neither  the  Grand  Lodge  nor  Grand 
Encampment,  or  their  representatives,  had  introduced  any  subject  before 
the  body  requiring  its  action,  or  of  a  committee  thereof ;  hence  such  action 
or  course,  being  totally  at  variance  with  all  the  rights  of  state  jurisdictions, 
was  utterly  destructive  of  all  the  powers  vested  in  state  Grand  Lodges,  and 
an  unwarrantable  interference  with  the  rights  guaranteed  by  their  constitu- 
tions, and  valid  and  unreclaimed  charters. 

Two  Grand  Lodges  recognized.  —  The  committee  reported  a  plan  of  adjust- 
ment of  the  disturbed  condition  of  the  Order  in  New  York,  which  they 
believed  would  not  militate  against  the  dignity  and  consistency  of  the 
supreme  legislature  of  the  Order,  and  at  the  same  time  would  restore  that 
portion  of  the  brotherhood  in  New  York  divorced  from  it,  and  relieve  it 
from  the  existing  strained  relations.  The  organization  known  as  the  new- 
constitution  Grand  Lodge  was  recognized  as  having  a  legal  existence,  and 
a  charter  was  granted  giving  it  jurisdiction  in  Odd  Fellowship  over  that  part 
of  the  territory  of  the  state  included  within  the  Northern  Judicial  Dis- 
trict, as  defined  by  Act  of  Congress,  and  to  be  styled  the  ''  Grand  Lodge  of 
Northern  New  York  " ;  the  existing  Grand  Lodge  to  have  jurisdiction  over 
that  part  of  the  state  included  within  the  Southern  Judicial  District,  and 


266  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

styled  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  Southern  New  York."  The  lodges  located  in 
either  district  were  to  be  permitted  to  elect  to  which  Grand  Lodge  they 
should  be  attached.  All  charters  previously  granted  to  subordinate  lodges 
by  the  new-constitution  Grand  Lodge  were  legalized  and  confirmed.  The 
same  provisions  were  enacted  relative  to  the  Grand  and  subordinate 
encampments  of  the  state.  The  supreme  law  was  amended  by  adding  to 
the  stipulation  of  the  eighth  article  of  its  by-laws :  '^  Except  in  the  state 
of  New  York,  which  may  have  two  Grand  Lodges,  and  two  Grand 
Encampments." 

The  credentials  issued  by  the  new-constitution  bodies  being  informal, 
their  representatives  were  not  admitted  to  seats.  The  official  seals  were 
returned,  to  be  changed  to  correspond  with  respective  names,  and  date  of 
charters.  The  constitutions  presented  by  both  bodies  were  returned  for 
amendments,  and  submission  for  examination  at  the  next  annual  session. 

The  action  of  the  supreme  tribunal  was  certainly  not  in  accord  with 
the  repeated  declarations  and  decisions  of  that  body.  In  1840  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ohio  protested  against  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  in  unsolicited  interference  with  its  chartered  powers.  In 
1847  it  was  decided  "  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  had  no 
power  to  make  any  alteration  in  the  charter  of  a  state  Grand  Lodge, 
without  the  consent  of  said  state  Grand  Lodge."  In  1849  it  refrained 
from  considering  a  resolution  to  amend  the  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Ohio,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  had  not  made  the  application;  and  yet  this 
same  body  found  it  convenient  not  only  to  alter  the  charter  of  a  sovereign 
state,  but  also  to  reassume  and  dispose  of  a  large  portion  of  its  territorial 
jurisdiction,  without  the  application  or  assent,  or  even  giving  said  state 
Grand  Lodge  an  opportunity  to  express  its  views  on  the  propositions  enter- 
tained by  the  special  committee,  as  furnished  to  them  by  the  representa- 
tives of  the  new-constitution  party.  It  was  admitted  by  the  latter  in  the 
report  to  their  Grand  Lodge,  that  private  interviews  had  been  solicited  by 
the  committee,  to  make  known  to  them  the  terms  upon  which  they  wished 
the  arrangement  to  be  effected,  and  that  they  accepted  the  division  of  the 
state  on  the  conditions  reported  by  the  committee,  which  embraced  every 
proposal  of  importance  they  had  submitted  to  the  committee. 

On  receiving  official  notice,  at  the  October  session,  1850,  of  the  action 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  the  old  Grand  Lodge,  while 
acquiescing  in  the  division  of  its  jurisdiction  without  the  application  of, 
or  even  consultation  with  it,  —  an  act  both  uncourteous  and  unjust, — 
placed  upon  its  journal  its  final  protest  against  the  mode  in  which  the 
result  was  accomplished,  believing  the  power  assumed  by  the  supreme 
tribunal  to  be  a  direct  violation  of  all  law  and  precedent,  and  every  right 
secured  by  its  constitution  and  charter,  and  at  variance  with  every  well- 
defined  principle  and  every  decision  of  the  legislative  head  of  the  Order. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  267 

Grand  Sire  Griffin  presented  to  the  staaiding  committee  the  grand 
charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Northern  New  York,  October  12, 1849,  at 
No.  396  Broadway,  New  York  City,  Utica  being  designated  therein  as  the 
seat  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  —  the  closing  act  in  the  division  of  the  state 
into  two  Grand  jurisdictions,  and  the  final  acknowledgment  of  t«vo  Grand 
Lodges  existing  therein. 

Subsequently  a  committee  of  conference  was  appointed,  —  representing 
both  Grand  Lodges,  —  to  devise  and  report  such  action  or  measures  as 
might  be  deemed  expedient  and  necessary  to  an  amicable  adjustment  of 
the  interests  of  both  parties,  in  the  division  of  the  jurisdiction.  After 
a  laborious  and  prolonged  correspondence,  resulting  in  no  nearer  approach 
to  a  mutual  settlement  of  the  financial  difficulties  and  other  differences, 
the  conference  was  closed. 

During  the  few  years  following,  there  were  frequent  complaints,  pro 
and  coriy  arising  from  financial  differences,  encroachments  upon  each 
other's  territory,  rights  and  prerogatives  between  lodges,  —  imaginary  or 
otherwise,  —  which  led  to  official  correspondence,  and  to  more  or  less  agi- 
tation among  the  brethren.  Nothing  serious,  however,  resulted  from 
these  misunderstandings,  which  eventually  righted  themselves;  and  all 
causes  for  friction,  prejudice,  or  passion  gradually  disappeared,  and  more 
friendly  relations  between  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  their  respective  subor- 
dinates, and  members  intervened.  The  intercourse  among  the  member- 
ship was  largely  actuated  by  the  genuine  spirit  of  the  Order,  and  tended 
to  restore  harmony  and  confidence  to  both  jurisdictions. 

In  the  ten  years  following  the  reorganization,  the  Order  in  this  state 
increased  from  six  lodges  and  558  members  in  1837,  to  three  hundred  and 
nine  lodges  and  30,296  members  in  1847.  After  the  division  the  Order 
increased  rapidly,  both  in  lodges  and  members.  In  Northern  New  York 
lodges  were  chartered  in  every  town,  village,  and  hamlet  where  solicited, 
and  additional  lodges  instituted,  to  the  detriment  of  those  already  occu- 
pying the  locality.  The  success  was  marvellous,  but  ephemeral.  In  four 
years  there  were  added  two  hundred  and  six  new  lodges,  making  a  total 
of  four  hundred  and  forty-five. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Southern  New  York  was  less  fortunate,  for  in 
the  same  period  of  time  it  had  lost  thirty-three  lodges  and  decreased 
4453  in  membership;  but  its  downward  grade,  later,  was  less  rapid, 
serious,  and  disparaging. 

In  1855  a  reaction  set  in,  to  the  great  disadvantage  of  both  jurisdic- 
tions. Decrease  of  lodges,  large;  suspension  of  members,  numerous; 
initiations,  few.  Growing  apathy  and  indifference,  non-attendance,  neg- 
lect of  financial  obligations,  disregard  of  duties,  and  open  violations  of 
law  were  prevalent.  The  increase  and  growth  had  been  too  rapid  to 
be  permanent,  healthy,  or  beneficial.    Lodges  had  been  indiscriminately 


268  TEH  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

instituted  wherever  five  members  could  be  secured  to  petition  for  a 
charter.  Expensive  lodge-rooms  and  extravagant  equipments  involved 
heavy  debts  in  organizing;  and  candidates  were  sought  in  every  direction 
at  low  rates  of  fees  and  dues,  in  order  to  replenish  the  treasury,  without 
suflScient  regard  to  their  fitness,  character,  or  eligibility,  whereby  many 
selfish,  designing,  and  unprincipled  men,  —  persons  who  ought  not  to 
have  been  admitted,  —  were  induced  to  petition  for  membership,  and 
were  readily  accepted.  Much  bad  material  had  been  thus  worked  into  the 
noble  structure,  to  the  danger  of  the  fabric. 

The  disbandings,  insubordinations,  defalcations,  and  embezzlements, 
that  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  manifested  clearly  that  unscrupulous 
men,  —  men  who  disregarded  every  sense  of  honor  and  honesty,  of  moral 
obligation,  solemn  vow,  and  covenanted  compact, — had  stolen  into  the 
lodges,  intent  upon  the  pecuniary  advantages  only,  and  conspired  with 
kindred  spirits  to  rob  the  lodge  fund. 

In  1857  the  Order  was  entering  upon  a  season  of  depression  incident 
to  the  fluctuations  of  trade  and  commerce.  It,  evidently,  had  reached  the 
zenith  of  its  prosperity  and  glory  in  New  York  state,  and,  like  nations 
that  rise,  flourish,  and  fall,  was  now  descending  to  the  horizon.  The 
well-wishers  of  the  Order  had  devised  and  suggested  various  plans  to 
revive  interest  and  awaken  zeal  in  the  lodges,  but  none  equal  to  the 
emergency. 

The  year  1861  opened  with  fair  prospects  for  the  future.  The  people 
seemed  to  be  recovering  from  pecuniary  embarrassments;  health  and 
plenty  blessed  the  people  and  the  land ;  industry,  skill,  and  enterprise 
received  their  reward;  the  clouds  of  adversity  seemed  to  be  passing 
away,  and  the  horizon  brightening.  Civil  war  suddenly  darkened  the 
scene,  and  the  picture  of  joyful  happiness  and  industry  speedily  became 
one  of  sorrow.  The  Order,  while  it  decreased  in  lodges  and  members, 
increased  in  its  usefulness  from  necessity.  Thousands  of  its  members 
were  called  to  arms,  and  heavy  drains  upon  lodge  treasuries  commenced, 
for  the  relief  of  members,  the  widows  and  orphans.  The  Order  stood 
nobly  by  its  sick  and  distressed  during  the  four  years  of  the  civil  strife. 
Its  principles  had  been  maintained,  its  professions  verified,  its  usefulness 
illustrated,  and  its  stability  and  permanence  assured.  Toward  the  close 
of  the  war  a  new  spirit  of  devotion  to  the  institution  sprang  into  existence 
among  those  long-mourned  as  indifferent  to  the  interests  of  the  Order. 
Lodges  were  revived,  suspended  members  returned  to  their  lodges,  and 
new  accessions  were  made.  The  prospect  for  the  future  was  bright  and 
cheering  indeed. 

Dawn  of  the  Reunion  Bay. — At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Southern  New  York  in  August,  1859,  a  proposition  was  submitted  for  a 
conference  committee,  to  effect  a  reunion  of  the  Order  in  this  state  by 


TEE  GBAND  LODGE  JUBI8DICTI0N8.  269 

consolidating  the  two  Grand  Lodges^  which  failed  to  receive  favorable 
action. 

In  May,  1864,  a  similar  effort  was  made,  with  success,  and  a  commit- 
tee to  confer  was  appointed.  The  Grand  Master  strongly  recommended 
such  a  course  in  his  report,  believing  its  consummation  generally  desired, 
that  the  condition  of  the  Order  required  it,  and  that  the  opportune  time 
had  arrived* 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Northern  New  York  in  August, 
1863,  the  Grand  Master  suggested  that  measures  be  taken  looking  to  the 
accomplishment  of  the  same  end.  The  committee,  believing  that  all 
former  differences  should  be  laid  aside,  and  the  Order  united  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  one  Grand  Lodge,  recommended  the  appointment  of  five 
to  the  committee  of  conference.  A  minority  reported  adversely,  and  the 
subject  of  mergement  was  negatived. 

At  the  August  session  in  1864,  of  the  same  body,  a  committee  to  con- 
fer with  a  similar  committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Southern  New  York 
was  appointed,  with  instructions  to  report  the  proceedings  of  the  conference 
to  the  standing  committee,  and  a  copy  to  be  furnished  to  each  subordinate 
prior  to  the  next  session. 

The  Terms  of  the  Reunion —  At  the  annual  session  of  each  Grand  body 
in  1865,  its  respective  committee  of  the  joint  committee  reported  that 
they  had  agreed  upon,  and  perfected,  the  necessary  measures  to  be  adopted 
by  the  two  Grand  Lodges  for  the  proposed  union,  and  recommended 
forms  of  enactment,  constitution,  by-laws,  and  rules  of  order.  Each  body 
adopted  the  enactment,  and  approved  of  the  code  of  laws  as  reported, 
subject  to  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

At  the  session  in  1865,  of  the  last-named  body,  the  representatives  of 
their  respective  Grand  bodies  presented  the  proceedings  of  the  same,  by 
documents  relative  to  the  union,  which  were  referred  to  the  appropriate 
committees.  The  enactment,  on  report,  was  adopted,  ratified,  and  con- 
firmed ;  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Northern  and  Southern  New  York  declared 
united  and  consolidated  as  the  "Grand  Lodge,  I.O.O.F.,  of  the  state  of 
New  York,"  possessed  of  all  the  rights  and  privileges,  franchises  and 
immunities  appertaining  and  belonging  to  a  state  Grand  Lodge.  The 
Grand  Sire  was  directed  to  issue  a  proclamation  making  known  to  said 
jurisdictions,  and  all  other  jurisdictions  in  the  Order,  the  changes  thus 
ordained  and  established.     The  constitution  as  submitted  was  approved. 

Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  session  Grand  Sire  Veitch  issued 
a  proclamation,  reciting  the  result  so  happily  attained.  It  may  be 
well  to  state,  in  this  connection,  that  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson  con- 
tributed a  no  small  share  of  labor  to  bring  about  this  greatly-to-be- 
desired  reunion. 

August  21,  1866,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  was  temporarily 


* 
« 


270  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

organized  in  accordance  with  the  sixth  clause  of  the  enactment,  approved 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  annual  session  of  1865.  The 
officers  were  elected,  appointed,  and  installed  thus  consummating  the 
union,  and  constituting  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state 
of  New  York,  with  a  united  brotherhood,  a  resuscitated  fraternal  spirit, 
actuated  by  a  desire  to  honor  the  Order,  promote  harmony,  and  restore 
prosperity.  At  subsequent  sessions  the  prejudices  of  the  past  wore 
away.  All  barriers  to  conciliation  had  been  removed,  and  all  rem- 
nants of  unkindly  feelings  were  disappearing.  The  representatives  were 
animated  by  a  commendable  desire  to  awaken  friendships  that  had  for 
a  while  slumbered ;  to  rekindle  zeal  which  had  been  lying  dormant ;  to 
infuse  fresh  vigor  into  the  body  of  the  Order  in  this  state,  that  the  pulse 
of  its  heart  might  beat  with  greater  freedom  and  strength. 

In  September,  1867,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  held  its 
annual  session  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  witnessed  the  good-will, 
harmony,  and  prosperity  of  the  united  Order  in  the  jurisdiction.  It  was 
a  memorable  one,  not  only  to  New  York,  but  to  the  Grand  Representa- 
tives, who,  on  return  to  their  respective  jurisdictions,  made  favorable 
reports  to  their  Grand  bodies  relative  to  the  reception  and  entertainment 
by  the  brethren  and  citizens  of  New  York,  as  appeared  in  the  printed 
proceedings  of  twenty-three  jurisdictions. 

In  1871-72  the  subordinates  in  New  York  state  contributed  $16,484.19 
for  the  relief  of  the  brotherhood  who  were  sufferers  on  accoimt  of  the 
fires  in  Chicago,  Michigan,  and  Wisconsin. 

The  state  of  New  York  has  been  represented  in  the  principal  chairs 
of  the  Sovereign  body  by  Frederick  Liese,  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  1837-40 ; 
John  A.  Kennedy,  Grand  Sire,  1841-43 ;  James  P.  Sanders,  Deputy  Grand 
Sire,  1864-66,  and  Grand  Sire,  1866-68 ;  John  H.  White,  Deputy  Grand 
Sire,  1884-86,  and  Grand  Sire,  1886-88 ;  John  W.  Stebbins,  Deputy  Grand 
Sire,  1892-94,  and  Grand  Sire,  1894-96. 

Conclusion. — The  history  of  the  Order  since  its  first  introduction  into 
this  hemisphere,  in  1806,  has  been  little  else  than  the  recital  of  ultimate 
triumph  over  every  impediment  to  successful  results.  In  its  onward  march 
it  has  had  to  encounter  and  overcome  various  obstacles,  none  of  which, 
however,  so  effectually  retarded  its  progress,  or  was  so  disastrous  to  its  inter- 
ests, as  the  division  in  1849  in  this  state,  —  a  division  that  reduced  the 
membership  from  39,440  in  1849,  to  23,480  in  1857 ;  from  six  hundred  and 
thirty-five  lodges  in  1857,  to  two  hundred  and  thirteen  in  1865,  at  the 
union.  When  the  two  Grand  Lodges  were  united,  the  Northern  Grand 
Lodge  had  5337  members,  and  the  Southern  Grand  Lodge  7335;  total, 
12,672.  Hence  the  reunion,  after  a  lapse  of  seventeen  years,  was  a 
desirable,  —  yes,  necessary,  —  consummation  for  the  perpetuity  and  stabil- 
ity of  the  Order  in  the  state  of  New  York.    The  unanimity  and  kindly 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  271 

feeling  that  characterized  this  action  was  worthy  of  all  commendation,  as 
a  practical  illustration  of  the  sentiments  of  fraternity  so  prominently 
enjoined  by  the  Order.  In  1875  the  Grand  Lodge  reported  four  hundred 
and  forty-one  lodges  and  39,943  members;  in  1885,  four  hundred  and 
ninety-six  lodges  and  42,406  members ;  in  1895,  seven  hundred  and  forty- 
three  lodges  and  72,667  members.  The  present  condition  and  position  of 
the  Order  in  the  state  of  New  York  before  the  fraternal  world  may  well 
fill  the  heart  of  every  good  Odd  Fellow,  who  contributed  to  the  consoli- 
dation in  1865,  with  pride  and  satisfaction.  From  a  few  detached,  pre- 
carious lodges,  struggling  for  existence  amid  the  ignorance,  prejudice, 
and  jealousy  by  which  they  were  surrounded,  within  three-quarters  of 
a  century  the  Order  has  become  a  mighty  institution,  in  membership,  in 
subordinates,  in  wealth.  Odd  Fellowship  is  no  longer  an  experiment,  but 
is  successfully  and  triumphantly  established  as  one  of  the  leading  benevo- 
lent factors  of  the  age.  In  1896  the  seven  hundred  and  forty-three 
lodges,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  were 
in  receipt  of  $616,400.56.  During  the  same  period  of  time  they  disbursed : 
in  relief,  $290,581.09;  for  housekeeping  expenses,  $282,916.13;  and  there 
were  fifteen  new  lodges  added,  with  an  addition  of  2526  to  the  membership ; 
total  membership,  72,667. 

The  few  survivors  of  some  of  the  stirring  events  and  turbulent  times, 
through  which  the  Order  has  passed,  now  witness  a  fraternal  union  that 
inspires  confidence  in  the  justice  of  its  laws,  in  the  ready  obedience  to  its 
mandates,  in  the  influence  of  its  principles,  and  guarantees  stability  and 
the  future  harmony  and  prosperity  of  the  Order  in  the  Empire  State. 
Having  experienced  some  of  its  various  vicissitudes  within  the  limits  of 
a  single  generation,  and  after  the  close  of  a  long  and  bloody  civil  war 
between  the  North  and  the  South,  fortunate  is  the  Order  that  it  can  now 
demonstrate  to  the  world  the  fact  that  all  animosities  are  laid  aside,  and 
in  its  memories  no  hatred  or  enmity  is  left.  After  a  separation  of  seven- 
teen years,  peace  and  prosperity  have  dominated  this  jurisdiction  for  thirty 
years,  without  the  shadow  of  a  thought  of  renewing  the  former  strife, 
and  a  hearty  return  of  genuine  friendship  and  harmony  has  prevailed 
since  the  union  of  1866. 


cC^J^C^^^, 


J^^^^^^u!^ 


272  THS  TBREE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  GRAND  JURISDICTION  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

Introductory.  —  The  jurisdiction  of  Maryland  has  been  acknowledged  as 
the  parent  of  American  Odd  Fellowship.  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1,  of 
Baltimore,  was  self-instituted  on  the  26th  of  April,  1819,  subsequently 
obtaining  a  charter  from  England.  That  jurisdiction,  however,  cannot 
claim  the  honor  of  the  first  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  in  this  country,  for  New 
York  antedates  her  by  thirteen  years,  and  students  of  our  Order  have  now 
come  to  believe  that  Massachusetts,  also,  antedates  Maryland. 

It  is  a  coincident  somewhat  remarkable,  that  the  Order  was  introduced 
into  Maryland  and  Massachusetts  at  about  the  same  period  of  time,  1818 
or  1819,  by  Englishmen  who  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1817.  Whether 
Massachusetts  can  claim  seniority  over  Maryland  is  a  mooted  question,  but 
from  the  best  evidence  obtainable  we  are  of  that  opinion. 

Thomas  Wildey  left  England  in  1817,  landing  in  Baltimore  September 
2nd,  of  the  same  year.  James  B.  Barnes,  also,  left  England  in  1817,  land- 
ing in  New  York,  but  immediately  proceeded  to  Boston,  subsequently 
obtaining  employment  in  a  glass  factory  in  East  Cambridge.  Both  were 
prominent  Odd  Fellows  in  the  old  country,  Wildey  having  been  initiated 
in  1804,  nine  years  before  Barnes.  Both  were  past  grands,  and  were 
rewarded  by  their  brethren  for  distinguished  services.  Landing  in  the 
United  States,  without  the  knowledge  of  the  existence  of  the  other,  each 
went  about  the  task  of  introducing  the  Order  into  his  adopted  country. 
The  deductions  which  follow,  including  the  history  of  Massachusetts  and 
Siloam  lodges,  are  drawn  from  the  carefully  prepared  and  reliable  manu- 
script left  by  Past  Grand  Sire  William  Ellison,  of  Massachusetts. 

First  Lodges.  —  Massachusetts  Lodge,  No.  1,  dates  from  March  20, 1820, 
at  which  time  it  adopted  a  code  of  by-laws  and  commenced  to  keep  records, 
but  it  is  an  established  fact  that  the  brethren  for  a  long  time  prior  to  that 
date  held  informal  meetings.  The  lodge  was  self-instituted  and  had  as 
much  of  an  existence  in  1819  as  it  had  after  March,  1820.  Washington 
Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  was  also  self-instituted  on  the  26th 
of  April,  1819,  the  requisite  number  (five)  assembling  for  the  first  time  on 
that  date.  Had  the  two  men,  Wildey  and  Barnes,  exchanged  places,  Mas- 
sachusetts would  have  been  the  acknowledged  parent  of  American  Odd 
Fellowship.  The  character  of  the  two  men  decided  the  question.  Wildey 
exhibited  indomitable  pluck  and  perseverance,  while  Barnes  was  more 
conservative.  Wildey  expended  his  money  and  time  to  perpetuate  the 
Order  in  Maryland  and  elsewhere,  while  Barnes  became  disgusted  with  the 
Order  in  Massachusetts,  with  its  petty  jealousies,  giving  his  time  to  his 


THE  QEANB  LODGE  JUBI8DICTI0N8.  278 

emplo3nnent  in  East  Cambridge.  When  the  Order  was  revived  in  Massa- 
chusetts in  1841,  Barnes  declined  to  again  affiliate  with  it,  assigning  as  a 
reason  that  the  Order  in  former  days  had  cost  him  so  much  time  and 
money  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  He  changed  his  mind,  how- 
ever, at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Hersey  and  Guild,  and  assisted  them  to 
again  place  the  Order  in  this  jurisdiction  on  its  feet. 

James  B.  Barnes,  the  "  father ''  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Massachusetts, 
came  to  Boston  in  1817.  He  immediately  began  to  make  diligent  inqui- 
ries for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  if  there  were  any  Odd  Fellows  resid- 
ing in  Boston.  His  plan  was  to  watch  the  passenger  and  emigrant  ships 
from  Europe,  upon  each  arrival  to  visit  the  taverns  and  places  of  business 
of  the  foreign  parts  of  the  population  of  Boston,  in  order  to  find  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  Odd  Fellows  to  establish  a  lodge.  His  efforts  in  this 
direction,  however,  were  quite  unsuccessful  until  the  autumn  of  1818, 
when  he  ascertained  that  one  Wilson,  the  town-crier,  was  an  English  Odd 
Fellow.  Wilson,  also,  kept  an  ale-house,  to  which  place  he  invited  Barnes, 
agreeing  to  introduce  to  him  three  or  four  English  Odd  Fellows.  The 
evening  of  the  day  upon  which  Barnes  made  this  important  discovery 
found  him  at  Ko.  23  Gornhill,  Wilson's  ale-house.  Here  he  made  the 
acquaintance  of  Jacob  Myers,  who  was  of  Jewish  parentage;  Thomas 
Kennedy,  an  Irishman;  and  H.  D.  Fregere,  a  Frenchman, — all  foreign- 
ers, and  all  English  Odd  Fellows.  These  three,  together  with  Wilson 
and  Barnes,  made  five,  the  number  necessary  ^o  open  a  lodge. 

This  meeting  at  Wilson's  ale-house  took  place  in  the  autumn  of  1818, 
where  they  talked  over  the  question  of  forming  a  lodge.  These  brethren 
met  together  frequently  during  the  year  1819,  but  unfortunately  no  dates 
are  given.  Brother  Barnes  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  he  and  his 
ooUeagues  held  informal  lodge-meetings  at  the  "Bell-in-Hand,"  —  Wil- 
son's ale-house,  —  but  made  no  record  of  the  proceedings  until  the  26th 
of  March,  1820. 

Ridgely  in  his  "History  of  American  Odd  Fellowship,"  said,  referring 
to  the  introduction  of  the  Order  into  Baltimore,  that,  in  1818,  — 

"  Ete  [WUdey]  made  the  acquaintance  of  John  Welch,  a  house  and  ship  painter,  an  Eng- 
lishman, who  had  preceded  him  to  this  country.  These  two  were  naturally  much  together 
as  fellow-countrymen,  and  never  tired  of  recurring  to  men  and  scenes  in  the  old  world.  A 
year  had  cemented  their  intimacy  when  a  new  feature  was  added  to  it.  They  discovered 
that  each  of  them  had  been  an  Odd  FeUow,  and  the  mutual  surprise  was  quite  agreeable." 

From  this  we  are  led  to  infer  that  it  was  some  time  in  1819  before 
Wildey  had  found  the  first  member  toward  forming  his  lodge,  while 
Barnes,  with  his  requisite  five,  were  meeting  at  Wilson's  ale-house  in 
the  autumn  of  1818.  To  our  mind  this  fact  clearly  demonstrates  the 
seniority  of  Massachusetts  Odd  Fellowship. 

Previous  to  1820  the  Boston  brethren  had  made  the  acquaintance  of 


274  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

James  B.  Eaton,  to  whom  the  initiatory  ceremony  had  been  communicated^ 
and  by  whom  they  were  invited  to  formally  open  a  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows 
at  his  residence  on  Federal  street;  and  thus  was  ushered  into  existence, 
on  the  20th  of  March,  1820,  Massachusetts  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  the  Indepen- 
dent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  James  B.  Barnes  was  elected  Noble  Grand; 
H.  D.  Fregere,  Vice  Grand;  Jacob  Myers,  Warden;  and  Thomas  Kennedy, 
Secretary.  A  treasurer  was  not  elected  until  some  time  subsequently,  as, 
doubtless,  they  had  no  funds  to  deposit.  At  this  time  the  founders  of 
Massachusetts  Lodge  were  ignorant  of  the  existence  of  any  other  lodge 
of  Odd  Fellows  in  the  United  States,  and  were  firm  in  the  belief  that  it 
was  the  first  lodge  instituted  in  America. 

The  code  of  by-laws,  adopted  by  this  lodge,  were  brief  and  unique. 

The  following  is  a  synopsis :  — 

< 

"It  is  provided  that  on  the  second  trial  if  two  hlack  balls  are  fonnd,  the  candidate 
cannot  be  admitted.  In  case  of  one  black  ball  the  brother  so  voting  will  be  requested  to 
state  his  reasons  or  it  wUl  be  considered  a  mistake.  That  *  making  fees '  are  to  be  paid  on  the 
evening  of  initiation,  and  that  no  brother  can  be  answerable  for  the  same.  A  brother  made 
in  the  lodge  and  declaring  his  intention  of  becoming  a  member  must  pay  upon  such  declara- 
tion the  sum  of  fifty  cents,  and  allow  his  name  to  remain  on  the  books  one  year ;  at  the 
expiration  of  which  time  he  must  pay  all  arrearages  and  he  will  then  be  admitted  a  member, 
said  arrearages  amounting  to  three  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents,  after  which,  as  a  full 
member,  he  must  pay  seventy-five  cents  per  quarter.  All  persons  made,  or  visitors  to  the 
lodge,  previous  to  the  2()th  of  March,  to  take  up  their  membership  by  paying  their  arrear- 
ages within  three  lodge  nights  from  this  date,  March  26, 1821.  [It  was  the  custom  of  the 
lodge  to  charge  visiting  brethren  ;six  and  a  quarter  cents  for  each  visit  to  the  lodge,  and  if 
any  impecunious  visitor  should  fail  to  have  that  amount  of  coin  in  his  pouch,  the  sum  was 
charged  to  him  on  the  lodge  books,  and  he  was  considered  in  arrears  to  the  lodge  until  the 
same  was  liquidated,  hence  the  provision  that  he  could  not  take  membership  until  all  arrear- 
ages wore  paid.]  A  person  proposing  a  fine  against  another,  not  substantiating  his  charge, 
shall  be  fined  himself.  No  brother  can  be  expelled  before  he  has  had  the  privilege  of  a  full 
and  impartial  hearing  before  his  lodge." 

The  first  code  of  by-laws  did  not  provide  for  the  payment  of  weekly 
sick  benefits;  but,  in  1821,  the  lodge  established  a  "benefit  fund,"  and 
each  candidate,  after  his  admission,  was  obliged  to  be  proposed  for  mem- 
bership to  this  fund.  The  fee  was  one  dollar;  its  object  was  to  secure  a 
permanent  fund  for  the  relief  of  the  sick  and  destitute.  In  its  primitive 
condition  the  expenses  of  the  Order  in  Massachusetts  were  comparatively 
small.  There  were  no  salaried  officers  or  stipendiaries  of  any  description. 
Each  brother  performed  the  duties  required  of  him  as  a  labor  of  love,  and 
all  were  anxious  to  promote  the  good  and  welfai!e  of  the  Order.  The  fun- 
damental principles  of  the  Order:  "To  care  for  the  sick,"  etc.,  were 
always  observed.  Cases  of  sickness  and  distress  were  occasionally 
reported,  but  they  were  relieved  by  private  collections  in  lieu  of  any 
appropriation  from  the  funds  of  the  lodge.  The  benefit  fund  was  looked 
upon  as  a  sacred  deposit,  and  only  in  very  extreme  cases  and  with 
general  consent  was  any  part  of  it  allowed  to  be  used.     The  lodge  was 


.«  ^^^?^^^'^^*'^^'^^^?^'^E^  MARKET  SQUARE.    BOSTON. 

^^^^^^■^|^^3|H|?J^ili'!^#  Hall,  near  Ihe  head  of  Ann  street,  wm 

•^iii^I3=>v:^^'^-S^S28*lK.iiSt5TBl^iBiwfflBt  form;   prayer  by  the  Rev.  Paul  Dean; 

^^^°^i^fe^hMJ:^I^fM»:rl?!^«^  '&*3-     Occupied 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  275 

not  unmindful  of  its  duties,  however,  and  when  such  cases  were  pre- 
sented the  members  went  deep  into  their  pockets,  the  hat  being  frequently 
passed  around  the  lodge-room. 

First  Odd  Fellows'  Hall.  —  From  the  rapidly  increasing  membership  of 
the  lodge,  they  were  obliged  to  move  from  place  to  place  in  consequence 
of  inadequate  accommodations.  From  Eaton's  the  lodge  went  to  Brother 
Coffee's  housCj  in  Milk,  opposite  Kilby  street,  where  meetings  were  held 
for  three  months,  when,  in  consequence  of  Brother  Coffee  vacating  his 
house,  it  was  voted  to  remove  to  the  house  of  Brother  Thomas  Hunter  [or 
Hamber],  in  Ann  street,  where  it  continued  to  hold  its  meetings  for  six 
months.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  it  was  voted  to  remove  to  the 
house  of  Brother  James  Wilson,  in  Congress  Square,  where  the  lodge 
met  until  the  14th  of  February,  1823,  and  was  then,  by  vote,  removed  to 
the  old  Masonic  hall,  near  the  head  of  Ann  street  (afterward  designated 
as  Market  Square). 

February  22,  1823,  this  old  Masonic  hall  was  dedicated  to  the  pur- 
poses of  Odd  Fellowship  in  ancient  form.  Brother  Samuel  L.  Knapp 
delivered  an  address.  This  was  the  first  hall  dedicated  to  Odd  Fellow- 
ship in  the  United  States. 

In  1821  a  most  important  event  occurred  in  the  initiation  of  Daniel 
Hersey,  at  the  house  of  Brother  Hamber,  in  Ann  street,  Brother  James 
B.  Eaton  being  "  Most  Noble  Grand."  Daniel  Hersey  was  the  first  Ameri- 
can-born citizen,  of  note,  initiated  into  Massachusetts  Lodge,  becoming 
the  most  conspicuous  member  of  it,  outrivalling  even  the  founder,  Brother 
Barnes. 

In  April,  1822,  a  valuable  acquisition  was  made  to  the  membership  of 
Massachusetts  Lodge,  when  "  Ye  Boston  Benevolent  Society  "  joined  it  in 
a  body,  each  paying  the  fee  of  three  dollars.  The  treasury  of  this  society 
contained  only  $22,  but  it  was  added  to  the  lodge  funds.  The  members 
of  "Ye  Benevolent  Society,"  evidently,  believed  that  the  Odd  Fellows 
could  better  carry  out  their  principles,  hence  the  mergement.  To  aug- 
ment the  funds  in  the  treasury,  as  well  as  to  discipline  the  members,  the 
lodge  resorted  to  fines.  As  an  illustration :  "  Gardien  "  Stocker  was  fined 
fifty  cents  by  order  of  the  "  Most  Noble  Grand  "  for  being  asleep  at  his 
post  in  lodge  hours,  and  Brother  Philpot,  Most  Noble  Grand,  pro  tempore, 
was  fined  twenty-five  cents  for  giving  regulations  not  under  the  "  cogni- 
zance of  the  lodge." 

The  little  band  of  Odd  Fellows  struggled  against  many  adversities. 
But  little  was  known  as  to  its  true  character  outside  of  the  immediate 
membership.  Strong  prejudices  existed  in  the  community  against  secret 
institutions.  The  aid  of  the  pulpit  and  the  press  already  had  been  invoked 
to  suppress  Freemasonry,  which  was  characterized  as  an  institution 
"dangerous  to  the  liberties  of  the  people."    No  wonder  that  this  small, 


276  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

but  growing  Order,  did  not  feel  strong  enough  to  breast  the  tide  of 
prejudiced  public  opinion,  but  used  every  effort  to  seek  retirement  from 
the  public  gaze.  Such  was  the  bigotry  and  fanaticism  of  the  times  that 
the  business  of  the  brethren  would  have  suffered,  had  it  been  publicly 
known  that  they  were  members  of  a  secret  association.  As  late  as  1845 
The  Odd  Fellow,  a  paper  published  in  Boston,  states  that  a  clergyman,  in 
that  city,  extended  an  invitation  to  persons  to  come  to  the  communion 
table,  something  like  the  following:  — 

"  All  those  who  are  in  good  standing  in  the  Baptist  church,  excepting  slave-holders  and 
Odd  FeUows,  are  invited  to  partake  with  us  at  the  table  of  the  Lord." 

The  Odd  Fellows  of  the  period  of  which  we  are  writing,  — 1820-22, 
—  were  confronted  with  a  condition  of  affairs  unknown  to  the  Order  at  this 
time.  When  any  important  event  took  place,  or  the  bickerings  and 
unpleasantness  of  the  times  crept  into  the  meetings,  and  when  it  looked 
stormy,  the  lodge  immediately  "proceeded  to  harmony";  when,  after  a 
brief  session,  quietness  was  restored. 

In  its  incipient  stage  the  social  element  was  a  peculiar  characteristic 
of  Odd  Fellowship.  This  feature  was  inherited  from  the  old  country  and 
was  ingrafted  upon  the  new.  Its  pioneers  in  Maryland  and  Massachu- 
setts were  foreigners;  they  were  accustomed  to  the  habits  of  the  old 
country  where,  after  the  day's  toil  had  been  ended,  they  passed  from  "  labor 
to  refreshment";  and  the  ale-houses  and  tap-rooms  were  the  rostrums 
where,  principally,  were  discussed  the  affairs  of  the  day ;  and  where  pledges 
were  made,  the  fruition  of  which  was  exhibited  in  acts  of  charity  and 
good-will  to  their  fellow-men.  It  was  no  easy  task  for  our  ancient 
brethren  to  divest  themselves  of  this  social  custom;  and,  after  the  busi- 
ness of  the  lodge  had  been  completed,  they  "  proceeded  to  harmony  "  at 
nine  o'clock,  under  the  direction  of  the  host,  and  at  10  p.m.  adjourned. 
This  evil  custom  was  abolished  under  the  able  management  of  Augustus 
Mathiot,  in  Maryland,  and  Daniel  Hersey,  in  Massachusetts,  the  first 
Americans  of  prominence  to  join  our  Order.  The  moral  standard  of  Odd 
Fellowship,  under  these  reformers,  was  raised  high,  and  was  crowned  at 
the  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  at  Atlantic  City,  in  1895. 

In  1822  a  movement  was  inaugurated  to  divide  Massachusetts  Lodge 
and  establish  another.  This  was  advocated  by  Daniel  Hersey,  James  B. 
Barnes,  and  others,  of  the  more  progressive  element.  It  was  opposed  by 
William  Bishop,  who  said:  — 

*'  A  honse  divided  against  itself  must  fall,  and  as  they  were  the  only  Odd  Fellows*  lodge 
in  America,  they  should  cling  together  until  a  plethoric  treasury  and  uncomfortable  numeri- 
cal strength  should  render  the  step  absolutely  necessary." 

Hersey  prevailed,  but  it  was  not  until  March  11,  1823,  that  Siloam 
Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted!  Daniel  Hersey  was  elected  Noble  Grandi 
and  James  B.  Barnes^  Vice  Grand. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  277 

The  most  important  event  in  the  history  of  early  Odd  ^Fellowship  in 
Massachusetts  occurred  in  1822,  when  a  communication  was  received  from 
the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States, 
dated  at  Baltimore,  February,  1822,  asking  information  in  regard  to  the 
opening  of  an  Odd  Fellows'  lodge  in  Boston.  This  was  the  first  intimation 
the  Boston  brethren  had  of  the  existence  of  a  lodge  in  America  outside 
their  own.  They  must  have  been  struck  with  amazement,  for  no  imme- 
diate reply  was  made.  Some  months  later.  Brother  Wilson  sailed  from 
Boston  for  Baltimore  in  one  of  the  packets  plying  between  the  two  ports. 
He  took  with  him  letters  of  recommendation  to  such  Odd  Fellows  as  he 
might  find  at  the  latter  place.  Brother  Wilson  was  most  cordially  received 
by  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Baltimore,  and  on  his  return  he  carried  with  him 
documents  relating  to  the  formation  of  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1.  He 
gave  his  home  lodge  a  glowing  account  of  what  he  had  seen  and  heard  in 
Baltimore.  So  impressed  were  the  Boston  brethren  with  Wilson's  descrip- 
tion that  they  lost  sight  of  their  own  importance,  and  without  even  a 
shadow  of  doubt,  recognized  the  superiority  and  seniority  of  Maryland 
Odd  Fellowship.  Massachusetts  Lodge  wrote  to  Washington  Lodge, 
Baltimore,  under  date  of  March  28,  1823,  acknowledging  them  to  be  the 
head  of  the  Order,  and  asked  for  a  charter.^ 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States  voted  a  charter 
to  Massachusetts  Lodge,  No.  1,  and  instructed  Grand  Master  Wildeyto 
convey  it  to  Boston.  June  6,  1823,  Brother  Wildey  reached  Boston  on 
his  first  trip  to  Massachusetts.  His  arrival  was  a  most  important  event 
to  the  little  community  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  was  "waited  upon"  at  his 
hotel  by  Noble  Grand  Hersey,  and  was  by  him  escorted  to  the  hall  in  Ann 
street,  where  Massachusetts  and  Siloam  lodges  held  their  meetings.  A 
committee  introduced  the  distinguished  visitor  to  the  lodge,  where  he  was 
welcomed  by  Noble  Grand  William  Bishop.  Grand  Master  Wildey 
responded,  stating  the  object  of  his  visit,  which  was  made  by  authority 
and  under  the  direction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the 
United  States.  He  desired  the  Noble  Grand  to  appoint  a  special  meet- 
ing of  the  lodge  to  be  held  on  Monday  evening,  June  9th,  for  the  formal 
presentation  of  their  charter,  which  meeting  was  called.  June  9,  1823, 
Grand  Master  Wildey  duly  presented  the  charter  to  Massachusetts  Lodge, 
No.  1,  Siloam,  No.  2,  being  present.  He  asked  the  past  grands  of  the 
two  lodges  to  assemble  on  the  evening  of  June  11,  1823,  for  the  purpose 
of  opening  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts. 

On  the  date  mentioned  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  was  organ- 
ized, Daniel  Hersey  being  elected  Most  Worthy  Grand  Master;  Henry 
Solomon,  Eight  Worthy  Deputy  Grand  Master;  James  B.  Barnes,  Bight 
Worthy  Grand  Warden;  William  Bishop,  Right  Worthy  Grand  Secre- 

1  Journal  of  fh«  Gnnd  Lodge  of  the  United  Stetei,  VoL  I.,  p.  06. 


278  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

tary;  John  Snowden,  Worthy  Grand  Guardian;  James  B.  Eaton,  Worthy 
Grand  Conductor. 

The  visit  of  Grand  Master  Wildey  to  Boston  gave  an  impetus  to  the 
Order,  and  for  a  time  all  went  well.  Rivalries  and  jealousies  subse- 
quently crept  in,  which  "broke  up"  the  good  feeling  between  the  two 
subordinates,  and  ended  in  an  open  rupture.  The  lodges  frequently 
"proceeded  to  harmony,"  but  the  quarrel  continued  until  Novembers, 
1824,  when  Massachusetts  Lodge  voted  to  leave  the  old  Masonic  hall. 
The  lodge  had  become  bankrupt,  demoralized  socially,  and  migratory.  It 
held  its  meetings  at  the  house  of  William  Johns,  33  Union  street,  in  Joy's 
building,  the  Tontine  hotel,  the  house  of  William  A.  Kees,  and  at  last 
back  to  its  old  home  in  Masonic  hall.  Matters  went  from  bad  to  worse 
until  August  10,  1828,  when  the  lodge  met  for  the  purpose  of  attending 
the  funeral  of  "  Brother  Mayher."  A  committee  was  authorized  to  see  that 
the  brother  was  decently  buried,  and  that  the  widow  was  "cared  for." 
The  lodge  was  then  closed  and  remained  closed  for  a  period  of  thirteen 
years.  Thus  the  lodge  expired,  its  dying  act  being  in  accordance  with 
the  great  principles  of  the  Order, — the  burying  of  the  dead  and  furnishing 
succor  to  the  widow.  The  lodge  was  partially  revived  in  1838,  though 
no  records  of  the  meetings  exist.  It  was  again  revived  June  22, 1841,  and 
has  had  an  honorable  existence  ever  since. 

Siloam  Lodge,  No.  2,  continued  the  struggle  until  October  20,  1829, 
when  its  last  meeting  was  held,  and  the  lodge  declared  defunct,  although 
its  charter  was  not  surrendered  until  1832.  The  lodge  was  reinstituted 
May  19,  1842. 

Good  Samaritan  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  instituted  at  Taunton,  December 
11,  1826,  by  the  grand  officers,  and  was  the  first  subordinate  made  by  the 
Grand  body.  No  mention  is  made  as  to  the  residence  of  its  charter  mem- 
bers. The  officers  were  Richard  White,  Noble  Grand;  Robert  Jackson, 
Vice  Grand;  and  Joseph  G.  Charnley,  Secretary.  Among  the  member- 
ship of  this  lodge,  at  a  later  period,  was  James  Wood,  the  founder  of  the 
Order  in  Rhode  Island.  This  lodge  seems  to  have  continued  its  existence, 
says  Past  Grand  Master  J.  B.  Crawford,  even  after  the  death  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  1832,  as  Grand  Sire  Wildey  found  it  living  in  July, 
1833,  and  a  new  charter  was  granted  July  10,  1833,  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States.  It  finally  ceased  to  exist  and  was  not  revived ;  and 
its  last  charter  was  returned  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  December  25,  1871. 
In  1874  the  Grand  Lodge  granted  its  number  to  Commonwealth  Lodge. 
In  1877,  however,  the  lodge  was  reinstituted  with  the  number  "  19." 

May  31,  1827,  the  Grand  Master  issued  a  dispensation  to  open  a  lodge 
in  Cambridge,  and  July  21st,  of  the  same  year,  New  England  Lodge,  No. 
4,  was  chartered.  The  installation  of  officers  took  place  at  Kendall's 
hotel,  with  an  oration  by  Grand  Master  Hersey.      James  B.  Barnes 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  279 

appears  as  Warden  in  its  list  of  officers.     The  lodge  ceased  to  ezist  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1829,  but  was  reinstituted  April  7,  1842. 

Washington  Lodge,  Xo.  5,  was  instituted  at  Roxbury,  June  28,  1828, 
and,  after  a  brief  struggle,  ceased  to  exist  February  8,  1830.  The  lodge 
was  reinstituted  October  22,  1845;  surrendered  its  charter  December  29, 
1857;  again  reinstituted  January  13,  1873,  and  its  location  changed  to 
Boston. 

Adam  Lodge.  —  A  dispensation,  dated  November  10, 1828,  was  granted 
to  open  Adam  Lodge,  No.  6.  Its  name  first  appears  in  the  reports  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  as  a  regular  lodge,  December  31,  1828.  Its  members  were 
from  old  Massachusetts  and  Siloam  lodges.  The  original  records  (now 
lying  before  us  as  we  write)  carry  the  history  of  the  Order  to  March  21, 
1832.  From  these  minutes  it  appears  that  as  other  lodges  disbanded 
their  members  found  a  home  in  Adam  Lodge.  Past  Grand  Master  Craw- 
ford thinks  that  in  1832  there  was  no  other  lodge  in  existence  in  Massa- 
chusetts, unless  it  may  be  said  that  Merrimac  Lodge,  No.  7,  of  Lowell, 
was  still  alive,  though  the  Grand  Lodge  (itself)  held  a  meeting  April  5, 
1832.  This  Grand  Lodge  was  a  peculiar  institution  [see  its  charter  in 
illustrations].  It  was  scarcely  more  than  a  subordinate  lodge,  composed 
only  of  past  grands,  although  there  are  some  evidences  of  its  exercise  of 
authority  over  subordinates.  Adam  Lodge  was  instituted  November  17, 
1828,  at  the  house  of  Brother  Josiah  Robinson,  Past  Grand  (afterward 
Grand  Master);  he  was  chosen  "moderator,"  and  Samuel  Harris  Hay- 
ward,  secretary.  The  dispensation  was  signed  by  Isaac  Thomas  Dupee, 
Grand  Master.  James  D.  Yates  was  the  first  "Most  Noble  Grand." 
After  its  preliminary  meetings,  at  one  of  which  it  conferred  the  "  First " 
and  "  Covenant "  degrees,  its  meetings  were  held  in  the  old  Masonic  hall 
on  Ann  street,  using  the  furniture  of  the  old  lodges.  It  was  in  this 
lodge  that  Albert  Guild  passed  the  chairs,  the  brother  who,  in  later 
years,  was  so  conspicuous  in  Massachusetts  and  other  New  England  juris- 
dictions. In  November,  1829,  while  occupying  the  old  hall,  the  lodge 
became  so  reduced  financially,  that  the  furniture  was  attached  and  sold 
for  rent.  It  was  purchased  by  Josiah  Robinson,  who,  on  the  2nd  of 
December,  transferred  it  to  Albert  Guild  and  others.  In  September,  1830, 
the  lodge  moved  to  a  small  hall  at  the  corner  of  Pond  and  Cross  streets, 
where  meetings  were  held  until  August  31,  1831.  It  was  then  voted  to 
give  up  the  hall,  store  the  regalia,  furniture,  etc.,  at  Eber  Smith's,  in 
Hanover  street.  Here  the  lodge  held  its  meetings  until  March  21,  1832, 
as  aforesaid,  when  it  moved  to  the  residence  of  Albert  Guild,  58  Hano- 
ver street,  where  the  furniture,  etc.,  were  divided  by  lot  between  Brothers 
Guild,  Andrews,  and  Smith.  The  understanding  was  that  should  the  time 
ever  come  when  it  was  proper  to  again  start  an  Odd  Fellows'  lodge,  the 
same  should  be  appropriated  for  that  purpose.     When  Massachusetts 


280  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

Lodge  was  revived,  in  1841,  the  furniture  and  regalia  were  transferred  to 
it.  Thus  Adam  Lodge  "went  out"  of  existence.  It  was  reinstituted 
July  20,  1833,  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  but  does  not  appear  to  have  long 
survived.  In  February,  1846,  a  petition  was  made  to  again  reinstitute  it, 
but  was  refused,  as  none  of  the  petitioners  were  original  members.  Its 
number  was  given  to  Highland  Lodge,  in  1874.  Past  Grand  Master 
Crawford  locates  Adam  Lodge  in  Charlestown. 

July  18,  1829,  a  dispensation  was  granted  to  open  a  lodge  in  Lowell; 
and,  on  the  19th  of  September,  following,  the  grand  officers  mA  the 
petitioners  at  the  Merrimac  hotel,  where  Merrimac  Lodge,  No.  7,  was 
instituted.  The  early  records  of  this  lodge  were  lost.  It  suspended 
work  in  1832,  but  the  next  year  it  was  revived  by  "  Father "  Wildey, 
who  was  then  on  a  visit  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts.  This  lodge 
had  a  nominal  existence  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  up  to  1841.  When  Massachusetts  Lodge  was  revived  in 
1841,  Merrimac  was  running,  and  it  is  a  question  whether  the  lodge  ever 
actually  surrendered. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  was  active  in  the  early  years  of  its 
existence,  but,  like  its  subordinates,  lost  its  zeal.  Daniel  Hersey  was 
Grand  Master  from  1823  to  1827,  when  he  was  followed  in  1828  by  Isaac 
Thomas  Dupee,  and  he  in  turn  in  1829,  by  Josiah  Robinson,  who  was  the 
last  Grand  Master  before  the  revival  in  1841.  The  Grand  Lodge,  while 
virtually  dead  for  some  time  previously,  did  not  surrender  its  charter 
until  1833. 

Wildey's  Report.  — In  1829  Thomas  Wildey,  as  chairman  of  the  Mov- 
able Committee,  visited  Massachusetts.  We  quote  from  his  report,^  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States :  — 

"  Yoar  committee  visited  Massachuaetts,  and  on  their  arrival  found  the  state  in  great 
confusion  and  disorganization.  There  was  no  Grand  Master,  and  no  meetings  of  the  Grand 
Lodge ;  and,  apparently,  no  person  to  give  information.  In  this  aspect  of  affairs,  your  com- 
mittee waited  on  Past  Grand  Robinson,  whom,  we  ascertained,  had  been  elected  Grand  Master 
some  months  previously.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  convened  the  next  day,  when  your  committee 
informed  them  of  the  object  of  their  mission,  and  spoke  at  length  ui>on  their  condition. 
Every  regulation  of  the  Order  had  been  neglected,  and  nothing  enforced.  There  was  no 
money  in  the  treasury,  nor  in  those  of  the  subordinate  lodges  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston.  A 
large.sum  remained  due  for  rent,  and  almost  every  member  appeared  as  treasurer,  or  having 
acted  as  such.  ...  A  resolution  was  adopted  requiring  those  who  had  money  in  their  pos- 
session to  pay  it  over  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  that  in  future  the  percentage  should  be 
required  to  be  remitted  with  the  necessary  report.  .  .  .  They  would  give  it  as  their  opinion 
that  no  state  presents  a  more  ample  field  for  the  cultivation  of  Odd  Fellowship  than  Massachu- 
setts, and  by  proper  exertion  an  abundant  harvest  might  be  gathered.  The  evils  existing  are 
to  be  attributed  entirely  to  neglect,  no  state  having  more  exceUent  members  or  better  men." 

^  Nbte  by  the  Editor-in-Chief.  —This  docamentis  given  in  ftill  in  Vol.  I.,  p.  109,  of  the  Journal  of  the 
Qnnd  Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  also,  extracts  are  printed  in  Vol.  I.,  pp.  SI,  82,  Proceedings  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  A  marginal  manuscript  note  in  the  latter  volume  says  that  it  is  "  not  true," 
referring  to  Wildey's  statement  as  to  the  oonftision,  and  lack  of  obtainable  information  which  characterized 
the  opening  complaint.  The  fUrther  information  is,  also,  given  that  "  Wildey  left  Baltimore,  June  16, 1829,**' 
to  make  this  visit.    The  manuscript  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Ellison  is  silent  on  ^ese  polate. 


THE  QBAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  281 

In  1833  Grand  Sire  Wildey  again  visited  Massachusetts,  first  calling 
upon  Good  Samaritan  Lodge,  at  Taunton,  which  body  he  found  reduced 
to  eight  members,  and  these  asked  to  become  subordinate  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States.  This  was  on  the  14th  of  July.  On  leaving 
Taunton,  Grand  Sire  Wildey  reported  as  follows :  — 

"  I  again  departed  for  Boston,  the  seat  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts ;  bnt  here» 
to  my  sorrow,  I  was  informed  that  neither  Grand  nor  subordinate  lodge  longer  existed.  I 
visited  a  few  of  the  past  grands,  —  few  they  were  indeed.  They  informed  me  that  the  Grand 
Master,  had  removed  from  the  city,  and  that  all  my  efforts  to  again  open  the  Grand  Lodge 
would  be  useless;  for  the  last  four  years  dissensions  and  discord  alone,  had  prevailed,  until 
finally  they  had  come  to  the  determination  to  sell  their  regalia,  pay  their  rent,  and  close 
their  doors." 

In  1843  a  committee  of  Massachusetts  Lodge  published  a  brief  his- 
tory of  that  lodge.  The  committee  corresponded  with  Past  Grand  Sire 
Wildey  concerning  the  condition  of  the  Order  in  Massachusetts  about  the 
years  1829-30.    Wildey  replied :  —  . 

"  I  can  only  refer  yon  to  the  journal  which  was  printed  in  New  York.  There  is  a  com- 
plete history  from  its  oonmiencement  to  the  year  1830.  Then  Robinson  came  into  power  and 
nothing  but  discord  and  strife  existed  among  the  members.  Jealousy  was  the  word ;  Barnes 
would  not  meet  with  them.  Members  of  the  Good  Samaritan  Lodge  would  not  send  their 
percentage.  The  past  grands  at  Taunton  wanted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  located  there. 
This  state  of  affairs  continued  for  some  length  of  time  among  the  members  in  Massachusetts, 
imtn  at  last  they  gaye  up  meeting." 

The  Reviyal.  —  The  Order  in  Massachusetts  was  practically  dormant 
from  about  1832  to  1841,  when  an  effort  was  made  to  revive  it.  We 
quote  from  the  above-named  history  of  Massachusetts  Lodge :  — 

"  Some  time  during  the  month  of  April,  1S41,  Brothers  Andrews  and  Guild  met  in  Hano- 
ver street,  and  conferred  upon  the  subject  of  again  starting  a  lodge.  After  a  few  minutes' 
conversation  they  decided  to  make  an  attempt  to  rjBYive  the  Order.  Accordingly  Brother 
Guild  stepped  into  his  office,  drew  up  a  petition  to  have  Massachusetts  Lodge  reinstituted, 
signed  it,  and  in  company  with  Brother  Andrews  visited  East  Cambridge  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  the  signature  of  James  B.  Barnes.  Brother  Barnes  at  first  declined  signing  it, 
assigning  as  a  reason  that  the  Order  in  former  days  had  cost  him  so  much  time  and  money 
that  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  After  much  persuasion,  however,  he  was  induced 
to  sign  his  name  as  a  petitioner,  with  the  understanding  that  it  should  not  be  attended  with 
any  expense  to  him,  and  that  he  should  not  be  required  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  lodge 
if  reinstated.  Brothers  Guild  and  Andrews  then  called  upon  Eber  Smith  and  obtained  his 
signature.  From  thence  they  went  to  Past  Grand  Master  Hersey,  expecting  to  obtain  his 
signature,  one  more  being  necessary  to  make  the  number  required.  He  expressed  a  great 
desire  to  have  the  Order  revived,  but  declined  signing  the  petition  or  taking  any  part  in 
their  proceedings  on  account  of  ill-health.  Thus  the  subject  rested  until  about  the  10th 
of  Jane,  when  Brother  Hersey,  seeing  the  importance  of  the  undertaking,  signed  the  petition 
offering  to  render  aU  the  assistance  in  his  power  until  the  lodge  was  organized,  after  which 
they  were  not  to  depend  upon  him.  Brother  Guild  then  engaged  a  room  at  the  Shawmut 
house,  in  Hanover  street,  for  one  evening,  and  notified  the  petitioners  to  meet  there  on  or 
about  the  11th  of  June,  for  consultation,  etc.  Fortunately  for  them  and  the  Order,  on  the 
day  of  their  meeting.  Past  Grand  Sire  WUdey,  of  Baltimore,  arrived  in  the  city.  He  came 
as  the  '  agent '  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  for  the  purpose,  if  possible,  of 
reviving  the  Order  in  this  state.  His  visit  was  entirely  unexpected  to  the  petitioners,  and  he 
possessed  no  knowledge  of  the  efforts  that  had  been  made  to  effect  the  object  he  himself  had 


282  TEE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

in  view.  He  met  with  the  petitioners  in  the  evening,  assisted  them  in  making  the  necessary 
arrangements  for  reinstituting  the  lodge.  On  the  Saturday  following,  in  company  with 
Brother  Andrews,  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  visited  Lowell  for  the  purpose  of  rendering  assist- 
ance to  Merrimac  Lodge,  No.  7.  Upon  his  return  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  reinstated  the 
petitioners  of  Massachusetts  Lodge,  No.  1,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  state  of 
Massachusetts,  at  the  Shawmut  house,  Hanover  street,  and  authorized  Past  Grand  Master 
Hersey  to  install  the  officers  when  elected." 

The  lodge  next  met  at  the  "Albion,"  Tremont  street,  and  nominated 
their  officers.  At  the  next  meeting,  on  the  22nd  of  June,  1841,  the  offi- 
cers were  elected  and  installed.  The  next  meeting  was  held  at  the  office 
of  D.  Davis,  in  State  street.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  hire  a  hall, 
and  seven  brothers  obtained  a  loan  of  $100  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing 
necessary  furniture,  regalia,  etc.,  which  was  afterward  liquidated  from 
the  funds  of  the  lodge.  The  next  meeting  was  held  at  Armory  hall, 
afterward  called  Odd  Fellows'  hall.  January  11,  1843,  the  lodge  moved 
to  Encampment  hall,  339  Washington  street,  where  they  remained  until 
April  29,  1844,  when  they  removed  to  Winthrop  hall,  Tremont  Row. 

Massachusetts  Lodge,  No.  1,  and  Merrimac  Lodge,  No.  7,  the  only 
two  subordinates  in  the  state,  petitioned  to  have  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Massachusetts  again  revived;  and  December  23,  1841,  Grand  Sire  Ken- 
nedy, accompanied  by  Past  Grand  Master  Small,  of  New  York,  reinsti- 
tuted,  at  Boston,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  The  original 
charter  could  not  then  be  found,  but  a  new  one  was  presented  with  the 
following  insertion :  "  In  lieu  of  the  charter  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States,  on  the  26th  of  May,  1823."* 
Daniel  Hersey  was  elected  Most  Worthy  Grand  Master ;  Albert  Guild, 
Right  Worthy  Grand  Secretary,  Grand  Treasurer,  and  Grand  Repre- 
sentative. 

The  first  subordinate  chartered  under  the  new  order  of  things  was 
Suffolk  Lodge,  No.  8,  at  Boston,  February  25,  1842.  Six  lodges  were 
instituted,  in  1842;  eighteen,  in  1843;  twenty -five,  in  1844;  forty-four, 
in  1845;  eighteen,  in  1846;  seven,  in  1847;  five,  in  1848;  six,  in  1849; 
three,  in  1850;  and  four,  in  1851.  From  this  time,  for  a  period  of  fifteen 
years,  no  new  charters  were  granted.  Four  lodges,  only,  were  reinsti- 
tuted,  and  of  these,  two  again  surrendered  in  a  very  short  time.  In  1850 
there  were  one  hundred  and  twenty -eight  lodges,  with  11,031  members. 
The  Order  declined  after  1851  until  "  low-water  mark "  was  reached  in 
1862,  when  there  were  but  fifty-eight  lodges,  with  4308  members.  In 
1866  Eastern  Star  Lodge,  No.  143,  East  Boston,  was  chartered,  since 
which  time  the  growth  has  been  rapid  and  permanent.  In  1870  there 
were  seventy-six  lodges,  with  10,819  members;  in  1880,  one  hundred  and 
fifty -six  lodges,  with  24,965  members;  and,  in  1895,  the  last  report,  there 
were  two  hundred  and  thirty -three  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  49,927; 

^  The  photographic  reproduction,  In  thla  work,  shows  that  the  orlginel  date  was  April  18, 18S8. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  288 

with  an  annual  outlay  of  $191,942.67  for  relief,  making  Massachusetts 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  important  jurisdictions  in  the  domain  of  Odd 
Fellowship.  Her  lodges  average  the  greatest  number  of  members  of 
any  Grand  jurisdiction.  She  has  eight  lodges  which  have  (each)  a  mem- 
bership of  over  500 :  Bay  State,  No.  40,  of  Lynn,  with  810,  the  largest 
lodge,  doubtless,  in  the  world;  Hampden,  No.  27,  of  Springfield,  with 
685  members;  Howard,  No.  22,  and  Bunker  Hill,  No.  14,  both  of 
Charlestown,  with  651  and  643  members,  respectively;  De  Soto,  No.  155, 
of  Springfield,  with  630;  Quinsigamond,  No.  43,  of  Worcester,  with  628; 
Acushnet,  No.  41,  New  Bedford,  and  America,  No.  191,  of  Boston,  with 
516  members  each.  There  are  forty-one  lodges  in  Boston,  and  in  its  close 
proximity,  the  greater  number  of  which  are  included  in  Boston,  as  fol- 
lows: Boston,  seventeen  lodges;  Cambridge,  five;  Charlestown,  Roxbury, 
and  Dorchester,  three  each;  South  Boston,  East  BoS|ton,  Jamaica  Plain, 
and  Chelsea,  two  each ;  Hyde  Park  and  Somerville,  one  each. 

Lowell  has  eight  lodges,  the  Order  having  been  introduced  into  that 
city  in  1829;  Lynn  has  seven  lodges,  the  first  having  been  instituted  in 
1844;  Worcester  has  five  lodges,  the  first  having  been  instituted  in  1844; 
Springfield  has  four  lodges,  the  first  having  been  instituted  in  1843;  New 
Bedford  has  three  lodges,  the  first  having  been  instituted  in  1844;  Law- 
rence has  three  lodges,  the  first  having  been  instituted  in  1847 ;  Taunton 
has  three  lodges,  the  first  having  been  instituted  in  1826. 

An  important  event  in  early  Massachusetts  Odd  Fellowship  was  the 
celebration  of  the  fourth  anniversary  of  the  revival  of  the  Order,  which 
took  place  at  Boston,  June  19, 1845.  On  that  occasion  James  L.  Eidgely, 
of  Baltimore,  delivered  an  address  in  Faneuil  Hall,  to  a  large  audience. 
The  procession  was  composed  of  subordinate  lodges  and  encampments 
from  all  parts  of  New  England  and  New  York.  It  was  the  greatest  dis- 
play of  Odd  Fellowship  that  had  then  ever  been  seen  on  New  England 
soil.  When  the  procession  left  the  Common,  there  were  in  the  line 
twenty-three  bands  of  music.  The  procession  passed  through  the  follow- 
ing streets:  Tremont,  Pleasant,  Washington,  State,  Merchants'  Row, 
South  Market,  Clinton,  Blackstone,  Hanover,  Charter,  Salem,  Hanover, 
Tremont  Bow,  Tremont,  back  to  the  Common.  Dinner  was  served  on 
the  Common  beneath  a  rectangular  pavilion  erected  for  the  purpose. 
Tables  were  spread  for  10,000  people.  After  dinner  there  were  toasts 
and  speeches  by  the  distinguished  guests  present.  Conspicuous  among 
them  was  "  Father "  Wildey  himself,  the  happiest  man  in  all  the  vast 
audience.     In  the  evening  a  grand  levee  was  held  in  Faneuil  Hall. 

The  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  Septem- 
ber 19,  1864,  was  held  in  Boston ;  and,  again  in  1886,  commencing  Sep- 
tember 20th  (then  known  as  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge). 

De  Soto  Lodge,  No.  155,  of  Springfield,  originated  the  dramatic  form 


284  TEE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  conferring  the  degrees  in  subordinate  lodges,  the  work  that  is  now 
almost  universal  throughout  the  jurisdictions  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

Massachusetts  has  one  of  the  finest  Odd  Fellows'  homes  to  be  found  in 
the  United  States.  It  is  situated  in  the  city  of  Worcester.  It  was  ready 
for  occupancy  in  September,  1892.  The  sum  of  $64,000  was  expended  in 
the  erection  and  furnishing  of  the  building.  The  lot  contains  sixteen 
and  one-half  acres  of  land.  Thomas  H.  Dodge,  of  Worcester  (not  an  Odd 
Fellow),  donated  the  site,  which  was  worth  $11,000,  on  condition  that 
the  Order  would  erect  a  building  costing  not  less  than  $25,000.  He  also 
gave  10,000  additional  feet  of  land,  called  Eebekah's  Garden,  and  $500 
for  the  library.  The  sum  of  $84,000,  in  round  numbers,  was  contributed 
toward  this  home,  — the  lodges,  encampments,  and  Rebekahs  vying  with 
one  another  in  their  generosity. 

Massachusetts  has  furnished  many  prominent  Odd  Fellows  who  have 
upbuilt  and  shaped  the  legislation  of  our  Order.  Only  one  of  its  mem- 
bers, however,  has  been  elevated  to  the  position  of  Grand  Sire, — the 
only  one  yet,  in  fact,  in  New  England,  —  while  jurisdictions  of  less  impor- 
tance have  furnished  several.  This  is  not  because  it  has  not  produced 
worthy  and  capable  men,  but  because  of  the  custom  of  rotating  its  Grand 
Representatives  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  A  few  years  ago  the 
Grand  Lodge  changed  this  policy,  and  returned  to  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  year  after  year,  a  Grand  Representative  in  the  person  of  the  Hon. 
Alfred  S.  Pinkerton,  of  Worcester,  —  now  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  —  in  the 
expectation  that  he  may  reach  the  chair  of  the  Grand  Sire. 

Biographical  Notes.  —  Of  the  early  members,  James  B.  Barnes  stands 
first  as  the  founder  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Massachusetts.  He  was  born  in 
Portsmouth,  England,  in  1792.  His  coming  to  the  United  States  is  men- 
tioned elsewhere.  He  was  the  first  Noble  Grand  of  Massachusetts  Lodge, 
No.  1.  In  the  Grand  Lodge  he  never  rose  above  the  position  of  Grand 
Warden.  Daniel  Hersey,  the  first  Grand  Master  and  the  first  native 
American  of  note  to  join  the  Order  in  this  jurisdiction,  was  born  in  Hing- 
ham,  Massachusetts,  December  14,  1786.  He  died  in  Boston,  May  26, 
1858,  aged  seventy-one  years.  Brother  Hersey  was  a  merchant.  To  his 
influence  our  Order  owes  its  moral  standing,  in  the  early  days. 

Albert  Guild  was  another  early  worker,  and  to  him,  more  than  any 
other  brother,  is  due  the  revival  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  1841.  The 
Reverend  Edwin  Hubbell  Chapin,  D.D.,  the  eminent  Universalist  divine, 
who  died  in  New  York,  December  27,  1880,  was  a  brother  who  left  his 
imprint  upon  our  Order.  He  was  a  native  of  Greenwich,  New  York; 
lived  in  Bennington,  Vermont,  during  childhood  and  youth ;  was  ordained 
to  the  ministry,  and  preached  in  Boston.  In  1843  he  was  Grand  Master 
of  Massachusetts,  following  Daniel  Hersey.  In  1844  he  was  Grand 
Representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.     When  the 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  286 

committee  was  elected  to  revise  the  ritual  of  our  Order,  Brother  Chapin 
was  the  first  one  called  to  the  position.  The  classical  and  beautiful 
language  of  the  ritual  is  largely  the  result  of  his  liberal  and  educated 
mind.     He  was  one  of  the  men  who  made  our  Order  great. 

William  Ellison,  Past  Grand  Sire,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Septem- 
ber 22,  1811,  and  died  at  his  residence  in  Boston  Highlands,  August 
23, 1877,  aged  sixty-four  years.  He  was  initiated  in  Massachusetts  Lodge, 
No.  1,  August  29,  1842,  just  after  the  revival  of  the  Order.  His  last 
service  to  Odd  Fellowship  was  that  of  writing  the  local  history  of  the 
Order  in  Massachusetts,  and  his  manuscripts  are  in  the  archives  of  the 
Grand  Lodge. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  GRAND  JURISDICTION  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

The  First  Lodge.  —  Pennsylvania  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  self-instituted.  In 
1821  John  B.  Robinson,  of  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  2,  of  New  York,  while 
in  tlie  city  of  Philadelphia  on  business,  united  with  John  Upton,  and 
through  the  medium  of  the  newspapers  invited  a  meeting  of  Odd  Fellows 
at  Upton's  public-house.  No.  66  Dock  street,  west  of  Second  street.  South- 
side.  The  meeting  took  place  December  26th,  and  the  pioneer  lodge  in 
Pennsylvania  was  formed.  The  following  officers  were  elected:  John 
Pearce,  Noble  Grand;  James  Day,  Vice  Grand;  John  B.  Robinson,  Sec- 
retary; Johiv  Upton,  Treasurer;  Samuel  Croucher,  Guardian. 

Early  Events,  and  Grand  Lodge  chartered.  —  The  first  member  admitted 
was  Thomas  Hepworth,  who  was  elected  secretary  in  the  place  of  Robin- 
son, as  the  latter  was  a  resident  of  New  York.  Thus  the  lodge  was  con- 
stituted with  five  resident  members.  New  members,  mostly  Englishmen 
and  Scotchmen,  were  rapidly  added,  and  the  brothers,  gratified  at  the  pros- 
perity which  had  crowned  their  endeavors,  began  to  "  cast  about "  for  some 
legal  connection  for  the  lodge.  The  members  were  aware  that  properly- 
chartered  lodges  of  Odd  Fellows  existed  in  the  United  States,  and  were 
anxious  to  form  a  connection  with  them.  Correspondence  was  begun  with 
the  Maryland  lodge,  but  it  "was  unsatisfactory.  Application  was  then 
made  to  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  New  York,  which  had  a  charter  from 


•^■. 


^failc|iif;|:|iiii 

■pgetftiSi  aJ?>i||  fll< 


•K  FBATEBSITT. 


^a?t(£ISC$4|||^$<l?^  ^^  LiTerpool  district,  Uanchestei 
t(  M^fewR^^  fS-^^Vt  BoQ  this  application,  Columbia  Lodge 
''|[|St||L!^H|f||j^|jffrylaDd  and  of  the  United  States,  and 


ifJIj^S'.f.e?"*!'""^ 
S^<j>liN<£l!fiVa|$^n. 


ing  the  further  pursuance  of  such  a 

issible.     It  was  known  that  the  Grand 

States,  through  its  Grand  Master, 

the  lodges  in  New  York  and  Maasa- 

'xousequently,  when  a  proposal  to  this 

^UiMdi±j4S)(|2j/^MCB9<^*Pi,  was  immediately  accepted.  Penn- 
l&IBlS^liiJ«9'S^ie  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of 
^^^%vSf^%^w'&^%fSfiMtAvas.ta  lodge;  and,  also,  a  charter 
m^WUMLWM.^.^a^.^^^..-^  rpjjg  j.^jj  charters  bear  date  of 
vania  Lodge,  No.  1,  being  delivered 

feedings,  while  at  the  institution  of 

ISu^jS^  Grand  Master  Thomas  Wildey,  and 

s!wgCw*!harter,  the  current  formalities  were 

i>tl^^i^^*^ilri^<^il|@iod  June  27,  1823,  and  a  copy  of  the 

'■•S^ 


IDENT  ODD  FELLOWS. 

i''4S'& Ell? l^ oiled  States, by antbotitr Ota gnndebuMr 

iSt^.k^  in  llie  borough  o[  Pnaton,  County  P&latlDS 

'katay|!>)^9<lili  Kranil  charter  to  five  p*«t  granda  of  the 

>H«lSf.<3S4i«j!t  In  the  iUt«  o(  Pennaylvanla.  to  tonn  a  Grand 

uid  SDpport  ol  brothers  of  said  Order  when 

being  duly  tonned,  ta  hereby  aaiborlted 

me  and  lalthtnl  brothers  to  open 

administer  to  the  past  grands  all 

e  Grand  Lodge :  and  to  enact  by-lavs  for  the 

I,  that  tbe  said  Grand  Lodge  act  according  to 

leoce  to,  the  Orand  Lodge  ot  the  United  Statea, 

•Uiereot.    In  default  thereof  this  charter  may 

of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  BUt«*. 

Gttvw^rTVWTiTW'xn  of  the  due  performance  ot  tlie  above),  do 

ijS»SI«l^iuctlon  ot  this  charter,  whether  by  fire  or  other 

'^W*'TO''W  '"  °°  illsgal  concealment  or  wilfnl  destmctlon 

have  displayed  the  colon  ot  our  Order, 
iWines  and  nflRied  the  seal  of  tbe  Grand  Lodge  of 
Tnited  Sutea,  this  thirteanth  day  ot  Jane,  X.D. 
Ired  and  twenty-three. 

:1  ,......™. 

1.  DUNCAK  HcCOBlUCE. 

JAMES  LEED. 
JOHN  NELSON. 
WILUAM  TONG. 
THOMAS  SCOTCHBURN. 
WILLIAM  WILLIAMS. 
WILLIAM  ANSTICB. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  287 

The  following  officers  were  installed:  Aaron  Nichols,  Grand  Master; 
Thomas  Small,  Deputy  Grand  Master;  Benjamin  Richardson,  Grand 
Warden;  William  H.  Matthews,  Grand  Secretary;  Joseph  Eichardson, 
Grand  Treasurer. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  observe  that  the  "  ancient "  card  of  Aaron 
Nichols,  dated  in  1806,  begins  the  "  evolution  of  the  visiting  card  "  in  the 
illustrations  of  that  subject  in  this  work.  After  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Maryland  separated  from  the  governing  body,  in  1824,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  had  received  its  charter  from  the  Manchester 
Unity  in  England,  dated  May  15,  1826  (see  illustration),  the  Sovereign 
body  issued  a  new  charter  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  in  lieu  of 
the  original,  under  which  it  has  continued  to  act. 

In  November,  1823,  the  Grand  Lodge  received  a  letter  from  Baltimore 
requesting  its  representation,  either  by  a  personal  or  proxy  representative, 
at  a  meeting  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  Past  Grand 
John  Boyd,  of  Baltimore,  was  chosen  proxy-representative,  and  continued 
as  such  until  1826,  when  Grand  Master  Small  and  Past  Deputy  Grand 
Master  Eichardson  appeared  as  representatives  of  Pennsylvania,  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  then  began  the  influential  position 
this  Grand  Lodge  has  ever  since  maintained  in  the  Sovereign  body. 

The  ''Mother  Lodges."  —  From  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
1823,  until  the  close  of  the  year  1829,  nineteen  other  lodges  had  been 
organized,  and  thus  the  Order  had  spread  to  some  of  the  principal  cities 
and  towns  in  Pennsylvania,  other  than  Philadelphia.  During  this  period, 
and  subsequently,  prosperity  had,  generally,  attended  Odd  Fellowship  in 
the  Keystone  State,  although  trials  not  a  few  were  its  experience.  Like 
Vermont,  and  several  other  states,  the  Order  had  to  deal  with  internal 
dissensions.  Lodge  No.  1  became  rebellious,  was  expelled,  a  ''bogus 
Grand  Lodge"  existed  for  a  time;  the  pioneer  was  reinstated,  and  the 
anti-Masonic  wave  was  successfully  breasted.  Pennsylvania  soon  became 
the  leading  jurisdiction  in  the  American  Order, — the  proud  position  she 
has  since  held. 

The  second  lodge  in  Philadelphia,  Washington,  No.  2,  was  instituted 
March  20,  1824,  the  charter  having  been  granted  February  2nd,  preceding. 
Like  "No.  1,"  this  lodge  has  done  noble  work,  and  is  still  on  the  roll. 
Ridgely,  in  his  history  of  Odd  Fellowship,  said:  "Lodges  Nos.  3,  8,  9, 
13,  22,  and  23,  were  chiefly  recruited  from  this  lodge." 

Six  more  subordinates  were  instituted  in  Philadelphia,  before  the 
Order  "branched  out"  into  the  country,  as  follows:  Wayne  Lodge,  No.  3, 
chartered  December  16,  1824,  and  instituted  the  24th  of  the  same  month, 
with  six  charter  members.  In  the  list  appears  the  name  of  Samuel  Pryor, 
who  became  prominent  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  was 
elected  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  June  11, 


:  FRATERSITT. 


Ift  ^  l^  ^*^'S''M^H481lf Vtf^*^  ^^^  Liverpool  district,  Maochester 

If  jJl*.'5i^S<MiJilM8ijS?3gLliy  fg  »D  this  applicatiou,  Columbia  Lodge 

5»''Vf  H  B''^li''4i7r4i'£'^^°'^  ^^  °^  ^"^^  United  States,  and 

^'E^QtfWV  ~$^$''Kt3fS-'J1'°S  ^^^  further  pursnance  of  Bucha 

E  J^^j^B'H'^'jSfSltSf^^"^^'^-     ^^  ^^  known  that  the  Grand 

'^-^^Jll*SlSti?^M^^Mr^i'£'fl^<^  ^^'^^y  throt^h  itg  Grand  Master, 

L'!^.J!|*^jS^^OTl@ii»S^'P"R  ^^^  lodges  in  ]^ew  York  and  Masaa- 

■■*■  "      ■*■  — ■     ■-—..—  -*         ""feonsequently,  when  a  proposal  to  this 

B  was  immediately  accepted.     Fenn- 

3  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of 

*'-Wi3lfM^^^WVWV4iriK>rdinat«  lodge;  and,  also,  a  charter 

IIj£''!€vll8t«PH^^'l^^-     ^'■^  ^^'^  charters  bear  date  of 

ilj^tM3|||f||ppM^'ai^vania  Lodge,  No.  1,  being  delivered 

"^        —  »»  **»eeding8,  while  at  the  institution  of 

y  Grand  Master  Thomas  Wildey,  and 

Charter,  the  current  formalities  were 

X'^t      C  S  ^B.^t.^^|r;^n^t|'|Iu^^d  June  27,  1823,  and  a  copy  of  the 


lENT  ODD  FELLOWS. 


Uaited  States,  by  authority  of  a  grand  chftrttr 
n  the  borough  of  PrestoD,  Connt;  Palatlna 

lia  grand  cbartei  to  five  past  gnuidii  of  tho 

In  the  Btate  of  PemitylvBDia,  to  farm  aOrand 

and  sapport  of  bruthera  of  said  Order  irhen 

Ijodge,  beiDg  duly  formed,  is  hereby  authorized 

isatlons  to  true  and  faithful  brothers  to  open 

p.  and  to  administer  to  tbe  past  granda  all 

Grand  Lodge  ;  aod  to  enact  by-laws  tor  tbe 

that  tbe  said  Grand  Lodge  act  according  to 

lance  to,  the  Orand  Lodge  ol  the  United  States, 

In  default  thereof  this  charter  may 

of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Unilod  Statu. 

^iitioa  of  tbe  due  pecformaace  of  the  above),  do 

^a^rS^'rn^ctlon  of  this  charter,  whether  by  fire  or  other 

"~ no  Illegal  conoealment  or  wilful  destruction 

l^ii^Ae^f,  we  have  displayed  the  colors  of  our  Order, 
*T^tVl«fQM  and  affixed  the  seal  of  tbe  Grand  Lodge  of 
J^'S^SE"'^  Scales,  this  thirteenth  day  ol  Jane,  A.a. 

'  ■" '  Tndred  and  twenty-three, 

DUNCAN  HcGOBlfACK. 
JAMES  LEED. 
JOHN  NELSON. 
!,  Q.S.  WILUAM  TONQ. 

THOMAS  8C0TCHBURN. 
WILLIAU  WILLIAMS. 
WILUAM  ANSTICB, 


fimm 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS,  287 

The  following  officers  were  installed:  Aaron  Nichols,  Grand  Master; 
Thomas  Small,  Deputy  Grand  Master;  Benjamin  Eichardson,  Grand 
Warden;  William  H.  Matthews,  Grand  Secretary;  Joseph  Eichardson, 
Grand  Treasurer. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  observe  that  the  "  ancient  '*  card  of  Aaron 
Nichols,  dated  in  1806,  begins  the  "  evolution  of  the  visiting  card  "  in  the 
illustrations  of  that  subject  in  this  work.  After  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Maryland  separated  from  the  governing  body,  in  1824,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  had  received  its  charter  from  the  Manchester 
Unity  in  England,  dated  May  15,  1826  (see  illustration),  the  Sovereign 
body  issued  a  new  charter  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  in  lieu  of 
the  original,  under  which  it  has  continued  to  act. 

In  November,  1823,  the  Grand  Lodge  received  a  letter  from  Baltimore 
requesting  its  representation,  either  by  a  personal  or  proxy  representative, 
at  a  meeting  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  Past  Grand 
John  Boyd,  of  Baltimore,  was  chosen  proxy-representative,  and  continued 
as  such  until  1826,  when  Grand  Master  Small  and  Past  Deputy  Grand 
Master  Eichardson  appeared  as  representatives  of  Pennsylvania,  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  then  began  the  influential  position 
this  Grand  Lodge  has  ever  since  maintained  in  the  Sovereign  body. 

The  "Mother  Lodges."  —  From  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
1823,  until  the  close  of  the  year  1829,  nineteen  other  lodges  had  been 
organized,  and  thus  the  Order  had  spread  to  some  of  the  principal  cities 
and  towns  in  Pennsylvania,  other  than  Philadelphia.  During  this  period, 
and  subsequently,  prosperity  had,  generally,  attended  Odd  Fellowship  in 
the  Keystone  State,  although  trials  not  a  few  were  its  experience.  Like 
Vermont,  and  several  other  states,  the  Order  had  to  deal  with  internal 
dissensions.  Lodge  No.  1  became  rebellious,  was  expelled,  a  "bogus 
Grand  Lodge"  existed  for  a  time;  the  pioneer  was  reinstated,  and  the 
anti-Masonic  wave  was  successfully  breasted.  Pennsylvania  soon  became 
the  leading  jurisdiction  in  the  American  Order, — the  proud  position  she 
has  since  held. 

The  second  lodge  in  Philadelphia,  Washington,  No.  2,  was  instituted 
March  20, 1824,  the  charter  having  been  granted  February  2nd,  preceding. 
Like  "No.  1,"  this  lodge  has  done  noble  work,  and  is  still  on  the  roll. 
Eidgely,  in  his  history  of  Odd  Fellowship,  said:  "Lodges  Nos.  3,  8,  9, 
13,  22,  and  23,  were  chiefly  recruited  from  this  lodge." 

Six  more  subordinates  were  instituted  in  Philadelphia,  before  the 
Order  " branched  out "  into  the  country,  as  follows:  Wayne  Lodge,  No.  3, 
chartered  December  16,  1824,  and  instituted  the  24th  of  the  same  month, 
with  six  charter  members.  In  the  list  appears  the  name  of  Samuel  Pryor, 
who  became  prominent  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  was 
elected  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  June  ll. 


288  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

1827.  Ridgely  said:  "He  was  the  first  native  who  occupied  the  Grand 
Master's  chair  in  Pennsylvania,  and  his  election  was  considered  a  triumph 
of  the  moral  over  the  social  element  of  the  Order." 

Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  4,  then  situated  in  Kensington,  a  suburb  of 
Philadelphia,  was  chartered  February  13,  1826,  and  instituted  March 
13th,  following.  This  lodge  became  the  pioneer  in  building  a  hall,  but 
the  enterprise  was  ill-starred,  and,  after  assistance  from  Past  Grand  Sire 
Hopkins,  gave  up  the  property,  which,  subsequently,  passed  into  the 
hands  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Franklin  Lodge,  No.  5,  was  chartered  January  14,  1828,  and  was 
opened  soon  thereafter,  with  seven  charter  members.  This  was  the  first 
lodge  instituted  in  Pennsylvania,  upon  the  American  plan,  when  convivi- 
ality, host  and  bar  were  banished. 

Eight  petitioners  were  granted  a  charter  for  General  Marion  Lodge, 
No.  6,  March  10,  1828,  and  the  condition  attached  was  its  permanent 
location  in  Kensington.  This  reservation  must  have  passed  into  "  innocu- 
ous desuetude,''  for  the  four  preceding  lodges,  including  No.  6,  met  in  Odd 
Fellows'  temple,  and  Nos.  1  and  7,  also,  met  in  Philadelphia. 

Hermann  Lodge,  No.  7,  the  first  German  lodge  in  the  state,  was  insti- 
tuted July  28,  1828,  the  charter  having  been  granted  July  14th  to  eight 
petitioners.     The  location  was  Kensington. 

The  next  lodge  was  chartered  July  14,  1828,  and  Rising  Sun,  No.  8, 
was  instituted  July  28th,  of  the  same  month.  The  present  "  No.  8  "  is 
Henry  Disston,  at  Tacony. 

From  Philadelphia,  and  vicinity,  the  Order  spread  to  Pittsburg. 
Mechanics  Lodge,  No.  9,  was  chartered  December  29,  1828,  and  was  insti- 
tuted January  6,  1829,  by  Past  Grand  Master  Small,  special  deputy. 
This  was  the  first  lodge  opened  west  of  the  Alleghany  mountains.  It  is 
still  borne  on  the  roll  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  succeeding  lodges  of  the  early  years  were :  Philomathean,  No.  10, 
chartered  December  29,  1828,  and  instituted  February  14, 1829,  located  in 
Germantown ;  Kensington,  No.  11,  charter  dated  February  23, 1829,  insti- 
tuted February  27,  1829,  surrendered  its  charter  February  1,  1896,  and 
was  reorganized  as  Diligent  Lodge,  No.  11,  February  25, 1896;  Jefferson, 
No.  12,  chartered  February  23,  1829,  instituted  soon  afterward,  was  in 
existence  for  a  number  of  years,  became  defunct,  and  was  reinstated  April 
26, 1846,  but  now  again  extinct, —  the  last  two  located  in  the  "  Kensington 
district";  Philadelphia,  No.  13,  with  thirty-one  charter  members,  was 
instituted  March  29,  1829,  located  in  the  city ;  Wildey,  No.  14,  at  Frank- 
ford,  instituted  July  2,  1829  ("No.  14"  now  on  the  roll  as  "Oxford"); 
Philanthropic,  No.  15,  chartered  July  13,  1829,  and  instituted  July  16, 
1829;  Harmony  (now  New  Harmony),  No.  16,  was  instituted  August  5, 
1829,  a  charter  having  been  granted  to  seven  petitioners  on  July  27th, 


THE  GRAND  LODOE  JURISDICTIONS.  289 

preceding;  Northern  Liberties,  No.  17  (name  suggestive  of  a  period 
anterior  to  1860),  was  instituted  August  24,  1829,  having  been  chartered 
the  13th  of  that  month,  with  six  petitioners;  Lafayette,  No.  18,  chartered 
August  13,  1829,  was  instituted  within  a  short  time  thereafter;  Amity, 
No.  19,  instituted  October  31,  1829,  having  been  chartered  the  12th  of 
the  same  month.  The  preceding  five  subordinates  were  located  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  are  upon  the  roll  to-day.  Ridgely,  in  his  history,  said,  that 
Nos.  15,  16,  17,  and  18,  were  organized  nearly  simultaneously  because  of 
the  troubles  arising  in  Pennsylvania  Lodge,  No.  1,  to  which  reference  is 
made  above.     Ridgely,  also,  said :  — 

'*  These  troubles  with  Pennsylvania  Lodge  were  agitating  the  Order  in  the  state,  or 
rather  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  (for  there  was  but  little  of  Odd  Fellowship  at  that  time 
beyond  the  city) ,  and  to  the  impetus  given  to  it  by  the  prospect  of  new  and  commodious 
accommodations  in  the  new  hall,  on  Fifth  street,  below  Walnut,  which  was  then  nearing 
completion,  and  into  which  several  city  lodges  moved  in  June,  1830.  Among  the  petitioners 
for  these  (4)  charters  will  be  found  many  honored  names  still  familiar  to  Philadelphians. 
Only  a  few  of  them  survive  ;  the  organizations,  however,  which  they  set  in  motion  are  their 
lasting  monuments.*' 

Pottsville  organized  the  next  and  last  lodge  of  the  period  under  con- 
sideration, Miners',  No.  20,  which  was  chartered  December  14,  1829,  and 
opened  shortly  thereafter  by  Grand  Master  John  G.  Potts,  who  afterward 
removed  to  Illinois,  and  figures  extensively  in  this  work  as  the  Special 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  of  the  Northwest. 

Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  summed  up  (in  1878)  his  review  of  the  labors 
of  Past  Grand  Sire  Stokes  in  these  words:  — 

*'  And  thus  we  complete  the  roll  which  has  no  parallel  in  Odd  Fellowship.  These  are 
the  lodges  which  grew  up  from  their  own  roots,  without  waiting  for  the  grafting  process  of 
later  times.  To  them  Pennsylvanians  must  ever  look  with  honest  exultation  as  the  mother 
lodges  of  the  state,  and  rejoice  that  they  have  never  soiled  the  banners  which  they  have 
borne  for  half  a  century." 

Reminiscences.  —  Pennsylvania  Lodge  was  successful  almost  from  the 
start.  Within  its  lodge-room  met  convivial  spirits,  who  gathered  around 
a  social  altar,  erected  as  "aforetime  in  England."  The  organization 
prospered,  although  the  commonwealth  was  afterward  convulsed  from 
centre  to  circumference  with  the  anti-Masonic  furor.  Of  its  adverse  his- 
tory, briefly  referred  to  above,  little  need  be  said,  except  to  emphasize  the 
fact,  that  the  harmonious  outcome  prefigured  the  later  triumphs  of  Friend- 
ship, Love,  and  Truth,  when  the  arena  had  been  broadened  to  embrace 
the  limits  of  the  nation. 

The  proper  relation  of  dues  to  benefits  early  engrossed  the  attention  of 

the  Order  in  this  state.     From  the  researches  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Stokes 

it  is  learned  that  this  question  arose  early  in  the  life  of  Washington 

Lodge,  No.  2,  and  he  said :  — 

"  The  records  of  this  lodge  are  full  of  experience,  and  demonstrate  forcibly  the  value  of 
a  proper  consideration  of  dues  and  benefits.    Instances  are  shown  of  relief  to  confirmed  and 


290  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

chronic  invalids,  who  have  been  pensioners  year  after  year  until  death ;  during  all  which 
period  the  lodge  faithfully  discharged  its  duty.  In  1862  the  funds  of  Washington  Lodge 
were  so  reduced  that  it  had  to  appeal  for  aid  to  the  sister  lodges  of  the  state, — it  was 
thereby  enabled  to  maintain  its  position  and  standing  in  the  Order.*' 

This  record  has  been  repeated  many  times ;  and  the  writer  would  refer 
the  reader,  in  this  connection,  to  the  "Experience  Tables  for  Twenty 
Years,"  upon  the  subject  of  dues  and  benefits,  compiled  by  the  "Nestor  of 
the  Order,"  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson,  and  published  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania,  in  1894.  The  "ratio  of  sickness  and  law  of  increase," 
therein  shown,  is  too  voluminous  for  a  general  history  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
but  it  will  become  a  blessing  to  the  Order,  if  this  reference  thereto  shall 
lead  any  considerable  number  of  brothers  to  examine  the  record. 

Pennsylvania  not  only  gave  to  the  Order  degree  lodges,  and  many  other 
good  things,  — shown  in  detail  in  another  place;  but  in  connection  with 
Hermann  Lodge,  working  in  the  German  language,  it  should  go  upon 
record :  to  Pennsylvania  is  Odd  Fellowship  indebted  for  the  translation  of 
the  work  into  German,  and,  also,  into  the  French  language.*  This  Grand 
jurisdiction  instituted  the  first  lodge  in  the  Order,  named  after  its  founder : 
Wildey,  No.  14.  It  was  opened  by  those  staunch  and  active  Odd  Fellows, 
Past  Grand  Masters  Small  and  Pryor,  and  was  chartered  about  the  time  that 
Grand  Sire  Wildey  visited  Philadelphia,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  the 
Grand  Encampment,  June  17,  1829.  On  that  occasion  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania  honored  the  Grand  Sire  with  a  public  dinner. 

Growth  of  Membership.^ — In  1827  the  growth  for  four  years  had  been 
348  members.  In  May,  1829,  the  Grand  Lodge  reported  thirteen  lodges, 
with  1009  members;  in  1845  one  hundred  and  eighteen  lodges,  with  8786 
members.  In  thirty-four  years  from  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
(1861)  the  Order  in  the  state  had  increased  to  nearly  42,000  members.  The 
depression  incident  to  the  civil  war  caused  a  decline  to  a  little  over  38,000; 
but  from  the  close  of  the  war  to  1876  Odd  Fellowship  made  rapid  strides, 
and  the  report  of  the  centennial  year  was  above  97,000  members.  A  wave 
of  depression  again  passed  over  the  Keystone  State,  and,  in  1882,  the  Order 
numbered  less  than  78,000.  In  May,  1887,  it  had  advanced  to  one  thou- 
sand lodges,  with  81,480  members;  in  1893  to  one  thousand  and  sixty-three 
lodges,  with  106,113  members;  in  December,  1896,  to  one  thousand  and 
ninety  lodges,  with  107,872  brothers  in  membership,  — an  increase  unpar- 
alleled during  the  few  disastrous  years  just  past.  Eidgely's  words  of  1878 
(in  his  history)  seem  almost  prophetic,  in  the  light  of  this  summary :  — 

Prominent  Hen.  —  **  The  history  of  the  Order  in  Pennsylvania  gives  rise  to  many  reflec- 
tions, not  the  least  of  which  is,  that  the  brothers  of  that  jurisdiction  have  prouder  claims  to 
personal  merit  than  those  of  any  other  in  America.    Maryland  had  Wildey,  the  matchless 

1  Journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  Yol.  I.,  p.  816. 

*  Some  of  these  statistics  have  been  taken  from  a  late  address  by  Brother  C.  B.  D.  Richardson,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  others  were  ftimished  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  291 

enthusiast  and  wonder-worker;  Entwisle.  the  genius  and  organizer;  Welch,  the  prudent  and 
staid;  and  Marley  and  Mathiot,  the  young  Americans,  the  latter  a  man  of  rare  promise  and 
usefulness,  to  form  a  band  which,  like  that  of  the  tenth  legion  of  Gassar,  was  well-nigh 
invincible ;  but  more  than  this,  they  added  organization  to  personal  effort,  and  the  fealty  of 
other  states  to  increase  the  interest  and  promote  the  enterprise.  Wildey  himself  was  a  host, 
and  his  personal  efforts  alone  were  sufficient  to  account  for  the  success  in  Maryland. 

"  But  in  Pennsylvania  the  facts  were  otherwise.  Wildey,  indeed,  sowed  the  seeds,  but 
they  fell  in  good  soil,  and  needed  no  foreign  immigration  or  labor  to  cause  them  to  spring  up 
and  bear  abundant  fruit.  The  material  which  composed  its  first  lodges  was  a  power  in  itself. 
.  .  .  Hence  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  was  organized  by  good  and  true  men,  whose 
object  from  the  first  was  to  evoke  order  from  confusion,  and  erect  an  establishment  which, 
by  iu  own  vigor,  would  not  only  command  respect  and  obedience,  but  form  the  potent  centre 
about  which  the  whole  scheme  should  harmoniously  revolve.  .  .  .  The  love  and  reverence 
for  Wildey  was  profound  among  them,  and  none  went  farther  to  do  him  honor ;  but  when  he 
appeared  in  the  arena  as  the  defender  of  the  sinning  [referring  to  the  recusant  Pennsylvania 
Lodge,  No.  1],  the  Grand  Sire  himself  fell  before  the  majesty  of  the  law,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  had  the  honor  of  bringing  him,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  itself,  to  the  observance  of  written  law ;  thus  setting  the  first  example  of  that  consti- 
tutional government  which  has  made  Odd  Fellowship  the  foremost  secular  institution  of  the 
kind  of  its  day. 

"  Pennsylvania  has  the  glory  of  having  stood  alone  from  the  first.  To  her  we  owe  Grand 
Lodge  reports,  degree  lodges,  and  many  fundamental  elements,  without  which  the  working 
of  the  plan  might  have  been  an  inglorious  failure.  .  .  .  Great  names  are  not  wanting  iu  her 
wonderful  history.  What  names  are  more  deeply  engraven  on  the  Order  than  those  of 
Pearce,  of  Small,  of  Perkins,  of  Hopkins,  of  Kneass,  those  grand  contemporaries  of  Wildey, 
or  of  those  later  names  known  and  loved  in  all  the  large  household  of  Odd  Fellowship? 
Need  we  in  such  connection  refer  to  Nicholson,  Stokes,  Lamberton,  Simpson,  Curtis,  Hickok, 
and  many  others,  who  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  have  linked  themselves  and 
that  great  jurisdiction  to  imperishable  fame?  " 

Beneficence.  —  The  statistics  of  receipts  and  disbursements  of  the  early 
periods  have  passed  beyond  recall.  Some  idea  of  the  grand  total  may  be 
estimated  by  an  example  of  the  later  years.  Brother  C.  B.  D.  Eichardson, 
in  an  address  on  the  fourteenth  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the  Home 
for  Orphans  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Pennsylvania,  April  4,  1897,  said:  — 

"  The  amoi)nt  of  money  paid  by  the  lodges  within  the  boundaries  of  the  state  from  July  1, 
1S46,  when  the  first  annual  record  was  started,  until  the  present  time,  has  reached  the  grand 
sum  of  $15,5S7^79.99,  which  has  been  used  in  relieving  the  sick  and  distressed,  as  well  as  in 
assisting  the  families  of  the  brethren  in  the  time  of  bereavement.  When  I  come  to  calculate 
the  number  of  brothers  that  have  been  relieved  during  the  last  fifty  years,  the  amount  reaches 
such  a  large  sum  as  seems  almost  beyond  comprehension ;  yet  the  figures  which  I  have  gathered 
show  me  that  409,M2  brothers  have,  from  time  to  time  during  that  period,  been  paid  benefits, 
and  that  number  is  more  than  four  times  the  present  membership  of  the  Order  in  Pennsylva- 
nia at  this  day.  This  does  not  include  the  44,176  families  of  worthy  brothers,  overtaken  by 
adversity,  which  the  Order  has  stretched  out  its  ministering  hand  to  relieve  and  place  above 
want  in  order  to  carry  out  another  grand  principle  of  the  Order, '  relieve  the  distressed.'  " 

It  is  now  nearly  seventy-six  years  since  the  little  band  of  five  unpre- 
tentious brethren  organized  the  first  lodge,  in  the  hotel  of  John  Upton, 
No.  66  Dock  street,  in  Philadelphia.  Could  all  the  funds  received  and 
amount  expended  in  relief  from  that  time  to  the  present  be  stated,  what 
a  stupendous  record  it  would  make  for  the  premier  Grand  jurisdiction  of 
the  Order  I     To  give  two  examples:  in  1887  the  total  paid  for  relief  was 


292  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

3406,959.67;  the  receipts  were  $759,601.50;  and  assets  of  working 
lodges,  $3,032,830.44.  In  1896  the  relief  was  $585,326.75;  with 
receipts,  $1,038,597.83;   and  assets,  $3,798,844.90.  . 

Centennial  Celebration.  —  One  of  the  prominent  events  in  the  history  of 
the  Order  in  this  state  was  the  centennial  celebration  September  20, 1876, 
in  connection  with  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
in  Philadelphia,  and  that  of  the  national  commemoration.  The  procession 
consisted  of  twenty  grand  divisions,  and  was  followed  by  public  exercises 
at  Fairmount  park.     It  is  said :  — 

"  As  to  the  number  that  participated  in  the  procession  the  press  reporters  counted  17,568 
men  in  the  line,  with  ninety-two  brass  bands,  and  nine  flute  and  drum  corps.  The  number 
of  Odd  Fellows  who  lined  the  sidewalks  exceeded  computation." 

Odd  Fellows'  Halls  and  Temples.  —  Not  only  has  Pennsylvania  led  the 
vanguard  in  the  number  of  her  lodges  and  membership,  but  she  has,  also, 
excelled  in  the  matter  of  halls  and  homes.  From  the  time  the  first  lodge 
found  a  place  in  the  tavern  of  John  Upton  to  the  North  Sixth  street  build- 
ing of  1846,  and  the  present  magnificent  temple  on  Broad  street,  dedicated 
May  21,  1895,  growth  and  expansion  have  been  the  "watchwords,"  second 
only  to  the  onward  progress  of  Odd  Fellowship.  The  hall  dedicated  Sep- 
tember 17,  1846,  was  a  great  advance,  and  (with  the  Spring  Garden  street 
hall)  served  the  fraternity  in  Philadelphia  and  the  Keystone  State  a  good 
purpose  for  half  a  century ;  but  there  can  scarcely  be  cited  a  parallel  to 
the  contrast  between  1821  and  1896.  The  former  is  described  by  Past 
Grand  Sire  Stokes  as  follows:  — 

"  Dock  street  is  the  exception  to  William  Penn's  right-angled  plan  for  the  streets  in  the 
Quaker  City,  and  mars  the  chequer-board  arrangement  that  Dickens  described  as  '  distress- 
ingly regular.*  Upton's  hotel  was  located  on  this  street,  a  few  doors  west  of  Second  street, 
Southside ;  within  one  square  of  the  custom  house,  then  on  Second  street ;  one  square  from 
the  Pennsylvania  bank,  and  the  old  coffee  house,  used  as  a  merchants'  exchange ;  and  one 
square  from  Girard  bank  on  Third  street,  at  the  end  of  Dock  street.  It  was  the  centre  of 
business,  surrounded  by  the  best  of  buildings  and  offices.  It  was  a  popular,  first-class  house, 
and  commanded  a  large  patronage." 

The  official  Temple  Souvenir,  of  1893,  says :  — 

"  This  building  stiU  stands,  in  open  defiance  of  the  rayages  of  time  and  the  march  of 
improvement.  It  is  proper  to  remark  that  the  reason  why  Dock  street  is  an  exception  to 
the  plan  of  the  founder  of  the  city,  in  laying  out  its  streets  at  right  angles,  is  because  it  was 
subsequently  '  laid  out '  over  the  bed  of  Dock  creek,  which  was  originally  navigable.  .  .  . 
Upton's  hotel  was  not,  strictly  speaking,  an  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  nor  was  there  any  other 
building  devoted  exclusively  to  the  uses  of  the  Order,  until  the  hall  on  Fifth  street,  south  of 
Walnut,  was  dedicated  in  May,  1830." 

The  present  temple,  the  finest  in  the  world  owned  by  the  Order,  is  the 
subject  of  an  illustration  in  this  work.  It  is  ten  stories  in  height,  with 
a  frontage  on  Broad  street  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet,  and  a  depth 
of  one  hundred  and  seventy  feet.  It  is  a  palatial  structure  and  will  serve 
the  Order's  purpose  for  a  century  to  come. 


lit 


:^^«g^^!/^;^S^:e^ft^'k^^e^]A.  Pennsylvania. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS. 


293 


Prominent  Brethren.  —  Pennsylvania  has  been  honored  with  five  Grand 
Sires:  Samuel  H.  Perkins,  1837-40;  Howell  Hopkins,  184^-45;  Horn 
R.  Kneass,  1847-49;  James  B.  Nicholson,  1862-64;  and  John  W.  Stokes, 
1876-78.  Only  one  of  these  is  now  living,  James  B.  Nicholson,  who, 
returning  to  the  ranks  from  the  highest  station  within  the  gift  of  Odd 
Fellowship,  in  1869  succeeded  the  lamented  William  Curtis  as  Grand 
Secretary,  again  took  up  the  active  affairs  of  official  life,  and  will  enjoy  the 
unanimous  suffrages  of  the  Order  in  Pennsylvania,  until  "called  to  rest." 

Seventy-five  Grand  Masters  have  presided  over  the  the  destinies  of 
this  Grand  body,  —  elected  yearly.  The  long  list  includes  many  citizens 
of  note :  Thomas  Small,  Samuel  Pryor,  Samuel  H.  Perkins,  Howell  Hop- 
kins, Horn  R.  Kneass,  Robert  A.  Lamberton,  Henry  S.  Patterson,  James 
B.  Nicholson,  John  W.  Stokes,  Isaac  A.  Sheppard,  J.  Alexander  Simpson, 
and  Robert  E.  Wright.  Ten  Grand  Secretaries  have  served  the  Grand 
Lodge, —  William  Curtis,  from  June  8,  1840,  to  December,  1868,  and  Past 
Grand  Sire  Nicholson,  1869-97, — of  which  the  two  last  named  have  labored 
for  nearly  fifty-seven  of  the  seventy  and  seven  years.  The  record  of  the 
treasury  department  is  tersely  stated  by  Brother  Richardson,  as  follows :  — 

**  The  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodge  have  been  under  the  care  of  ten  Grand  Treasurers  and 
our  present  Grand  Treasurer,  M.  Richards  MuckM,  has  held  the  purse  string  since  April, 
1856.  During  the  entire  time  since  that  period  and  covering  nearly  forty-one  years,  be  has 
held  and  disbursed  many  millions  of  dollars ;  and  his  high  financial  ability  has  been  recog- 
nized and  is  so  well  known  that,  upon  the  resignation  of  Isaac  A.  Sheppard  from  the  office 
of  treasurer  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  he  was  caUed  to  that  office,  and  now  holds  both 
positions." 


<^^<. 


»<. 


riufv 


SECTION  II. 

THE  GRAND  LODGES  OF  NEW  ENGLAND;  MAINE,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE, 
VERMONT,  RHODE  ISLAND,  CONNECTICUT  (EXCEPTING  MASSA- 
CHUSETTS) :  THE  GRAND  JURISDICTIONS  OF  THE  SOUTH  ATLANTIC 
SLOPE  ;  NEW  JERSEY,  DELAWARE,  FORMER  VIRGINIA  AND  PRESENT 
VIRGINIA,  WEST  VIRGINIA,  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA,  NORTH  CARO- 
LINA, SOUTH  CAROLINA,  GEORGIA,  AND  FLORIDA  (EXCEPTING 
MARYLAND  AND  PENNSYLVANIA). 

By  Russell  G.  Dyer,  Past  Ghrand  Master, 
By  Chakles  M.  Busbee^  Past  Orand  Sire. 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE  NEW  ENGLAND  JURISDICTIONS. 

Rhode  Island.  —  James  Wood  is  universally  known  as  the  ''Father  of 
Odd  Fellowship  "  in  Rhode  Island.  Like  the  other  pioneers  of  onr  Order, 
James  Wood  was  an  Englishman,  having  been  born  in  Disney,  England, 
in  1802.  He  became  a  member  of  a  lodge  in  the  old  country,  working 
under  the  Manchester  Unity.  Wood  was  a  man  of  intelligence,  fair  edu- 
cation, zealous  in  the  work  of  his  home  lodge,  filling  all  stations  of 
responsibility,  including  that  of  noble  grand.  In  May,  1827,  he  emi- 
grated to  Aimerica,  landing  in  Boston,  and,  subsequently,  found  employ- 
ment in  Taunton,  Massachusetts.  At  Taunton  he  met  several  of  his 
countrymen  who  were  members  of  Good  Samaritan  Lodge,  No.  3,  in  that 
city ;  and,  applying  for  admission,  was  received  as  a  member.  He  soon 
entered  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts  and  became  a  valuable  acqui- 
sition. 

Several  members  of  Good  Samaritan  Lodge  were  employed  at  Crans- 
ton, a  suburb  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  and  as  Odd  Fellowship  had 
not  then  been  introduced  into  the  state.  Brother  Wood  advised  them  to 
apply  for  a  charter  for  a  lodge,  and  himself  addressed  a  letter  on  the  sub- 
ject to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  The  Grand  Master  very 
properly  referred  him  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  It  is 
claimed  that  three  years  before  this  time  Benjamin  Downing,  Past  Grand, 
of  New  York,  applied  for  permission  to  form  a  lodge  in  Providence,  but 

if  so,  nothing  ever  came  from  it. 

204 


THE  ORAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  295 

The  seven  petitioners  for  the  charter  were  headed  by  James  Wood. 
The  application  for  a  charter  was  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  which  was  granted.     The  date  of  the  charter  was  June  13,  1829. 

The  exact  date  of  the  institution  of  Friendly  Union  Lodge,  No.  1, — for 
that  is  the  name  of  the  first  lodge,  — and  the  consequent  introduction  of 
Odd  Fellowship  into  Ehode  Island,  is  not  known.  The  lamented  Eidgely, 
in  his  "History  of  Odd  Fellowship,''  said  it  was  on  the  20th  of  June, 
1829;  Past  Grand  Secretary  Ross's  history  says  "June,  1829,"  no  exact 
date  being  fixed.  It  is  evident  that  both  these  authorities  are  wrong,  for 
it  must  have  been  at  a  subsequent  period.  The  lodge  was  instituted  by 
"  Father  "  Wildey,  on  one  of  his  Northern  tours,  assisted  by  Past  Grand 
Master  Small,  of  Pennsylvania.  The  Grand  Sire  in  his  report  gives  no 
date,  but  says :  —  - 

''After  leaving  Massachusetts,  yoar  committee  proceeded  to  Providence,  Rhode  Island. 
They  here  opened  Friendly  Union  Lodge,  No.  1,  whose  charter  had  been  previously  granted." 

Bidgely  says,  referring  to  the  same  event :  — 

"  On  this  occasion  Brother  Wood  delivered  an  able  and  eloquent  address,  which  was 
favorably  noticed  by  the  newspapers." 

The  Movable  Committee,  Brothers  Wildey  and  Small,  made  their 
report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  of  which  the  following  is 
the  substance :  They  left  Baltimore  June  15th,  for  Philadelphia,  where 
they  visited  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  committee  visited  most  of  the  sub- 
ordinate lodges  in  Philadelphia,  and  opened  an  encampment  of  patriarchs. 
From  thence  they  proceeded  to  New  York,  where  they  instituted  another 
encampment.  From  New  York  the  committee  went  to  Massachusetts, 
where  they  spent  considerable  time ;  for  they  revived  the  Grand  Lodge, 
opened  an  encampment,  and  visited  the  lodges  at  Roxbury  and  Taunton. 
After  leaving  Massachusetts,  they  went  to  Providence,  where  they  opened 
Friendly  Union  Lodge,  No.  1. 

It  is  not  possible  for  the  committee  to  have  left  Baltimore  June  15th, 
and  to  have  accomplished  all  that  is  embraced  in  their  report,  remember- 
ing the  mode  of  travelling  at  that  date,  and  to  have  been  in  Providence, 
June  20th,  —  five  days  afterward. 

Brother  L.  F.  Beckford,  now  and  for  more  than  twenty  years  recording 
secretary  of  Friendly  Union  Lodge,  who  has  given  the  matter  of  the  intro- 
duction of  Odd  Fellowship  into  Ehode  Island  much  attention,  says  the 
date  was  between  June  13th  and  August  1st,  and  he  is  inclined  to  the 
latter  date.  All  records  of  the  early  proceedings  are  lost.  Brother 
Beckford,  referring  to  Friendly  Union  Lodge,  said:  — 

"  The  charter  was  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  when  assembled 
at  Baltimore  in  special  session.  The  date  of  said  session  is  uncertain,  bat  the  charter  is 
dated  June  13, 1829,  and  bears  the  signatures  of  Thomas  Wildey,  Grand  Sire ;  Thomas  Scotch- 
bam,  Depnty  Grand  Sire;  Robert  Gott,  Grand  Guardian;  Augustus  Mathiot,  Grand  Secre- 


296  THE  THREE-LINK  FMATERNITT. 

tary ;  and  RepreseDtatives  John  Roach,  Maryland;  Charles  Brice,  Massachnsetta ;  John  H. 
Campbell,  Pennsylvania;  Richard  Marley,  New  York;  and  John  Brannan,  District  of 
Columbia.  The  exact  day  of  the  institution  is  unknown,  but  it  was  between  June  13th  and 
August  1, 1829, — probably  the  latter,  for  on  that  day  a  delegation  of  some  sixty  Odd  Fellows 
arrived  in  Providence  from  Taunton,  Massachusetts,  on  the  little  steamboat '  Experiment.' 
Headed  by  a  band,  a  parade  was  made  through  the  principal  streets,  and,  entering  Mechanics* 
hall,  listened  to  an  address  by  James  Wood,  whom  the  papers  of  that  time  denominated  the 
*  head  and  front  of  the  society.'  They  remained  at  the  Providence  hotel  over  night  and 
departed  for  Taunton  the  next  day.  This  lodge,  undoubtedly,  met  at  some  tavern,  the 
Manufacturers'  hotel  being  a  favorite ;  but,  in  1833,  its  meetings  were  held  at  the  Union 
Jionse,  24  Weybosset  street,  the  landlord  being  secretary.  October,  1833,  we  find  Robert 
Robertson,  Noble  Grand,  aud  Thomas  Chamley,  Secretary.  A  membership  of  at  least 
forty  is  known  to  have  been  reached.  Its  last  meeting  was  held  in  1834.  About  this  time 
'  Father '  Wood  removed  to  Providence  and  endeavored  to  infuse  some  life  into  the  now 
nearly  defunct  lodge,  but  without  success.  The  anti-Masonry  craze,  and  the  fact  that  a  law 
had  been  enacted  by  the  state  to  prevent  meeting  in  secret  and  administering  anything  in 
the  nature  of  an  oath,  was  sufficient  reason  to  prevent  a  successful  result  of  his  labors ;  but, 
undismayed,  he  persevered,  and,  September  9, 1841,  a  petition  was  forwarded  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  a  renewal  of  the  charter,  which  had  been  surrendered.  This 
petition  was  signed  by  James  Wood,  and  seven  others.  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  waa 
granted,  and  in  December  John  A.  Kennedy,  Grand  Sire,  arrived  in  Providence  ready  to 
reorganize  the  lodge.  Through  a  mistake  in  directing  a  notice  of  his  coming,  he  was  not 
able  to  meet  a  sufficient  number  to  perform  the  work.  The  political  excitement  known  as 
the  '  Dorr  war '  now  became  the  leading  question  of  the  day,  and  until  the  settlement  of 
this  suffrage  movement  nothing  could  be  done.  However,  on  the  19th  of  August,  1843,  .  .  . 
[five  of  the  petitioners]  assembled  in  Mechanics'  hall  (the  same  room  where,  fourteen  years 
previously,  the  lodge  had  been  first  instituted),  and  the  lodge  was  formally  reopened  by 
Daniel  Hersey,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  assisted  by  Brother  Albert  Guild,  both  of  Boston. 
William  £.  Rutter  was  elected  Noble  Grand ;  Thomas  Charnley,  Vice  Grand ;  James  Wood, 
Recording  Secretary ;  Joseph  G.  Charnley,  Treasurer.  This  lodge  disbanded  September  3, 
1868,  but  was  again  reorganized  April  7, 1870.'' 

Friendly  Union,  No.  1,  had  a  checkered  career,  more  than  one  attempt 
having  been  made  to  resurrect  it.  Grand  Sire  Kennedy,  in  his  report  of 
1843,  said,  concerning  the  reorganization  of  the  lodge :  — 

''That  he  delayed  active  efforts  until  the  19th  of  June  last  (1843),  when  a  meeting  of 
Past  Grand  Wood  and  his  associates  took  place  during  a  brief  visit  of  the  Grand  Sire,  which 
resulted  in  a  formal  application  from  five  of  the  former  members  for  reopening  and  consti- 
tuting their  lodge.  The  warcfuit  of  this  lodge  having  become  much  defaced,  on  the  2l8t  of 
June  (1843),  a  special  dispensation,  drawn  in  form  to  meet  the  case,  was  issued,  and  foi^ 
warded  to  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Hersey  (Massachusetts),  who,  on  the  19th  of  August, 
1843,  performed  the  duty  of  reinstituting  this  once  flourishing  lodge." 

The  lodge  continued  harmoniously  until  1864,  when  the  Gra,nd  Master 
refused  to  install  the  Noble  Grand-elect  because  he  was  not  in  possession 
of  the  Rebekah  degree,  that  officer  refusing  to  receive  it.  The  Grand 
Lodge  sustained  the  Grand  Master.  In  1865  the  membership  had 
dwindled  to  fifteen,  when  the  lodge  disbanded,  but  did  not  surrender  its 
charter.  That  document  was  spirited  away  by  some  one  and  could  not  be 
found.  In  April,  1870,  the  lodge  was  again  reorganized,  but  its  former 
members  were  denied  admission  by  reason  of  having  divided  the  funds 
among  themselves,  some  receiving  as  much,  it  is  claimed,  as  $500.     Since 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  297 

the  last  redrganization  this  lodge  has  prospered  fairly  well.  It  is  not  as 
strong  as  Nos.  2,  3,  and  4,  but  is  one  of  the  substantial  lodges  of  the 
jurisdiction. 

Eagle  Lodge^  No.  2,  and  Eoger  Williams  Lodge^  No.  3,  were  instituted 
at  Providence,  April  19,  1843,  and  April  4,  1844,  respectively. 

These  three  subordinates,  having  the  requisite  number  of  past  grands, 
petitioned  for  a  charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge;  which,  being  granted,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Rhode  Island  was  instituted  at  Providence,  June  15, 
1844,  by  Albert  Guild,  of  Massachusetts,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 
James  Wood  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

Past  Grand  Master  Famham,  writing  of  this  period,  said:  — 

"  A  new  zeal  seemed  to  have  been  aroused  antil  sixteen  lodges  appear,  the  last  being 
inatitnted  March  25, 1851.  A  lapse  of  twenty  years  intervenes  before  we  have  any  further 
accession  of  lodges.  During  this  interval  of  time  adversity  crept  in  upon  the  Order,  for 
a  while  seemed  to  have  the  complete  mastery,  and  six  of  the  sixteen  lodges  were  forced  to 
surrender  their  charters.  Prosperity  again  dawned,  and  March  22, 1871,  Lodge  No.  17  obtained 
a  charter,  and  was  followed,  in  quick  succession,  by  lodges  of  continuous  numbers  until 
August  12, 1894,  Lodge  No.  60  was  instituted,  and  all  of  those  previously  surrendering  their 
chaiters  had  been  reinstated.  In  July,  1869,  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  on  Weybosset  street,  for- 
merly known  as  the  Pratt  building,  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  335,000,  fitted  and  dedicated 
to  the  uses  of  the  Order,  —  thus  indicating  a  revival  of  interest.  It  is  owned  by  Eagle  Lodge, 
No.  2;  Roger  Williams  Lodge,  No.  3;  Hope  Lodge,  No.  4;  Canonicus  Lodge,  No.  9;  Narra- 
gansett  Encampment,  No.  1 ;  and  Moshassuck  Encampment,  No.  2.'' 

Odd  Fellowship  reached  its  highest  point,  in  its  early  history,  in  1848, 
when  it  had  1743  members,  and  its  lowest  ebb  was  in  1865,  when  it  haa 
eleven  lodges,  and  but  534  members.  In  1870  there  were  fifteen  lodges, 
with  1694  members ;  in  1880  forty -two  lodges,  with  4714  members.  The 
report,  made  February  5, 1895,  showed  fifty-one  lodges,  with  a  total  mem- 
bership of  6402;  and  the  sum  of  $35,241.58  was  paid  for  relief  the  same 
year. 

During  the  civil  war  Portsmouth  Grove  hospital,  in  this  jurisdiction, 
contained  many  wounded  soldiers  from  all  parts  of  the  Union.  In  1863 
there  were  as  many  as  2000  at  one  time.  Grand  Master  C.  H.  Malcom 
instituted  a  committee  of  visitation  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  the 
wounded  and  sick  Odd  Fellows  who  might  be  there.  Many  were  found 
who  received  that  brotherly  care  and  assistance  which  must  have  proven 
to  them  the  value  of  our  Order.  The  name  of  every  sick  Odd  Fellow  was 
obtained,  the  name  of  his  lodge  and  residence,  regiment,  the  company, 
and  the  nature  of  his  wound  or  sickness.  At  the  same  time  the  Grand 
Master  entered  into  correspondence  with  their  home  lodges  all  over  the 
country.  He  received  responses  and  money,  in  some  cases  as  much  as 
$50  for  a  single  person. 

June  30,  1868,  the  Odd  Fellows'  Beneficial  Association  was  organized 
at  Providence,  its  object  being:  "  The  creation  and  perpetuation  of  a  fund 
for  the  relief  of  the  widows  and  orphans  of  its  members.''    From  the  date 


298  THE  THREE' LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  organization  to  May  31,  1894,  its  receipts  had  been  $532,097.24;  it 
had  disbursed  $478,066.23;  and  there  remained  on  hand  $12,258.62. 

The  most  important  event,  perhaps,  in  Rhode  Island  Odd  Fellowship, 
was  the  reception  and  entertainment  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  at 
Providence,  in  1883.  On  that  occasion  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  was 
made  welcome  by  Hon.  Augustus  0.  Brown,  governor  of  the  state,  Hon. 
William  S.  Hay  ward,  mayor  of  Providence,  and  Brother  Hollis  M.  Coombs, 
Grand  Master  of  the  jurisdiction  of  Rhode  Island.  The  response  was  by 
Grand  Sire  Erie  J.  Leech.  In  the  grand  parade  that  took  place  there 
were  estimated  to  be  5000  members  of  the  Order,  among  whom  were  1500 
uniformed  patriarchs  and  twenty-six  full  bands  of  music. 

The  membership  of  Rhode  Island  has  embraced  many  distinguished 
brothers  who  gained  distinction,  not  only  in  the  Order,  but  in  the  civil 
walks  of  life.  Perhaps  the  most  conspicuous  was  Past  Grand  Master 
James  Wood,  the  "  father "  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  this  jurisdiction,  and 
the  first  Grand  Master.  He  belonged  to  that  peculiar  type  of  men  who 
seemed  specially  raised-up  by  an  All-wise  Providence  to  upbuild  such  an 
institution  as  ours;  simple-hearted,  gentle,  and  loving  as  a  child;  with 
an  integrity  that  knew  no  guile;  with  moral  courage  of  the  truest  temper; 
with  a  zeal  that  never  flagged,  and  a  perseverance  that  never  tired.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  1846-47, 
1851-52,  and  in  1864-65.  In  the  full  possession  of  his  faculties  he 
departed  this  life  on  the  17th  of  January,  1867.  Past  Grand  Master 
Hollis  M.  Coombs  said,  in  regard  to  Brother  Wood :  — 

**  EUs  should  be  classed  with  such  names  as  Wildey  and  his  associates,  for  his  work  and 
personal  worth  was  not  less  than  theirs.  Perhaps  no  more  serious  blot  rests  on  the  otherwise 
fair  fame  of  this  jurisdiction,  than  that  his  last  resting-place  is  not  marked  by  some  emblem 
denoting  his  worth  as  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  as  a  citizen.  Sometime,  let  us  hope,  this  state 
will  awake  to  his  claim  upon  them,  and,  though  tardy,  a  shaft  will  rear  its  apex  above  the 
spot,  now  sadly  neglected." 

Three  prominent  names,  connected  with  this  jurisdiction,  stand  out 
boldly:  Horace  A.  Manchester,  Deputy  Grand  Sire  in  1853;  Nathan 
Porter,  a  prominent  Odd  Fellow,  who  died  at  Sacramento,  California, 
January  6,  1878,  and  Allen  Jenckes.  Brother  Porter  was  born  in  Salem, 
Massachusetts,  in  1817;  was  initiated  in  Eagle  Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Provi- 
dence, and  in  1856  he  was  Grand  Representative  of  Rhode  Island  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  He  removed  to  the  Pacific  coast,  and 
from  1870-77,  he  represented  the  Grand  Encampment  of  California  in 
the  Sovereign  body,  and  died  in  office.  He  was  prominent  in  the  Order, 
East  as  well  as  West,  and  ranked  high  in  the  councils  of  the  National 
body.  Allen  Jenckes  was  Assistant  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge,  in  1883-90.  , 

Connecticut.  —  The  dispensation  for  the  opening  of  Quinnipiac  Lodge, 


^#f::i 


-gir  .jj,  .jjj.  .jj(.  .jj(.  ,jjj.  .jj(.  .jj(.  .jj(.  ,jj^ 


TEE  ORAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS,  299 

No.  1,  at  New  Haven,  was  issued  July  2,  1839,  by  Samuel  H.  Perkins, 
Grand  JSire  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  The  petitioners  were 
Samuel  Bishop,  Frederick  Crosswell,  Marcus  Bassett,  Anthony  DeFontaine, 
and  George  Derby.  The  lodge  was  instituted  September  3, 1839,  by  John 
A.  Kennedy,  Grand  Master  of  New  York,  assisted  by  Wilson  Small, 
John  G.  Treadwell,  James  Alcock,  Willet  Charlick,  William  Y.  Clark,  and 
Rickard  Jennings,  Jr.,  of  the  same  Grand  jurisdiction. 

Samuel  Bishop  was  the  founder  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Connecticut,  and 
his  attention  was  first  called  to  the  Order  in  a  somewhat  peculiar  manner. 
Early  in  the  spring  of  1839,  Bishop  was  in  New  York,  where  he  met  a 
former  acquaintance.  After  some  remarks  the  friend  stated  that  he  was 
on  his  way  to  lodge  meeting.  Bishop,  who  was  an  ardent  Freemason, 
supposing  a  reference  to  "lodge  meeting"  meant  a  Masonic  lodge,  replied 
that  he  would  go  along  too.  Arriving  at  the  hall,  Bishop,  for  the  first  time, 
heard  of  an  Odd  Fellows'  lodge,  for  that  was  the  Order  which  was  about 
to  hold  a  meeting.  Bishop,  of  course,  could  not  enter,  but  he  became 
interested,  made  an  application,  and  in  a  short  time  was  initiated  in  the 
lodge.  After  a  more  extended  acquaintance  with  the  Order,  Bishop 
determined  to  introduce  it  into  his  own  city  and  state.  After  some 
inquiry  he  found  George  Derby  and  Anthony  DeFontaine,  who  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Order,  the  former  coming  from  Baltimore.  Marcus  Bassett 
and  Frederick  Crosswell  were  induced  to  go  to  New  York  and  join  the 
Order,  so  they  might  become  charter  members  for  the  first  lodge,  and  they 
were  initiated  in  the  lodge  of  which  Bishop  was  a  member.  Here  were 
the  requisite  number  (five)  to  form  a  lodge,  and  an  application  was  made 
for  a  dispensation  to  open  a  lodge  at  New  Haven.  Quinnipiac  Lodge, 
No.  1,  was  the  result. 

In  giving  instructions  to  Grand  Master  Kennedy,  the  Grand  Sire 
said :  — 

"  As  the  character  and  prosperity  of  the  order,  in  a  state  where  it  has  not  before  existed, 
depends  so  much  upon  the  individuals  who  first  join  it,  you  will  urge  upon  the  brethren  the 
necessity  of  great  caution  and  circumspection,  lest  any  one  whose  character  and  habits  will 
not  bear  the  strictest  scrutiny  should  gain  admission ;  and  by  all  means,"  said  he,  "  advise 
them  not  to  hold  their  meetings  in  a  public  house  if  by  any  effort  a  lodge-room  can  be  procured 
in  a  private  building." 

Grand  Master  Kennedy,  after  accomplishing  his  work,  informed  the 
Grand  Sire  that:  — 

*'  The  brethren  comprising  this  lodge,  the  first  attempted  to  be  established  in  the  vener- 
able commonwealth  of  Connecticut,  are  peculiarly  fitted  for  the  work  of  pioneering  the  Order 
eastwardly.  The  zeal  and  caution  which  have  characterized  their  preparatory  proceedings, 
speak  favorably  for  the  result.  A  well-constructed  lodge-room,  and  every  particular  of 
necessary  regalia,  emblems,  and  furniture  have  been  provided.  Upward  of  twenty  respect- 
able inhabitants  of  that  city,  and  villages  contiguous,  had  been  selected  for  admission,  of 
which  number  thirteen  were  initiated  on  the  night  of  opening.  From  the  character  and 
appearance  of  the  initiates,  every  confidence  may  be  placed  in  the  fidelity  with  which  they 


800  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEENITT. 

will  perfonn  the  daties  of  Odd  Fellows ;  and  through  the  spirited  example  and  exertions 
of  the  members  of  Quinnipiac  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Connecticut,  we  may  feel  assured  that  the 
Order  will,  with  all  reasonable  speed,  spread  its  beneficent  influence  to  every  portion  of 
their  densely  populated  state." 

In  February,  1840,  a  dispensation  was  granted  for  the  opening  of 
Charter  Oak' Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Hartford,  which  lodge  was  instituted  April 
21,  1840,  by  Past  Grands  Charles  McGowan  and  John  G.  Treadwell,  of 
New  York,  assisted  by  the  members  of  Quinnipiac  Lodge,  No.  1. 

In  March,  of  the  same  year,  a  like  dispensation  was  granted  for  the 
opening  of  Middlesex  Lodge,  No.  3,  at  East  Haddam;  and,  on  the  22nd 
of  April,  1840,  the  lodge  was  instituted  by  the  same  delegation  that 
instituted  Charter  Oak,  No.  2. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  at  a  special  session  held  in 
April,  1840,  confirmed  the  action  of  the  Grand  Sire  and  granted,  simul- 
taneously, charters  for  the  first  three  subordinate  lodges  in  Connecticut. 
At  the  October  session  a  petition  was  presented :  from  Quinnipiac  Lodge, 
No.  1;  Charter  Oak,  No.  2;  and  Middlesex,  No.  3;  praying  for  a  charter 
for  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut,  and  permission  for  it  to  meet  alter- 
nately at  New  Haven  and  Hartford.  At  the  same  session  a  charter  was 
granted  for  a  Grand  Lodge  at  the  city  of  Hartford.  [See  reproduction  in 
illustration.] 

November  24,  1840,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Connecticut  was  instituted 
at  New  Haven,  by  John  A.  Kennedy,  Past  Grand  Master,  assisted  by 
Wilson  Small,  John  G.  Treadwell,  A.  H.  Brown,  and  Hiram  Arnold,  of 
New  York.     Frederick  Crosswell  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

Past  Grand  Master  Kennedy,  in  his  report  to  the  Grand  Sire,  said :  — 

"The  improvement  of  the  Order  in  Connecticut  has  been  as  rapid  as  difiPusive,  the  num- 
ber of  Odd  Fellows  having  increased  from  five,  at  its  beginning,  to  thred  hundred." 

Samuel  Bishop,  the  founder  of  Connecticut  Odd  Fellowship,  died  at 
New  Haven,  June  23, 1873,  aged  sixty -three  years.  He  was  the  first  Grand 
^Ireasurer,  which  office  he  held  for  many  years.  He,  also,  represented  his 
jurisdiction  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  1844.  Brother 
Bishop  remained  a  devoted  Odd  Fellow  to  the  day  of  his  death.  He  was 
an  intimate  friend  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Kennedy,  of  New  York,^and  when 
the  latter  visited  New  Haven,  he  was  always  the  guest  of  Brother  Bishop. 

In  an  historical  sketch  of  Connecticut  Odd  Fellowship,  Brother  G^o.  M. 
Egan,  of  Nosahogan  Lodge,  No.  21,  AVaterbury,  said :  — 

*'  On  July  1, 1846,  there  were  thirty-one  lodges  in  the  state,  with  a  total  membership  of 
3321.  Six  of  these  lodj^es  had  a  membership  of  over  200  each,  viz. :  Qninnipiac,  No.  1,  436 ; 
Charter  Oak,  No.  2,  225;  Peqnonnock,  No.  4,  230;  Harmony,  No.  5,  269;  Thames,  No.  9  (of 
New  I^ndon,  not  now  in  existence),  279;  and  Uncas,  No.  11,  306.  On  July  1,  1850,  the 
number  of  lodc^es  had  increased  to  sixty-nine,  with  a  membership  of  5878,  —  a  membership 
not  equalled  again  for  twenty-six  years.  From  this  time  forward  the  membership  continued 
to  decrease  until  January  1, 1864,  low-water  mark  was  reached,  with  nineteen  lodges  and  a 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  301 

total  membership  of  1253.  There  had  been  eighty-one  lodges  instituted  prior  to  this  time. 
Thos  we  see  that  sixty-two  lodges  had  wearied  of  the  struggle  for  existence  and  surrendered 
their  charters.  ...  Of  the  sixty-tHree  lodges  that  at  some  period  surrendered  their  charters, 
two  had  attained  a  membership  of  over  900  each,  three  of  over  200,  and  eight  of  over  100. 
Twenty  of  those  surrend.ered  charters  have  been  reclaimed,  and  many  of  the  lodges  working 
uider  them  to-day  are  among  the  leaders  of  our  great  army." 

In  1870  tliere  were  twenty -five  lodges  in  Connecticut,  with  a  member- 
ship of  2877;  in  1880  there  were  fifty-four  lodges,  with  7279  members; 
and,  in  1895,  there  were  seventy-nine  lodges,  with  a  total  membership 
of  14,857;  and  $32,258.63  paid  for  relief  during  that  year. 

The  jurisdiction  of  Connecticut  has  a  fine  Odd  Fellows'  home,  known 
as  "Fairview,''  located  at  Groton,  New  London  county.  It  is  chartered 
by  the  state,  and  is  under  the  control  and  management  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

One  of  the  more  pleasant  occasions  of  Connecticut  Odd  Fellowship  was 
a  hall  dedication  and  the  fiftieth  anniversary  at  Waterbury,  October  15, 
1895.  The  event  marked  the  semi-centennial  of  Nasahogan  Lodge,  Ko. 
21.  This  lodge  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  state,  and  claims  that  it  was  the 
first  Odd  Fellows'  lodge  in  the  nation  to  inaugurate  the  commemoration 
and  the  decoration  of  deceased  brothers'  graves,  — in  June,  1886,  — which 
custom  was  afterward  approved  and  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
state,  also  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  setting  apart  one  Sunday  in 
June  of  each  year  as  "Odd  Fellows'  Memorial  Sunday." 

It  was  a  Connecticut  Odd  Fellow,  —  Past  Grand  Master  and  Past 
Grand  Kepresentative  John  W.  Smith,  of  Waterbury, — who  proposed 
the  movement,  in  1881,  of  building  a  monument  to  the  immortal  Eidgely, 
with  five-cent  contributions  from  the  entire  Order.  On  learning  of  the 
death  of  Brother  Kidgely,  Brother  Smith  sent  the  following  letter  to 
Brother  Theodoi^e  A.  Ross,  Acting  Grand  Secretary:  — 

**  Watbrburt,  Connecticut,  November  18, 1881. 
"  Dbar  Brother  Rosa.— So  good  Brother  Ridgely  is  at  rest,  and  there  is  mourning 
throughout  the  land.  Let  every  Odd  Fellow  be  afforded  an  opportunity  to  do  honor  to  the 
memory  of  so  illustrious  a  brother.  I  wish  thus  early  to  submit  a  proposition :  receive 
donations  from  members  of  the  Order  for  a  monument  to  the  departed  Grand  Secretary, 
and  allow  no  one  to  contribute  more  than  Jive  centSf  thereby  giving  all  a  chance.  Let 
the  work  be  done  by  the  subordinate  lodges.  I  inclose  for  mine  (ToMTisend,  No.  89),  five 
dollars  and  thirty  cents,  the  members  being  106.  If  one-fourth,  even,  respond,  the  amount 
will  suffice  for  something  neat  and  appropriate.  Such  is  the  affection  everywhere  for 
Brother  Ridgely,  I  am  sure  the  subject  will,  if  attended  to  promptly,  only  have  to  be  men- 
tioned to  succeed. 

"  Truly  and  fraternally  yours, 

"  J.  W.  Smith." 

The  movement  proved  a  grand  success^  and  the  necessary  amount  was 
obtained  by  the  popular  subscription  plan  of  five  cents  per  member.      • 

The  following  Connecticut  brethren  have  held  office  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  now  known  as  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodgi*. 


302  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

In  1851  Junius  M.  Willey  was  Grand  Chaplain.  In  1868  John  W. 
Smith  was  Grand  Guardian;  and,  in  1876,  he  was  Grand  Marshal.  In 
1886-87  William  H.  Stevenson  was  Grand  Marshal;  and,  in  1895-96, 
Frederick  S.  Hunt  was  Grand  Guardian. 

Ifiaine.  —  The  introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship  into  the  jurisdiction  of 
Maine  dates  from  August  25,  1843,  when  Maine  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  insti- 
tuted at  Portland.  The  pioneer  Odd  Fellow,  and  the  one  who  caused  its 
introduction  into  this  state,  was  David  Robinson,  Jr.  He  was  a  success- 
ful merchant  in  Portland,  who  frequently  went  to  Boston  to  purchase 
goods,  it  being  before  the  days  of  the  commercial  traveller.  Odd  Fellow- 
ship had  but  just  been  revived  in  Massachusetts,  and  while  in  Boston 
Mr.  Robinson  heard  much  concerning  the  Order.  A  member  of  the  firm 
with  which  Robinson  dealt  was  a  zealous  Odd  Fellow;  and,  ascertaining 
there  were  no  lodges  in  Maine,  he  urged  Robinson  to  become  a  member 
and  transplant  the  Order  to  the  Pine  Tree  State.  Robinson  caught  the 
enthusiasm  of  his  friend,  was  pleased  with  the  idea,  and,  on  March  16, 
1843,  was  initiated  in  Siloam  Lodge,  No.  2,  of  Boston.  Returning  home 
to  Portland,  Robinson  entered  upon  his  self-appointed  task  of  infus- 
ing his  friends  with  the  importance  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  the  necessity 
of  instituting  a  lodge  in  Portland.  He  found  the  task  a  difficult  one. 
The  idea  was  entirely  new  and  the  friends  of  Robinson  were  not  seized 
with  the  enthusiasm  that  characterized  him.  He  persevered,  however, 
and,  on  the  7th  of  August,  1843,  he  had  the  required  number  pledged  to 
the  new  enterprise,  all  of  whom  went  to  Boston  and  were  initiated  in 
Massachusetts  Lodge,  No.  1. 

Obtaining  their  withdrawal  cards,  they  joined  with  Robinson  in  a  peti- 
tion to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  a  lodge  at  Portland.  A 
dispensation  for  this  work  was  issued  by  Grand  Sire  John  A.  Kennedy, 
August  9,  1843.  The  instituting  officer  was  Past  Grand  Master  Daniel 
Hersey,  of  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts,  assisted  by  Albert  Guild, 
Grand  Secretary,  of  the  same  state,  together  with  Brothers  J.  R.  Mullen, 
B.  Brown,  T.  C.  Savoy,  L.  M.  Smith,  and  a  Brother  Haskell,  all  of 
Boston.  The  lodge  was  instituted  in  a  hall  over  the  Canal  bank,  on  Union 
street,  August  25,  1843.  .  The  first  Noble  Grand  was  David  Robinson,  Jr. 
Applications  were  received  from  forty -four  persons,  thirty -five  of  whom 
were  initiated.  The  members  were  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  true 
spirit  of  the  moral  requirements  for  the  upbuilding  of  such  an  institution 
as  ours ;  for  we  find  the  following  clause  in  the  first  code  of  by-laws 
adopted:  "No  smoking  or  refreshments,  otherwise  than  water,"  allowed 
in  the  lodge-room  or  other  apartments  thereunto  belonging.  The  by-laws, 
also,  provided  that  no  person  could  be  initiated  under  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  except  the  son  of  an  Odd  Fellow,  who  might  be  admitted  at  twenty. 
The  benefits  for  a  Scarlet  degree  member  were  five  dollars  per  week. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  303 

while  the  assessments  were :  for  the  general  fund,  fifty  cents  per  quarter, 
and  for  the  widows  and  orphans'  fund  twelve  and  a  half  cents. 

Of  the  five  brothers  who  were  charter  members  of  Maine  Lodge, 
No.  1,  Brothers  Edward  Wheeler,  Jr.,  Alvin  P.  Pratt,  and  Samuel  E. 
Townsend  died  about  thirty-five  years  ago.  Brother  Robinson,  three 
years  ago,  and  J.  N.  Winslow,  about  two  years  ago.  The  latter,  however, 
had  not  been  a  member  of  the  Order  for  thirty  years.  Brother  Robinson, 
the  founder,  continued  until  his  decease  a  worthy  and  zealous  Odd  Fellow. 
At  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  he  was  elected  the  first  Grand 
Secretary.  In  1860  he  moved  to  Massachusetts.  It  was  his  great  desire 
to  live  to  see  August  25,  1893,  and  to  help  participate  in  the  fiftieth 
anniversary  of  the  introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship  into  this  jurisdiction, 
but  the  great  privilege  was  denied  him,  for,  after  a  long  and  painful 
illness,  he  died  in  March,  1893. 

Of  the  thirty-five  who  were  initiated  on  the  afternoon  of  August  25, 
1843,  three  are  living;  but  one,  however,  Samuel  Rolf,  of  Portland,  is  in 
good  standing  in  the  Order,  the  other  two  having  withdrawn  prior  to  1860. 

The  second  lodge  instituted  in  Maine  was  Saco,  No.  2,  on  the  31st  of 
August,  1843,  by  George  W.  Churchill,  who  was  specially  commissioned 
for  that  purpose.  Brother  Churchill  resided  in  Saco,  and  when  he  became 
a  resident  of  Maine  was  a  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master,  of  the  jurisdiction 
of  New  York.  Doubtless  the  charter  members  of  Saco  Lodge  were  initiated 
in  Maine  Lodge,  No.  1. 

Georgian  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  instituted  at  Thomaston,  in  the  fall  of 
1843;  Ancient  Brothers  Lodge,  No.  4,  at  Portland,  October  17,  1843; 
Ligonia  Lodge,  No.  5,  at  Portland,  November  21,  1843;  Sabattus  Lodge, 
No.  6,  at  Augusta,  in  December,  1843;  and  Penobscot  Lodge,  No.  7,  at 
Bangor,  February  15,  1844.  These  lodges  were  chartered  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

The  Order  in  Maine  was  then  sufficiently  large  to  warrant  the  institu- 
tion of  a  Grand  Lodge;  consequently,  on  the  18th  of  March,  1844,  a 
Grand  Lodge  was  organized  at  Portland.  The  eight  petitioners  for  the 
dispensation,  who  answered  at  roll-call,  were  members  of  Lodges  Nos.  1, 
2,  3,  4,  and  5,  headed  by  David  Robinson,  Jr.,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
instituted  by  Albert  Guild,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  The  career  of 
Brother  George  W.  Churchill,  first  Grand  Master,  was  short  and  brilliant. 
Save  for  a  misfortune,  entirely  his  own,  his  name  might  have  descended 
to  posterity  among  the  honored  Past  Grand  Sires  of  our  Order.  The 
early  history  of  Brother  Churchill  is  not  known  here,  but  he  was  a  botanic 
physician,  coming  from  New  York  state,  in  which  jurisdiction  he  was 
Deputy  Grand  Master.  He  was  appointed  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
for  Maine,  and  was  its  first  Grand  Representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States. 


304  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Odd  Fellowship  was  introduced  into  Maine  at  a  favorable  time. 
Masonry  was  beginning  to  revive;  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men,  the  Grood  Templars,  et  al.,  were  unknown,  so  the 
young  Order  had  a  rich  field.  The  first  error  committed  was  the  attempt 
to  pay  a  large  weekly  sick  benefit  with  a  small  yearly  assessment. 
Later  this  caused  fina^^cial  ruin  to  many  lodges,  but  when  the  Order  was 
reorganized  the  financial  question  was  better  understood,  and  the  relation 
of  dues  to  benefits  was  properly  adjusted.  The  lodges  then  "  took  on  "  a 
degree  of  prosperity  which  has  characterized  them  to  the  present  time. 

Past  Grand  Representative  James  N.  Read,  of  Woodfords,  writing  on 
the  early  history  of  the  Order  in  this  state,  said :  — 

"I  was  initiated  in  Maine  Lodge,  No.  1,  January  1, 1844,  —  four  months  after  the  lodge 
was  instituted.  The  membership  was  composed  of  the  best  and  most  infloential  citizens  in 
town.  Every  one  was  ready  to  visit  the  sick  without  urging.  We  had  four  terms  per  year, 
dues  sixty-two  cents  per  quarter,  and  five  dollars  weekly  benefits.  Our  lodge-rooms  were 
filled  every  meeting,  and  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  have  from  ten  to  fifteen  to  initiate 
in  one  evening.  The  night  I  was  initiated  there  were  twelve  of  us,  and  I  alone  remain.  The 
work  was  very  different  from  what  it  is  now.  Whether  the  change  is  for  the  better,  I  am 
unable  to  say,  but  it  was  then  satisfactory  to  the  Order.  I  think  the  committees  were  more 
careful  in  recommending  candidates  for  admission  than  now.*' 

Brother  Read  is  a  Past  Grand  Patriarch  and  Past  Grand  Representa- 
tive.    He  concluded  his  letter  with  this  remark:  — 

''  In  a  few  days  it  will  be  fifty-two  years  since  I  joined  the  Order;  how  few  are  here 
now,  who  were  my  companions  then  ! " 

Saccarappa  Lodge,  No.  11,  instituted  at  Saccarappa,  May  22,  1844, 
was  the  first  lodge  organized  under  a  dispensation  issued  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maine. 

In  the  first  decade,  —  from  1843  to  1853,  —  the  Order  in  this  state  had 
a  mushroom  growth,  unhealthy  in  the  extreme,  and  when  the  decline 
came  the  charters  vanished  like  the  dew  before  the  morning  sun.  Li  the 
first  decade  there  were  sixty-two  lodges  instituted  in  Maine,  forty-six 
of  which  either  surrendered  their  charters,  disbanded,  or  removed  their 
location.  Several  of  these  divided  the  funds,  like  Sabattus,  No.  6,  of 
Augusta,  which  sequestered  $3000  among  twenty-nine  members ;  Astoria, 
No.  38,  of  Frankfort,  that  closed  its  records  with:"<Sk;  transU  et  glona 
mundi,"  after  a  division  of  funds;  some  one  way,  and,  again,  others  by 
a  different  method,  until  this  chapter  of  history  closed.  It  is  a  long 
and  intensely  interesting  record,  but  too  prolix  for  a  general  history  of 
Odd  Fellowship. 

The  Order  reached  its  lowest  ebb  in  Maine  in  1805,  when  there  were 
twenty  lodges,  with  1146  members.  From  1853  no  lodge  was  insti- 
tuted until  January  21,  1869,  when  Dirigo,  No.  62,  was  opened  at  Milo. 
From  that  time  to  the  present  no  lodge  in  this  state  has  surrendered 
its  charter,  and  but  one  has  been  expelled.      The  state  has  now  an 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  305 

unbroken  chain  of  one  hundred  and  thirty -eight  lodges,  with  20,747 
members;  seventy-seven  Rebekah  lodges,  with  9697  members.  In  the 
year  1896,  ^70,123.89  were  expended  for  relief,  while  the  annual  receipts 
amounted  to  $151,671.67. 

In  1848  Acadia  Lodge,  No.  25,  of  Bangor,  was  expelled  for  refusing  to 
abandon  the  old  work.     The  action  concerning  the  lodge  was  taken,  — 

**  For  the  contin^ied  use  of  portions  of  the  old  ritual  after  repeated  warnings  of  the  unlaw- 
fulness of  so  doing;  and,  also,  for  its  disrespect  toward  the  Grand  Master  in  neglecting  to 
answer  his  oflicial  communication  touching  said  unlawful  acts." 

In  1850  Hobomok,  No.  16,  of  Bath,  was  expelled  for  refusing  to  pay 
an  assessment  of  ten  cents  per  member  levied  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  At 
an  installation,  when  the  Grand  Master  refused  to  proceed  until  the 
assessment  was  made,  he  took  the  rituals,  and  with  the  other  members 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  attempted  to  retire.  He  w^as  assaulted  by  the  mem- 
bers of  the  lodge  and  the  rituals  were  taken  from  him. 

The  matter  known  as  the  "Belfast  Lodge  trouble,"  doubtless,  caused 
more  discussion  in  Odd  Fellowship,  not  only  in  Maine,  but  throughout 
the  entire  jurisdictions,  than  any  one  case  ever  recorded.  Its  details, 
if  published  in  full,  would  occupy  a  volume  of  space.  The  case  was 
repeatedly  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maine,  and  three  times  before  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  The  trouble  originated  in  Belfast  Lodge,  No. 
41,  in  1877  and  1878,  and  was,  finally,  settled  by  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  in  1880.  The  details  are  so  revolting  and  so  disgraceful  that  the 
writer  will  not  mar  this  history  by  a  recital  of  them.  It  first  caused  a 
division  of  the  lodge,  the  birth  of  another,  and  the  final  extinguishment 
of  one  lodge.  The  event  incited  a  riot  in  the  city,  was  before  the 
Supreme  and  Law  courts,  and  came  near  ending  in  bloodshed.  The  "  red 
pepper  and  ammonia  war"  will  long  be  remembered  by  Maine  Odd 
Fellows. 

Among  the  important  events  in  Maine  Odd  Fellowship  may  be  men- 
tioned the  great  celebration  at  Portland  in  1844.  One  brother  says  it 
was  the 

**  Greatest  celebration  ever  held  in  this  state  by  a  secret  society.  The  members  came  in 
a  body  from  every  part  of  New  England.  A  dinner  was  served  under  a  large  tent;  and, 
notwithstanding  a  heavy  rain,  the  programme  was  fully  carried  out." 

July  4,  1866,  fire  destroyed  the  greater  part  of  Portland.  The  lodge- 
rooms  were  burned  and  many  individual  members  were  great  sufferers. 
The  Order  throughout  the  entire  jurisdictions  sent  large  contributions, 
which  were  received  and  distributed.  At  that  time  the  Order  was  just 
recovering  from  its  relapse.  There  were  only  666  members  in  the  city. 
The  contributions  proved  a  stimulus  which  aroused  the  membership  to 
activity,  and  in  a  few  years  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Portland  numbered  1506. 

April  26,  1869,  the  semi-centennial  of  the  Order  was  celebrated  at 


306  THE  TBBEE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Portland  under  the  direction  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Every  lodge  and 
encampment  in  Maine  was  invited.  The  exercises  consisted  of  a  proces- 
sion of  the  brothers  in  regalia j  an  oration  by  Benjamin  Kingsbury,  Jr., 
Past  Grand  Master,  at  Congress  street  church ;  a  dinner  at  City  hall,  and 
an  entertainment  at  the  same  place  in  the  evening.  A  new  flag  of  the 
Order  was  raised  from  the  staff  at  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  daring  which  time 
an  appropriate  and  eloquent  address  was  delivered  by  Brother  J.  H. 
Drummond. 

August  25,  1893,  the  lodges  of  Portland  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniver- 
sary of  the  introduction  of  the  Order  in  this  state.  The  exercises  con- 
sisted  of  a  street  parade,  after  which  the  brethren  embarked  for  Peaks 
Island,  Portland  harbor,  where  a  dinner  was  served,  A.  D.  Smith,  Past 
Grand  Representative,  delivered  an  excellent  address  on  the  early  his- 
tory of  the  Order. 

Portland  has  frequently  been  alluded  to  as  the  "hot  bed"  of  Odd  Fel- 
lowship in  Maine.  At  one  time  it  was  claimed  the  city  had  more  Odd 
Fellows  in  proportion  to  its  inhabitants  than  any  city  in  the  world; 
evfery  third  voter  being  an  Odd  Fellow.  At  one  time  the  seven  subordi- 
nate lodges  in  Portland  numbered  nearly  3000  members.  It  was  stated 
in  1893  that  the  seven  lodges  of  Portland,  since  their  institution,  had 
relieved  7804  brothers;  paid  70,614  weeks  of  sick  benefits;  paid  $30,526.01 
funeral  benefits;  and  $402,525.55  in  weekly  sick  benefits.  The  total 
amount  for  relief  now  is  fully  half  a  million  dollars.  In  addition  to  this 
the  city  lodges  have  paid  $152,356.27  for  incidental  expenses,  and  have  an 
invested  fund,  on  hand,  of  over  $138,000.  Their  total  receipts  were,  at 
that  time,  $768,918.29,  and  at  the  present  date  fully  one  million  dollars. 
What  a  vast  amount  of  good  this  sum  has  accomplished  1  In  1897  the 
Order  in  Portland  moved  into  new  quarters  in  the. Baxter  building,  at 
the  corner  of  Congress  and  Oak  streets,  and  have  apartments  second  to 
none  in  New  England. 

The  first  lodge  in  Maine  to  adopt  the  dramatic  work  in  conferring  the 
degrees  was  Norway  Lodge,  No.  16,  of  Norway.  The  dramatic  form  is 
now  generally  used  in  this  state^  and  has  been  a  great  stimulus  to  Odd 
Fellowship. 

Among  the  early  pioneers  of  the  Order  in  this  jurisdiction,  in  addi- 
tion to  those  already  mentioned,  were  Past  Grand  Master  William  R. 
Smith,  of  Augusta,  and  Benjamin  Kingsbury,  Jr.,  of  Portland.  Both 
were  present  at  the  first  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Smith  was 
a  journalist  by  profession,  and,  subsequently,  a  banker.  His  scholarly 
attainments  and  high  standing  gave  him  prominence  both  in  the  state  and 
national  Grand  Lodges.  He  was  Grand  Master  in  1847,  and  represented 
his  jurisdiction  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  1844-46, 
in  1848-53,  serving  as  the  chairman  of  several  important  committees. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  807 

He  refused  the  office  of  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  In  1847  he  was  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  New  Brunswick  and  Nova  Scotia.  He  served 
on  the  commission  with  Grand  Secretary  James  L.  Ridgely,  Past  Grand 
Sire  Hopkins,  and  others,  relative  to  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  juris- 
diction of  New  York,  "  growing  out "  of  the  adoption  of  a  new  consti- 
tution,—  known  as  the  "New  York  controversy."  Brother  Smith  is 
better  remembered  as  the  author  of  the  Past  Grand  Representatives' 
Association  meetings  that  are  now  a  feature  of  every  session  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  The  thought  of  a  reunion  presented  itself  to 
Brother  Smith  in  the  centennial  year,  when  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
met  at  Philadelphia.  He  addressed  a  letter  on  the  subject  to  Grand  Sec- 
retary Ridgely,  and  the  idea  at  once  became  popular.     He  died  in  1894. 

Benjamin  Kingsbury,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Boston  in  1813,  and  died  in 
Portland,  May  13,  1886.  He  was  a  lawyer  by  profession,  a  learned  and 
cultured  gentleman.  He  was  mayor  of  Portland.  Brother  Kingsbury 
was  initiated  in  Maine  Lodge,  No.  1,  August  25,  1843,  the  day  the 
Order  was  introduced  into  Maine.  To  the  day  of  his  death  he  was  an 
earnest,  zealous,  and  active  member.  His  judgment,  keen  forethought, 
and  activity  did  much  to  sustain  the  Order  during  its  dark  days.  He  was 
sixteen  years  Grand  Secretary,  three  years  Grand  Master,  eight  years 
Grand  Representative,  and  ten  years  Grand  Scribe  of  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment; and,  also,  served  as  Grand  Patriarch. 

Another  worker  in  the  vineyard  of  Maine  Odd  Fellowship  is  Joshua 
Davis,  of  Portland,  who  has  been  Grand  Secretary  for  twenty-three  con- 
secutive years.  During  this  time  the  Order  has  increased  from  twenty- 
nine  subordinates  to  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight,  from  a  membership 
of  3867  to  20,747.  He  is  a  Past  Grand  Patriarch,  Past  Grand  Repre- 
sentative; and,  in  1882,  was  Grand  Guardian  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge.  J.  Henry  Crockett  (deceased).  Past  Grand  Master  and  Past 
Grand  Representative,  will  long  be  remembered  in  Maine  as  the  author 
of  "Crockett's  Digest  of  Maine  Law."  Past  Grand  Master  Henry  P. 
Cox,  of  Portland,  was  chairman  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  committee 
that  reported  one  of  the  revisions  of  the  Rebekah  ritual,  and  his  recom- 
mendations were  adopted. 

Kcw  Hampshire.  —  Odd  Fellowship  was  introduced  into  this  jurisdic- 
tion, September  11,  1843,  when  Granite  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  at 
Nashua.  The  honor  of  this  great  work  belongs  to  Charles  T.  Gill,  a 
prominent  resident  of  Nashua,  who  was  the  first  to  take  the  preliminary 
steps  toward  this  important  event.  Charles  T.  Gill,  Edwin  P.  Hill, 
and  David  Philbrick,  the  latter  postmaster  at  Nashua,  united  with  lodges 
in  Massachusetts,  for  the  purpose  of  becoming  charter  members  of  the 
new  lodge. 

September  11,  1893,  Granite  Lodge,  No.  1.  celebrated  its  semi-centen- 


308  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

nial  anniversary.  Upon  that  occasion  the  late  Hon.  Orlando  D.  Murray, 
one  of  the  early  members  of  the  lodge,  delivered  an  address.  In  alluding 
to  the  early  introduction  of  the  Order  into  New  Hampshire,  he  said:  — 

"  Just  fifty  years  ago  to-day,  with  an  almost  universal  prejudice  against  secret  societies, 
with  the  pulpit  thundering  anathemas  against  us,  and  the  press  pouring  hot  shot  into  our 
ranks,  fifteen  resolute  young  men,  under  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  were  organized  as  a  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  taking  the  name 
of  Granite  Lodge.    The  lodge  was  instituted  by  Past  Grand  Master  Hersey,  of  Boston." 

All  of  the  fifteen  could  not  have  been  charter  members,  but  that  num- 
ber, probably,  included  those  who  joined  on  the  day  of  institution.  Tlie 
charter  members,  those  who  obtained  the  degrees  abroad  and  applied  for 
the  charter,  were  (doubtless) :  Charles  T.  Gill,  David  Philbrick,  Edwin  P. 
Hill,  John  L.  Pollard,  and  Thomas  S.  Jones.  The  last  two  named  must, 
also,  have  obtained  the  degrees  in  Massachusetts,  or  elsewhere. 

John  A.  Kennedy,  Grand  Sire,  in  his  annual  address  in  1843,  said:  — 

"  On  the  13th  day  of  August,  X343,  application  was  received  from  David  Philbrick  and 
four  other  brothers,  with  cards,  and,  also,  under  high  recommendation  by  the  indefatigable 
Boston  brethren,  for  Granite  Lodge,  No.  1,  to  be  located  at  Nashua,  Hillsborough  county. 
New  Hampshire ;  dispensation  was  issued  the  same  day  and  forwarded  to  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  Hersey,  with  a  deputation  for  him  to  open  the  lodge,  which  duty  he  performed 
on  the  11th  of  the  present  month  [September],  as  shown  in  his  return  herewith  submitted." 

District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Hersey  was  accompanied  by  a  delegation 
from  Siloam  Lodge,  No.  2,  of  Boston;  and  David  Philbrick  was  the  first 
Noble  Grand.  Past  Grand  C.  T.  Ridgeway,  of  Nashua,  one  of  the  sur- 
vivors of  the  first  members  of  Granite  Lodge,  alluding  to  its  early  history, 
said :  — 

"  When  we  first  started,  we  had  public  sentiment  to  combat ;  but  we  kept  right  at  work 
and  soon  had  Conductor  ''Nat."  Kimball, Ticket-Seller  Abram  Mitchell,  and  Superintendent 
Onslow  Stearns,  —  all  of  the  Nashua  and  Lowell  railroad,  —  as  members.  Steams,  later, 
Avaa  governor  of  the  state  and  retained  his  membership  to  his  death.  .  .  .  We  experienced 
considerable  difficulty  in  securing  a  hall.  Secret  societies  were  under  a  cloud.  We  had  no 
money.  At  last  we  found  an  old,  unfinished  attic  over  the  bank,  in  Exchange  building, 
fronting  the  old  post-office,  and  hired  it  for  a  trifie  on  condition  that  we  fit  it  up.  The  cost 
was  a  little  over  $300,  and  as  we  had  no  money,  how  to  raise  that  $300  caused  many  earnest 
discussions.  At  last  we  borrowed  it  of  a  bank  on  a  six  months'  note,  the  note  being  signed 
by  myself,  Pollard,  and  HiU." 

Granite  Lodge  has  had  a  continuous  existence,  numbering  about  450 
members,  with  an  invested  fund  of  nearly  $10,000,  and  holds  its  meetings 
in  one  of  the  finest  Odd  Fellows'  buildings  in  New  England. 

Hillsborough  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted  at  Manchester,  December 
21,  1843;  Wecohamet,  No.  3,  at  Dover,  December  28, 1843;  Washington, 
No.  4,  at  Great  Falls,  February  2,  1844;  and  White  Mountain,  No.  5,  at 
Concord,  February  7th,  of  the  same  year.  These  lodges  were  all  chartered 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

Early  in  the  year  1844,   the  past  grands  of  these  five  subordinate 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  309 

lodges  petitioned  the  Grand  Sire  for  a  charter  to  open  a  Grand  Lodge  in 
New  Hampshire.  The  prayer  was  granted  by  Grand  Sire  Hopkins,  and 
on  the  first  day  of  June,  following,  a  warrant  was  issued  to  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Guild,  of  Massachusetts,  to  institute  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  New  Hampshire.  This  important  event  took  place  on  the  9th  of  July, 
1844,  at  Concord.  David  Philbrick  was  elected  Grand  Master.  The 
charter  was  dated  September  16,  1844. 

The  early  growth  of  the  Order,  covering  a  period  of  ten  years,  was 
unprecedented  in  the  history  of  fraternal  organizations  in  New  Hamp- 
shire; but  at  the  end  of  the  first  decade  there  was  a  great  reaction  and 
the  outflow  for  a  time  awakened  fears  of  its  ultimate  extinction.  A 
few  of  the  substantial  members  threw  themselves  into  the  breach, 
checked  the  downward  course,  and  averted  the  doom  that  seemed  about 
to  engulf  the  Order.  In  1860  the  outgoing  tide  was  checked,  and  the 
Order  made  a  gain  of  seventeen  in  membership,  which  has  been  kept 
up  every  year  since,  averaging  more  than  three  hundred  annually,  until 
to-day  there  is  an  unbroken  chain  of  ninety-four  lodges,  and  a  mem- 
bership of  13,000.  In  1850  there  were  thirty-four  lodges,  and  2545 
members;  in  1860  twenty-three  lodges,  and  1614  members;  in  1870 
twenty-nine  lodges,  and  3869  members;  in  1880  sixty-four  lodges,  and 
7970  members ;  and,  in  1890,  seventy-eight  lodges,  and  a  membership  of 
10,805.  The  lodges  are  now  disbursing  nearly  $50,000,  yearly,  in  relief; 
and,  since  the  introduction  of  the  Order,  nearly  one  million  dollars  have 
been  expended  for  that  purpose. 

During  the  decadence  a  portion  of  the  lodges  surrendered  their  char- 
ters or  ceased  to  exist;  and,  when  the  revival  came,  some  of  these  were 
reinstated  and  are  now  prosperous,  while  in  several  instances  the  old 
numbers  were  given  to  new  lodges,  completing  the  unbroken  chain  that 
has  been  the  proud  boast  of  this  Grand  jurisdiction  for  many  years.  A 
goodly  percentage  of  the  lodges  have  had  a  continuous  existence  since 
their  organization. 

In  1848  this  Grand  Lodge  took  strong  sides  in  the  "New  York  con- 
troversy," so-called,  espousing  the  cause  of  the  "new-constitution  party," 
and  the  country  lodges. 

In  1849  when  the  California  gold  fever  allured  many  members  to  that 
Eldorado,  Piscataquis  Lodge,  No.  6,  of  Portsmouth,  voted  not  to  receive 
dues  from  members  who  might  go  to  the  northwest  coast.  The  following 
was  indorsed  on  the  visiting  cards  of  the  lodge :  — 

"This  lodge wiU  pay  no  benefits  to  any  brother  who  may  be  sick  or  disabled  during]; 
the  time  he  is  going  to,  returning  from  (by  any  route  wliatever) ,  or  during  his  stay  on 
the  northwest  coast  of  America;  and  this  lodge  will  not  require  from  any  brother  any 
assessments  whatever  during  the  time  he  is  going  to,  returning  from,  or  during  his  stay 
there." 


310  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Grand  Master  declared  tliis  endorsement  illegal  j  and,  consequently, 
of  no  effect,  which  decision  was  sustained  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Past  Grand  Osgood,  of  No.  7,  was  nearly  fifty  years  in  advance  of  his 
time,  for  he  submitted  the  following  as  a  by-law  of  his  lodge,  and  asked 
if  it  could  be  adopted :  — 

"  No  person  shall  be  admitted  a  member  of  this  lodge  who  is  engaged  in  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  drinks,  for  himself  or  any  other  person,  and  any  member  of  this  lodge  who 
shall  be  guilty  of  selling  intoxicating  drinks  as  a  beyerage,  for  himself  or  any  other  person, 
shall  be  suspended  or  expelled  as  the  lodge  may  determine." 


This  was  answered  in  the  negative. 

In  1857  Sullivan  Lodge,  No.  12,  disposed  of  its  furniture  and  sold  the 
charter  at  auction.  In  1858  five  members  desired  to  continue,  but  the  man 
who  held  the  charter  would  not  give  it  up.  The  Grand  Master  sent  an 
officer  to  demand  the  charter,  but  it  was  not  obtained. 

The  crowning  glory  of  New  Hampshire  Odd  Fellowship  is  the  Odd 
Fellows'  home,  at  Concord,  which  was  "adopted"  in  1887.  This  home 
embraces  a  commodious  house  and  eight  acres  of  land.  With  the  guar- 
anty fund,  the  home  and  surroundings  are  valued  at  $60,000.  The  semi- 
centennial anniversary  of  the  Order  in  this  state  was  celebrated  at  this 
home,  July  9,  1894,  which  marked  an  important  event  in  its  history  in 
the  Granite  State. 

New  Hampshire  has  produced  as  able  Odd  Fellows  as  any  jurisdiction 
in  the  world,  and  but  for  the  custom,  current  in  the  New  England  Grand 
bodies,  of  rotating  Grand  Representatives,  would  have  seen  one  or  more 
of  her  "  favorite  sons  "  in  the  chair  of  the  Grand  Sire. 

Among  the  early  and  infl^iential  members  of  this  jurisdiction,  was 
Past  Grand  Master  Timothy  G.  Senter,  of  Portsmouth,  who  was  Grand 
Master  in  1849-50.  He  was  elected  and  installed  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
in  1856-57,  but,  not  being  able  to  attend  the  next  session,  he  was  sup- 
planted in  the  chair  of  the  Grand  Sire.  Among  the  most  prominent  of 
the  early  members  was  Samuel  H.  Parker,  of  Dover,  who  was  the  second 
Grand  Master  of  the  state,  holding  that  office  in  1845-46.  In  1846  he 
represented  his  Grand  Lodge  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
and  continued  an  active  member  of  that  body  until  1850.  He  then  went 
to  California,  where  he  carried  with  him  the  same  zeal  for  Odd  Fellowship 
which  characterized  him  at  home.  Odd  Fellowship  was  new  on  the 
Pacific  coast  and  Brother  Parker  became  at  once  pi'ominent.  The  success 
which  our  Order  attained  in  California  is  largely  due  to  the  influence  of 
this  New  Hampshire  brother.  He  was  appointed  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  of  the  Order  in  California,  and  when  the  Grand  Lodge  was  insti- 
tuted, in  San  Francisco,  he  was  elected  its  first  Grand  Master,  —  thus 
enjoying  the  remarkable  distinction  of  having  been  Grand  Master  of  two 
jurisdictions.     In  1856  he  represented  California  in  the  councils  of  the 


■i^- 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  311 

Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  He  died  in  1866,  mourned  on  both 
sides  of  the  continent.  Another  Granite  State  Odd  Fellow  who  might 
have  gained  the  highest  distinction  had  he  been  kept  in  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge,  is  Joseph  Kidder,  of  Manchester,  Past  Grand  Master  and 
present  Grand  Secretary,  one  of  the  ablest  Odd  Fellovvs  in  that  jurisdic- 
tion ;  and  who,  perhaps,  has  done  more  for  New  Hampshire  Odd  Fellow- 
ship than  any  other  brother  within  its  borders.  He  was  Grand  Master 
in  1856-^7,  Grand  Representative  for  seven  sessions,  and  two  years 
Grand  Marshal  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  He  was  a  '^special 
commissioner"  many  years  for  the  purpose  of  reviving  defunct  lodges, 
both  in  his  own  jurisdiction  and  in  Vermont.  John  H.  Albin,  Past 
Grand  Master  and  Past  Grand  Representative,  of  Henniker,  was,  also. 
Grand  Marshal  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  1888-89;  and,  in 
1890-91,  was  reappointed,  but  resigned.  His  most  important  service, 
perhaps,  was  as  chairman  of  the  committee  in  originating  and  organizing 
the  degree  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant,  of  which  he  became  the  first  judge 
advocate-general. 

Vermont.  —  H.  L.  Stillson,  Past  Grand  Master,  in  his  "  History  of  Odd 
Fellowship  in  Vermont,"  said:  — 

"  Tradition  and  docam^ntary  history  are  both  silent  as  to  the  causes  which  led  to  the 
introduction  of  the  Order  [in  Vermont].  One  authority  [Vinton]  asserts  that  the  charter 
members  held  withdrawal  cards  from  Whitehall  Lodge,  No.  54,  of  New  York,  but  the  peti- 
tion on  file  with  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  is  silent  on  that  point.  The  petition  was  dated 
at  Burlington,  December  12, 1844,  and  was  signed  by  T.  D.  Chapman,  L.  Jno.  Starke,  Jno. 
C.  House,  Lemon  Barnes,  A.  R.  Lemon,  and  William  Wheeler.  In  due  time  a  dispensation 
was  granted  by  Grand  Sire  Hopkins,  and  the  lodge  [Green  Mountain,  No.  1]  was  instituted 
at  Burlington,  January  14, 1S46." 

Grand  Sire  Hopkins,  in  his  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  in  1846,  said:  — 

"  Haying  granted  a  dispensation  for  a  lodge  at  Burlington,  in  the  state  of  Vermont, 
being  the  first  in  that  state,  I  appointed  William  H.  Smith,  of  New  York,  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  for  that  state,  who,  if  confirmed  by  you,  wiU  hold  that  office  until  the  first  of 
January,  1846/' 

It  is  not  clear  why  the  petitioners  for  Green  IVIountain  Lodge,  No.  1, 
of  Burlington,  held  withdrawal  cards  from  Whitehall  Lodge,  in  New 
York  state,  for  the  two  places  are  at  a  considerable  distance  from  each 
other.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  Brother  Smith,  who  was  District 
Deputy  Grand  Master  of  his  district,  must  have  induced  these  Vermont 
gentlemen  to  become  members  of  his  lodge  for  the  purpose  of  withdraw- 
ing and  becoming  charter  members  of  the  new  lodge  at  Burlington.  This 
act  would,  also,  make  him  the  "  father  "  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  "Vermont. 
In  his  report  as  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  Brother  Smith  said :  — 

**  We  initiated  sixteen  the  first  night,  and  conferred  aU  the  degrees  on  thirteen  the  next 
evening.  Many  of  the  members  are  the  first  in  the  state,  among  whom  is  the  Secretary  of 
State." 


312  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  first  Noble  Grand  was  Thomas  D.  Chapman.  This  lodge  was  one 
of  the  five  in  Vermont  that  never  faltered  in  its  work  and  has  held  a  con- 
tinuous existence  to  the  present  day. 

Perhaps  in  no  New  England  jurisdiction  has  Odd  Eellowship  had  such 
a  struggle  for  existence  as  in  this  state.  The  circumstances  and  the  times 
were  against  it.  The  anti-secret  society  sentiment  throughout  the  United 
States,  prior  to  the  date  under  discussion,  was  very  intense,  and  in  no 
commonwealth  in  the  Union  was  this  feeling  more  bitter  than  in  Vermont. 
In  the  great  political  crusade  against  secret  societies  which  swept  over 
the  country,  culminating  in  the  election  of  1832,  Vermont  alone  cast  her 
electoral  vote  for  the  anti-Masonic  candidates  for  President  and  Vice- 
President  of  the  United  States.  Alluding  to  this  subject,  Past  Grand 
Master  Vinton,  the  first  historian  of  the  Order  in  Vermont,  said:  — 

"  It  must  be  remembered  that  Vermont  wasB  strong  anti-Masonic  state  at  the  time  of 
the  introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship  into  it.  I  do  not  know  as  there  was  a  Masonic  lodge  in 
active  working  order  in  the  state  at  that  time.  Therefore,  when  Odd  Fellowship  was  intro- 
duced, it  had  a  strong  feeling  against  secret  societies  to  overcome,  in  order  to  gain  and  flourish 
here ;  but,  notwithstanding  this  great  obstacle,  it  did  grow  and  flourish  for  a  time,  —  from 
January  14,  1845,  when  Green  Mountain  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted,  to  1853,  when  there 
were  twenty-six  lodges,  with  over  1100  members,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
From  that  time  a  blight  seemed  to  have  come  over  the  Order.  The  lodges  began  to  go  down, 
membership  decreased  nntil  1863,  when  there  were  but  five  lodges,  with  only  141  members  in 
the  state." 

Eleven  lodges  were  instituted  before  tlie  organization  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Vermont.  They  were  as  follows :  Green  Mountain,  No.  1,  at 
Burlington,  January  14,  1845;  Vermont,  Ko.  2,  at  Montpelier,  May  5, 
1845;  Windsor,  No.  3,  at  Windsor,  April  17,  1846;  White  River,  No.  4, 
at  Bethel,  June  4,  1846;  Wantastiquet,  No.  5,  at  Brattleboro,  August  3, 
1846;  Caledonia,  No.  6,  at  Danville,  January  1,  1847;  Social,  No.  7, 
at  Wilmington,  January  16,  1847;  Vergennes,  No.  8,  at  Vergennes, 
February  17,  1847;  Stark,  No.  9,  at  Bennington,  February  11,  1847; 
Otter  Greek,  No.  10,  at  Rutland,  March  10,  1847;  Lake  Dunmore,  No.  11, 
at  Middlebury,  March  9,  1847. 

The  above-named  lodges  having  petitioned  for  a  Grand  Lodge,  their 
representatives  assembled  at  Montpelier,  December  29, 1847,  in  the  room 
of  Vermont  Lodge,  No.  2,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  instituted  by  N.  A. 
Thompson  (of  Massachusetts),  Deputy  Grand  Sire  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  assisted  by  William  E.  Parmenter,  Grand  Master 
of  Massachusetts.     Samuel  H.  Price  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

Among  the  by-laws  adopted  was  one  in  the  interest  of  a  higher 
morality,  to  remove  the  lodge  meetings  from  the  influence  of  the  bar- 
rooms of  hotels.     It  reads  as  follows :  — 

"  No  lodge-room  of  any  subordinate  lodge,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge, 
shall  be  established,  and  no  meetings  of  SLny  lodge  shall  be  holden  in  a  tavern  or  hotel,  with- 
out permission  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  under  penalty  of  forfeiture  of  the  charter." 


TBE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS,  313 

The  first  charters  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Vermont  were 
reported  at  the  first  annual  session,  and  were  for  Indian  River  Lodge, 
No.  12,  at  Rupert,  and  Mount  Anthony,  No.  13,  at  North  Bennington. 
The  former  is  in  existence  to-dav. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  1863,  four  of  the  five  lodges 
mentioned  by  Brother  Vinton  were  represented.  These  faithful  subor- 
dinates were :  Green  Mountain,  No.  1,  of  Burlington ;  Wantastiquet,  No. 
5,  of  Brattleboro ;  Mount  Anthony,  No.  13,  of  North  Bennington;  and 
Phoenix,  No.  28,  of  East  Dorset.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  in  debt  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  $225,  and  a  request  had  been  made 
to  have  that  amount  remitted.  This  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  refused,  but  granted  time  for  its  payment.  Subsequently  notes 
for  the  indebtedness  were  accepted. 

In  giving  the  reasons  for  the  decline  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Vermont, 
Brother  Vinton  said :  — 

*'  In  endeavoring  to  get  a  true  history  of  the  Order  in  this  state,  it  was  necessary  to  give 
the  rise  and' fall  of  the  Order  here,  wliich  I  have  endeavored  to  do.  In  so  doing,  it  became 
necessary  to  seek  for  some  caase  of  its  decline,  as  it  has  been  a  great  downfall  considering 
the  standing  it  once  had;  for,  in  1853,  it  had  twenty-six  lodges,  with  1127  members;  in  1863 
it  had  1l)ut  five  lodges,  and  only  141  members.  Now,  what  could  have  been  the  reason  of 
such  a  falling  off  ?  One  reason  was,  intense  dissensions  among  the  brothers.  The  first  that 
occurred  was  in  Social  Lodge,  No.  7,  in  which  lodge  there  arose  a  difficulty  between  some 
of  the  brethren,  and  the  bitterness  was  carried  so  far  that  several  of  its  members  were 
expelled  from  the  lodge.  Those  who  were  expelled  not  only  violated  their  obligations,  but 
started  a  system  of  alleged  exposure  of  the  work  to  all  such  as  had  a  desire  to  learn.  .  .  . 
Tlien  there  arose  a  dissension  in  Battenkill  Lodge,  No.  15,  at  Manchester,  about  the  location 
of  the  lodge.  Some  wanted  it  in  one  village,  and  some  in  another,  which  was  carried  so  far 
that  at  one  time  they  had  two  sets  of  officers.  .  .  .  There  was  another  cause  of  its  downfall. 
It  appears  that  they  initiated  one  in  their  lodge  who  had  a  small  tincture  of  African  blood 
in  his  veins.  That  was,  perhaps,  the  moving  cause,  .  .  .  for  it  appears  that  after  they  had 
initiated  him  some  of  the  members  were  dissatisfied,  and  appealed  to  the  Grand  Master  for 
relief ;  and  he,  after  taking  the  matter  into  consideration,  ordered  the  lodge  to  expel  the 
brother  without  trial,  or  having  charges  brought  against  him,  but  the  lodge  did  not  see  fit 
to  do  so,  and  appealed  to  the  Grand  Lodge  from  that  decision.  The  Grand  Master,  without 
waiting  for  the  Grand  Lodge  to  decide,  ordered  the  officers  to  take  the  charter  and  books 
from  the  lodge-room." 

At  the  next  session  the  Grand  Lodge  sustained  the  Grand  Master. 
Brother  Vinton  continued :  — 

"  I  think  this  was  one  great  reason  why  the  Order  in  this  state,  from  that  time,  began 
to  go  down,  for  there  were  a  large  numl)er  of  brothers  who  considered  that  decision  wrong, 
and  not  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of  the  Order." 

The  Order  was  at  such  a  low  ebb  in  Vermont,  in  1805,  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  appointed  Past  Grand  Master  Joseph  Kidder, 
of  New  Hampshire,  then  Grand  Marshal,  a  "  special  commissioner "  to 
visit  Vermont,  to  see  if  he  could  revive  the  interest  in  the  Order  in  this 
state.  The  commissioner  visited  Vermont,  talked  with  the  members, 
lectured  in  many  towns  and  villages,  and   endeavored  to   infuse   new 


314  TEE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

blood  into  the  languishing  body;  but  his  mission,  while  not  entirely  satis- 
factory, was  the  forerunner  of  success  later.  He  sowed  the  seed,  but 
another  was  destined  to  reap  the  grain.  In  1867  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  appointed  another  "special  commissioner,"  Brother  B.  W. 
Dennis,  Grand  Representative  of  Michigan,  who  spent  three  months  in 
Vermont,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  creating  a  new  interest  in  the  work. 
At  that  time  there  were  five  lodges  and  239  members.  Grand  Secretary 
Ridgely,  in  his  report  in  1868,  said,  referring  to  Vermont :  — 

"  Five  lodges  are  at  work,  three  of  them  feeble,  it  is  true,  as  to  members  and  resources, 
yet  two  of  them  will  compare  favorably  with  many  other  lodges  throughout  the  general  juris- 
diction. Green  Mountain  Lodge,  at  Burlington,  numbers  130  members ;  and  Wantastiquet, 
at  Brattleboro,  79  members/' 

Special  Commissioner  Dennis,  in  1869,  in  making  his  satisfactory 
report  of  the  condition  of  Vermont,  concluded  with  these  words :  — 

"  In  justice  to  the  entire  brotherhood  of  Vermont,  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  say  they  feel  them> 
selves  under  great  obligations  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  the  deep  interest 
and  liberality  extended  to  them  during  their  temporary  doubts  and  despair  of  the  revival 
of  Odd  Fellowship  in  that  state,  and  in  return  are,  I  believe,  determined  that  no  effort  on 
their  part  shall  be  wanting  to  keep  the  camp-fires  burning  in  the  future." 

From  that  time  to  the  present  the  Order  has  flourished,  and  the  Grand 
Secretary,  in  his  report  December  31,  1895,  named  fifty-four  lodges,  with 
a  total  membership  of  4708. 

A  peculiar  case  of  jurisdiction  occurred  between  Vermont  and  the 
province  of  Quebec;  but  having  been  fully  stated  by  Past  Grand  Sire 
Campbell,  in  Chapter  IV.,  Division  VI.  (to  which  reference  is  made),  it 
is  not  repeated  here. 

The  Order  in  Vermont  received  marked  attention  at  the  state  centen- 
nial celebration  and  dedication  of  the  Bennington  Battle  monument,  at 
Bennington,  August  19,  1891.  The  affair  was  a  national  as  well  as  a 
three-states'  function.  President  Harrison  and  two  of  his  cabinet  ofiicers 
gracing  the  occasion.  Governor  Carroll  S.  Page  (himself  an  Odd  Fellow), 
requested  that  the  Grand  Sire,  the  Lieutenant-General  of  the  Patriarchs 
Militant,  and  the  Grand  Masters  of  the  New  England  and  the  Middle 
states  be  invited  as  guests,  which  was  done.  Grand  Sire  Busbee  was 
unable  to  be  present  on  account  of  illness ;  but  Lieutenant-General  John 
C.  Underwood,  Past  Grand  Sire,  was  present,  and  commanded  the  Odd 
Fellows'  division.  The  procession  was  a  leading  feature  of  the  day,  and 
the  Order  was  a  conspicuous  part  of  it.  It  was,  doubtless,  the  best 
display  our  Order  ever  made  in  Vermont,  and  it  was  a  handsome  compli- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  state  that  the  Order  was  so  prominently  noticed. 

This  jurisdiction  is  fortunate  in  the  possession  of  an  Odd  Fellows' 
home,  the  gift  of  Mr.  J.  S.  Gill,  of  Boston,  whose  summer  residence  is  in 
Ludlow. 

Among  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Vermont  none  were  more  earnest  in  the 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  816 

work  tlian  Timothy  Vinton,  Past  Grand  Master,  who  died  at  Brattleboro, 
January  4,  1891,  aged  eighty-seven  years.  He  was  born  in  South  Bead- 
ing, Massachusetts,  now  Wakefield.  He  moved  to  Brattleboro  and  was 
a  leading  business  man  of  the  town.  He  became  an  Odd  Fellow  in 
1845,  being  initiated  in  Groton  Lodge,  No.  71,  of  Groton,  Massachusetts. 
Subsequently  he  became  a  member  of  Wantastiquet  Lodge,  at  Brattleboro. 
In  1861  he  was  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  in  1870  was  repre- 
sentative to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  Bjother  Vinton  was 
one  of  the  "no  surrender"  Odd  Fellows,  when  the  charter  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  in  danger,  about  1863-67.  He  was  the  first  historian  of 
Vermont  Odd  Fellowship.  Another  Brattleboro  Odd  Fellow  (of  the  "no 
surrender  "  band),  was  Sewall  Morse,  who  died  May  2, 1881,  aged  seventy- 
two  years.  Doctor  Charles  Woodhouse  died  at  Rutland,  October  15, 1894, 
aged  eighty-two  years.  He  was  Grand  Master  of  Vermont  in  1881-82, 
serving  two  years.  Brother  Woodhouse  disliked  the  word  "white"  in 
Odd  Fellowship's  constitution,  and  his  voice  and  pen  were  actively 
engaged  in  the  attempt  to  eliminate  it. 

New  Hampshire  furnished  a  Grand  Master  for  its  own  jurisdiction, 
and  also  one  for  California,  in  one  person.  Vermont  claims  the  same 
distinction.  In  1858  Henry  TuUey  Dorrance  was  Grand  Master  of 
Vermont.  He  died  in  Stockton,  California,  July  21,  1895,  and  had  been 
Grand  Master  and  Grand  Representative  of  that  jurisdiction. 


<?i*. /^^^ 


CHAPTER  II. 

JURISDICTIONS  OF  THE  SOUTH  ATLANTIC  SLOPE. 

New  Jersey.  —  Odd  Fellowship  was  introduced  into  New  Jersey  quite 
early  in  its  history.  On  the  31st  of  March,  1829,  permission  was  granted 
to  Brothers  (}eorge  Dare,  William  A.  H.  Dare,  Howell  Stokes,  William 
Middleton,  and  George  Eoseman,  to  establish  a  lodge  to  be  known  as  New 
Jersey,  No.  1,  located  at  Camden.  This  lodge  still  exists  in  a  flourishing 
condition. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  1830,  a  charter  was  granted  to  Benevolent 
Lodge,  No.  2y  at  Fatersoui  on  the  petition  of  Brothers  John  Armitage, 


816  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Abraham  Douckersly,  William  Williams,  John  Douckersly,  and  James 
McKim.  These  two  lodges  were  instituted  about  June  16,  1830,  by  the 
Movable  Committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  composed 
of  Grand  Sire  Wildey  and  Past  Grand  Master  Small,  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  opened  them  and  installed  the  oficers. 

Upon  the  same  itinerary  the  committee  visited  Camden  and  opened 
New  Jersey  Lodge,  No.  1,  installed  its  officers,  and  instructed  the  mem- 
bers as  to  their  duties.  The  committee  wrote,  in  their  "  very  able  and 
elaborate  report,"  that  they  left  both  lodges  "in  a  prosperous  condition, 
with  an  excellent  set  of  members,  who  are  eminently  conversant  with  the 
duties  and  regulations  of  the  Order."  The  lodge  at  Paterson  is,  to-day, 
one  of  the  very  best  in  the  state. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey  was  instituted  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey 
August  3,  1833,  pursuant  to  the  grant  of  the  petition  of  the  past  grands 
of  New  Jersey  Lodge,  No.  1,  and  Benevolent  Lodge,  No.  2,  some  time 
previously,  and  reported  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey  at  the  September  session 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  The  delay  in  the  report  of 
the  petition  was  due  to  the  difficulty  of  securing  a  fit  point  of  location. 
Camden  and  Paterson  being  in  the  extreme  portions  of  the  state,  Trenton 
was  finally  decided  upon,  on  account  of  its  central  location,  although  there 
was  then  no  lodge  in  that  place.  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  who  was  at  the  time 
visiting  the  lodges  of  New  Jersey,  and  at  whose  instance  Trenton  was 
finally  selected,  immediately  upon  the  acquiescence  of  the  past  grands  of 
the  two  petitioning  lodges,  granted  the  warrant  and  proceeded  to  open 
the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  3d  of  August.  John  Pearce  was  elected  Grand 
Master,  and  Grand  Representative. 

After  the  installation,  a  petition  was  received  from  sundry  brothers, 
resident  in  Trenton,  for  a  charter  for  a  subordinate  lodge,  which  was  duly 
granted.  Pursuant  thereto  Trenton  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  shortly  thereafter 
instituted,  and  has  been  working  ever  since.  The  immediate  growth  of 
the  Order  in  this  jurisdiction  was  comparatively  slow,  but  ten  years  from 
the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  there  were  eighteen  subordinate  lodges 
reported,  with  a  membership  of  1301,  and  a  revenue  of  over  $10,000. 

In  1869  Newark  Degree  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  established  and  entered 
upon  a  work  of  good  service  to  the  Order. 

In  1870  Grand  Secretary  Raum  reported  as  follows :  — 

**  New  lodges  are  starting  in  localities  where  the  Order  never  before  had  an  existence,  as 
well  as  in  places  where  it  has  existed.  Accessions  of  new  lodges  are  constantly  made,  and 
the  old  lodges,  as  well  as  new  ones,  are  rapidly  increasing  in  membership.  Six  new  lodges 
haye  been  added  to  oar  family  last  year,  increasing  it  to  one  hundred  and  eight,  aU  of 
which  are  in  good  working  order. 

"  In  1863,  seven  years  ago,  we  numbered  bat  4407  members ;  and  in  1865,  five  years  ago, 
4951.  Our  report  of  the  year  just  past  shows  a  membership  of  11,069;  by  which  it  will  be 
seen  onr  membership  has  considerably  more  than  doubled  in  five  years,  and  almost  trebled 
in  seven  years." 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  817 

The  last  report  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Jersey  said:  — 

"  We  haye  gained  253  membership  in  lodges,  but  lost  14  in  the  encampments.  In  all 
other  respects  we  are  doing  well.  Our  harmonious  operations  are  as  gratifying  as  here- 
tofore, and  oar  benevolent  expenditures  fully  up  to  those  of  the  past.  We  have  in  New 
Jersey  an  Odd  Fellows'  home  for  aged  members,  located  at  Trenton.  It  is  managed  by  rep- 
resentatives from  the  lodges  composing  the  association,  and  is  incorporated  according  to  law. 
It  is  not  under  the  control  of  our  Grand  Lodge,  and  therefore  no  reports  are  filed  in  this 
office." 

Of  men  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  state,  New  Jersey  Odd  Fellow- 
ship numbered  among  its  members  three  governors :  Joel  Parker,  William 
A.  Newell,  and  Marcus  L.  Ward;  also  the  erudite  and  polished  Chief 
Justice  Mercer  Beasley.  Past  Grand  Secretary  Theodore  A.  Eoss  and 
William  H.  Iszard  hail  from  New  Jersey.  The  mere  mention  of  their 
names  is  sufficient  comment,  as  their  love  and  work  for  the  Order  are 
known  of  all  brethren.  The  late  lamented  Aaron  Crane,  Grand  Repre- 
sentative, gained  a  national  reputation  as  one  of  the  best  exemplifiers 
of  the  unwritten  work  of  the  Order, 

Delaware.  —  Delaware  is  the  sixth  state  in  the  list  of  Grand  Lodges 
granted  charters  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  Early  in 
1830  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  by 
George  McFarlane,  James  McNeale,  Thomas  Hill,  Simon  liobinson,  John 
Scott,  Joseph  Smith,  James  Piatt,  Nelson  Ball,  and  L.  Manchester,  pray- 
ing for  a  charter  for  a  lodge  to  be  located  in  the  borough  of  Wilmington, 
and  hailed  as  "  Delaware  Lodge,  No.  1,"  which  charter  was  duly  granted, 
at  a  special  session  convened  for  the  purpose,  in  Baltimore,  May  27, 1830. 
The  lodge  held  its  first  meeting  September  18,  1830,  and  elected  James 
McNeale,  Noble  Grand;  John  Scott,  Vice  Grand;  and  Past  Grand 
McFarlane,  Secretary,  who  were  installed  into  their  respective  offices  by 
Grand  Sire  Wildey,  and  Past  Grand  C.  F.  Ecky,  of  Maryland.  Eight 
candidates  were,  also,  initiated. 

In  less  than  a  year,  and  before  any  other  subordinate  lodge  had  been 
instituted  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Delaware,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  at  a  special  session,  held  for  the  purpose,  granted  a  charter  for  a 
Grand  Lodge  of  Delaware,  to  be  located  at  Wilmington.  The  petition 
presented  was  signed  by  Past  Grands  McAnal,  Scott,  McNeale,  Robin- 
son, and  McFarlane.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  on  June  27,  1831, 
and  Past  Grand  John  Scott  installed  as  Grand  Master;  but  in  less  than 
three  months  the  charter  was  declared  forfeited,  through  disability  to 
work,  one  of  the  five  past  grands  of  Delaware  having  died,  leaving  less 
than  a  quorum.  At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
held  September  5,  1831,  a  charter  was  granted  to  Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  2, 
to  be  located  in  Wilmington;  making  the  second  subordinate  lodge  in  the 
jurisdiction.  No  report  having  been  made  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Dela- 
ware, on  account  of  its  incompetency  to  act,  the  members  of  Delaware 


818  THE  THREE -LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Lodge,  No.  1,  asked  for  a  restoration  of  their  original  charter.     There- 
upon the  following  resolutions  were  passed :  — 

**  First,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Delaware  be  directed  to  deliver  forthwith  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  its  charter,  the  same  being  forfeited  by  a  disability  to  work,  to 
wit,  the  want  of  five  past  grands. 

"  Second f  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  Delaware  be  directed  to  reissue  to 
Delaware  Lodge,  No.  1,  the  charter  granted  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  it  being  the  only  charter 
by  which  said  Delaware  Lodge,  No.  1,  can  legally  work ;  the  said  Lodge  No.  1  being  amenable 
only  to  this  Grand  Lodge. 

"  Third,  That  the  Grand  Sire  return  the  charter  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Delaware  so 
soon  as  there  shall  be  an  application  received  from  five  legal  past  grands  of  the  said  state 
of  Delaware." 

On  the  14th  of  February,  1833,  a  preliminary  meeting  was  held,  and 
a  petition  was  presented,  at  a  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  held  March  4,  1833,  requesting  a  restoration  of  the  charter.  The 
request  was  duly  granted. 

On  the  6th  of  June,  1833,  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  with  his  assistants, 
reinstituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Delaware.  James  S.  White  was  elected 
Grand  Master;  and  Simon  Robinson,  Grand  Representative. 

During  the  first  year  of  the  existence  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  charters 
were  granted  for  three  new  lodges:  Bayard  Lodge,  No.  3,  at  Laurel; 
Mechanics  Lodge,  No.  4,  at  Wilmington;  and  Washington  Lodge,  No.  5, 
at  New  Castle.  The  charter  of  the  last-named  lodge  was  granted  at  a 
special  session,  held  by  "  a  travelling  Grand  Lodge,"  opened  at  New  Castle 
October  16,  1833,  by  Grand  Master  White,  for  the  purpose  of  instituting 
Washington  Lodge,  No.  6.  Five  candidates  were  initiated,  after  which 
the  applicants  for  a  charter  were  permitted  to  elect  the  officers  of  the  new 
lodge,  viva  voce.  This  instance  is  the  sole  exception  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
meetings  having  been  held  in  any  other  city  than  Wilmington. 

During  the  first  year  of  the  Grand  Lodge  the  prospects  seemed  bright 
and  hopeful,  the  outlook  was  decidedly  encouraging;  but  appearances 
were  deceitful.  The  Grand  Lodge  reached  its  ninth  year  before  it  granted 
another  charter.  During  the  interim,  four  of  the  five  lodges  had,  at 
various  times,  been  suspended  or  expelled.  The  members  were  kept  busy 
investigating  charges  preferred  against  one  another.  They  seemed  a  very 
inharmonious  band  of  brothers.  l)uring  these  disputes  the  Order  grew 
at  a  snaiPs  pace.  At  the  end  of  ten  years  it  could  muster  but  five  lodges, 
with  129  members,  and  an  annual  revenue  of  $900.  Certainly  not  an 
encouraging  exhibit  for  ten  years'  work;  but  there  was  just  enough 
success  to  induce  a  prolongation  of  the  experiment,  for  as  yet  it  was  such. 
Darker  days  visited  the  Order.  Eight  years  after  the  formation  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  it  had  within  its  entire  jurisdiction  but  three  lodges,  and 
46  members.  The  promoters  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were,  evidently,  men 
of  sanguine  and  tenacious  temperament,  who  believed  that  success  awaited 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  819 

their  efforts,  if  they  persisted.  The  second  decade  was  "entered  upon'' 
with  faint  hopes,  but  a  brave  determination  to  make  a  better  showing. 
Success  rewarded  their  faithfulness.  The  second  decade  is  marked  as  the 
most  prosperous  that  the  Grand  Lodge  ever  experienced.  The  report 
ending  the  year  1853,  gave  twenty-three  lodges,  1975  members,  with  an 
annual  income  of  $7195,  being  an  increase,  in  ten  years,  of  eighteen  lodges 
and  1846  members;  in  1893  thirty-five  lodges,  with  2998  members,  an 
income  of  $19,215,  paying  $8727  for  relief.  The  showing  of  the  latter 
year  marks  the  zenith  of  the  prosperity  of  the  Order  in  Delaware. 

Virginia.  —  It  will  be  remembered  that  prior  to  1863,  when  West 
Virginia  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  sovereign  state,  its  territory 
was  a  part  of  Virginia  ;  and,  consequently,  its  several  subordinate 
lodges  were  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia.  The 
reference  to  those  lodges,  now  located  in  West  Virginia,  which  derived 
their  charters  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  were  a 
part  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia  for  thirty  years,  is  briefly  made 
under  the  head  of  West  Virginia;  but  as  their  history  is  a  part  and 
parcel  of  the  early  Virginia  Grand  Lodge,  it  may  be  well  to  give  a  brief 
outline  in  this  connection. 

The  pioneer  lodge  in  the  jurisdiction  of  former  Virginia,  was  Virginia 
Lodge,  No.  1,  located  at  Harper's  Ferry,  under  a  charter  granted  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  May  4,  1833.  In  September,  1835, 
a  charter  was  granted  by  the  same  body  to  Virginius  Lodge,  No.  3,  at 
Wheeling.  It  was  through  the  earnest  and  aggressive  efforts  of  these 
two  western  lodges,  aided  by  Washington  Lodge,  No.  2j  at  Norfolk,  that 
a  beginning  was  made, — though  the  attempts  were  abortive, —  to  secure 
a  charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge.  This  movement  was  begun  by  Virginia 
Lodge,  which  petitioned,  in  1834,  for  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia,  to  be 
located  at  Harper's  Ferry.  The  following  year  Virginius  Lodge  made  a 
similar  petition,  except  that  it  designated  the  city  of  Wheeling.  It  was 
not,  however,  until  May  17,  1837,  that  a  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Virginia,  to  be  located  at  Eichmond,  was  finally  granted.  The  petition 
was  signed  by  past  grands  of  Washington,  No.  2,  of  Norfolk ;  Jefferson, 
No.  4,  of  Richmond;  Old  Dominion,  No.  6,  of  Portsmouth ;  Union,  No.  7, 
of  Richmond;  and  Monroe,  No.  8,  of  Petersburg,  all  of  which  lodges  are 
in  the  present  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia. 

On  August  19,  1837,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  duly  instituted  by  Past 
Grand  Sire  Wildey,  and  George  J.  Roche  was  installed  Grand  Master. 
The  grand  officers  did  not  retain  their  offices  until  the  close  of  the 
term ;  but,  owing  to  an  expression  of  dissatisfaction,  they  simultaneously 
resigned  at  a  subsequent  session,  when  George  M.  Bain  was  elected 
Grand  Master, —  with  associate  grand  officers  to  fill  the  vacancies. 

Of  the  subordinate  lodges,  now  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Virginia,  whose 


320  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

charters  were  derived  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  Wash- 
ington Lodge,  No.  2,  was  the  first  chartered.  On  September  2,  1833,  a 
petition  was  presented  from  six  brothers  praying  for  a  charter  for  a  lodge 
to  be  located  at  Norfolk,  and  hailed  by  the  title  of  "  Washington  Lodge, 
No.  2,"  and  to  be  attached  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Maryland.  The  charter 
was  granted,  but  that  part  of  the  petition  asking  to  work  under  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland  was  rejected,  and  the  lodge  was  made  subject  to  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

During  the  recess,  before  the  session  of  1836,  a  dispensation  was  issued 
to  establish  Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  4,  at  Richmond,  which  was  confirmed  at 
that  session,  and  a  charter  issued.  At  the  same  session  a  petition  for  Old 
Dominion  Lodge,  No.  5,  to  be  located  at  Portsmouth,  was  received,  and 
a  charter  issued.  At  the  session  in  May,  1837,  char1;ers  were  granted  for 
the  following  lodges,  for  which  dispensations  had  been  issued  during  the 
previous  recess :  Madison,  No.  6,  at  Winchester  (now  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  West  Virginia) ;  Union,  No.  7,  at  Richmond;  Mon- 
roe, No.  8,  at  Petersburg;  which  completes  the  list  of  lodges  in  Virginia, 
instituted  under  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

In  a  little  less  than  three  years  from  the  organization  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  contemporaneous  with  the  difiiculty  between  the  lodges  of 
Northern  and  Southern  New  York,  a  similar  trouble  arose  in  Virginia, 
an  effort  being  made  on  the  part  of  those  lodges  now  in  the  state  of  West 
Virginia  to  obtain  a  charter  for  a  new  and  distinct  Grand  Lodge.  This 
was  due  to  the  feeling  caused  by  the  localization  of  the  officers  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  the  city  of  Richmond.  The  final  result  was  that  the  charter  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  was  amended,  at  the  April  meeting  of  1840,  so  that  the 
annual  communications  could  be  held  in  the  city  of  Petersburg  instead 
of  Richmond.  Ineffectual  efforts  were  made,  at  the  time,  to  substitute 
"Charleston,"  "Wheeling,"  "Winchester,"  "Charlottesville,"  "Fred- 
ericksburg," but  Petersburg  was  finally  selected  by  a  vote  of  twelve  to 
four.  Nevertheless,  Richmond  continued  to  remain  the  home  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  the  dissatisfaction,  apparently,  subsided. 

The  war  between  the  states  brought  another  disruption,  due  this  time 
to  the  non-intercourse  of  the  western  lodges,  which  those  troublesome 
times  had  rendered  imperative.  During  this  period  of  non-intercourse 
Past  Grand  Master  Thomas  G.  Steele  was  the  Acting  Grand  Master  of  the 
western  lodges.  When  West  Virginia  was  finally  "cut  off"  from  Vir- 
ginia, and  created  a  separate  and  sovereign  state,  a  petition  was  presented 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  a  charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge 
in  West  Virginia.  The  same  was  refused,  on  account  of  technical  errors 
in  the  petition.  From  1863  until  1865,  however.  Past  Grand  Master 
Steele,  who  headed  the  movement,  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  obtain  a 
charter.     Objection  was  raised,  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 


TEE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  321 

as  to  the  advisability  of  granting  such  a  charter  until  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  United  States  had  determined  the  constitutionality  of  the  admission 
of  West  Virginia  into  the  Union;  for,  if  it  should  be  decided  that  West 
Virginia  was  not  a  state,  then  there  would  be  two  distinct  jurisdictions 
in  the  same  state,  and  this  was  deemed  inadvisable.  West  Virginia  was, 
however,  declared  a  sovereign  state,  the  charter  was  finally  granted, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  West  Virginia  was  organized  in  Wheeling, 
December  5,  1865,  by  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely;  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Virginia  thereby  losing  about  one-half  of  her  jurisdiction,  —  twenty -seven 
lodges,  with  a  membership  of  2010,  paying  a  revenue  of  $6417.02. 

In  1857  there  were  one  hundred  and  twelve  lodges,  with  a  membership 
of  over  6000.  Li  1860  eighty-nine  lodges,  and  a  membership  of  6217. 
There  is,  unfortunately,  no  record  of  the  war  period,  but  the  division  of 
the  jurisdiction,  at  the  close  of  1865,  and  the  ravages  of  the  fratricidal 
strife  had  reduced  the  jurisdiction  to  thirty-five  lodges,  with  a  member- 
ship of  2418.  Since  then  the  increase  has  been  steady  and  healthy.  The 
reports  ending  December  31, 1894,  gave  one  hundred  and  thirteen  lodges, 
with  a  membership  of  6972;  expending  in  relief,  $26,038, —  the  best 
showing  the  jurisdiction  had  ever  made,  except,  in  1854,  when  one  hun- 
dred and  thirteen  lodges  reported  a  membership  of  7003. 

West  Virginia.  —  A  clear  and  comprehensive  understanding  of  Odd 
Fellowship  in  West  Virginia  cannot  be  had  without  reference  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Virginia  (to  which  the  reader  is  referred),  of  which  it  was  a  most 
active  and  integral  part  for  thirty  years.  The  first  subordinate  lodge 
instituted  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Virginia  was  located  at  Harper's  Ferry. 
It  was  through  the  aggressive  Odd  Fellowship  of  this  lodge,  aided  and 
seconded  by  Virginius  Lodge,  No.  3,  of  Wheeling,  and  Washington  Lodge, 
No.  2,  of  Norfolk,  that  a  beginning  was  made  to  obtain  a  charter  for  a 
Grand  Lodge  in  Virginia. 

The  lodges  of  Virginia  worked  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  until  the  adjourned  session  of  1837,  when  the 
charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia  was  granted.  From  1837  until 
1863,  when  West  Virginia  was  created  a  sovereign  state  and  admitted  to 
the  Union,  the  lodges  of  West  Virginia  were  a  part  of  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia.  On  May  5,  1863,  a  meeting  of  past  grands 
was  held  in  Fairmount,  agreeable  to  a  request  made  by  Past  Grand  Master 
Thomas  G.  Steele  (acting  as  Grand  Master  of  the  several  lodges  located 
in  West  Virginia),  for  the  purpose  of  petitioning  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  for  a  charter  to  organize  a  Grand  Lodge  in  West  Virginia. 
The  following  lodges  were  represented:  Virginius,  No.  3;  Franklin,  No. 
13;  William  Tell,  No.  33;  Wheeling,  No.  59;  Marion,  No.  64;  Panola, 
No.  82;  Concord,  No.  134. 

A  petition  was  prepared,  and  ordered  to  be  presented  to  the  Grand 


322  THE  THREE'LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

Lodge  of  the  United  States,  the  results  of  which  are  stated  in  the  preced- 
ing, under  the  heading  of  '^Virginia."  [Eeference  should,  also,  be  made 
to  page  207,  in  this  connection;  and  to  Division  X.,  under  headings  of 
"Virginia,"  and  "West  Virginia,"  in  this  work.] 

At  its  institution  the  Grand  Lodge  of  West  Virginia  honored  itself 
by  adopting  the  constitution,  laws,  etc.,  of  Virginia,  prefixing  "West" 
wherever  the  name  occurred.     J.  M.  Bickel  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

Commencing  under  favorable  auspices,  with  a  roster  of  twenty-seven 
subordinate  lodges,  a  membership  of  over  1500,  and  a  revenue  of  nearly 
$6500,  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  report  made,  at  the  next  annual  ses- 
sion, showed  a  gain  of  seven  lodges,  and  a  membership  of  over  2000,  with 
a  revenue  increased  to  $16,325. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  more  than  the  early  history  of  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Since  the  beginning  of  Odd  Fellowship  in 
West  Virginia,  its  growth  has  been  sturdy  and  healthy.  The  last  annual 
reports  show  one  hundred  and  forty-four  lodges,  with  a  membership  of 
8827;  expending  for  relief,  $27,907.23. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  give  a  befitting  reference,  necessarily  brief, 
to  the  most  prominent  incident  in  Odd  Fellowship  in  West  Virginia, — the 
dedication  of  the  Steele  monument  at  Bluemont  cemetery,  Grafton,  Octo- 
ber 27,  1885.  Grand  Secretary  E.  A.  Billingslea,  in  behalf  of  the  joint 
committee  of  Grafton  Lodge,  No.  31,  presented  the  monument  to  the 
Grand  Lodge.  The  speaker  of  the  occasion  was  Past  Grand  George  W. 
Atkinson,  of  Wheeling.  The  procession  consisted  of  twenty-seven  subor- 
dinate lodges,  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  Grand  Encampment,  and  citizens. 
It  moved  through  the  city  to  the  cemetery,  which  is  situated  on  a 
high  hill  commanding  a  magnificent  and  extended  view  of  the  surround- 
ing country.  The  exercises  were  a  fitting  close  to  the  movement  begun 
in  May,  1883,  by  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Grafton.  Past  Grand  Master 
Thomas  G.  Steele,  in  the  honor  of  whose  memory  the  monument  was 
erected,  was  born  November  4, 1804,  in  Fermonensy  parish,  near  Maghera, 
Derry  county,  Ireland,  and  died  at  Grafton,  West  Virginia,  April  15, 
1883.  He  was  the  leading  spirit  in  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  West  Virginia,  of  which  he  was  Grand  Secretary  sixteen  years. 

District  of  Columbia.  —  It  was  during  the  administration  of  President 
John  Quincy  Adams, — when  the  city  of  Washington  had  a  population  of 
only  twenty  thousand,  and  government  officials,  including  the  President, 
numbered  but  fifty-four, — that  Brother  Thomas  M.  Abbett,  who  had  con- 
tinued his  membership  in  one  of  the  early  lodges  in  Philadelphia  (where 
he  had  been  initiated),  moved  to  Washington  and,  finding  there  no  lodge 
of  Odd  Fellows,  undertook  the  establishment  of  the  Order  in  the  District. 
Together  with  four  others  of  similar  disposition,  he  submitted  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  special  session,  November  12,  1827,  an 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  828 

application  for  a  charter,  to  establish  a  lodge  in- the  District  of  Columbia. 
The  charter  was  granted;  and,  on  the  26th  of  November,  1827,  Grand  Sire 
Wildey,  Past  Grand  Master  Thomas  Scotchburn,  Grand  Master  John 
Neilson,  Grand  Treasurer  John  Boyd,  Past  Grand  Richard  Marley,  and 
Brothers  James  Ashton,  John  Boach,  Daniel  Weaver,  John  E.  Exe, 
Thomas  P.  Chartres,  Robert  Gott,  Cottrill,  and  Goblour,  came  from  Bal- 
timore and  instituted  a  lodge,  to  be  known  and  hailed  as  Centi:al,  No.  1, 
—  the  place  of  meeting  being  at  Milburn's  tavern,  a  three-story,  double, 
brick  building  on  F  street,  between  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth  streets. 
North  West.  The  officers  installed  were  Thomas  M.  Abbett,  Noble 
Grand;  Thomas  Smith,  Vice  Grand;  John  Moulder,  Secretary;  Robert 
Boyd,  Warden;  and  Samuel  Knapp,  Lecturer.  At  this  meeting,  John 
Farrer  was  admitted  by  card,  and  appointed  "host,"  and  ten  candidates 
were  initiated.  The  lodge  continued  to  meet  at  Milburn's  tavern  until 
January,  1828,  when  it  was  removed  to  the  court-house,  where  two  rooms 
were  secured. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  January, 
1828,  a  charter  was  granted  to  Georgetown  Lodge,  No.  2,  and  it  was  insti- 
tuted January  23,  1828,  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  "  in  conformity  to  the 
rites  and  ceremonies  practised  from  the  beginning." 

Central  and  Georgetown  lodges  were  the  first  lodges,  under  the  imme- 
diate jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  remained 
as  such  until  two  past  grands  from  Central  Lodge,  and  three  past  grands 
from  Georgetown  Lodge,  united  in  a  petition  for  a  Grand  Lodge,  to  be 
established  "according  to  the  present  laws  and  ancient  landmarks  of  the 
institution."  The  petition  was  granted,  and  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey 
opened  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  District  of  Columbia  November  28,  1828 
[Ridgely  gives  the  date  as  November  24th],  with  Thomas  M.  Abbett, 
Grand  Master,  making  the  fifth  Grand  Lodge  instituted. 

After  the  institution  of  these  lodges,  the  organization  grew  rapidly, 
several  lodges  being  established  in  1828.  The  growth  seems  to  have 
been  too  rapid  for  the  good  of  the  Order,  for  a  decline  followed  in 
1831-32,  some  of  the  lodges  closing.  After  this  the  anti-Masonic 
excitement  retarded  the  growth  of  the  Order  for  a  time,  but  prosperity 
soon  returned. 

The  first  funeral  of  an  Odd  Fellow  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  took 
place  November  2,  1828,  the  deceased  being  Brother  George  Walker. 
The  order  of  the  funeral  procession  was  as  follows :  the  members  marched 
in  couples,  each  couple  forming  a  link  with  the  little  finger  of  the  right 
and  left  hands.  The  past  grands  and  the  noble  grand  wore  (above  a  green 
ribbon  in  the  second  buttonhole  of  the  coat),  a  scarlet  and  white  flower, 
and  every  other  officer  and  member,  a  scarlet  flower.  Each  officer  and 
member  deposited  his  flower  in  the  ^rave  of  the  deceased  brother. 


824  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Order  in  the  District  of  Columbia  has  been  honored  with  three 
Grand  Sires:  James  Gettys,  of  Georgetown  Lodge,  No.  2,  1833-35; 
William  Walker  Moore,  of  Central  Lodge,  No.  1, 1851-53;  and  Frederick 
D.  Stuart,  of  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  12,  1870-72.  Brother  Thomas  M. 
Abbett,  in  1829,  was  the  first  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States. 

This  jurisdiction  ranks  forty-third  as  to  population,  according  to  the 
last  census,  thirty-seventh  as  to  Odd  Fellowship;  and,  in  the  eligible 
population,  the  ratio  of  Odd  Fellowship  is  14.75. 

The  Order  owns  three  halls.  The  largest  is  located  on  Seventh  street, 
between  D  and  E  streets.  North  West,  and  is  owned  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  several  subordinate  lodges  and  encampments.  It  was  erected 
in  1846,  and  was  thoroughly  remodelled  in  1874.  The  next  in  size  is 
located  near  the  Navy  Yard,  on  Eighth  street.  South  East,  and  is  owned 
by  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  9.  The  other  hall  is  owned  by  Covenant  Lodge, 
No.  13.  This  lodge  in  July,  1860,  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  its  hall 
by  fire,  with  all  the  lodge  property ;  but  with  commendable  zeal  erected 
another,  more  beautiful  and  enlarged  structure,  which  was  dedicated 
October  29,  1860.  The  aggregate  value  of  the  three  halls  is  estimated  a# 
5175,000. 

The  Grand  Lodge  holds  two  meetings  each  year, — the  semiannual 
session  on  the  third  Wednesday  in  January,  and  the  annual  session,  at 
which  the  election  of  officers  takes  place,  is  held  the  third  Wednesday 
in  July. 

The  membership,  July  1,  1895,  in  twenty  lodges,  consisted  of  19  past 
grand  masters,  515  past  grands,  and  1654  other  members,  making  a  total 
of  2188  Odd  Fellows.  The  revenue  for  the  year  was,  ^20, 480.02;  paid 
for  relief,  ^^11,932.88.  Twenty-six  subordinate  lodges  have  been  insti- 
tuted, nineteen  of  which  were  opened  prior  to  1850. 

The  Odd  Fellows'  library  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1859,  and  has 
a  collection  of  7659  volumes.     It  is  located  in  the  Seventh  street  hall. 

North  Carolina.  —  It  was  on  the  26th  of  April,  1841,  just  twenty-two 
years  after  the  first  lodge  was  instituted  in  Baltimore,  that  Weldon  Lodge, 
No.  1,  was  opened  in  the  little  village  of  Weldon,  in  the  county  of  Halifax. 
On  the  22nd  of  the  previous  March,  John  Campbell,  W.  Thomas  Whit- 
field, W.  Burton  Powell,  William  M.  Moody,  and  Thomas  Martin,  of 
North  Carolina,  who  had  become  members  of  Old  Dominion  Lodge,  No.  5, 
of  Virginia,  were  granted  their  petition  for  a  subordinate  lodge.  On  the 
26th  of  April,  the  twenty-second  anniversary  of  the  Order,  Past  Grand 
Master  Bain,  assisted  by  the  Reverend  James  D.  McCabe,  of  Richmond, 
Virginia,  the  eloquent  poet-orator,  who  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Order,  with  other  members  from  Richmond,  Petersburg,  and  Portsmouth, 
instituted  Weldon  Lodge,  No.  1.     This  beginning  of  Odd  Fellowship  in 


THS  GRAND  LODGE  JUBISDICTIONa.  825 

North  Carolina  was  due  to  Old  Dominion  Lodge,  No.  5,*  of  Portsmouth, 
Virginia,  which  was  the  residence  of  Past  Grand  Master  Bain. 

The  second  lodge  instituted  in  the  state  was  Cape  Fear,  No.  2,  located 
in  Wilmington;  which  was,  also,  instituted  by  Past  Grand  Master  George 
M.  Bain,  May  13,  1842.  This  lodge  is  still  on  the  roll,  and  one  of  the 
best  in  the  jurisdiction. 

Wilmington  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  instituted  May  17,  1842,  at  Murfrees- 
boro,  by  Past  Grand  Master  Bain,  only  four  days  later  than  No.  2.  Of  its 
charter  members,  E.  H.  Worthington  was  the  second  Grand  Master  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  second  Grand  Representative  elected.  The 
ravages  of  the  war,  from  1861  to  1865,  completely  obliterated  it,  and  there 
is  now  scarcely  a  trace  left,  except  in  history,  and  this  is  meagre.  This 
number  was  given  to  Virginia  Dare  Lodge  at  its  institution,  July  1,  1890, 
which  is  locat^pd  on  Manteo  island,  the  birth-place  of  the  first  white  child 
born  in  America,  after  whom  the  lodge  was  named. 

The  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina,  granted  at  the 
session  of  1842,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  was  issued  on 
the  8th  of  November,  of  that  year,  and  intrusted  to  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  Bain,  who  duly  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  the  city  of  Wilming- 
ton, January  6,  1843.  John  Campbell  was  elected  Grand  Master. 
The  Grand  Lodge  meeting  continued  two  days,  and  adjourned  sine  die; 
but  held  a  session  May  10,  1843,  in  the  same  city,  which  was  the  com- 
mencement of  its  regular  annual  sessions.  It  met  again  in  Wilmington 
in  May,  during  the  years  1844-48.  In  1849  it  met  in  Raleigh,  the 
capital  of  the  state,  and  has  migrated  from  time  to  time  ever  since. 
During  the  war  period,  of  1861-64,  no  sessions  were  held.  In  1865  a 
"called"  meeting  was  held  at  Greensboro,  at  which  time  there  were 
present:  W.  R.  Edwards,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master,  of  Lincolnton;  John 
Sloan,  Past  Grand  Master ;  Levi  M.  Scott,  Peter  Adams,  J.  W.  Howlett, 
A.  S.  Porter,  and  Michael  Brown,  past  grands  of  Greensboro;  and  S.  D. 
Phillips,  past  grand,  of  Goldsboro.  While  in  session  W.  D.  Trotter, 
Mebane  Lamb,  John  C.  Clendennin,  and  W.  C.  Porter,  past  grands,  of 
Greensboro,  were  admitted  to  membership.  Brothers  Edwards,  Scott, 
Trotter,  and  W.  C.  Porter  are  still  living. 

The  Order  in  North  Carolina  has  of  late  years  been  pervaded  by  the 
sentiment  that  the  fraternity  of  Odd  Fellowship  can  find  no  more  practical 
expression  than  in  the  establishment  of  orphans'  homes.  In  1888  a  move- 
ment to  establish  an  orphans'  home  was  begun  in  Cape  Fear  Lodge,  in 
Wilmington,  and  this  movement,  being  fostered  with  enthusiasm  by  the 
Order  in  the  state,  has  resulted  in  the  establishment  at  Goldsboro,  of  an 
orphans'  home.  This  institution  has  been  admirably  managed  from  its 
inception,  and  there  are  now  twenty-five  orphan  children  sheltered,  and 
being  educated  within  its  walls.     In  May,  1896,  the  comer-stone  of  the 


326  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

main  building  was  laid  with  impressive  ceremonies,  and  with  that  build- 
ing, now  about  completed,  its  capacity  is  more  than  doubled. 

In  1848  the  Grand  Lodge  became  of  sufficient  strength  to  entitle  it  to 
two  representatives  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  After  the 
war,  the  Order  became  so  depleted  that  it  lost  one  of  its  representatives 
until  1874,  when  it  again  gained  two  Grand  Representatives. 

One  remarkable  fact,  relative  to  the  teachings  of  the  Order,  as  it  bore 
upon  the  minds  of  the  early  members,  was  the  establishment  of,  what 
was  then  unknown,  a  school  for  the  education  of  children  founded  upon 
the  Prussian  system.  This  school  was  under  the  care  and  supervision 
for  several  years  of  Cape  Fear  Lodge,  No.  2,  in  the  city  of  Wilmington, 
and  was  ''  presided  over  "  by  Robert  McLaughlin,  of  Baltimore.  It  was 
a  great  blessing  to  the  city, — at  one  time  the  daily  attendance  being 
three  hundred.  Many  of  its  scholars  have  since  enrolled  their  names 
among  the  statesmen  of  the  age,  and  their  lives  have  become  a  part  of 
the  history  of  our  country. 

In  1843  there  were  three  lodges,  with  159  members;  revenue,  3463.38. 
In  1860  thirty-two  lodges  had  a  membership  of  1026,  with  receipts, 
39348.24,  and  payments  for  relief  of  $2119.63.  In  1853,  the  maxi- 
mum membership  before  the  civil  war  was  reached,  with  thirty-nine 
lodges,  and  1666  members.  Since  the  war  period  the  growth  has  been 
marked.  In  1896  there  were  one  hundred  and  twelve  lodges,  a  member- 
ship of  4335,  with  a  revenue  of  $2932.38,  extending  relief,  $8030.96. 

The  Order  in  Korth  Carolina  has  been  subject  to  a  nearly  constant 
fluctuation  of  membership ;  increasing  in  strength  for  about  three  years, 
and  then  declining  for  the  following  three.  North  Carolina  has  furnished 
one  Grand  Sire  to  the  Order,  Charles  M.  Busbee,  of  Raleigh. 
,  South  Carolina.  —  The  minutes  of  the  session  of  1840,  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  recite  that  a  charter  had  been  granted  to 
South  Carolina  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Charleston,  during  the  previous  recess. 
In  a  foot-note  the  following  appeared :  — 

'*  An  effort,  partially  successful,  was  made  to  introduce  the  Order,  at  the  location  of  this 

lodge,  as  early  as  1822.    It  was  undertaken  by  Brothers  John  Dyott, Robinson,  and 

Parkerson,  who  had  been  members  of  Pennsylvania  Lodge,  in  Philadelphia,  and  on  remov. 

Ing  to  Charleston,  united  with  two  brothers  from  England,  whose  names  are  not  remembered. 
The  most  presumptive  mode  adopted  was  that  of  self-institution,  although  it  is  claimed  that 
a  dispensation  was  obtained  from  Philadelphia,  which,  of  course,  is  unfounded,  as  the  lodge 
there  had  no  warrant  until  1823,  and  would  not  likely  venture  to  issue  any  while  destitute 
itself.  It  is  not  a  little  singular  that  the  title  assumed  by  the  lodge  seems  to  have  been 
entirely  lost ;  yet  its  several  locations  are  well  established.  Its  first  session  was  held  at  S. 
Scyles'  hall,  in  Meeting  street,  and  afterward  removed  to  Roach's  hall,  Chalmers  street; 
and  continued  in  operation  about  two  years.  Brother  Dyott  was  the  first  noble  grand ;  the 
other  officers  are  unknown.  Of  those  formerly  attached  to  this  nameless  body,  Alexander 
McDonald  and  Edward  Sebring  are  now  enrolled  among  the  worthy  brothers  of  South  Caro- 
lina. Time  may  here,  as  it  has  in  other  places,  bring  forth  interesting  reminiscences  relative 
to  this  pioneer  movement.  Doctor  Holbrook,  of  Florida,  and  G.  C.  Sebring,  E^.,  of  New 
York,  were  among  the  number  of  its  early  members." 


THE  GRANT)  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  827 

The  pioneer  lodge  in  this  jurisdiction,  however,  which  held  an 
authoritative  and  legal  charter  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  was  South  Carolina  Lodge,  No.  1,  instituted  by  Grand  Sire  Zenas 
B.  Glazier. 

On  the  night  of  March  31,  1841,  at  a  meeting  held  in  Ehame's  hall, 
the  members  were  requested  to  remain  after  the  closing  of  the  lodge  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  a  new  lodge.  Brother  John  H.  Honour  presided, 
and  Brother  S.  Thomas  acted  as  secretary.  Eight  brothers,  through  a 
committee  of  three,  petitioned  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for 
a  charter.  On  April  14th,  two  more  were  added  to  the  petitioners ;  sub- 
sequently another;  and,  on  May  29,  1841,  the  lodge  was  instituted,  the 
charter  having  been  granted  May  12th.  These  two  lodges  immediately 
appealed  for  a  charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge;  and  Grand  Sire  John  A.  Ken- 
nedy, in  his  report  at  the  session  of  1842,  said:  — 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  of  S9ath  Carolina,  not  having  been  instituted  nnder  the  dispensation 
issued  by  authority  of  the  late  Grand  Sire,  at  the  time  the  grand  charter  was  granted,  the 
former  instrument  was  withdrawn  and  some  faithful  servant  of  the  Order,  to  whom  the  dis- 
pensation had  been  intrusted,  was  duly  commissioned  to  open  and  institute  said  Grand  Lodge, 
and  formally  present  the  grand  charter.  At  an  early  day  thereafter,  the  return  of  the  depu- 
tation was  received  from  Past  Grand  Master  Bain,  of  Virginia,  in  which  he  reports  having 
opened  the  Grand  Lodge  and  installed  the  grand  officers  thereof,  at  the  city  of  Charleston, 
on  the  29th  of  November,  1841,  under  the  most  favorable  promise  of  continued  success.  He 
assures  us  that  the  Order  in  the  city  of  Charleston  '  is  in  proper  hands,  such  as  will  sustain 
its  moral  character,  and  give  it  standing  throughout  the  state.' " 

The  workof  Brother  Bain,  into  whose  hands  was  committed  the  affairs 
of  South  Carolina  Odd  Fellowship,  was  commended  in  the  highest  terms. 
The  first  annual  report  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  giving  a  total  of  five  subordi- 
nate lodges,  with  a  membership  of  over  800,  and  a  revenue  exceeding 
$9000,  is  an  imperishable  monument  to  his  faithful  labors  in  the  moral 
vineyard  of  Odd  Fellowship.  Three  more  lodges  were  added  the  follow- 
ing year,  and  one  more  the  year  succeeding.  The  first  decade  gave  nine- 
teen lodges,  with  a  contributing  membership  of  1861,  and  a  revenue  of 
1(14,117.22.  In  1860,  the  last  report  of  the  Grand  Lodge  during  the  war 
period,  there  was  a  slight  increase  in  membership,  with  the  number  of 
subordinate  lodges  the  same.  In  1895  there  were  twenty-three  lodges, 
786  members,  — paying  an  annual  relief  of  $1612.93. 

Among  the  most  prominent  of  South  Carolina  Odd  Fellows  was  Albert 
Case,  for  a  long  time  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire, — an  earnest,  enthusi- 
astic, and  tireless  worker  in  the  cause  of  the  Order.  To  his  efforts  were 
largely  due  the  growth  of  the  Order  in  the  South. 

Georgia.  —  There  appeared  in  the  report  of  Grand  Sire  Kennedy,  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1842,  the  following:  — 

"  Application  from  a  number  of  brethren  residing  at  Savannah,  in  the  state  of  Georgia, 
for  a  lodge  to  be  located  there,  and  to  be  styled  '  Oglethorpe  Lodge,  No.  1,'  was  reoeived  on 


V 


828  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

the  5th  of  January,  1842,  but,  owing  to  the  absence  of  the  necessary  evidence  of  regular  con- 
nection, on  the  part  of  a  portion  of  the  petitioners,  dispensation  for  opening  and  constituting 
was  not  issued  until  the  7th  of  February,  when  a  deputation  was  forwarded  to  our  worthy 
brother,  Albert  Case,  of  South  Carolina,  who  kindly  consented  to  proceed  to  Savannah ;  and, 
on  the  3d  of  March,  he  instituted  the  lodge  in  due  form.  We  are  under  obligations  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Carolina  for  essential  assistance  rendered  at  the  opening,  as  will  be 
ascertained  on  reference  to  the  return  of  Past  Grand  Case,  herewith  submitted." 

This  was  the  beginning  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Georgia. 

On  the  25th  of  December,  1842,  a  dispensation  was  issued,  on  applica- 
tion of  Brother  Guy  L.  Warren,  and  six  others,  who  were  recommended 
by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Case,  for  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  2,  to  be 
located  in  the  city  of  Macon.  This  lodge,  also,  instituted  by  Brother 
Case,  was  opened  on  January  27,  1843,  under  most  flattering  auspices. 

On  January  16,  1843,  a  dispensation  was  issued  to  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  Case,  upon  petition  of  Elisha  Parsons,  and  five  others,  for  a 
lodge  to  be  located  at  Savannah,  and  to  be  styled  Live  Oak  Lodge,  No.  3. 
According  to  his  usual  promptness,  Brother  Case  instituted  this  lodge  on 
February  1st,  following. 

Dispensation  was  issued  July  1,  1843,  upon  petition  of  Frederick  H. 
Sanford,  and  four  others,  who  were  recommended,  for  Lodge  No.  4,  to  be 
located  in  the  city  of  Milledgeville.  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Case, 
to  whom  the  dispensation  was  forwarded,  by  authority,  specially  depu- 
tized Past  Grand  Master  John  H.  Honour,  of  South  Carolina,  to  perform 
the  duty  of  opening  it.  Brother  Honour  proceeded  to  the  location  of 
the  lodge;  and,  on  the  20th  of  July,  1843,  faithfully  discharged  the  trust. 
The  name  of  the  lodge,  "Druids, ''.was  chosen  after  its  institution. 

In  August,  1843,  application  was  made  by  Oglethorpe  Lodge,  No.  1, 
and  Live  Oak  Lodge,  No.  3,  for  a  Grand  Lodge,  to  be  located  at  Savannah. 
Of  the  other  two  lodges,  then  in  existence,  one  remonstrated  as  to  the 
location.  The  petition  was  accordingly  held  and  submitted  for  the  action 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  at  its  regular  meeting  in  Septem- 
ber, 1843,  when  the  charter  was  granted  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  consti- 
tuted, at  Savannah,  November  13,  1843,  by  the  patron  of  Georgia  Odd 
Fellowship,  Albert  Case.     Alvan  N.  Miller  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

Before  the  opening  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  upon  petition  of  W.  A.  Robert- 
son and  four  others,  a  dispensation  was  issued  September  11,  1843,  for 
United  Brothers  Lodge,  No.  5,  to  be  located  at  Macon.  These  five  lodges 
were  granted  a  charter  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  and 
formed  the  original  subordinate  lodges  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state. 
They  are  all  working  to-day,  with  the  exception  of  Druids  Lodge, 
No.  4,  at  Milledgeville.  At  one  time  it  was  Sylvan,  No.  4,  and  the 
present  lodge  at  Milledgeville  is  hailed  by  the  name  of  Talmage,  No.  4. 

The  first  year  of  the  Grand  Lodge  saw  an  increase  to  a  total  of 
eight  lodges,  with  909  members,  and  a  revenue  of  $8656. 


i' 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  329 

The  journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States^  of  1846;  re- 
ferred to  the  progress  in  Georgia:  — 

"The  Grand  Lodge  of  this  state  appears  at  the  present  session  by  two  representatives, 
having  acquired  the  constitutional  number  of  members  to  entitle  it  to  such  representation. 
This  fact  will  be  the  best  evidence  which  can  be  presented  to  you,  of  the  rapid  progress  of 
Odd  Fellowship  in  this  enlightened  state." 

Much  of  this  success  was  due  to  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Parsons, 
whose  good  services  were  richly  commended. 

In  five  years  the  lodges  numbered  twenty-seven,  with  1860  contributing 
members. 

From  1853  the  Order  declined  in  membership  and  lodges,  until  in  1856 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia  lost  one  of  its  representatives.  In  the  last 
report,  before  the  war  period,  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
(1860),  there  were  only  sixteen  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  1066.  Con- 
sequently there  are  numberless  lodges  in  the  state  now  having  the  number 
of  'Some  old  defunct  lodge,  and  there  are  many  numbers  which  have 
belonged  to  three  distinct  lodges.  There  are,  to-day,  one  hundred  and 
three  subordinate  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  4714. 

Since  its  organization,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  (1864),  the  Grand 
Lodge  has  held  its  annual  meetings,  though  there  was  no  intercourse  with 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  during  the  war  period. 

Georgia  has  furnished  two  Grand  Sires :  Past  Grand  Master  Eobert 
H.  Griffin  for  two  years,  1849-50;  and  Past  Grand  Eepresentative  Luther 
J.  Glenn,  1881-82. 

Florida.  —  Odd  Fellowship  was  first  planted  in  Florida,  in  her  territorial 
days,  by  the  institution  of  Florida  Lodge,  No.  1,  by  dispensation  from 
Grand  Sire  Zenas  B.  Glazier,  in  the  year  1841. 

The  following  is  his  report  of  the  same :  — 

"  On  the  22nd  of  March  last,  a  dispensation  was  authorized,  npon  the  proper  and  formal 
application  of  a  constitutional  number  of  brethren  residing  at  Black  Greek,  East  Florida,  to 
form  a  subordinate  lodge  in  that  territory,  and  a  special  deputation  was  issued  to  Past  Grand 
Daniel  Parkhurst,  whose  character  in  the  Order  was  fully  ayouched  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  New  York,  to  open  and  constitute  said  lodge,  to  be  hailed  by  the  name  and  style  of 
'  Florida  Lodge,  No.  1,'  in  the  territory  of  East  Florida.  Brother  Parkhurst  has  made  a 
due  return  of  the  opening  of  the  lodge,  and  presents  a  glowing  account  of  the  prosperous 
condition  of  the  Order  In  this  distant  region  of  country. 

"  In  granting  this  dispensation,  the  Grand  Sire  felt  himself  at  great  difficulty,  and  jrielded 
his  objections  only  to  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  brethren  concerned,  who  appeared  so 
zealoos  in  the  cause  of  the  Order,  and  so  anxious  to  establish  the  lodge,  that  he  was  induced 
to  confide  entirely  in  their  representations,  haying  no  evidence  before  him,  excepting  in  case 
of  Brother  Parkhurst,  of  New  York,  that  the  petitioners  were  in  good  standing ;  trusting 
entirely  to  the  representations  made  in  the  petition  that  they  all  had  regular  cards ;  and  hav- 
ing received  from  the  Grand  I^ge  of  New  York,  information  that  Brother  Parkhurst  was 
in  regular  standing,  the  Grand  Sire,  in  view  of  all  the  circumstances,  ventured  to  intrust 
the  deputation  to  Brother  Parkhurst,  with  a  strict  injunction,  however,  not  to  constitute 
the  lodge  unless  satisfied  that  the  petitioners  were  all  as  represented,  duly  qualified.  What 
oonstitates  the  evidence  of '  good  standing,'  in  the  language  of  the  first  article  of  the  by-laws, 


I 


I 


880  TBE  THBEE-LINK  FBATSBNITY. 

it  is  difficult  to  ascertain.  It  is  true  that  it  has  been  the  practice  to  require  the  cards  of  the 
applicants  to  accompany  the  petition ;  bat  as  snch  a  compliance  would  by  no  means  entirely 
protect  the  lodge  from  imposition,  if  it  were  designed,  it  is  suggested  that  some  definite 
regulations  be  adopted  on  the  subject." 

The  lodge  was  located,  however,  at  Middleburg,  Clay  county,  — that 
place  being  at  the  time  a  thriving  town,  and  the  seat  of  all  sales  and 
shipments  of  the  long-cotton  grown  in  the  peninsular  part  of  the  territory. 
Some  few  years  afterward,  the  city  of  Jacksonville,  then  in  embryo, 
bounded  to  the  front,  as  a  more  available  point  for  shipments,  and 
thither  Florida  Lodge  was  removed,  in  1842. 

In  1843  Florida  Lodge,  Ko.  1,  erected,  as  a  hall,  a  pretty  building  of 
two  stories  upon  a  large  and  well-situated  lot  in  the  city,  the  lower  story 
of  which  the  lodge  devoted  to  educational  purposes.  The  building  still 
stands,  the  oldest  in  the  city,  and  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  South. 

During  the  same  year  application  was  made  by  Brother  J.  S.  Shekle, 
and  seven  others,  recommended  by  Florida  Lodge,  No.  1,  for  a  lodge  to 
be  instituted  at  St.  Augustine;  but,  owing  to  a  want  of  harmony,  the 
warrant  was  returned.  In  May  Brother  Shekle,  and  four  others,  made 
application  for  a  lodge  to  be  located  at  Black  Creek.  This  lodge,  Ken- 
nedy, No.  2,  was  instituted  May  24,  1843,  by  the  Reverend  Albert  Case, 
and  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Lawrence  Byan.  Little  is  known  of  it, 
as  it  soon ''dropped  out.''  Its  number  has  since  been  given  to  Union 
Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Waldo,  Alachua  county. 

Grand  Corresponding  Secretary  Bidgely,  in  his  reports  of  1844,  and 
1847,  in  respect  to  Florida,  said:  — 

[In  1844.]  **  The  two  lodges  In  this  territory,  —  Florida,  No.  1,  at  JacksonyUle,  and  Ken* 
nedy.  No.  2,  at  Black  Creek,— continae  to  prosper.  To  the  especial  attention  of  District 
Depnty  Grand  Sire  Case  is  the  Order  indebted  for  the  advancement  of  Odd  Fellowship  in 
this  territory."  [In  1847.]  "  In  Florida  two  new  lodges  hare  been  formed  during  the  recess, 
▼iz. :  Jefferson,  No.  3,  at  Monticello ;  and  Pensacola,  No.  4,  at  Fensacola.  To  District 
Depnty  Grand  Sire  Wiley  Williams,  whose  Jurisdiction  heretofore  embraced  the  states  of 
Georgia  and  Florida,  much  is  due  for  his  valuable  aid  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  in  facilitating  the  advancement  of  the  Order  within  the  limits  of  his  district." 

Leon  Lodge,  No.  5,  was  soon  afterward  instituted  at  Tallahassee,  and 
the  report  of  1850  noticed  the  institution  of  Franklin,  No.  6,  at  Quincy; 
Tampa,  No.  7,  at  Tampa;  and  Mechanics,  No.  8,  at  Warrington. 

These  seven  lodges, —  Kennedy,  No.  2,  having  "dropped out,"  —  peti- 
tioned for  a  Grand  Lodge,  which  was  instituted  at  Tallahassee,  the  state 
capital,  March  4,  1851,  by  Grand  Eepresentative  Herman  A.  Crane,  of 
Georgia,  then  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
assisted  by  Past  Grand  S.  S.  Sibley,  of  the  same  state.  Seven  past  grands 
from  Jefferson,  Leon,  and  Franklin  lodges,  constituted  the  Grand  Lodge 
at  its  institution,  and  all  were  elected  to  an  office,  with  B.  W.  Taylor  as 
Grand  Master, 


I 

I 


f^W,^.  .)j(,  .  j[.  .  j[.  .  j(.  .  j(.  .  j[.  .  j(.  .^.  .jj. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  831 

The  following  year  Pranklin  Lodge  was  not  reported,  the  charter,  — 
which  had  been  ordered  to  be  surrendered, — having  been  lost  by  fire.  The 
Grand  Master,  therefore,  reported  for  1853  that  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  6, 
no  longer  existed.  The  other  six  lodges  are  now,  with  one  exception,  in 
good  working  order,  and  have  held  their  meetings  with  regularity,  except 
"during  the  war,"  when  all  work  was  suspended. 

The  first  eighteen  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  held  at  Tallahassee, 
using  the  hall  of  Leon  Lodge,  No.  5,  by  invitation.  As  to  the  location 
of  lodges,  Tallahassee  was  the  central  point.  The  members  of  Leon  Lodge 
comprised  some  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  the  state,  —  many  of 
them  holding  positions  in  the  state  and  general  government,  —  who  were 
often  temporarily  located  at  Tallahassee  or  found  it  necessary,  from  busi- 
ness or  political  reasons,  to  go  there  frequently.  Consequently,  the  fact 
that  this  lodge  so  long  supplied  a  majority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  officers 
was  due  to  causes  recognized  as  satisfactory  and  not  at  all  unsavory,  as  in 
the  case  of  Virginia. 

Among  the  Key  West  Odd  Fellows  originated  the  movement  which 
finally  brought  about  the  translation  of  the  work  of  the  Order  into  the 
Spanish  language.  Among  the  brothers  prominent  in  this  work  were: 
Eepresentative  R.  D.  Murray,  of  Key  West  Lodge,  No.  13;  and  Past 
Grand  Master  A.  de  Lono  (who  had  charge  of  the  Florida  translation), 
and  C.  M.  de  Cespidas,  of  Cuba  Lodge,  No.  15.  Both  these  lodges  have 
prospered. 

The  growth  of  the  Order  has  been  continuous  since  1870,  and  in  the 
last  four  years  has  nearly  doubled;  the  increase  being  largely  in  the 
eastern  and  southern  portions  of  the  state,  almost  every  town  of  any  size 
containing  a  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  1894  there  were  thirty-seven 
lodges,  with  1248  members;  receipts,  $8911.80;  paid  relief,  $2519.47. 


<^.^<. 


-^ 


DIVISION  IV. 

SECOND  MERIDIAN. 

THE  EASTERN  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY  AND  THE  GREAT  LAKES;  THE 
GRAND  LODGIES  OF  OHIO,  INDIANA,  MICHIGAN,  ILLINOIS,  WISCON- 
SIN, KENTUCKY,  TENNESSEE,  ALABAMA,  MISSISSIPPI,  AND  LOUISI- 
ANA: THE  WESTERN  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY;  THE  GRAND  LODGES 
OF  MINNESOTA,  IOWA,  MISSOURI,  ARKANSAS,  TEXAS,  NEBRASKA, 
KANSAS,  FORMER  DAKOTA,  PRESENT  NORTH  AND  SOUTH  DAKOTA, 
INDIAN  TERRITORY,  AND  OKLAHOMA. 


SECTION  I. 

THE  EASTERN  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY  AND  THE  GREAT  LAKES:  THE 
GRAND  LODGES  OF  OHIO,  INDDINA,  MICHIGAN,  ILLINOIS,  WIS- 
CONSIN, KENTUCKY,  TENNESSEE,  ALABAMA,  MISSISSIPPI,  AND 
LOUISIANA. 

By  Henby  C.  Hedges,  Past  Grand  Master. 


CHAPTER  I. 


JURISDICTIONS    OF    THE    EASTERN    MISSISSIPPI    VALLEY    AND    THE 

GREAT  LAKES. 

Ohio.  —  The  portion  of   the  country  assigned  to  the  first  Section 

of  the  Second  Meridian  comprises  several  of  the  states  into  which  Odd 

Fellowship  was  introduced  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey  himself.     That  part 

lying  along  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi  rivers,  especially,  is  renowned  for 

having  received  the  Order  from  the  hands  of  its  founder.     The  story  of 

the  travels  of  Brother  Wildey,  if  narrated  by  a  writer  of  fiction,  would 

read  like  the  pages  of  a  novel.    In  spite  of  fatigue,  of  danger,  of  opposition 

often,  this  tireless  father  of  the  Order  pushed  his  way,  where  many  another 

would  have  turned  back  discouraged.    Wildey's  vocabulary  did  not  contain 

the  word  "  fail."    When  he,  "  as  travelling  agent,"  attempted  to  establish 

Odd  Fellowship  in  Ohio,  the  Order  was  planted  in  that  prosperous  state, — 

382 


*     *      *  :^tgp^^j;^S;^lia-^Sa^ClNNATI.   OHIO. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  333 

yet  it  is  a  fact,  that  Brother  Wildey  did  not,  in  person,  visit  Ohio  until 
December  2,  1832,  prior  to  which  date,  and,  on  January  2,  1832,  there 
was  organized  under  dispensation  a  Grand  Lodge,  which  exercised  all 
the  powers  of  such  a  body. 

It  may  be  well  to  note  the  anterior  fact,  that,  on  December  23, 1830, 
a  subordinate  lodge  was  instituted,  located  at  Cincinnati,  and  hailed 
as  Ohio,  No.  1,  —  the  charter,  therefor,  having  been  granted,  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  Brother  H.  P.  Gravatt,  in  May, 
1878,  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  the  history  of  the  first  ten 
years  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  this  state,  and  I  quote  therefrom.  Brother 
Gravatt  said :  — 

"  In  writing  the  history  of  any  organization,  it  is  weU  to  take  into  consideration  the 
surroundings  at  the  time  of  which  we  wish  to  speak.  The  first  mention  that  we  have  of 
Odd  FeUowship  in  Ohio  was  in  1830,  about  four  years  after  the  supposed  abduction  of  Mor- 
gan in  Western  New  York.  .  .  .  The  population  in  1830  was  about  937,000;  the  total  white 
population  over  the  age  of  twenty  about  195,000.  Cincinnati  had  between  24,000  and  25,000 
in  the  city  proper,  or  about  26,500  including  the  suburbs  of  Northern  and  Eastern  Lib- 
erties. There  were  no  railroads,  and  the  only  means  of  communication,  traffic,  or  trayel  o£f 
the  Ohio  river  and  the  lake  was  by  canal,  stage,  or  private  conveyance.  The  Ohio  canal 
from  Cleveland  to  Portsmouth  was  nearly  completed,  and  some  of  the  branches  under  way; 
and  the  Miami  canal  from  Cincinnati  to  Dayton  was  completed  so  that  boats  could  run 
between  the  two  places.  ...  A  special  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  was 
held  in  Baltimore,  on  September  26, 1830,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  a  petition  for  a 
charter  for  a  lodge  to  be  located  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  —  the  lodge  to  be  hailed  as  *  Ohio,  No.  1.' 
It  appearing,  upon  discussing  the  petition,  that  the  first  five  petitioners  [headed  by  Jacob  W. 
Holt,  a  member  of  Washington  Lodge,  No.  2,  of  Philadelphia]  were  from  Pennsylvania,  it 
was  resolved  that  the  Grand  Secretary  communicate  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  ascertain,  if  possible,  the  standing  of  these  petitioners;  and  should  the  report  be  favor- 
able to  the  applicants,  to  request  said  Grand  Lodge  to  appoint  Deputy  Grand  Master  Paul, 
of  said  state,  as  her  representative  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  Brother 
James  Paul  was  a  member  of  Mechanics  Lodge,  No.  9,  of  Pittsburg,  and  also  District  Deputy 
Grand  Master  of  his  district.  ...  A  special  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  was  again  held  on  October  31, 1830,  for  the  purpose  of  further  considering  the  petition 
for  the  charter  of  Ohio  Lodge,  No.  1.  The  Grand  Secretary  presented  a  favorable  report  from 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  respecting  the  standing  of  the  petitioners,  when,  on  mo- 
tion, the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  granted  the  charter.  ...  In  the  meantime,  the 
brethren  in  Cincinnati  procured  a  room  in  the  second  story  of  Johnson's  Row,  on  Fifth 
street,  between  Walnut  and  Vine,  and  had  it  fitted  up  as  a  lodge-room,  and  obtained  the 
necessary  furniture  and  paraphernalia. 

"  Brother  Paul  arrived  at  Cincinnati  in  due  time,  and  finding  everything  in  readiness,  a 
meeting  of  the  petitioners,  together  with  several  others  holding  cards,  was  held  on  the  even- 
ing of  December  23, 1830.  As  Brother  Paul  was  collecting  the  cards  of  those  who  wished  to 
become  members  of  the  new  lodge,  an  incident  occurred  which  created  no  little  amusement. 
One  of  the  brothers,  on  leaving  home  in  the  evening,  took  from  his  trunk  a  paper  neatly 
folded,  and  what  he  supposed  was  his  withdrawal  card.  Upon  presenting  it,  the  instituting 
officer  found  it  to  be  a  copy  of  the  declaration  of  independence,  and  returned  it  to  the  aston- 
ished brother  with  the  remark  that  it  was  a  first-rate  document,  but  would  hardly  admit 
him  to  an  Odd  Fellows'  lodge.  The  brethren,  being  desirous  that  he  should  be  one  of  their 
number,  waited  until  he  could  go  to  his  residence,  which  was  several  squares  off,  and  return. 
[The  lodge  was  then  instituted.]  .  .  .  The  only  survivor  of  the  first  meeting,  so  far  as  is 
known,  is  Brother  Charles  Thomas,  Past  Grand  Master,  of  Cincinnati,  who  is  still  a  member 
of  '  No.  1. '  •  .  .    The  room  In  which  the  lodge  met  was  the  only  one  that  could  be  procured 


334  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

in  which  to  organize  the  lodge,  notwithstanding  Brother  Holt  had  tried  all  throagh  the  city 
before  taking  it.  It  was  located  over  the  '  7t>  Coffee-House/  and  the  members  bad  to  go 
through  the  saloon  in  order  to  get  to  the  stairway,  in  the  rear  of  the  building,  leading  to  the 
lodge-room.  This  fact  naturally  created  a  prejudice  in  the  minds  of  the  better  class  of  citi- 
zens against  the  young  lodge." 

This  defect,  however,  was  soon  remedied,  but  the  impression  upon  the 
public  remained.  For  example,  at  the  first  meeting  held  in  the  new  hall, 
January  3,  1831,  one  of  the  petitioners  for  membership  was  Samuel 
Yorke  At-Lee,  then  a  young  lawyer,  aged  twenty-two  years,  the  first 
professional  man  to  unite  with  the  Order  in  Ohio.  Being  taunted  with 
belonging  to  "such  a  low  set  of  fellows,"  in  1832,  he  predicted  that 
the  day  would  come  when  "they  would  gladly  go  in  among  them." 

In  1831  a  petition  was  forwarded  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  asking  for  a  Grand  Lodge  in  Ohio.  The  prayer  of  the  past 
grands  of  Ohio  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  granted,  provided  evidence  was  fur- 
nished of  the  eligibility  of  the  petitioners.  This  was  September  6, 1831. 
Brother  Gravatt  further  said :  — 

**  Information  being  subsequently  furnished  that  there  was  a  sufScient  number  of  past 
grands  in  Ohio  to  organize  a  Grand  Lodge,  a  charter  was  accordingly  granted.  Although 
the  regular  '  formation '  of  the  Grand  Lodge  did  not  take  place  until  1833,  the  one  organ- 
ized under  dispensation,  on  January  2, 1832,  was  to  all  intents  and  purposes  a  Grand  Lodge, 
and  exercised  all  the  powers  of  such  a  body.  .  .  .  The  Grand  Lodge  at  first  held  regular  or 
adjourned  meetings  almost  every  week.  ...  On  January  9, 1832,  a  seal  was  presented  by 
a  committee.  This  seal  was  about  the  same  size  as  the  present  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  It 
had  a  fl^t  surface,  with  the  emblems,  etc.,  engraved  in  so  that  when  printed  the  body  of  the 
seal  was  black  and  the  emblems  and  wording  white.  In  the  centre  were  the  evenly  balanced 
scales,  underneath  which  was  an  open  hand  pointing  upward;  above  and  below  these 
emblems,  were  the  letters  I.O.O.F.,  forming  a  square.  These  were  encircled  with  three 
circles,  the  middle  one  of  which  was  as  broad  as  the  other  two  combined.  Then  came  the 
words  '  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Ohio,'  running  around  the  sides  and  top,  and  at  the 
bottom  the  date  *  1832. '  " 

At  this  session  a  petition  for  Washington  Lodge,  Ko.  2,  to  be  located 
in  Cincinnati,  was  presented,  and  a  charter  was  granted;  and  said  lodge 
was  instituted  on  January  10,  1832.  No.  2  went  to  work  in  earnest,  and 
the  quarterly  report,  on  March  28th,  of  the  same  year,  shows  a  member- 
ship of  twenty-six. 

On  January  18,  1832,  Ohio  Lodge,  No.  1,  surrendered  the  charter 
granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  received  a  new 
one  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio. 

On  June  27,  1832,  Cincinnati  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  instituted,  but  an 
adjournment  was  taken  to  July  4th,  in  order  to  procure  officers'  regalia, 
and  in  the  abstract  of  the  annual  reports  published  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Ohio  in  all  the  years  since.  No.  3  is  incorrectly  stated  as  having  been 
instituted  on  July  4,  1832. 

These  three  subordinate  lodges :  Nos.  1,  2,  and  3,  were  each  at  work 
prior  to  the  visit  of  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey  to  Ohio.     On  December 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JUBISDICTIONS.  335 

2y  1832,  he  arrived  in  Cincinnati,  and  was  met  at  the  landing  by  a  num- 
ber of  past  grands,  and  brothers,  who  conducted  him  to  the  lodge-room, 
and  on  the  next  evening,  December  3d,  Wildey  was  escorted  to  the  lodge 
and  Brother  At-Lee  delivered  an  eloquent  address. 

Wildey  remained  in  Cincinnati  ten  days,  visiting  the  subordinate 
lodges  and  instituting  Wildey  Encampment,  No.  1,  December  7th,  and 
then  departed  for  Louisville,  Kentucky,  arriving  there  December  13th. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1832,  Ohio  Lodge,  No.  1,  showed  a  member- 
ship of  122;  Washington,  No.  2,  71;  and  Cincinnati,  No.  3,  32, — 
making  a  total  of  225  members. 

Grand  Sire  Wildey  returned  to  Cincinnati  February  2,  1833,  when  he 
installed  the  officers-elect  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio ;  but,  in  the  inter- 
val of  time,  he  proceeded  south,  and  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisi- 
ana, and  an  encampment  at  New  Orleans;  and,  also,  Boone  Lodge,  No.  1, 
at  Louisville,  Kentucky.  He  received  quite  an  ovation  from  the  Ohio 
brethren. 

Frankliu  Lodge,  No.  4,  at  Cincinnati,  was  instituted  May  2,  1833; 
and  Montgomery  Lodge,  No.  5,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  on  May  3d;  and,  at  the 
close  of  1833,  the  total  membership  was  531.  The  receipts  during  the 
year  were  »3319.20^. 

Space  is  not  accorded  to  give  in  detail  the  beginnings,  —  the  feeble 
beginniags,  —  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Ohio ;  or  an  account  of  its  growth 
year  by  year;  or,  even,  by  decades.  On  June  20,  1836,  Jefferson  Lodge, 
No.  6,  at  Steubenville,  was  instituted;  on  February  13,  1838,  Charity 
Lodge,  No.  7,  at  Lancaster;  on  April  29,  1839,  Piqua  Lodge,  No.  8,  at 
Piqua;  July  4,  1839,  Columbus  Lodge,  No.  9,  at  Columbus;  and,  on  July 
7,  1840,  Wayne  Lodge,  No.  10,  at  Dayton;  and  the  total  membership  of 
the  ten  subordinate  lodges,  at  the  close  of  1840,  —  the  first  decade,  —  was 
1214;  with  receipts  for  the  year,  $6860.58;  relief  and  charity,  $1454.22. 

At  the  close  of  1850,  the  number  of  subordinate  lodges  bad  so  increased 
that  the  highest  number  was  "  No.  171 " ;  and  ten  years  thereafter  the  total 
number  was  three  hundred  and  sixty-two;  in  1870,  four  hundred  and 
sixty-seven;  in  1880,  six  hundred  and  ninety-eight;  on  December  4, 
1890,  Diamond  Lodge,  No.  792,  was  instituted;  and,  at  the  close  of  1895, 
Lodge  No.  822  had  been  instituted,  with  a  total  membership  of  62,175,  in 
the  Buckeye  State;  revenue,  for  the  fiscal  year,  $554,610.25;  expendi- 
ture for  relief,  $103,182.36;  current  expenses,  $295,483.51. 

A  few  observations  may  be  made,  —  just  deductions  from  the  patent 
facts:  the  feeble  first  beginnings,  December  23,  1830;  the  comparatively 
slow  growth  of  the  first  decade,  when  we  consider  that  the  population  of 
the  state  had  increased  in  1840  to  1,619,467,  — the  rapid  growth  of  the 
Order  thereafter,  — the  environment  for  the  decade,  limited  to  Cincinnati, 
Dayton,  Steubenville,  Lancaster,  Piqua,  and  Columbus. 


336  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

No  one  in  all  the  northern  half  of  the  state  had  knowledge  of  the 
existence  of  such  a  fraternity;  the  obscurity  of  the  members,  and,  we  may 
add,  their  poverty,  their  inability  to  secure  a  room  for  holding  their 
meetings,  free  from  distressing  annoyances  and  miserable  surroundings, 
the  estimate  placed  on  them  by  others,  for  they  were  characterized  as 
"low  fellows,"  and  At-Lee,  a  young  lawyer,  was  twitted,  criticised,  and 
condemned  for  joining  such  a  "low  set  of  fellows  ";  but  Odd  Fellowship 
moved  right  onward,  and  upward,  and  its  pace,  after  the  first  decade,  in 
Ohio,  was  rapid. 

The  membership,  as  individuals,  and  collectively,  made  progress 
socially,  mentally,  and  morally;  and  material  fortunes  were  bettered. 
The  lodge-room  proved  to  be  a  school-room,  and  many  were  the  young 
men,  who,  thereafter  acquiring  both  fame  and  fortune,  found  their  first 
incentive  to  be  and  become  more  than  mere  drawers  of  water  and  hewers 
of  wood,  in  a  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows. 

At-Lee  answered  the  tauntings  of  his  professional  friends  correctly,  — 
the  time  did  come,  when  "they  would  gladly  go  in  among"  the  Odd 
Fellows,  "the  low  set  of  fellows."  That  time  was  not  then  afar  off. 
Ministers  of  the  Gospel,  teachers  of  youth,  lawyers,  physicians,  profes- 
sional men,  generally,  soon  asked  and  obtained  admission,  and  were  made 
Odd  Fellows. 

The  movement  was  ever  upward,  in  the  lodge-room,  and  without  its 
walls,  a  genuine,  unselfish  brotherhood  was  maintained;  and,  while  all 
were  on  one  plane,  that  plane  was  constantly  becoming  more  and  more 
elevated. 

The  environment  for  extension,  in  time,  was  limited  only  by  the 
boundary  lines  of  the  state,  and  in  every  hamlet,  town,  and  city  through- 
out all  Ohio,  is  located  a  lodge,  the  membership  thereof  being  the  lead- 
ing and  controlling  power  in  the  community,  ever  teaching,  while  them- 
selves taught,  the  duty  of  man  to  his  fellow-man. 

Now  in  Ohio  many  temples,  devoted  to  the  purposes  and  uses  of  the 
Order,  have  been  erected, — beautiful  buildings,  in  themselves  educational 
features  of  the  community.  What  a  wonder!  My  Brother  Gravatt  pre- 
served the  fact,  that  the  first  meeting  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Ohio  was  in  a 
room  of  a  porter-house,  "  in  a  room  over  the  bar-room  " ;  and  that  Ohio 
Lodge,  No.  1,  was  organized  in  a  room  located  over  the  "'76  Coffee-. 
House," — both  in  Cincinnati, — not  from  choice,  but  from  necessity. 
Wonderful  change!  Now  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati  is  a  temple,  beauti- 
ful in  design,  magnificent  in  proportions,  complete  in  finish,  the  property 
of  the  several  lodges  and  encampments  of  that  city;  and  near  by,  in  beau- 
tiful Spring  Grove  cemetery,  the  "city  of  the  dead,"  is  a  monument,  — 
unique  in  design,  — the  thought  from  the  brain  of  an  Ohio  Odd  Fellow 
and  artist,  the  fabric  fashioned  and  formed  by  the  sons  of  Ohio, — a 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  837 

monument,  none  other  like  unto  it  in  all  the  world  beside,  — not  in  honor 
or  to  the  memory  of  a  man,  but  to  Odd  Fellowship. 

In  many  other  cities  and  towns  of  Ohio,  in  the  passing  years,  Odd 
Fellows'  temples  have  been  erected:  at  Dayton,  Columbus,  Toledo,  Cleve- 
land, and  elsewhere;  and  last  of  all,  and  best  of  all.  Odd  Fellowship  in 
Ohio  maintains  a  home  for  its  aged  and  unfortunate  ones  at  Eose-Mayne, 
while  it  has  secured,  also,  a  beautiful,  broad  expanse  of  land,  at  Spring- 
field, and  maintains  a  home  there  for  the  orphan  children  of  its  deceased 
members. 

Eadiant  is  the  record  of  Ohio  Odd  Fellowship  in  other  directions. 
The  Odd  Fellows  of  Ohio  are  not  obscure  personages,  but  are  found  in 
the  legislative  halls  of  both  the  state  and  the  nation.  Many  of  them  have 
filled,  and  most  worthily,  executive  and  administrative  stations;  they 
have  graced  the  bench,  and  the  judicial  ermine  has  been  unsoiled.  From 
her  ranks  Ohio  has  given  to  the  country  congressmen,  and  senators,  and 
cabinet  ministers;  to  the  state,  governors,  justices  of  her  supreme  and 
lower  courts,  and  each  and  all  have  accorded  credit,  where  credit  was  due, 
to  the  potential  influence  of  our  fraternity,  in  the  formative  period  of 
their  lives,  and  have  blessed  the  day  when  they  were  made  Odd  Fellows. 

May  I  illustrate  by  reference  to  one  lodge  in  Ohio,  instituted  April 
26,  1843,  and  in  its  order  "No.  19''?  It  is  the  writer's  own  lodge,  but 
when  a  young  man,  at  the  age  of  one  and  twenty,  he  was  initiated,  he 
recognized  as  active  members  therein  John  Sherman  and  Samuel  J.  Kirk- 
wood.  The  former,  since  that  date,  has  been  congressman,  senator,  cabi- 
net officer,  for  more  than  two  and  forty  years,  yet  is,  as  he  always  has 
been,  a  member  of  "No.  19."  The  latter,  years  ago,  removed  to  Iowa, 
but  omitted  not  to  take  his  withdrawal  card;  and,  in  Iowa,  was  thrice 
governor.  United  States  senator,  and  cabinet  officer.  A  former  governor 
and  chief  justice  of  Ohio,  Thomas  W.  Bartley,  was  then  a  member  of 
"No.  19."  A  lieutenant-governor  of  Ohio,  Thomas  H.  Ford,  sat  among 
his  brethren  in  the  same  lodge,  a  member  thereof.  Barnabas  Bums  and 
William  McLaughlin,  Ohio  senators,  were  then,  and  so  long  as  life  lasted, 
active  members  of  "No.  19."  Then,  also,  John  A.  Lee,  who,  in  1867-68, 
was  Grand  Master  of  Ohio,  was  of  the  membership  of  "No.  19."  The 
illustration  given  of  a  single  lodge,  in  a  large  measure,  will  as  well  apply 
to  many  others  of  the  jurisdiction. 

Equally  radiant  is  the  record  if  we  limit  our  view  to  the  roll  of  grand 
officers  of  Ohio.  My  Brother  Gravatt  records  the  fact,  that  when  Ohio 
Lodge,  No.  1,  was  formed,  one  brother  delivered  to  the  instituting  officer 
a  copy  of  the  declaration  of  independence  instead  of  his  card.  That 
brother  was  Charles  Thomas.  Then  he  was  a  shoemaker,  thereafter  he 
was  a  lawmaker,  both  in  the  House  of  Eepresentatives  and  Senate  of 
Ohio.    He  served  as  Grand  Master  in  1842,  and  as  Grand  Eepresentative 


338  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

immediately  thereafter.  He  was  justly  recognized  as  a  leading  and  influ- 
ential citizen  for  more  than  forty  years.  Odd  Fellowship  was  a  large 
factor  in  his  development. 

Samuel  Yorke  At-Lee,  to  whom  reference  has  heretofore  been  made, 
only  departed  unto  the  "far-off  country,"  September  3, 1895,  when  eighty- 
seven  years  of  age.  The  young  lawyer  of  twenty-two  never  forgot  his 
prophecy  to  his  professional  associates,  and  gloried  in  its  complete  ful- 
filment. He  was  Grand  Secretary  in  1833,  and  Grand  Master  in  1834. 
He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania;  in  his  young  manhood  became  an  Ohioan; 
then  lived  in  Michigan,  and  in  the  District  of  Columbia;  and,  in  his  old 
age,  traversed  the  continent,  and  became  editor  of  the  New  Age,  the  fra- 
ternal paper  of  the  Pacific  coast.  Thereafter  he  returned  to  the  city  of 
Washington,  and  thence  passed  away.  Though  not  affiliated  in  later 
years,  Ohio  Odd  Fellows  ever  recognized  the  debt  of  gratitude  due  to 
Brother  At-Lee. 

Thomas  Spooner  was  a  great  personage  in  Ohio, — a  public  man  of 
wide  influence  in  the  state.  Content  for  the  most  part  to  help  others, 
rather  than  himself  gain  official  station  in  the  community,  he  was  a 
thorough  worker  in  the  field  of  Odd  Fellowship,  — was  Grand  Master  in 
1847,  and  Grand  Eepresentative  thereafter,  and  left  his  impress  on  the 
Order.  His  son  is  the  well-known  Past  Grand  Master  Spooner,  of  the 
jurisdiction  of  New  York.  Isaac  Hefley,  Alexander  E.  Glenn,  William 
C.  Earl,  and  William  Chidsey,  who  in  that  order  were  the  Grand  Secre- 
taries of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  from  1845  to  1893,  were  each  specially 
gifted  for  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  delicate  but  onerous  office. 
Each,  before  becoming  Grand  Secretary,  had  been  a  Grand  Master,  and 
Grand  *  Eepresentative,  and  to  all  these  brothers  a  large  measure  of 
gratitude  was  due  and  has  been  given  for  their  effective  work.  Each  has 
gone  to  his  final  reward. 

From  the  ranks  Ohio  has  given  to  Odd  Fellowship  two  successors  to 
Grand  Sire  Wildey,  — first  in  the  person  of  Thomas  Sherlock,  and  last  in 
that  of  Samuel  Craighead.  They  were  specially  gifted  men,  and  greatly 
honored  Odd  Fellowship  and  were  honored  by  it,  and  in  civic  life  equally 
prominent,  self-made  men. 

Eadiant,  also,  is  the  record  of  Ohio,  in  that  from  the  membership  of  a 
subordinate  lodge  a  President  of  the  United  States  was  chosen;  and 
Eutherford  B.  Hayes,  on  retiring  from  the  most  exalted  station  known 
to  the  world  of  civilization,  again  took  up  the  duties  of  an  Odd  Fellow, 
and  as  faithfully  as  before,  in  his  young  manhood,  performed  the  duties 
of  Noble  Grand  of  Croghan  Lodge,  No.  77,  located  at  Fremont,  Ohio,  his 
home. 

Without  ostentation,  and  without  pride,  ex-President  Hayes  engaged 
in  the  mission  of  doing  good  to  humanity.     A  native  son  of  Ohio,  thrice 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  839 

its  govemor,  —  in  war  a  flamiDg  sword,  in  peace  an  able,  conscientious, 
resolute,  dignified  chief  magistrate;  but  more  than  this,  shall  we  not 
record  the  fact  here:  he  lived,  and  died  as  he  lived,  an  Odd  Fellow?  I 
would  write  more,  but  I  am  reminded  that  the  space  allotted  for  Ohio  is 
more  than  occupied. 

Indiana. — In  the  journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
of  the  date  of  October  4,  1836,  it  is  stated  that  the  Grand  Secretary  pre- 
sented the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  New  Albany  Lodge,  No.  1,  char- 
tered October  14,  1835,  and  opened  Febiiiary  4,  1836.  It  is,  also,  stated, 
under  the  date  of  October  9,  1835,  that  the  prayer  of  Joseph  Barclay, 
and  others,  for  a  charter  for  a  lodge  to  be  located  at  New  Albany,  Indi- 
ana, was  granted,  and  that  the  Grand  Sire  deputized  a  member  residing  at 
Louisville,  or  Cincinnati,  to  open  said  lodge,  —  so  New  Albany  Lodge, 
No.  1,  was  opened  February  4, 1836.  It  nowhere  appears  in  said  journal 
how  Monroe  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  sanctioned,  or  when  it  was  chartered  or 
opened,  but  the  fact  stands  that  both  Nos.  1  and  2  did  have  an  "  open- 
ing," and  from  past  grands  thereof  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Indiana  was 
formed,  as  hereinafter  stated. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Indiana  was  instituted  August  14,  1837.  The 
past  grands  of  New  Albany  Lodge,  No.  1,  and  of  Monroe  Lodge,  No.  2, 
of  Madison,  met  for  the  purpose.  There  were  present  eight  past  grands, 
and  three  proxies,  —  eleven  in  all.  Henry  Wolford,  Deputy  Grand 
Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky,  being  present,  was  called  to 
the  chair.     Joseph  Barclay  was  elected  Grand  Master. 

Up  to  the  year  1847,  there  were  no  printed  copies  of  the  journal  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Indiana;  and  I  have  no  special  data  covering  that 
period,  except  as  information  is  gathered  from  the  journal  and  proceed- 
ings of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  The  highest  numbered 
lodge  instituted  to  January,  1847,  was  forty;  but  one-third  of  the  whole 
number  failed  to  report.  It  was  at  this  time,  also,  that  terms  of  six 
months  in  lodges  were  established,  ending  respectively  June  30th  and 
December  31st,  each  year.  The  annual  communication  was  held  in  July, 
1847,  at  which  time  thirty-six  lodges  were  active,  and  charters  were 
granted  for  eight  additional  subordinates. 

The  membership  June  30,  1852,  was  5111 ;  resources  of  the  lodges, 
$73,020.37;  amount  paid  for  relief  and  charity,  $6967.11,  during  six 
months  prior  to  that  date.  Number  of  members,  December  31,  1862,  7782; 
revenue,  $30,703.29;  amount  paid  in  relief  and  charity,  $11,367.39;  total 
resources  of  lodges,  $245,642.63. 

On  December  31,  1872,  three  hundred  and  eighty -three  lodges  had 
21,797  members;  receipts,  $95,278.99;  paid  in  relief  and  charity,  $34,375, 
for  the  year;  while  the  total  resources  were  $808,781.07;  and,  on  Decem- 
ber 31,  1882,  five  hundred  and  forty-four  lodges,  with  a  membership  of 


840  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

26,195,  reported  annual  receipts,  $125,434.67;  paid  for  relief  and  charity, 
$39,214.95;  with  resources,  $1,382,549.36.  Ten  years  later,  on  December 
31,  1892,  six  hundred  and  two  lodges  reported  a  membership  of  39,706; 
receipts,  $204,249.17;  paid  for  relief  and  charity,  $68,475.11;  total 
resources,  $2,169,401.14. 

On  June  30,  1895,  the  number  of  members  were  42,724;  receipts  of 
lodges,  $208,764.63;  paid  for  relief  and  charity,  $84,197.36;  total 
resources,  $2,314,015.32.  How  wonderful  the  growth  I  What  a  brother- 
hood! All  over  Indiana,  week  in  and  week  out,  there  meet  more  than 
forty-two  thousand  brethren  to  practise  the  principles  of  Friendship, 
Love,  and  Truth. 

Indiana  Odd  Fellowship  keeps  pace  with  the  development  of  the  state 
in  other  respects.  The  distinguished  sons  of  Indiana  are,  also,  distin- 
guished as  Odd  Fellows,  ax^ong  whom  we  name :  Schuyler  Colfax,  Oliver 
P.  Morton,  Milton  Herndo]i',  P.  A.  Hackleman,  Solomon  Meredith,  W.  E. 
Myers,  William  Cumbnlty  —  I  can  name  but  few,  many  are  their  associ- 
ates and  brethren. 

Odd  Fellowship  has  largely  assisted  in  making  Indiana  the  great  com- 
monwealth it  is  to-day. 

Michigan.  —  Michigan  was  admitted  into  the  Union  January  26,  1837, 
with  a  population  of  200,000;  but,  in  1880,  the  number  of  inhabitants 
was  1,636,937,  advancing,  in  1890,  to  about  2,100,000. 

The  state  was  nearly  seven  years  old  when  Odd  Fellowship  was  first 
introduced  therein,  and  Lodges  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  were  organized: 
the  first,  on  December  4,  1843,  and  at  about  quarter-yearly  intervals 
thereafter,  the  other  four,  —No.  2,  April  13, 1844;  No.  3,  July  24, 1844; 
No.  4,  August  19,  1844;  and  No.  5,  November  2,  1844.  Nos.  1  and  2 
were  located  at  Detroit;  No.  3,  at  Pontiac;  No.  4,  at  Jackson;  and  No. 
5,  at  Marshall. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Michigan  was  instituted  November  6,  1844,  by 
the  Eeverend  Albert  Case,  Past  Grand  Master  of  South  Carolina,  and  at 
that  date  Grand  Chaplain  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  The 
five  subordinate  lodges,  above  named,  have  continued  at  work,  and  have 
been  prospered  from  their  organization. 

At  the  annual  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
Brother  James  L.  Ridgely,  Grand  Secretary,  reported  that  Michigan  was 
a  jurisdiction  which  had  been  acquired  since  the  adjournment  in  1843; 
and  that  in  no  part  of  the  country,  had  there  been  a  more  rapid  and  health- 
ful increase  of  constituency  and  lodges.  He  then  referred  to  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Samuel  Yorke  At-Lee,  of  whom  he  said:  "At-Lee 
has  been  indefatigable  in  his  labors  during  the  year."  This  is  the  same 
At-Lee,  then  a  young  lawyer,  of  whom  we  have  written  in  the  early 
beginnings  of  the  Order  in  Ohio. 


TBE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  841 

In  September,  1844,  there  was  a  membership,  in  Nos.  1  and  2,  of 
Michigan,  of  114.     - 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Michigan  was  represented  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  in  September,  1845,  by  Past  Grand  J.  W.  Gordon, 
and  the  growth  was  so  rapid  that  there  were  nine  subordinates,  and  a 
membership  of  628,  with  a  revenue  of  $5280. 

In  1866  there  were  sixty  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  3562;  revenue, 
$20,703;  paid  for  relief,  $3377.  In  eleven  years,  to  1877,  the  lodges 
had  increased  to  three  hundred  and  ten,  with  13,148  members;  revenue, 
$71,737;  relief,  $13,929.  .  In  1884  the  membership  was  16,574,  in  three 
hundred  and  forty-four  lodges;  paid  for  relief,  $22,073.78;  with  a  revenue 
of  $102,010.41. 

December  31,  1894,  four  hundred  and  forty-four  lodges  had  been 
instituted  in  Michigan,  with  a  total  membership  of  23,447;  annual 
receipts,  $157,631.98.  In  this  jurisdiction  durmg  1894  two  thousand  and 
eleven  men  were  initiated  into  the  solemn  myirfplies  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

Though  the  Order,  comparatively  considered,  was  slow  in  entering 
Michigan,  the  growth  has  ever  been  certain  and  safe  and  constant.  Michi- 
gan has  her  men  of  might,  —  many  of  them  in  the  Order,  —  but,  more  to 
her  glory,  the  whole  body  of  her  membership  stands  on  a  very  high  plane, 
intellectually,  and  in  all  other  respects.  The  commonwealth  has  increased 
in  population,  wealth,  and  resources,  and,  equally,  so  has  Odd  Fellowship 
within  her  borders. 

Illinois. — In  1836  Samuel  L.  Miller,  who  had  been  made  an  Odd 
Fellow  in  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  3,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  had 
become  a  past  grand  before  his  removal  to  the  West,  with  others,  peti- 
tioned for  a  lodge  to  be  located  at  Alton,  Illinois,  and  Western  Star, 
No.  1,  was  instituted  August  11^  1836,  under  a  dispensation;  but  the 
charter  was  not  granted  until  the  October  session,  in  1836,  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

Brother  Albert  G.  Wolford,  who  was  Deputy  Grand  Master,  in  1873, 
and  Brother  James  E.  Starr,  afterward  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Eepre- 
sentative,  were  among,  if  not  the  earliest  initiates. 

In  March,  1838,  Thomas  Wildey,  Past  Grand  Sire,  started  on  his 
travels,  west  and  south;  and,  after  visiting  several  cities  in  different 
states,  went  to  Alton,  Illinois.  June  20,  1838,  he  instituted  Alton  Lodge, 
No.  2,  and  from  Alton  went  to  Greenville;  found  a  number  of  brethren, 
—  among  them  James  Clark,  a  past  grand,  formerly  of  Harper's  Ferry, 
Virginia,  —  and,  after  instructing  them  in  the  work,  received  from  them 
a  petition  for  a  charter  for  a  lodge  to  be  known  as  Clark  Lodge,  No.  3,  — 
but  the  proposed  Lodge  was  not  then  organized. 

Wildey  went  to  Vandalia,  proceeded  to  Springfield,  and  thence  to 
Jacksonville,  where  he  received  a  petition  for,  and  institutedi  lUini 


842  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Lodge,  Ko.  4  0^  J^^J  2^9  1838.  He  then  passed  up  the  Mississippi 
river  to  Dubuque,  and  went  to  Galena,  Illinois,  where  he  found  Brother 
John  G.  Potts,  —  who  had  been  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1829, 
—  and  fourteen  othei?s,  from  whom  he  received  a  petition  for,  and  insti- 
tuted, Wildey  Lodge,  No.  5.  Returning  to  Alton,  he  instituted  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  August  22nd.  The  first  Grand  Master  was 
Samuel  C.  Pierce.  The  membership  probably  consisted  of  the  five  grand 
officers,  and  the  two  past  grands  admitted  after  the  organization. 

November  27,  1838,  the  Grand  Lodge  met,  but  only  Nos.  1  and  2  were 
represented.  Some  business  was  transacted..  Clark  Lodge,  No.  3,  at 
Greenville,  was  granted  a  dispensation,  December  31,  1838,  and  there  is, 
also,  a  record  of  the  admission  of  a  representative  from  No.  4.  Up  to 
November  26,  1839,  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  appear  to  have  been 
held;  but,  at  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in 
September,  1841,  the  Grand  Sire  reported  the  virtual  dissolution  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  "by  the  neglect  of  its  members." 

District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  John  G.  Potts,  however,  was  in  charge 
of  the  lodges.  No.  1  ceased  to  exist  in  February,  1840,  and  No.  2  became 
defunct  shortly  thereafter;  but  Sangamon  Lodge,  No.  6,  was  instituted 
at  Springfield,  May  19,  1840,  under  a  dispensation.  In  1841  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  granted  permission  for  the  removal  of  the 
place  of  meeting  from  Alton  to  Springfield,  —  the  only  subordinates  then 
in  existence  being  Nos.  3,  4,  5,  and  6.  There  is  no  satisfactory  data  as 
to  the  membership  or  their  number,  up  to  this  time.  There  is  no  record 
between  November  25,  1839,  and  March  16,  1842. 

It  is  quite  apparent  that  some  friction  existed,  —  and  great  exception 
was  taken  to  Alton  as  a  place  of  meeting.  After  an  interval  of  two 
years,  three  months,  and  twenty  days,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois  was 
re6rganized,  and,  thenceforward,  its  prosperous  career  began. 

The  first  tabulated  report  was  made  May  25,'  1846,  showing  in  exist- 
ence, twelve  subordinate  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  616,  and  a 
revenue  of  $1576.16. 

In  July,  1847,  twenty-six  subordinates  were  at  work,  with  1014  mem- 
bers; revenue,  $7853.81;  relief,  $1870.83.  A  year  thereafter,  forty 
subordinate  lodges;  membership,  1832.  June  30,  1849,  fifty-four  lodges, 
with 2518  members;  revenue,  $18,529.28;  and,  in  July,  1850,  the  number 
of  lodges  had  increased  to  seventy-four,  with  a  membership  of  3291; 
revenue,  $25,392.87;  expended  in  relief,  $5531.81. 

June  30,  1851,  the  chartered  lodges  were  ninety -eight, — of  which 
No.  1  was  defunct, — and  the  revenue  was  $30,705.51;  paid  for  relief, 
$5185.01;  with  a  total  membership  of  4142.  June  30,  1852,  the  num- 
ber of  lodges  was  one  hundred  and  fourteen;  membership,  4865;  revenue, 
$34,864.20;  relief,  $6764.52. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  348 

It  is  apparent  that  Odd  Fellowship  in  Illinois  had  "  taken  hold  *'  of  the 
people,  and  the  growth  thereafter  was  phenomenal.  On  March  31, 1887, 
the  number  of  working  lodges  was  six  hundred  and  sixty-nine ;  the  mem- 
bership, 31,698;  annual  receipts,  $379,097.66;  and  total  amount  paid  for 
relief,  $110,459.81.  On  March  31,  1894,  the  number  of  lodges  was  eight 
hundred  and  ten;  members,  49,255;  revenue,  $457,548.88;  paid  for 
relief,  $145,464.02;  while  the  net  worth  of  lodges  is  stated  to  have  been 
$1,839,909.13. 

It  is  not  needful  to  give  more  statistics,  —  the  story  is  told,  —  Illinois 
Odd  Fellowship  each  year  adds  thereto.  The  ever-growing  volume  of 
relief  outlay,  the  unobtrusive,  yet  ever-extending  influence  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,  taught  in  the  lodges,  and  exem- 
plified by.  the  members,  permeates  every  community,  all  over  the  state. 
The  day  of  small  things  was  in  the  past.  All  hail!  Illinois.  Odd  Fel- 
lowship has  been  a  potent  factor  in  your  prosperity;  and  to  the  long  line 
of  Grand  Masters,  whose  names  are  revered :  to  the  living  be  given  all 
honor;  for  such  as  have  passed  away,  treasure  grateful  remembrance. 

Wisconsin.  —  In  1835  all  that  is  now  the  state  of  Wisconsin  was  as 
yet  a  territory;  first  attached  as  part  of  Michigan,  and  afterward  as  the 
territory  of  Iowa;  yet  Odd  Fellowship,  though  in  its  infancy,  "pushed 
out"  to  the  frontier;  and,  in  August  of  that  year,  Iowa  Lodge,  No.  1, 
was  established,  by  Special  Deputy  Stephen  Taylor,  whose  home  was  in 
Pennsylvania. 

This  was  the  pioneer  lodge,  — the  first  established  in  the  Northwest 
Territory,  and  its  domicil  was  and  is  Mineral  Point.  The  charter  mem- 
bers were  thirteen  in  number,  and  were  headed  by  Edward  Cooke.  The 
lodge  proved  a  great  success  for  a  time,  but  imprudence  in  its  fiscal  affairs 
overthrew  it,  and  it  ceased  work  for  years,  but  has  been  revived. 

Lafayette  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  established  by  Thomas  Wildey,  Past 
Grand  Sire,  as  "travelling  agent.''  The  lodge  was  short-lived,  little,  if 
anything,  being  known  of  its  action  and  operations.  In  1843  a  dis- 
pensation was  issued  to  erect  a  new  "No.  2,"  to  be  hailed  as  Milwaukee 
Lodge,  No.  2,  and  located  at  Milwaukee.  The  dipensation  was  granted 
by  John  A.  Kennedy,  Grand  Sire,  and  was  directed  to  John  G.  Potts, 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  who  was  intrusted  with  the  duty  of  insti- 
tuting the  lodge,  which  was  done  March  14,  1843.  Milwaukee  Lodge, 
No.  2,  was  the  real  pioneer  lodge  of  Wisconsin.  When  organized,  the 
territory  was  a  wilderness;  but  the  seed  was  planted,  and  germinated,  and 
hundreds  of  men  who  were  made  Odd  Fellows,  in  this  "No.  2,"  spread 
the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship  throughout  the  jurisdiction,  and  many 
lodges  thereafter  owe  their  rise,  progress,  and  success  to  that  sterling 
lodge. 

Both  the  territory  and  the  institution  of  Odd  Fellowship,  were  grow- 


844  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

ing  in  importance;  and,  in  September  21,  1847,  sixteen  subordinate 
lodges  had  been  authorized,  —  including  the  one  organized  first  at  Min- 
eral Point. 

A  charter  was  granted  for  a  Grand  Lodge  December  25,  1846,  but  it 
was  not  instituted  until  June  9,  1847.  Past  grands  were  in  attendance 
from  Lodges  Nos.  2,  5,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  13,  14,  and  15.  Visiting  brothers 
were  admitted  to  seats:  two,  from  Ohio;  one,  from  Illinois;  and  one, 
from  New  York. 

William  Duane  Wilson,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  was  the  institut- 
ing officer,  and  John  D.  Kinsman  was  elected  Grand  Master,  and  Brother 
Wilson,  Grand  Representative.  On  July  21,  1847,  a  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  held,  and  there  were  seventeen  subordinate  lodges  (two,  how- 
ever, not  reporting),  with  a  membership  of  720.  One  year  thereafter  the 
lodges  had  increased  to  twenty-four,  and  the  membership  to  1223.  Before 
the  second  semiannual  session  was  held,  January  17,  1849,  Wisconsin 
had  been  admitted  into  the  Union ;  and,  in  1850,  the  population  thereof 
was  305,391, — having  grown  from  30,945,  in  1840.  Prosperous  was 
Wisconsin,  and  the  Order  kept  pace  in  growth  and  prosperity  with  the 
state;  and,  at  the  annual  session  in  July,  1849,  the  membership  was 
1657;  with  receipts,  $6524;  relief  paid,  $1027.31;  and,  in  July,  1850, 
the  membership  was  2287;  income,  $8468. 

From  this  time  forward,  the  growth  was  substantial  and  solid.  The 
membership  for  the  year  ending  December  31,  1859,  was  1912;  ten  years 
thereafter,  in  1869,  the  number  of  members  in  Wisconsin  was  6325;  reve- 
nue, $43,348;  paid  for  relief,  $5330;  assets,  $82,771.  For  the  term 
ending  December  31,  1886,  the  membership  was  reported  at  15,043,  — 
how  great  the  increase ! 

For  the  year  ending  December  31,  1895,  Wisconsin  reported  three 
hundred  and  thirty-eight  lodges;  active  membership,  17,362;  relief  paid 
during  the  year,  $32,893.29;  receipts,  $151,096.82.  Wisconsin!  what  a 
grand  state,  — a  splendid  jurisdiction. 

Kentucky.  —  In  1835  past  grands  from  Boone  Lodge,  No.  1,  Chosen 
Friends,  No.  2,  and  Lorraine,  No.  4,  all  of  Louisville ;  and  of  Washing- 
ton, No.  3,  of  Covington,  held  preliminary  meetings  for  the  purpose  of 
forming  a  Grand  Lodge;  and,  on  September  14,  1836,  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
John  Armour  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky.  The  first  Grand 
Master  was  William  S.  Wolford,  and  the  first  Grand  Representative  was 
Henry  Wolford,  both  of  Louisville.  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  5,  was  insti- 
tuted in  1837,  and  was  represented  at  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
in  November,  1837. 

Thomas  Wildey,  Past  Grand  Sire,  visited  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ken- 
tucky, in  1838. 

There  was  a  marked  advance  from  1840:  Lodges  No.  6,  at  Frankfort, 


THE  OB  AND  LODOS  JURISDICTIONS.  845 

No.  7,  at  Lancaster,  No.  8,  at  Danville,  No.  9,  at  Stanford,  No.  10,  at 
Nicholasville,  were  all  chartered  that  year;  in  1841,  Nos.  11  and  12;  in 
1842,  No.  13,  at  Henderson,  No.  14,  at  Eichmond;  while,  in  1843,  Nos. 
15  and  16  were  instituted;  and,  in  1844,  Herman  Lodge,  No.  17, — the 
first  lodge  to  work  in  the  German  language  in  Kentucky,  —  and,  in  1845, 
Nos.  19,  20,  21,  and  22,  were  chartered;  so  that  the  ten  years  were  closed 
with  twenty-two  subordinate  lodges,  — of  one  of  which  the  charter  had 
been  reclaimed,  leaving  twenty-one  active  lodges. 

During  these  ten  years  William  White,  who  for  forty  years  was  the 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky,  as  a  past  grand  of 
Boone  Lodge,  No.  1,  received  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  Past  Official  degrees; 
and  Tal.  P.  Shaffner,  Past  Grand,  having  removed  from  Maryland  to 
Kentucky,  and  joined  Chosen  Friends  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  admitted  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  membership,  at  the  close  of  the  first 
decade,  reached  800;  and  some  of  the  brightest  minds  the  Order  ever 
had  in  the  state  gave  their  talents  to  its  upbuilding  during  the  first  ten 
years  of  the  history  of  this  Grand  Lodge. 

The  following  left  their  impress  upon  Kentucky  Odd  Fellowship :  Will- 
iam S.  Wolford,  Henry  Wolford,  and  Charles  Wolford,  — three  brothers; 
James  S.  Lithgow,  John  B.  Hinkle,  Joseph  Metcalf,  W.  H.  Martin, 
William  Matthews,  T.  J.  Harrison,  A.  K.  Marshall,  and  Tal.  P.  Shaff- 
ner. Henry  Wolford,  a  charter  member  of  No.  1,  —  first  representative 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  —  introduced  Odd  Fellowship 
into  Indiana.  In  civic  affairs  he  was  distinguished,  and  was  treasurer  of 
the  city  of  Louisville  for  thirty-three  years.  His  brother  Charles  with- 
drew from  No.  1,  to  help  organize  No.  2,  and  remained  a  member  thereof 
for  over  fifty  years.  He  was,  also,  Grand  Eepresentative,  and  was  a  gifted 
man,  —  wooed  the  muses,  —  and  one  of  the  funeral  odes  used  by  the 
Order  came  from  the  pen  of  Charles  Wolford.  Tal.  P.  Shaffner  was 
very  able  and  eminent  in  the  Order,  and  one  of  the  committee  to  revise 
the  ritual.  He  travelled  abroad  and  published  a  unique  volume  on  Odd 
Fellowship,  a  copy  of  which  he  gave  to  every  crowned  head  in  Europe. 

During  1846  nine  lodges  were  instituted;  in  1847  fifteen  more;  and, 
in  1848,  six, — among  them  No.  61,  which  has  given  the  Order  three 
Grand  Masters,  and  John  C.  Underwood,  Grand  Sire.  Eight  charters 
were  granted  in  1849;  and,  among  them.  No.  56,  which  gave  to  the  Order 
Grand  Sire  Milton  J.  Durham.  In  1857  George  W.  Morris  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Grand  Lodge;  and,  for  forty  years,  was  the  Grand  Treasurer 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky.  The  Reverend  Isaac  Dowd  Williamson, 
in  1832,  was  a  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
from  Kentucky,  and  took  high  rank  in  the  councils  thereof. 

From  1846  to  1856  the  Order  was  very  prosperous,  —  the  lodges  had 
increased  to  one  hundred  and  six,  with  5550  members.     Able,  brilliant 


«« 


846  •  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

men,  and  those  noted  in  state  and  national  affairs,  were  leaders  in  the 
onward  movement  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

Coming. to.  the  close  of  the  third  decade,  in  1865,  — the  first  half  of 
the  period  was  one  of  great  prosperity;  the  last  half  of  great  depression. 
Kentucky  was  situated  between  the  two  sections  engaged  in  the  great 
civil  war;  her  people  were  divided  in  their  sympathies,  — some  for  one 
side,  some  for  the  other,  — this  condition  reaching  even  into  families,  and 
the  Order  was  adversely  affected.  The  membership  declined  forty  per 
centum,  and  was  reduced  to  3300, — more  than  forty  lodges  surrendered 
their  charters,  and  less  than  half-a-dozen  were  organized;  but  this  decade 
gave  to  the  Order  and  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky  many  able  men, 
—  among  them  Keverend  J.  W.  Venable,  the  beloved  Grand  Chaplain 
of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge;  and  Amos  Shinkle,  one  of  the  wealthiest 
men  of  the  commonwealth,  — the  promoter  of  the  suspension  bridge 
across  the  Ohio  river,  and  a  philanthropist,  in  truth  and  fact.  The  men 
of  note,  of  brilliant  parts,  and  prominence  may  be  counted  by  the  hun- 
dreds, —  and,  at  the  close  of  the  fourth  decade.  Odd  Fellowship,  in  Ken- 
tucky, was  on  the  highway  to  a  larger  development,  the  most  successful 
in  all  its  history  hitherto.  More  than  ten  thousand  members  were 
enrolled. 

During  the  fifth  decade  of  the  life  of  the  Grand  Lodge  there  had 
been  a  material  decrease,  —  a  loss  of  thirty  lodges,  and  of  (about)  4000 
members.  The  introduction  of  various  assessment  insurance  orders  may 
account  for  this  loss,  in  a  large  measure. 

In  the  ten  years  closing  the  sixth  decade,  a  reaction  has  taken  place, 
— again,  a  growth  appears,  with  one  hundred  and  seventy-four  lodges, 
and  a  membership  of  8300.  The  young  men  of  Kentucky  are  coming  to 
the  front,  as  leaders,  but  most  of  them  from  the  business  walks  of  life, 
rather  than  from  the  professions.  The  reports  of  December  31, 1895,  give 
one  hundred  and  seventy-one  lodges;  a  membership  of  8354;  paid  for  relief 
and  charity,  $38,427.74;  with  invested  funds  of  $708,759.13,  —weighing 
all  things:  well  done,  Kentucky. 

Tennessee.  —  The  first  record  book  of  Tennessee  Lodge,  No.  1,  has  been 
lost,  but  there  exists  a  book,  in  which  is  written  the  original  constitution 
of  that  lodge,  and  to  which  is  appended  a  list  of  all  the  members  from  its 
organization,  together  with  date  when  each  was  admitted;  and  it  is  clearly 
the  fact  that  Tennessee  Lodge  was  instituted  in  the  city  of  Nashville  on 
June  1, 1839,  Linsfield  Sharp,  a  Baltimorean,  being  the  instituting  officer. 
The  constitution  bears  his  approval,  under  date  of  July  30,  1839,  and  he 
adds  to  his  signature  "S.D.G.M."  No.  1  was  very  prosperous  in  the 
first  year  of  its  existence;  and,  including  its  charter  list,  at  the  close 
thereof,  the  total  membership  was  85.  The  lodge  moved  along  smoothly, 
•^  Odd  Fellowship  was  making  friends,  and  gaining  accessions. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  847 

The  anniversary  of  the  lodge  was  celebrated  June  1, 1840.  A  proces- 
sion was  formed  and  marched  through  the  principal  streets  of  Nashville, 
and  then  repaired  to  the  Christian  church,  where  a  service  was  held,  and 
an  oration  was  delivered.  Great  interest  was  manifested  by  the  people, 
the  streets  were  thronged,  and  the  church  was  crowded,  to  overflowing, 
with  people  eager  to  hear,  and  obtain  a  knowledge  of  the  new  and  strange 
institution.  The  orator  was  an  educated  young  physician,  —  William 
M.  S.  Kidley,  — then  recently  settled  in  Nashville,  who  had  been  initiated 
May  4,  1840,  only  two  months  before  the  delivery  of  the  address,  which 
was  able  and  eloquent,  pleasing  to  his  brethren;  and  he  profoundly 
impressed  his  audience. 

The  membership  was  stimulated,  and  a  second  lodge  was  instituted  on 
June  9,  1840,  hailed  as  Nashville  Lodge,  No.  2.  Both  lodges  were  pros- 
pered, but  late  in  1840,  or  early  in  1841,  an  unfortunate  difficulty  took 
place  between  two  prominent  Odd  Fellows,  — both  of  high  social  stand- 
ing, —  growing  out  of  a  political  controversy,  and  one  of  the  parties  was 
shot  and  dangerously  wounded.  The  shock  to  the  community  was  great, 
and  it  was  a  terrible  blow  to  the  Order.  The  gentlemen  were  not  members 
of  the  same  lodge,  but  one  was  of  Tennessee,  No.  1,  and  the  other  of  Nash- 
ville, No.  2.  The  affair  was  greatly  regretted,  and,  fortunately,  death 
did  not  ensue,  and  both  long  survived;  but  the  offending  party  "dropped 
out "  of  the  Order,  and,  later  in  life,  again  reconnected  himself,  while  the 
brother  attacked  became  very  prominent,  and  in  time  was  elected  Grand 
Master,  and  became  one  of  the  leaders. 

The  first  lodge-room  in  Tennessee  was  the  upper  story  of  a  small  brick 
building,  on  Market  street,  Nashville,  the  first  story  being  occupied  as  a 
restaurant.  Within  a  year  the  lodge  moved  to  more  commodious  quarters 
on  the  north  side  of  the  public  square.  I  mention  the  fact,  for  it  shows 
the  feeble,  early  beginnings  in  Tennessee. 

On  June  1, 1841,  a  public  demonstration  was  made,  including  a  proces- 
sion and  oration,  in  which  both  lodges  participated.  The  services  and 
ceremony  greatly  enlarged  the  estimation  in  which  the  Order  was  held 
by  the  people,  generally. 

August  10,  1841,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee  was  instituted  with 
Brother  C.  C.  Trabue,  instituting  officer,  he  having  been  duly  authorized 
thereto.  Timothy  Kezer  was  elected  Grand  Master.  The  Grand  Lodge 
of  Tennessee  met  frequently,  and  transacted  its  business  promptly  and 
in  an  orderly  manner. 

October  9,  1841,  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  3,  at  Columbia,  was  instituted. 
This  lodge  has  continued  all  the  years  since,  though  it  suffered  reverses 
during  the  civil  war;  but  it  is  said,  in  honor  of  many  of  its  early  members, 
that  they  lived  long,  and  manifested  an  abiding  interest  in  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, encouraging  younger  members  to  continue  the  good  work,  so  faith- 


348  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

fully  begun  four  and  fifty  years  ago.  Spring  Hill  Lodge,  No.  4,  waa 
instituted  April  2,  1842,  but  was  removed,  in  1844,  to  Franklin. 

The  third  anniversary  was  celebrated  with  more  elaborate  prepara- 
tions than  the  first.  Odd  Fellowship  was  fully  recognized.  The  governor 
of  the  state,  and  other  distinguished  people,  were  present.  An  oration 
by  Brother  W.  F.  Tannehill,  who  was  exceedingly  happy  in  delivery,  was 
followed  by  an  excellent  collation,  and  the  toasts  were  drunk  without  the 
use  of  wine  or  ardent  spirits,  and  the  greatest  good  feeling  prevailed. 
Sober  and  temperate  were  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Tennessee,  of  this  period, 
as  well  as  now. 

Washington  Lodge,  No.  5,  was  instituted  September  9,  1842,  at  Dres- 
den, —  and  No.  5  has  continued  to  exist  all  these  years. 

I  find  on  July  15,  1843,  in  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Tennessee,  the  "  broad  mark  "  of  the  beginning  of  the  degree  of  the  sisters 
of  Bebekah.  Brother  Jesse  Leigh,  a  charter  member  of  Washington 
Lodge,  No.  5,  offered  a  resolution  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee, 
instructing  its  Grand  Eepresentative  to  urge  upon  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States  the  proposition  to  originate  an  honorable  side  degree 
to  be  conferred  upon  the  wives  of  Odd  Fellows.  Tennessee  adopted 
the  resolution,  and  Grand  Eepresentative  Kezer  presented  the  action  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  but  the  Grand  Sire  decided  such  a  proposition  to 
be  inadmissible, — as  being  at  '^  variance  with  the  whole  tenor  of  our 
work."  The  world  of  Odd  Fellowship  moved  on,  however,  and  all  honor 
is  due  to  Tennessee.  She  lacked  only  a  Schuyler  Colfax,  to  broaden  the 
"marky*'  as  it  was  done  in  due  time. 

Odd  Fellowship  was,  indeed,  well-planted  and  well-watered  on  the 
soil  of  Tennessee.  Memphis  Lodge,  No.  6,  was  instituted  November  30, 
,  1843,  and  grew  to  be  the  wealthiest  and  most  prosperous  lodge  of  the 
state;  but  too  much  space  will  be  taken  if  we  go  further  into  detail. 
Nos.  7,  8,  9,  and  10,  followed  in  good  time;  and  No.  10,  — Trabue,  — was 
instituted  September  8,  1845,  and  is  distinguished  because  in  it  £.  D. 
Farnsworth  was  initiated,  and  from  its  ranks  became  Grand  Sire. 

In  July,  1846,  there  were  twenty  working  lodges;  and,  on  December 
31,  1848,  thirty  lodges,  with  1298  members.  December  31,  1858,  ten 
years  thereafter,  the  highest  numbered  lodge  was  "No.  106,"  and  the 
membership  was  2592. 

During  the  civil  war  the  numbers  were  greatly  reduced,  so  that,  in 
1863,  sixteen  lodges,  only,  reported,  with  a  membership  of  868.  This  was 
the  low- water  mark,  —  thenceforward  there  was  a  revival  of  interest,  and 
an  increase  of  members.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  the  "Ohio  man" 
and  the  "  Indiana  man  "  were  seeking  new  homes,  and  Tennessee  received 
many  additions.  In  1886  the  membership  was  3258,  which  was  so 
increased  that,  on  December  31,  1895,  it  was  reported  at  5057. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  849 

Tennessee,  the  state  of  Jackson,  of  Polk,  of  Johnson,  — Presidents  of 
the  United  States,  — the  birthplace  of  Grand  Sire  Earnsworth,  what  of 
thy  future  !  I  venture  to  predict  that  in  the  coming  decades  more  than 
fifty  thousand  men  will,  within  thy  borders,  worship  at  the  altars  of  Odd 
Fellowship,  and  make  radiant  thy  history. 

Alabama.  —  Alabama  Lodge,  Ko.  1,  was  chartered,  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  at  the  May  session  of  1837,  it  having  been 
instituted  on  the  evening  of  April  23d,  preceding,  at  Mobile.  The  fol- 
lowing year  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  as  "travelling  agent,"  visited  the 
West,  and  Southwest,  going  from  New  Orleans  to  Mobile.  In  Alabama 
he  founded  the  encampment  branch;  and,  believing  he  had  the  power 
so  to  do,  granted  a  petition  on  the  2nd  of  June,  1838,  to  Mobile  Lodge, 
No.  2.  He  remained  in  Mobile  two  weeks  instructing  the  brethren  and 
patriarchs  in  the  work  and  government  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  then  pur- 
sued his  labors  in  other  parts  of  the  Southwest,  particularly  in  Louisiana. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1841,  a  dispensation  was  granted  to  Alabama 
Lodge,  No.  1,  and  Mobile  Lodge,  No.  2,  for  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabama, 
and  it  was  duly  instituted,  by  Charles  J.  B.  Fisher,  Special  Deputy  Grand 
Sire,  who  became  the  first  Grand  Master.  The  location  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  and  one  peculiarity  of  interest  is  the 
fact  that  it  was  directed  to  transact  business  in  the  Scarlet  degree  for  a 
time,  owing  to  the  distance  from  any  brother  qualified  to  confer  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  Past  Official  degrees.  Opportunely,  however,  on  the  day  of 
institution,  Brother  James  B.  Page,  Past  Grand,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
New  York,  arrived  in  Mobile,  and  was  authorized  to  become  associated 
with  Brother  Fisher.  The  latter  organized  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the 
former  installed  the  grand  officers. 

The  narrative  history  of  these  two  pioneer  lodges  is  not  at  hand,  but 
the  work  done  must  have  been  considerable,  for  nine  past  grands  partici- 
pated in  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Among  the  first  acts  was  a 
resolution  that  each  brother  present  contribute  the  sum  of  $3.50  ''to  be 
placed  to  their  credit,"  for  the  purpose  of  refunding  930  to  the  Grand 
Master,  who  had  advanced  that  sum  for  the  grand  charter. 

Frequent  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  held,  and  the  first  tabu- 
lated report,  dated  July  20,  1842,  showed:  lodges,  two;  members,  106; 
initiates,  between  December  15,  1841,  and  July  20,  1842,  20;  revenue, 
$1232.36;  paid  for  relief,  $274. 

This  jurisdiction  experienced  the  troubles  incident  to  the  unsettled 
jurisprudence  of  the  early  days.  Because  of  the  prominence  of  the  Grand 
Master,  subsequently,  we  refer  to  one  incident.  The  Reverend  Isaac  Dowd 
Williamson,  having  been  elected  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Representative 
in  1845,  was  absent  from  the  state  at  the  date  prescribed  by  the  constitu- 
tion (subsequent  to  the  election)  for  installation,  being  in  attendance  upon 


850  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

the  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  The  con- 
stitution, aforesaid,  provided  that  the  installation  should  take  place  at 
the  July  session,  and  that  in  case  of  failure  on  the  part  of  the  officer-elect 
to  appear  at  that  time,  a  new  election  should  be  held,  and  the  officer  thus 
elected  might  be  installed  at  the  same  session.  Brother  Williamson  was 
superseded  by  another,  and  the  matter  came  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States  in  1846.  The  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  sustained; 
but  this  and  all  other  questions  were,  finally,  settled,  and  harmony 
prevailed. 

At  the  close  of  1846,  the  lodges  had  increased  to  eleven:  Nos.  1,  2,  3, 
4,  and  13,  being  located  in  Mobile;  No.  5,  in  Marion;  Ko.  6,  in  Mont- 
gomery; No.  7,  in  Tuscaloosa;  No.  8,  in  Greensboro;  No.  9,  in  Wetumpka; 
No.  10,  in  Cahawba;  the  number  of  members  was  553;  revenue,  $2868; 
paid  relief,  $197.50.  Outside  of  Mobile  the  lodges  appear  to  have  taken 
the  name  of  the  place  wherein  located;  in  Mobile  they  were  named, 
respectively:  "Alabama,"  "Mobile,"  "Chosen  Friends,"  "Samaritan," 
and  "Union." 

The  proceedings  contain  copies  of  the  documents  issued  by  the  factions 
in  New  York,  the  declarations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
other  states,  —  the  only  complete  record  of  the  kind  that  has  come  to  our 
knowledge.  Like  New  York,  the  "removal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ala- 
bama" created  a  great  deal  of  intemperate  discussion,  — all  of  which  has 
long  ago  been  settled. 

In  1850  the  lodges  had  increased  to  forty-three;  the  membership  being 
1510;  revenue,  $17,222.33;  paid  relief,  $2821. 

The  civil  war  bore  heavily  upon  this  Grand  jurisdiction;  the  sub- 
ordinate lodge  treasuries  were  depleted,  membership  decreased;  but  the 
Grand  Lodge,  while  favoring  the  proposal  to  organize  a  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  Confederacy,  maintained  a  conservative  policy  that  eventually 
bore  fruit  in  the  prosperity  of  Odd  Fellowship,  after  the  happy  reunion 
at  Baltimore,  in  1865.  The  present  membership  of  the  state  are  worthy 
successors  of  those  who  preserved  the  Order  in  Alabama  during  this  cru- 
cial period. 

In  1880  there  were  thirty-seven  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  1074; 
receipts,  $6946.52;  paid  relief,  $2784.50.  In  1896  Alabama  had  ninety- 
two  lodges,  with  3262  members;  receipts,  $34,520.26;  paid  relief, 
$10,642.70. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Alabama  was  incorporated  by  the  legislature  of 
that  state,  under  an  act  approved  January  13,  1846.  The  statute  was 
drawn  so  broad  that  each  subordinate  lodge  chartered  becomes  a  legal 
corporation.  There  is  one  exception:  Tuscaloosa  Lodge  procured  an  act 
of  incorporation  antedating  that  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  interesting 
fact  was  brought  out  prominently  in  1893,  when  an  opinion  by  Judge 


THS  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  361 

0.  J.  Semmes,  the  widely  known  Grand  Bepresentative  of  Alabama^  ended 
farther  discussion. 

Mississippi.  —  In  1831,  or  in  January,  1832,  a  number  of  Odd  Fellows 
organized  themselves  into  an  Odd  Fellows'  society,  in  the  city  of  Natchez. 
They  possessed  a  full  set  of  regalia,  and  needed  nothing  but  authority 
from  the  Order  to  be  a  legally  constituted  lodge.  Who  they  were,  or 
whence  they  came,  is  not  known  beyond  the  fair  presumption  that  they 
were  the  same  persons  who  constituted  the  first  lodge  organized.  They 
were  warm-hearted  men,  from  the  New  England  and  South  Atlantic 
states,  who  supplanted  the  government  of  the  Natchez  Indians,  under 
their  chief  Great  Sun,  at  White  Apple  Village,  established  the  state  of 
Mississippi,  and  made  her  a  member  of  this  '^  indissoluble  Union  of  inde- 
structible states." 

Marine  Ruffner,  and  others,  presented  a  petition  to  Grand  Sire  Keyser 
for  a  charter  for  a  lodge  at  Natchez.  The  petition  was  granted,  and 
Mississippi  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  February  6,  1837,  by  Sater  F. 
Walker,  special  deputy.  Marine  Euffner  was  elected  Noble  Grand. 
Thomas  Wildey,  Past  Grand  Sire,  visited  Natchez  in  April,  1838,  his 
arrival  being  on  April  25th.  He  visited  No.  1,  established  Washington 
Lodge,  No.  2,  and  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mississippi  May  4, 
1838.  Marine  Ruffner  was  elected  Grand  Master.  At  the  date  of  organi- 
zation of  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  was  estimated  that  the  membership  was 
two  hundred. 

In  1846,  ten  years  after  the  organization  of  the  first  lodge,  there  were 
seventeen  lodges,  with  66^  members.  June  30,  1856,  sixty-three  lodges 
had  been  organized,  and  of  these  eight  had  ceased  to  work,  leaving  fifty- 
five  active,  with  1854  members;  a  revenue  of  $14,161.24;  while  there 
had  been  expended  in  relief,  $3495.25. 

In  1861  seventy-five  lodges  had  been  organized,  but  the  political 
excitement  of  that  time  rapidly  reduced  the  membership  to  1563;  the 
revenue  to  $10,067.44,  and  the  amount  expended  in  relief  to  $1428.78. 
Lodges  were  ceasing  to  work,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  did  not  convene,  after 
its  adjournment,  in  1861,  until  August  21,  1865.  At  the  close  of  June, 
1866,  of  the  seventy-eight  lodges  organized,  twenty-four  were  "extinct," 
and  others  had  become  "dormant";  but  the  membership  was  1337; 
revenue,  $7465.64;  and  there  had  been  expended  in  annual  relief,  $480. 

In  1886  only  thirty  lodges  showed  evidence  of  real  life,  and  the 
revenue  was  $1534.51.  The  yellow  fever  of  1878,  and  the  tornado  of 
1882,  made  havoc  in  the  ranks,  and  the  struggle  for  the  mastery  of  life 
or  death,  was  intense ;  but,  in  1888,  there  appeared  a  slight  improvement, 
and,  in  1889,  more  strength;  and,  since  that  date,  a  season  of  genuine 
prosperity  has  been  enjoyed. 

The  report  for  December  31,  1894,  showed  a  membership  of  1616; 


862  THE  TBEJETB-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

thirty-eight  active  lodges;  receipts,  $19,759.32;  expenditures,  $17,193.56; 
widows'  and  orphans'  fund,  $1389.56;  with  net  assets,  $49,789.  In  1895 
the  membership  had  increased  to  1683. 

In  the  list  of  Grand  Masters  appears  the  name  of  the  scholarly  Grand 
Eepresentative  Monroe  McGlurg,  the  historian  of  the  Order  in  Mississippi. 

Louisiana.  —  The  Order  was  founded  in  Louisiana  May  23,  1831,  by  the 
institution  of  Louisiana  Lodge,  No.  1,  under  a  charter  granted  February 
20th,  to  Joel  C.  Davis,  William  J.  Orr,  William  Willis,  William  Brown, 
John  Malone,  F.  C.  Davis,  Joseph  Price,  John  F.  Barnes,  Joseph  F.  Irish, 
and  Daniel  Buckley.  Brother  Brown,  above  named,  was  the  officer  desig- 
nated  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey  for  the  purposes  of  institution.  "  No.  1 " 
yet  exists,  though  at  one  time  the  charter  was  surrendered,  but  it  was 
afterward  reclaimed. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana  was  chartered,  at  an  adjourned  meet- 
ing of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  held  March  5,  1832,  and 
Thomas  Wildey  visited  New  Orleans  in  December,  1832.  Its  officers 
were  elected;  and,  on  January  6,  1833,  these  were  installed,  and  Wildey 
proclaimed  the  Grand  Lodge  regularly  instituted.  John  C.  Davis  was  the 
first  Grand  Master.  The  occasion  was  one  of  intense  interest.  A  proces- 
sion, in  full  regalia,  was  followed  by  an  address  by  Alexander  Dimitry, 
at  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  in  tlie  city  of  New  Orleans. 

Charters  were  granted  for  new  lodges  as  follows :  Perseverance,  No.  2, 
April  19,  1833;  Washington,  No.  2,  September  2Q,  1838;  Feliciana,  No. 
4,  November  1,  1838;  Unity,  No.  5,  December  4,  1838;  all  of  them  to  be 
located  at  New  Orleans,  except  No.  4,  and  that  at  St.  Francisville.  Later, 
Nos.  1,  2,  3,  and  5,  — May  23,  1840,  —  voted  to  surrender  their  charters, 
and  a  charter  was  granted  September  30,  1840,  for  Union  Lodge,  No.  6; 
but,  subsequently,  Nos.  1  and  3  reclaimed  their  charters. 

Charters  were  afterward  granted  for  lodges  from  Nos.  7  to  50,  both 
inclusive,  dating  from  March  12,  1845,  to  January  31,  1873,  located  in 
several  different  towns  and  cities;  but  there  was  absolutely  no  growth 
from  August,  1860  to  July,  1871.  In  1855  there  was  a  membership  of 
2957,  which  was  so  reduced,  that,  January  1,  1874,  there  were  only  1307. 

On  December  31,  1886,  only  twenty  subordinate  lodges  were  in  being, 
with  a  membership  of  750;  but,  on  December  31,  1895,  the  number  of 
lodges  had  increased  to  thirty-nine;  and  the  membership  to  1509;  receipts 
for  the  year,  $10,409;  amount  paid  for  relief,  $4854.95;  invested  funds, 
$61,785.25. 

The  last  decade  has  been  one  of  progress  and  growth,  numerically  and 
in  all  ways,  and  gives  promise  that  in  the  coming  years  Louisiana  will 
assert  herself  and  take  an  advanced  rank.  In  the  earlier  years  there  were 
many  brethren  who  occupied  prominent  stations  in  the  Order;  the  more 
distinguished  among  them  being  George  W.  Race,  who,  by  the  unanimous 


JURISDICTIONS. 


es  Cacatilg  the  high  office  of  Orand  Sire.     If 

l&|iSi  Ua  A Jiana  with  Odd  Fellowship  in  some 

'■^l^jgpg^st  and  the  Northwest,  we  should 

'■■  L  _  'W  """•^'"'"'  same,  but  the  environment  has 

,*''?%^S ImVat*  heen  caxiied  on;  the  sick  have 

iWllli^lBr^'Mtllow  ajid  orphan  protected,  and  the 

^m^KI'm  M^Sr'M'^^f  ^"^  attendant  consequences, 
■SwH-'^'lBe  made  havoo,  but  a  new  and  a 

^gl^^tya^^  this  Section  of  Division  IV.,  the 

Lvfi|'flBi||#^ed  brothers:  Gravatt,  of  Ohio; 

'^^U7<Ss^M^>  Whitney,  of  Michigan;  Lang- 

!l6t'ffi>!€CB'^^''''7)   Harwell,  of  Tennessee; 

"^       '^  Igssissippi;  and  Cahall,  of  Alabama; 

pric  research  of  each,  touching  the 

even  this  limited  sketch  would 

.^j_,„. —  yet  living,  — and  some  of  them 

!%£^^  to  many  others;  and,  especially 

i^f^jcy  L.   StiUson,   I  tender  heartfelt 

/St^cy  my  departed  brothers. 


SECTION  II. 

THE  WESTERN  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY:  THE  GRAND  LODGES  OF  MIS- 
SOURI, TEXAS,  ARKANSAS,  IOWA,  MINNESOTA,  NEBRASKA,  KANSAS, 
DAKOTA  AND  SOUTH  DAKOTA,  NORTH  DAKOTA,  INDIAN  TERRI- 
TORY, AND  OKLAHOMA. 

By  a.  L.  Voobhis,  Past  Grand  Master. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Area  and  Acknowledgment.  —  The  vast  domain  embracing  the  states 
and  territories  named  in  the  headlines  of  this  Section  of  Division  lY.,  less 
than  one  hnndred  years  ago,  was  comparatively  an  unknown  wilderness 
or  plain,  over  which  Indians  and  wild  animals  roamed ;  but  now  there  are 
nine  prosperous  states  and  two  territories,  and  in  this  area  eleven  Grand 
Lodges,  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  direct  the  work  of 
two  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty-nine  subordinate  lodges  and  over 
130,000  members. 

The  history  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  the  Western  Mississippi  valley  is 
given  in  the  order  in  which  it  was  established  in  the  various  jurisdictions. 
The  space  allotted  to  this  chapter  is  so  limited  that  many  interesting  and 
important  items  must  be  omitted;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  early 
records  in  several  states  having  been  destroyed  by  fire  or  the  ravages  of 
war,  it  is  impossible  to  get  accurate  or  detailed  data,  as  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  journals  only  make  brief  mention  of  the  institution  of  lodges 
in  some  cases,  and  in  others  no  mention  at  all,  except  in  the  Grand 
Secretary's  report  of  moneys  received.  In  view  of  all  this,  it  is  not 
for  a  moment  presumed  that  the  history  submitted  will  be  found  correct 
in  many  things  or  that  it  will  meet  the  approval  of  all  concerned. 

No  one,  without  the  experience,  can  fully  appreciate  the  arduous 
nature  of  work  of  this  character  j  hence  the  mantle  of  charity  should  be 
drawn  over  many  imperfections. 

It  has  been*  truth  fully  said:  "The  membership  of  this  great  Order  is, 
in  the  main,  composed  of  the  laboring  or  middle  classes  of  society,"  yet 
the  history  of  these  jurisdictions  will  give  the  names  of  men  who  have 
gained  high  rank  jin  the  various  vocations  of  life. 

It  is  not  proper  to  close  this  item  without  expressing  sincere  thanks  to 
the  oflBicers  and  members  of  the  various  jurisdictions,  who  have  so  kindly 
assisted  in  procuring  the  data  from  which  to  write  the  following  record. 

354 


THE  GBAND  LODGE  JURiamCTIONS.  865 


CHAPTER  I. 

JUKISDICTIONS  OF  THE  WESTERN  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY. 

Missouri. — The  first  Odd  Fellows'  lodge  established  in  the  Western 
Mississippi  valley  was  Travellers'  Rest  Lodge,  No.  1,  in  the  city  of  St. 
Louis,  for  which  a  charter  was  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  on  the  18th  of  August,  1834,  but  it  was  not  instituted  until  the 
following  year,  owing  to  the  difl&culty  of  obtaining  a  suitable  person  to 
open  it.  A  journey  from  Baltimore  to  the  Mississippi  was  in  that  day 
a  serious  undertaking,  as  it  required  weeks  to  perform  it.  St.  Louis 
was  then  an  insignificant  frontier  town,  with  about  7000  inhabitants. 
There  were  seven  petitioners  for  this  lodge  "  made  up  "  of  transient  mem- 
bers then  in  and  about  the  city :  one  from  England ;  two  from  Kentucky ; 
three  from  Pennsylvania;  and  one  from  Maryland.  By  the  time  the  lodge 
was  instituted  all  but  one  of  the  original  signers  of  the  petition  had  dis- 
appeared and  others  had  to  be  substituted. 

Samuel  L.  Miller  of  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  3,  of  Baltimore,  who  was 
about  to  remove  to  Alton,  Illinois,  was  commissioned  to  institute  the 
lodge,  which  was  done  June  3, 1835,  in  a  small  house  on  the  north  side  of 
Olive  street,  between  Main  and  Second  streets.  The  first  officers  were : 
Samuel  L.  Miller,  Noble  Grand;  Thomas  Maxwell,  Vice  Grand*,  B.  B. 
Brown,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  The  names  of  the  other  charter  mem- 
bers have  not  been  obtained.  A  suitable  lodge-room  was  furnished  on  the 
east  side  of  Main  street,  between  Olive  and  Locust  streets,  and  in  this  room 
its  regular  meeting  was  held  on  the  first  Saturday  evening  of  June,  in 
that  year,  at  which  time  eight  members  were  added  by  initiation,  and  at 
the  next  meeting  fourteen  more  were  initiated.  At  the  close  of  the  first 
year  the  lodge  had  115  members,  and  there  was  a  small  increase  over  this 
number  at  the  end  of  the  second  year. 

The  first  public  display  of  the  Order  in  St.  Louis  was  given  July  4, 
1836,  by  a  parade  through  the  principal  streets,  with  banners  and  music, 
attracting  considerable  attention.  At  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  on 
Fourth  street  and  Washington  avenue,  an  address  was  delivered  by  Charles 
Keemle ;  an  original  ode,  by  Louis  T.  Thomas,  was  sung ;  and  a  banquet 
closed  the  exercises  of  the  day. 

Wildey  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted  June  12, 1838,  by  Thomas  Wildey, 
in  person,  the  chai-ter  members  of  which  were  drawn  from  Lodge  No.  1. 
The  following  day  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri  was  instituted  by  Past 
Grand  Sire  Wildey ;  John  Dawson  was  elected  Grand  Master.  At  the  close 
of  the  year  1839  the  membership  in  these  two  lodges  had  increased  to  199. 
During  the  next  year  Germania  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  instituted  in  St.  Louis, 


356  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

and  Far  West  Lodge,  No.  4,  M  Boonville.     This  year  closed  the  first  five 
years  of  the  Order  in  Missouri,  with  four  lodges  and  261  members. 

St.  Louis  Lodge,  No.  5,  the  fourth  in  St.  Louis,  was  instituted  in 
1841,  and  in  the  succeeding  year  Western  Light  Lodge,  No.  6,  at  Weston, 
was  instituted.  These  six  lodges  aggregated  396  members.  In  1843  the 
seventh  lodge  in  Missouri  was  chartered.  Covenant,  No.  7,  at  Warsaw. 
During  this  year  the  Order  in  St.  Louis  purchased  a  lot,  on  the  corner  of 
Fourth  and  Locust  streets,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  hall.  The  comer- 
stone  was  laid  on  the  anniversary  of  the  Order,  April  26, 1845,  and  the  hall 
was  dedicated  October  27, 1846.  This  enterprise  was  undertaken  when 
there  were  only  about  250  members  of  the  Order  in  St.  Louis,  and  proved  a 
good  investment  for  the  lodges  owning  the  stock ;  the  building-rents  earn- 
ing an  annual  average  dividend  of  twenty  per  centum^  upon  its  cost,  to  the 
time  of  its  sale  in  1888.  Several  years  prior  to  this  date  the  Grand 
Lodge  had  purchased  one-fourth  of  a  block  of  ground  located  at  the  corner 
of  Ninth  and  Olive  streets,  upon  which  they  erected,  in  1887-88,  at  a 
cost  of  $900,000,  the  magnificent  Odd  Fellows^  temple  now  the  pride  of 
the  Order  in  this  Grand  jurisdiction.    It  is  illustrated  in  this  work. 

In  1843  the  Grand  Lodge  was  incorporated  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  Missouri.  In  1844  four  more  lodges  were  instituted  in  the  state,  and 
in  the  succeeding  year  three  lodges  were  organized.  The  end  of  this  year 
was  the  close  of  the  first  decade  of  the  Order  in  Missouri.  The  one  lodge 
had  increased  to  fourteen,  the  five  original  members  to  666 ;  and  the  out- 
look was  encouraging.  During  the  next  ten  years  there  was  an  increase 
of  seventy-three  lodges,  making  in  all  eighty-seven,  with  an  aggregate 
membership  of  3419.  The  total  revenue,  exclusive  of  interest  on  invest- 
ments, was  $238,664.01,  and  the  amount  paid  for  relief  was  $70,054.30. 
The  growth  of  the  Order  in  the  twenty  years  of  its  existence  in  the  state 
had  been  steady  and  healthy,  and  it  had  progressed  beyond  the  most 
sanguine  expectations  of  those  who  had  aided  in  its  organization. 

In  1856  the  Order  in  St.  Louis  purchased  a  large  lot  in  Bellefontaine 
cemetery,  some  three  hundred  feet  in  diameter,  for  the  burial  of  deceased 
sojourning  members  of  the  Order,  who  might  die  in  the  city  while  visit- 
ing it.  This  lot  is  under  the  supervision  of  a  joint  relief  committee  of 
the  lodges  in  St.  Louis,  whose  duty  it  is  to  attend  to  brothers  from  other 
towns  who  are  taken  sick  in  the  city,  and  bury  them  should  they  die. 

The  Order  in  Missouri  continued  to  prosper  with  unabated  progress 
until  1861,  when  the  civil  war  began.  At  the  close  of  the  year  1860, 
there  had  been  organized  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  lodges  with  a 
membership  of  4880,  being  an  increase  in  five  years  of  sixty-one  lodges 
and  1461  members.  In  the  succeeding  four  years  no  progress  was  made. 
Several  lodges  in  the  state  had  ceased  to  work,  and  the  aggregate  member- 
ship had  diminished  in  consequence  of  the  condition  of  the  country. 


>^ 


•  "»";f:ig.-»'^ 


e.^w^WW'^ 


•  ST.    LOUIS.    MISSOURI. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  357 

On  the  31st  of  March,  1863,  a  disastrous  filre  occurred  in  Odd  Fellows' 
hall,  in  St  Louis,  partially  destroying  it  Six  out  of  the  fifteen  lodges 
then  in  the  city  met  in  this  halL  Several  of  these  lost  their  parapher- 
nalia and  great  damage  resulted  to  their  records. 

With  the  year  1865  prosperity  returned,  and  its  close  completed  the 
third  decade  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Missouri.  In  the  period  of  thirty 
years  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  lodges  had  been  chartered ;  the  initia- 
tions aggregated  9955,  and  the  membership  remaining  was  3015;  the 
total  receipts  of  lodges,  not  counting  interest  on  investments,  was 
$468,904.12;  the  amount  paid  for  benefits  and  relief  to  members  was 
$101,810.73;  and  the  amount  invested,  $88,879.65. 

The  progress  of  the  Order  in  this  jurisdiction,  from  1835  to  1895, 
embracing  a  period  of  sixty  years,  has  been  steady  and  uninterrupted, 
except  the  disastrous  period  of  the  civil  war,  when  it  declined  both  in  the 
number  of  lodges  and  membership,  as  before  stated ;  but  with  the  return 
of  peace  and  prosperity  to  the  states,  there  was  again  experienced  a 
revival  of  that  prosperity  which  had  marked  its  previous  history. 

The  report  of  the  G-rand  Secretary,  made  at  the  session  of  the  G-rand 
Lodge,  in  May,  1895,  gave  the  number  of  lodges  at  work,  four  hundred  and 
ninely-six ;  membership,  26,026 ;  amount  in  treasury,  $89,273.62 ;  invest- 
ments, $708,254.29 ;  total  amount  of  assets,  $797,527.91. 

Li  1893  the  Order  in  Missouri  determined  to  provide  a  home  for  the 
aged,  indigent,  and  orphans  of  the  Order,  and  to  this  end  elected  a  board 
of  trustees,  consisting  of  £.  B.  Shipley,  president;  J.  B.  Jewell,  secretary ; 
and  Charles  F.  Vogel,  treasurer,  and  a  board  of  five  directors.  A  fine  prop- 
erty was  purchased  at  Liberty,  Clay  county,  which  is  valued  at  $75,000. 
The  home  is  owned  by  the  Order,  is  not  in  debt,  and  for  two  years  has 
been  accomplishing  the  grand  mission  for  which  it  was  founded,  —  that 
of  sheltering  the  homeless  and  helpless  of  the  Order. 

Missouri  was  the  state  of  that  distinguished  brother.  Past  Grand  Sire 
Isaac  McKendree  Veitch,  who  was  bom  in  Alexandria,  Virginia,  in  1816, 
and  died  in  St.  Louis,  on  the  22nd  of  May,  1884.  His  funeral  called 
forth  the  largest  array  of  members  ever  seen  in  the  state  upon  a  similar 
occasion,  thirty-eight  subordinate  lodges  attending  in  a  body. 

Brother  Veitch  was  admitted  to  membership  in  Wildey  Lodge,  ^o.  2, 
June  29, 1841.  His  biography,  written  by  Grand  Sire  Carleton,  will  be 
found  in  this  volume,  Section  II.,  Division  XIII.,  and  so  it  is  not  repeated 
here.  As  Grand  Sire,  he  laid  the  comer-stone  of  the  monument  erected 
to  the  memory  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey. 

Besides  this  illustrious  brother,  Missouri  Odd  Fellows  have  furnished 
many  examples  of  what  the  American  youth  may  become  by  energy, 
integrity,  and  perseverance.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned  supreme  court 
judges,  congressmen,  eminent  financiers,  and  successful  merchants. 


858  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

G.  H.  Mansur,  Grand  Master  in  1871,  deceased,  was  six  years  in  Con- 
gress, and  comptroller  of  the  treasury ;  George  B.  Allen,  a  friendless  boy, 
became  a  prominent  and  honored  citizen,  a  millionaire,  and  was  twice 
Grand  Master;  W.  S.  Stewart  was  Grand  Master  in  1840,  and  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  in  1843-45. 

Many  of  the  wealthiest  merchants  and  bankers  are  Odd  Fellows  ;  and 
yet  the  Order  in  Missouri,  as  in  all  other  jurisdictions,  has  been  mainly 
popular  with  those  to  whom  the  world  has  been,  and  will  be,  always 
indebted  for  progress  and  honor,  —  the  middle  class. 

The  sixty-seventh  annual  communication  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  was  held  in  St.  Louis,  in  September,  1891,  which  was  a  much 
deserved  compliment  to  the  members  of  the  Missouri  jurisdiction,  and 
was  fully  appreciated  by  the  members  of  the  Order  therein. 

Texas.  —  The  first  introduction  of  American  Odd  Fellowship  into  any 
foreign  country  was  the  institution  of  Lone  Star  Lodge,  Ko.  1,  at  Houston, 
Texas,  on  the  25th  of  July,  1838. 

This  was  about  two  years  after  the  decisive  battle  of  San  Jacinto, 
and  about  seven  years  before  Texas  became  annexed  to  the  United  States, 
and  at  a  time  when  that  country  was  recognized  by  the  government  of 
the  United  States,  and  by  several  of  the  governments  of  Europe,  as  one 
among  the  sovereign  nations  of  the  world. 

The  application  for  a  charter  for  a  lodge,  in  Houston,  raised  the  ques- 
tion of  the  propriety  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  body  assuming  the  right  to 
extend  its  jurisdiction  beyond  the  limits  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States.  It  was  decided,  however,  that  there  was  no  legitimate  reason 
why  Odd  Fellowship  should  be  restricted  to  national  boundaries,  or  why 
the  head  of  the  Order  in  the  United  States  should  not  extend  its  authority 
to  all  nations,  where  the  people  desired  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  the 
institution,  and  were  willing  to  acknowledge  its  authority. 

The  names  of  the  petitioners  for  Lone  Star  Lodge  are  not  given,  as 
the  record  book  appears  to  have  been  lost,  nor  can  it  be  stated  positively 
by  whom  this  lodge  was  instituted.  J.  DeCordova  was,  doubtless,  the 
instituting  officer,  as  he  had  been  previously  Grand  Master  of  Louisiana, 
and  was  about  that  time  commissioned  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  Texas. 

The  life  of  Lone  Star  Lodge  seems  to  have  been  limited;  for,  on 
September  30, 1844,  it  surrendered  its  charter  and  effects  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States.  During  the  six  years  of  its  existence  the 
membership,  all  told,  was  112,  of  whom  but  seven  were  in  good  stand- 
ing at  the  time  of  the  surrender  of  its  charter. 

December  10,  1838,  Deputy  Grand  Sire  J.  DeCordova  instituted 
Harmony  Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Houston,  and  the  officers  were  elected  and 
installed.  The  members  of  Lone  Star  Lodge,  No.  1,  were  present  and, 
doubtless,  assisted  at  the  institution  of  No.  2.     The  charter  granted  to 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  359 

No.  2,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  was  surrendered  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  republic  of  Texas,  and  a  new  one  issued  by  that 
body  dated  December  10, 1841. 

Among  the  first  resolutions  adopted  by  Harmony  Lodge  was  one 
taxing  its  members  twenty-five  cents  each,  per  month,  for  the  purpose 
of  establishing  a  school  for  the  education  of  Odd  Fellows'  orphan  children. 

The  membership,  all  told,  of  this  lodge  was  35,  and  the  last  meet- 
ing held  was  on  March  17,  1844,  when  a  resolution  was  passed  surren- 
dering its  charter,  with  a  view  of  consolidation  with  Lone  Star  Lodge, 
No.  1,  which  had  reorganized.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  No.  1 
again  lost  its  charter,  for  insubordination ;  but  now  it  appears  on  record 
as  Lone  Star  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Harris,  Houston  county. 

Galveston  Lodge,  No.  3,  the  history  of  which  is  more  fully  preserved, 
was  instituted  May  22,  1840;  the  preliminary  steps  having  been  taken 
at  a  meeting  held  February  10, 1840. 

The  following  persons  were  present :  J.  DeCordova,  J.  W.  Lacy,  J.  B. 
Darrell,  W.  Williamson,  J.  K.  Beaumont,  P.  Weikel,  P.  Edmunds,  W.  Lup- 
ton,  and  J.  Brock.  P.  Edmunds  was  elected  president,  J.  W.  Lacy,  secre- 
tary ;  and  J.  K.  Beaumont,  treasurer.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  secure 
the  necessary  funds  to  pay  for  a  charter  and  make  application  for  the  same. 
On  February  12th  another  meeting  was  held,  and  a  committee  appointed 
to  draft  a  constitution ;  then  the  meeting  adjourned  to  such  time  as  the 
charter  might  be  received,  which  was  on  May  22nd,  when  another  meeting 
was  called  and  Galveston  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  duly  organized.  Following 
the  installation  of  officers  six  applicants  were  elected  and  initiated,  after 
which  Lone  Star  Lodge  was  invited  to  join  in  a  procession.  Another 
meeting  was  held  on  May  27th,  and  the  initiation  fee  was  fixed  at  $50. 

June  15,  following,  the  first  address  on  Odd  Fellowship,  in  Texas, 
was  delivered  by  Past  Grand  Master  J.  DeCordova  before  this  lodge,  and 
the  first  trial  under  the  laws  of  the  Order,  in  this  jurisdiction,  took  place 
before  this  lodge,  on  the  11th  of  September,  1840,  on  charges  against 
John  O'Brien,  which  resulted  in  his  acquittal. 

It  is  now  about  fifty-six  years  since  this  lodge  was  instituted,  since 
which  time  it  has  never  ceased  to  hold  its  regular  meetings  (with  the 
exception  stated  below),  notwithstanding  the  many  civil  convulsions 
through  which  the  country  has  passed. 

During  the  time  intervening  between  September  1, 1841,  to  November 
1, 1842,  this  lodge  discontinued  its  meetings  by  permission  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  for  the  reason  that  nearly  all  of  its  members  had  joined  expeditions 
to  the  frontier  to  protect  the  republic  from  an  invasion  by  Mexico. 
During  fifty-five  years  of  uninterrupted  work  its  members  have  numbered 
several  thousands,  most  of  whom  have  gone  to  their  long  home ;  many  are 
yet  scattered  through  the  different  parts  of  the  country;  and  several 


860  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

have  been  among  our  leading  and  most  prominent  citizens,  and  have 
occupied  distinguished  positions  in  the  nation.  Thus  by  the  institution 
of  Galveston  Lodge,  No.  3,  Odd  Fellowship  seciired  a  lasting  foothold  in 
Texas,  and  has  steadily  increased  from  that  time  to  the  present. 

March  12,  1841,  Grand  Sire  Kennedy,  on  the  petition  of  Lone  Star 
Lodge,  Ko.  1,  Harmony  Lodge,  Ko.  2,  and  Galveston  Lodge,  Ko.  3, 
granted  a  dispensation  for  a  Grand  Lodge  in  the  republic  of  Texas, 
and  the  same  was  duly  instituted  on  the  29th  of  April,  1841,  in  Houston, 
by  J.  DeCordova,  Past  Grand  Master  and  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 
James  A.  Young  was  elected  Grand  Master.  The  meetings  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Texas  from  its  organization  were  held  quarterly  until  November, 
1849,  after  which  annual  sessions  have  been  held. 

Kidgely  Lodge,  No.  4,  at  Houston,  was  instituted  probably  in  November 
or  December,  1844,  as  the  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Texas  show  that 
a  dispensation  was  issued  for  this  lodge  November  6, 1844. 

No  authentic  records  of  the  subsequent  history  of  this  lodge  are  at 
hand.  The  presumption  is  that  its  existence  was  of  short  duration.  In 
September,  1845,  it  had  but  nine  contributing  members ;  and  Galveston, 
No.  3,  had  30,  making  the  total  membership  39,  among  whom  were  two 
past  grand  masters,  namely,  B.  M.  Hannay  and  J.  DeCordova. 

Hermann  Lodge,  No.  5,  at  Houston,  was  granted  a  charter  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  July  24,  1845.  No  date  of  institution  can  be  found,  but  the 
records  show  that  it  has  been  in  active  work  to  the  present  time. 

There  are  no  regularly  kept  journals  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  prior  to  August  13, 1846,  hence  it  is  impossible  to  make  accurate 
statements ;  in  fact,  the  Order  was  in  an  unorganized  condition  at  that 
time.  The  Grand  Sire,  in  his  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  in  September  of  that  year,  does  not  refer  to  Texas  at  all,  and  the 
Grand  Secretary  merely  states  that  there  ^'  are  three  subordinate  lodges 
in  tolerable  health.^' 

In  1849  the  reports  showed  a  more  healthy  condition,  and  from  that 
time  there  was  a  steady  increase  in  lodges  and  membership  to  1861,  when 
the  reports  gave  a  great  diminution  in  the  cash  receipts. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  held  at  Houston  in  February,  1862, 
no  reports  are  given  showing  the  strength  of  the  Order.  This  session 
appears  to  have  been  for  the  purpose  of  seceding  from  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  as  copious  resolutions  on  that  sub- 
ject were  adopted.  It  was  decided  to  join  in  the  formation  of  a  Grand 
body,  to  be  known  as  the  '<  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Confederate  States,''  and 
an  invitation  was  extended  to  all  the  Southern  jurisdictions  to  join  in 
this  undertaking.  What  the  result  of  this  action  was  need  not  be  recorded 
here ;  suffice  it  to  say  that,  in  response  to  the  proclamation  of  Grand  Sire 
Yeitch,  a  special  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  held  at  Galveston, 


iiWIion  were  promptly  repealed, 

iJBftU^Sfl||tntti|Gf^tt|S8ioii  of  the  Soverei^  body; 

';8  MSftfttfifafflt^B^B  ftle.  as  is  evident  by  tbe  report 

H'S^'sAStfiV'^'fi^Ird^'^  fifteen  active  subordi- 

^xQililHJIItotal  asaets,  $447,344,  and  a 

i||y«j|Liau^i^reigu  Grand  Lodge,  at  Dallas, 
""i.jj.ft^jg^ginportance  in  this  Grand  juris- 
_  .^SB^j^fllftt  Mie  election  and  iastallation  of 
l||  |iklttflgg^^  n.  g9tg*memberBhip  of  the  Loue  Star 
1'^  Wti^Jtiyty  IfflBS'^yome  the  representatives  of  all 
.  I  9d8t'S^tt^%SiW^'^'  "^^^  promises  made  by  the 
'■£h^^r^^Bil|{U|  City,  in  1895,  were  more  than 
*~"       '"*'       "         **  "phairman  of  the  large  and  able 

_    _  jers  in  Texas  have  gained  high 

Sj^Grand  Master,  in  1841 ;  J.  W. 

S^^DeCordova,  in  I860,  — and  the 

^f&qp  faithful  worker,  Fred  Carleton, 

^e^S^il  organization. 

^I^^^^iodge  of  Texas  was  in  session 

•y\  being  in  attendance, — upon 

pndered  a  banquet  by  the  Odd 

1  of  said  city.     A  cordial 

t,  at  a  public  meeting  assembled 

---»;-—--•*•-  ^st ^*'  *^^  Order  and  of  citizens  at 

"  -     W"..^bM%^A^iiig£rf^M^of  Odd  Fellowship,  which  was 

'        '"'        "'ZJ^^iii  the  republic  of  Texas,  the  wal 
for  many  years  could  not  be 


who,  intending  to  make  a  new 
■weight  which  was  in  it,  found 


862  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

the  seal  and  gave  it  to  Brother  Boullement.  This  was  one  or  two  years 
before  the  "  late  war/'  and  no  opportunity  appeared  for  its  return  until 
March,  1868,  when  Grand  Master  Haynie  recovered  and  presented  it  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Texas,  to  rest  in  peace  with  its  kindred  relics  in  the 
archives  of  that  Grand  body. 

One  of  the  most  successful  institutions  for  the  care  and  education  of 
the  orphans  of  deceased  members  is  located  at  Gorsicana,  Texas.  It  is 
a  monument  to  the  forethought  and  labors  of  a  committee  of  which  M.  D. 
Herring  was  chairman,  and  to  which  every  Odd  Fellow  looks  with  pride 
to-day.  Prior  to  this  the  members  of  Bryan  Lodge,  No.  76  (defunct), 
unaided  and  alone  had  founded  "  The  Texas  Odd  Fellows'  University  and 
Orphans'  Home,"  at  Bryan,  and  erected  its  first  buildings. 

Arkansas.  —  Arkansas  became  a  state  in  June,  1836,  and  Odd  Fellow- 
ship was  planted  there  August  12, 1839,  by  the  institution  of  Far  West 
Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Little  Rock,  by  William  Morrison,  one  of  the  petitioners. 
Simon  Buclfuer  was  made  Noble  Grand ;  F.  C.  Kendall,  Vice  Grand ;  and 
Joseph  Sands,  Secretary;  the  other  petitioner  was  William  H.  Ozier. 
Four  were  initiated  at  this  meeting  and  six  petitions  received.  By  the 
end  of  that  year  54  had  been  initiated,  one  expelled,  and  9606.50  revenue 
collected. 

The  lodge  prospered  for  some  time,  having  69  members  in  1842,  but 
from  this  time  it  seemed  to  languish  until  1846,  when  W.  F.  Davis,  of 
Tennessee,  as  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  visited  the  lodge.  He  found 
130  members  on  the  roll,  but  only  19  were  willing  to  aid  in  the  resus- 
citation. With  this  number  it  was  again  opened  and  instructed  in  the 
revised  work. 

June  3d,  of  that  year.  Brother  Davis  instituted  Telulah  (which  signi- 
fies "  bird  of  light ")  Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Helena.  No  further  record  of  this 
lodge  is  found  until  1887,  when  it  was  reported  defunct,  but  must  have 
been  dead  long  before  this,  as  no  mention  of  it  is  made  in  1849  at  the 
institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

November  13, 1847,  James  Norton,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  sent  a 
petition  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  the  establishment 
of  Lodge  No.  4,  at  Batesville;  but  no  record  of  the  institution  of  this 
lodge,  or  of  No.  3,  at  Fort  Smith,  is  at  hand.  Grand  Secretary  Bidgely, 
in  his  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1848,  said:  — 

"  The  Order  in  this  state  is  in  a  very  improved  condition.  Four  lodges  and  one  encamp- 
ment are  in  existence.  Daring  the  recess  dispensations  have  been  issued  for  Frontier, 
No.  3,  at  Fort  Smith,  and  Independence,  No.  4,  at  Batesville." 

April  26,  1849,  a  dispensation  was  issued  to  organize  the  Grand  Lodge 
at  Little  Eock,  and  June  10th,  of  that  year,  F.  C.  Kendall,  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire,  instituted  the  Grand  body  and  installed  James  M.  Danley  as 
Grand  Master,  and  other  officers.     F.  S.  Garritt,  Grand  Secretary,  was  the 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  363 

first  Grand  Eepresentative  from  this  jurisdiction.  Only  Lodges  Nos. 
1,  3,  and  4  are  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  formation  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

The  difficult  and  uncertain  methods  of  communication  in  those  early 
days  seriously  retarded  the  growth  and  usefulness  of  the  Order  in  the 
so-called  far  Western  states  and  territories. 

The  passwords  were  not  received  sometimes  until  near  the  close  of  the 
year.  The  four  years  of  civil  war  were  disastrous  to  this  jurisdiction,  as  it 
was  occupied  alternately  by  contending  forces  during  that  time.  Notwith- 
standing these  adverse  circumstances,  it  now  has  one  hundred  thirty-eight 
working  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  about  4500,  and  its  representatives 
stand  high  id  the  chief  council  of  the  Order. 

General  Albert  Pike,  who  was  Grand  Master  in  1852,  had  a  national 
reputation  as  a  Mason  of  high  degree.  He  was,  also,  a  lawyer  of  dis- 
tinction, a  writer  and  a  poet.  C.  B.  Mitchell,  Grand  Master  in  1856, 
was  United  States  senator  in  1860 ;  W.  R.  Miller,  Grand  Master  in  1865, 
was  governor  in  1874 ;  S.  W.  Mallory,  Grand  Master  in  1879,  was  a  brigadier- 
general  in  the  Federal  service  during  the  "  late  war " ;  J.  B.  Friedheim, 
for  twelve  years  Grand  Eepresentative,  was  a  presidential  elector  in  1884, 
1888,  and  1892. 

The  destruction  of  lodge  records  by  fire  and  war's  devastations  has 
made  it  impossible  to  give  an  accurate  history  of  the  Order  in  this  juris- 
diction. For  some  years  past  the  members  of  the  Order  in  Arkansas  have 
been  making  efforts  to  establish  an  Odd  Fellows'  home  and  sanitarium,  at 
Hot  Springs,  for  the  special  care  of  invalid  members  from  all  jurisdictions 
visiting  that  great  health  resort. 

Iowa. — The  first  white  settlement  in  Iowa  (meaning  "the  beautiful 
land  "),  was  made  in  1788  by  some  French-Canadians,  at  what  is  now  known 
as  Dubuque.  In  1834  Iowa  was  a  part  of  the  territory  of  Michigan,  and 
in  1836  a  part  of  Wisconsin.  No  further  settlements  were  made  until  the 
spring  of  1833,  when  several  companies  of  American  immigrants  settled 
in  the  vicinity  of  Burlington;  where,  April  4, 1844, — fifty-two  years  ago, 
—  the  first  lodge  was  formed,  known  as  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1.  It  was 
instituted  by  John  G.  Potts,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  of  Galena,  Illinois. 
Among  the  petitioners  were  Eichard  Mausley,  Past  Grand  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  W.  H.  Mauro,  Past  Grand  Master  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 
The  first  initiate  in  the  state  was  William  D.  McCord,  who  was  afterward 
Grand  Master  and  Grand  Eepresentative.  Joseph  Bridgman  was  the 
ninth  initiate,  and  served  the  Order  well  in  several  high  positions. 

Harmony  Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Dubuque ;  Lodge  No.  3,  at  Keosauqua ;  and 
Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  4,  at  Fairfield,  were  established  in  1845,  but  by  whom 
or  when  is  not  stated.  June  30, 1845,  there  were  four  lodges  and  84  con- 
tributing members. 


364  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1845  and  early  part  of  1846  Muscatine  Lodge, 
Xo.  5,  at  Bloomington  ^  Kosciusko  Lodge,  No.  6,  at  Iowa  City,  and  Miners' 
Lodge,  —  number  and  location  not  given,  —  were  established ;  but,  again, 
there  is  an  absence  of  all  details  in  the  journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  for  1846,  except  that  the  Grand  Secretary  in  his  report 
commends  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  John  G.  Potts  and  William  Duane 
Wilson,  for  their  splendid  work  in  the  district  then  known  as  Wisconsin, 
Iowa,  and  Northern  Illinois.     He  said :  — 

"  The  reports  of  these  two  officers  deserve  the  marked  notice  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States.  It  will  be  seen  that  they  have  covered  this  section  with  lodges  and  encamp- 
ments."    [No  such  reports  are  found  in  the  journal.] 

At  this  session  a  petition  was  presented  from  four  of  the  six  lodges  in 
Iowa  asking  for  a  Grand  Lodge,  but  the  request  was  not  granted. 

On  the  2nd  of  March,  1847,  a  warrant  was  issued  to  Lodge  No.  8,  at 
Davenport.  In  the  list  of  receipts  for  dues, —  journal  1847, -.-are  found 
the  names  only  of  Miners'  Lodge,  Lily  of  the  Mount  Lodge,  Rose  of  the 
Valley  Lodge,  and  Justitia  Lodge ;  but  all  except  the  last  named  are,  also, 
mentioned  as  being  in  Wisconsin.  The  report  for  June  30,  1847,  gives 
Iowa  eight  lodges,  with  291  members.  It  is  difficult  to  determine  which 
one  of  the  lodges  named  is  included  in  the  eight. 

In  April,  1847,  Lodges  Nos.  1,  3,  and  4  petitioned  for  a  Grand  Lodge, 
to  be  located  at  Burlington;  and,  in  June  of  that  year,  a  like  petition 
was  forwarded,  by  Nos.  2,  5,  6,  and  7,  praying  that  the  Grand  Lodge  be 
located  at  Bloomington.  Both  of  these  documents  were  accompanied  with 
papers  showing  the  existence  of  acrimonious  dissensions  among  the  lodges 
in  that  state,  as  to  the  pla6e  where  the  Grand  Lodge  should  be  located.  In 
view  of  this  condition  it  was  deemed  for  the  good  of  the  Order  not  to  grant 
a  charter  at  that  time,  and  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  refused.  How- 
ever, early  in  1848,  the  lodges  having  agreed  upon  the  location,  a  warrant 
was  issued  to  John  G.  Potts,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  of  Illinois,  who 
instituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Iowa  May  1, 1848,  at  Bloomington,  —  now 
Muscatine, — and  so  closed  his  long  and  efficient  services  in  this  jurisdiction. 

At  this  time,  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  there  were  ten  working 
lodges,  located  as  follows :  No.  1,  at  Burlington ;  No.  2,  at  Dubuque ;  No. 
3,  at  Keosauqua;  No.  4,  at  Fairfield;  No.  5,  at  Muscatine;  No.  6,  at  Iowa 
City ;  No.  7,  at  Davenport ;  No.  8,  at  Tipton ;  No.  9,  at  Ottumwa ;  and 
No.  10,  at  Mount  Pleasant. 

Grand  Secretary  William  Musson  contributes  the  following  concerning 
the  first  session,  the  early  officers  and  members  and  subsequent  history : 
J.  Whitfield  Garner  was  elected  the  first  Grand  Master,  and  Richard 
Cadle,  Grand  Secretary.  Very  little  seems  to  have  been  done  beyond  the 
adoption  of  a  constitution,  the  election  of  grand  officers  and  a  representa- 
tive to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  the  latter  office  being  filled 


THS  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  865 

by  Brother  John  Thorington.  Of  the  nine  grand  officers  at  the  first  session 
Brother  Joseph  Bridgman  is  the  only  survivor,  —  a  hale  old  man  of  about 
eighty,  who  still  takes  great  interest  in  the  Order,  and  attended  the  last 
Grand  Lodge  meeting.  Brother  Cadle,  the  first  Grand  Secretary,  was 
from  the  same  city,  —  now  Muscatine,  —  and  died  in  Colorado  in  1895. 
Brother  Bnpert,  another  first  grand  officer,  died  some  three  years  ago. 
He  belonged  to  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Dubuque.  The  writer  knew 
these  brothers  well.  The  remaining  grand  officers  of  the  first  session 
have  been  dead  many  years,  or  removed  from  the  jurisdiction.  Two  lodges 
were  chartered :  Schiller,  No.  11,  and  Julien,  No.  12,  both  of  Dubuque, 
and  both  are  prosperous  and  strong  lodges. 

The  first  annual  communication  was  held  at  the  same  place,  January 
18,  1849.  The  Grand  Lodge  degree  was  conferred  on  Brother  William 
Garrett,  afterward  for  forty-two  years  the  faithful  Grand  Secretary,  and 
who  died  in  February,  1895.  Thomas  Hardie,  now  of  Dubuque, — the 
surviving  pioneeryof  the  Order  in  British  North  America,  — who  has  always 
taken  an  active  interest  in  Odd  Fellowship,  and  John  Pope,  ninth  Grand 
Master,  were  reported  as  entitled  to  the  Past  Vice  Grand  degree. 

The  receipts  from  May  1,  1848,  to  January  18,  1849,  were :  charter 
fees,  ^300;  dues,  $321.56;  supplies,  $18.25;  total,  $639.81.  (January  7, 
1896,  the  receipts  of  the  day  were  $777.)  At  this  session  a  motion  was 
made  to  receive  gold  coin  :  "  sovereigns  @  $4.90 ;  one-half  sovereigns  @ 
$2.45, — but  hereafter  at  their  current  value."  The  proceedings  of  three 
days  fill  only  twenty-nine  pages ;  and  the  complement  of  lodges  was  nine- 
teen, with  about  670  members.  Eight  years  later  (1857)  there  were  one 
hundred  and  ten  lodges  and  over  4500  members,  with  annual  revenue, 
$32,000 ;  paid  for  relief  and  burial  of  the  dead,  over  $3000.  The  growth 
of  the  Order  continued  to  keep  pace  with  the  rapid  development  of  the 
state^  in  wealth  and  population,  until  now  it  has  a  list  of  lodges  numbering 
six  hundred  and  five  and  a  membership  of  about  37,000. 

There  is  an  interesting  fund  of  reminiscence  connected  with  the  history 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Iowa,  did  space  permit  of  its  recital.  Two  active 
members  of  the  session  of  1850  remain :  Thomas  Hardie  of  No.  12,  before 
mentioned,  and  Brother  Lathrop  of  No.  6,  the  present  District  Deputy 
Grand  Master  of  his  district.  About  that  time,  and  until  the  abatement 
of  the  "  California  gold  fever,"  the  Order  in  Iowa  suffered  from  emigration ; 
at  one  time  reducing  the  membership  considerably.  Of  the  seven  new 
lodges  reported  in  1852,  five  still  exist  and  are  prosperous.  In  those  days 
it  took  fourteen  days  to  travel  from  Des  Moines  to  Muscatine,  where  the 
session  was  held,  —  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  miles,  —  attend 
the  Grand  Lodge,  and  return.  The  per  diem  was  $1,  and  mileage  five 
cents  one  way.  It  was  at  this  session  that  our  lamented  Brother  Garrett 
entered  the  Grand  body,  became  its  secretary,  continuing  in  that  office 


366  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

until  "called  above,"  in  February,  1895,  as  aforesaid,  beloved  and  revered 
by  all  who  knew  him. 

In  1853  Grand  Master  A.  D.  Anderson  reported  laying  the  corner- 
stone of  the  Iowa  Female  Collegiate  Institute,  which,  though  not  now 
separately  in  existence,  has  properly  been  merged  in  the  Iowa  State 
University,  an  institution  of  which  all  Iowa  feels  proud.  In  1854  the 
jurisdiction  was  redistricted ;  District  No.  1  being  "Lee  county  half- 
breed  tract,"  significant  to  Odd  Fellows,  —  "half-breed"  referring  to 
Indians. 

Iowa  Odd  Fellows  did  not  escape  the  financial  troubles  of  the  panic  of 
1857,  nor  the  vicissitudes  of  the  civil  war.  Both  causes  contributed  to  the 
embarrassment  of  the  Order,  and  checked  its  growth  for  nearly  a  decade ; 
but,  in  1867,  the  "progress"  reported  in  1864-66  began  to  be  noticeable, 
and  the  membership  had  increased  to  about  5700;  an  addition  of  eleven 
lodges  and  more  than  1000  members  during  the  past  year. 

In  1869  the  good  work  was  augmented  by  the  report  of  nineteen 
Bebekah  lodges;  Bloomfield,  No.  1,  instituted  December  14,  1868,  has 
claimed  to  be  the  first  Rebekah  lodge, — and  if  not  the  firsts  probably 
few  were  organized  prior  to  that  time. 

The  same  increase  and  prosperity  seems  to  have  attended  the  subse- 
quent history  of  the  Order  from  1870  to  this  date,  —  with  the  addition 
of  new  members,  this  jurisdiction  shows  a  proper  ratio  of  increase  in 
amounts  paid  for  relief:  being  $27,500  in  1879,  $35,000  in  1889,  and 
$60,000  in  1895 ;  invested  funds,  at  the  latter  date,  $1,043,700. 

In  1894  a  move  was  made  to  found  a  home.  This  crystallized  into  a 
committee  and  report  in  1895,  while  in  1896  the  Eebekahs  had  collected 
$1200  as  their  first  contribution,  the  Grand  Lodge  donated  $10,000,  and 
no  doubt  the  project  will  materialize  in  a  home  for  aged  members  and 
orphans,  worthy  of  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Iowa. 

This  jurisdiction  has  produced  its  quota  of  distinguished  members  of 
the  Order.  Among  the  many  who  contributed  much  to  make  Iowa  one 
of  the  banner  states  in  Odd  Fellowship,  may  be  mentioned  Erie  J.  Leech, 
Grand  Master  in  1860-61,  and  Grand  Sire  in  1882-84.  He  was  for  several 
years  prior  to  this  a  Grand  Representative,  and  was  a  recognized  and  val- 
uable member  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  He  resided  at  Keokuk, 
where  he  died  August  29,  1891,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  It  is  said  of  him 
that  whether  as  a  boy  chopping  wood,  at  work  in  brick  yards,  clerk  in  a 
hotel  or  store,  serving  on  various  school  boards,  as  an  officer  in  the  army,  or 
clerk  of  the  state  and  federal  courts,  he  was  ever  the  same  noble  character, 
—  kind,  considerate,  and  genial  to  all. 

Among  the  many  veterans  still  remaining  on  duty  are :  J.  Norwood  Clark, 
of  Iowa  City,  a  Past  Grand  Master,  and  fifty-eight  years  an  Odd  Fellow; 
Herman  Block,  who  for  a  number  of  years  has  been  Special  Deputy  Grand 


TEE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTION 8.  367 

Sire  for  Europe ;  and  W.  S.  Burton,  Grand  Master  in  1863,  an  old  but 
vigorous  member. 

Grand  Sire  Farnsworth  visited  this  jurisdiction  in  March,  1870,  and 
stopped  at  Council  Bluffs,  where  he  was  appropriately  received  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Order  from  Iowa  and  Nebraska. 

Blinnesota.  —  The  territory  of  Minnesota  was  created  by  congressional 
enactment  March  3,  1849,  and  at  that  time  embraced  nearly  twice  the 
limits  it  now  has  as  a  state.  It  became  a  member  of  the  Union  May  11, 
1858,  but  long  before  that  time  Odd  Fellowship  had  been  planted  within 
its  borders. 

The  first  lodge  instituted  in  this  state  was  located  at  Stillwater,  which 
was  then  a  lumbering  town  of  considerable  importance,  on  the  Saint  Croix 
river,  —  the  dividing  line  between  the  territory  of  Wisconsin  and  Minne- 
sota, and  twenty  miles  from  Saint  Paul. 

The  petition  for  this  lodge  was  dated  January  25, 1849,  and  signed  by 
Henry  L.  Moss,  formerly  of  Platteville,  Wisconsin ;  Sylvanus  Trask,  of 
Girard,  Pennsylvania ;  William  H.  Oliver,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts ;  Albert 
Harris,  of  Savannah,  Georgia ;  D.  B.  Loomis,  of  Alton,  Illinois ;  Eobert 
Philbrook,  of  Oldtown,  Maine ;  and  was  duly  forwarded  to  Grand  Secre- 
tary Eidgely.  The  charter  was  granted,  and  Minnesota  Lodge,  No.  1,  was 
instituted  by  John  G.  Potts,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  of  the  Northwest, 
August  15, 1849.  At  the  next  regular  meeting  Mahlon  Black  and  Socrates 
Nelson  were  initiated,  —  the  first  candidates  to  be  made  Odd  Fellows  in 
Minnesota.  No.  1  surrendered  its  charter  February  25, 1864,  owing  to  the 
hard  times  following  the  war,  but  was  reorganized  December  31, 1883,  and 
is  now  one  of  Minnesota's  most  prosperous  lodges. 

Saint  Paul  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted,  in  the  town  of  that  name,  May  3, 
1850,  with  six  charter  members,  among  them  being  Benjamin  W.  Brunson, 
who  is  still  an  honored  member,  and  quite  regular  in  his  attendance,  con- 
sidering his  advanced  age.  He  was  initiated  into  the  Order  in  1844.  This 
lodge  prospered  from  its  very  inception,  although  the  working  brothers  often 
had  to  "  skirmish  "  for  a  quorum.  At  one  time  in  its  history,  nearly  every 
eligible  man  in  the  town  was  a  member.  In  January,  1853,  a  series  of 
stock  certificates  were  issued,  with  which  the  members  purchased  a  lot  for 
^600,  which  is  now  in  the  heart  of  the  city  and  worth  $100,000.  The 
lodge  has  other  property  to  the  value  of  over  $16,000.  In  1895  it  had  about 
366  members.  It  is  the  "  mother "  of  lodges  in  Saint  Paul,  there  being 
now  eighteen  in  the  city,  all  of  them  directly  or  indirectly  its  offspring. 
A  three-story  brick  building  covers  the  valuable  ground  owned  by  this 
lodge,  and  in  this  building  four  subordinates,  five  Bebekah  lodges,  one 
encampment,  and  one  canton  hold  their  meetings.  The  revenue  is  about 
$8000  per  year,  of  which  amount  the  lodge  gives  generously  to  every 
worthy  distressed  lodge,  or  individual  member. 


368  THE  THHEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

John  G.  Potts  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  instituted  at  Saint  Anthony's  Falls 
(now  a  part  of  Minneapolis),  May  29, 1851,  but  it  did  not  prosper,  and  died 
a  natural  death  a  few  years  afterward 

During  the  winter  of  1851-^2  political  excitement  ran  high,  and, 
naturally,  penetrated  every  organization  of  men.  Saint  Paul,  No.  2,  was 
no  exception,  with  the  result  that  eight  of  its  members  withdrew  and 
organized  a  new  lodge,  —  the  second  in  the  town.  Hennepin  Lodge,  No.  4, 
was  instituted  June  2, 1852.  There  does  not  appear  to  have  been  strong 
personal  feelings  between  the  members  of  Nos.  2,  and  4,  as  they  met  in 
the  same  hall,  and  both  were,  and  are,  prosperous  organizations. 

This  made  four  lodges  in  the  territory,  and  a  petition  was  forwarded 
asking  for  a  charter  for  a  Grand  Lodge.  The  prayer  was  granted,  and 
May  5, 1853,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Minnesota  was  instituted.  N.  Greene 
Wilcox  was  elected  Grand  Master,  and  Benjamin  W.  Brunson,  Grand  Repre- 
sentative. The  organization  of  this  Grand  body  closed  the  official  work  of 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Potts  in  the  territory  of  Minnesota.  He  had 
been  an  indefatigable  worker,  travelling  by  stage,  dog  cart,  or  on  foot,  to 
further  the  interests  of  the  Order  in  the  Northwest.  He  had  instituted 
the  first  four  lodges  in  Minnesota,  the  work  was  confided  to  the  new  Grand 
Lodge,  and  he  bade  his  faithful  friends  and  brothers  a  reluctant  yet  very 
affectionate  farewell. 

With  the  development  of  the  new  country,  immigration  coming  in  and 
new  towns  founded,  lodges  were  added  naturally,  and  there  was  quite  a 
season  of  prosperity,  — at  least  it  was  so  considered  in  those  days  (1859), 
although  there  were  only  nine  lodges  and  334  members.  During  the  civil 
war  the  membership  decreased  each  year  until  1863,  when  it  reached  its 
lowest  ebb,  276.  From  that  time  forward  the  membership  has  increased 
each  year,  never  taking  a  backward  step.  There  are  now  two  hundred 
and  thirty-two  working  lodges  and  a  membership  of  nearly  15,000. 
Over  fifty  lodges  own  their  homes,  sixty-two  buildings  in  the  state  are 
owned  by  the  Order,  and  the  total  assets  of  the  subordinate  lodges  are 
$684,521.27. 

At  the  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  June,  1891,  the  Minnesota 
Odd  Fellows'  Home  and  Orphan  Asylum  was  organized  and  afterward 
incorporated.  It  is  managed  by  a  board  of  twelve  directors,  three  of 
whom  are  ladies.  Over  $8000  have  been  received  through  the  medium  of 
voluntary  contributions,  and  when  a  sufficient  amount  has  been  accumu- 
lated, grounds  will  be  purchased  and  buildings  erected.  A  home  may  not 
be  an  absolute  necessity  just  now,  but  it  is  well  to  realize  the  importance 
of  making  provision  for  the  future. 

Three  papers  are  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Order,  one  of  which  is 
published  by  a  sister,  and  is  devoted  exclusively  to  the  itebekah  branch  of 
Odd  Fellowship. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  369 

A  mutual  insurance  society,  confining  its  business  to  this  jurisdiction, 
and  under  the  supervision  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  dispenses  about  $100,000, 
annually,  to  the  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  members. 

There  is  a  large  number  of  active,  earnest  Odd  Fellows  within  this 
state,  and  the  jurisdiction  has  for  years  maintained  a  strong  delegation  in 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  which  has  honored  it  by  holding  its  annual 
session  of  1884  at  Minneapolis,  where  the  members  of  the  Sovereign  body 
and  visitors  were  entertained  in  a  most  magnificent  manner. 

Nebraska. — This  territory  was  formed  in  May,  1854,  of  that  portion  of 
the  country  extending  from  latitude  40^  north  to  the  national  boundary, 
and  from  the  Missouri  river  to  the  crest  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

In  February,  1861,  Colorado  was  "  set  off,"  and  in  March  following, 
Dakota.  At  a  later  date  Nebraska  received  from  Washington  and  Utah 
territories  the  triangular  tract  which  afterward  was  taken  and  formed 
the  territory  of  Idaho.  This  reduced  Nebraska  to  its  present  size,  which 
was  admitted  as  a  state  in  1867. 

In  March,  1855,  a  warrant  was  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  for  a  lodge  to  be  called  Nebraska,  No.  1,  located  at  Nebraska  City. 
Charles  F.  Holly,  of  Missouri,  was  made  special  district  deputy  grand 
sire ;  and,  on  the  28th  of  May,  instituted  the  lodge  under  unusually  flatter- 
ing prospects.  The  following  year  Omaha  Lodge,  No.  2,  of  Omaha,  and 
Frontier,  No.  3,  of  Nebraska  City,  were  instituted,  making  a  total  of  three 
lodges,  with  a  membership  of  57  in  the  territory.  No.  4  waa  instituted 
in  1857.  In  the  early  part  of  1858,  No.  5,  at  Brownsville,  was  instituted 
with  a  strong  membership.  The  five  lodges  applied  for,  and  were  granted, 
a  dispensation  for  a  Grand  body  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States;  and,  on  the  27th  of  April,  1858,  under  favorable  auspices,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  this  jurisdiction  was  organized  by  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  Charles  F.  Holly,  at  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  Nebraska  City,  all  the  lodges 
being  represented. 

District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Holly,  of  Nebraska  City,  was  elected 
Grand  Master,  and  at  the  session  held  at  Omaha,  September  14,  1858, 
W.  H.  Cook  was  elected  Grand  Representative. 

The  membership  of  the  jurisdiction  at  that  time  was  about  200,  divided 
into  five  subordinate  lodges.  The  progress  of  the  Order  in  Nebraska 
seems  to  have  been  steady  and  substantial.  At  the  close  of  the  first 
decade  of  the  Grand  Lodge's  existence,  there  were  twelve  lodges  with  570 
members.  During  the  second  decade  the  advance  was  more  marked,  the 
number  of  subordinate  lodges  having  reached  seventy,  with  2566  members. 
At  the  close  of  the  third  decade  the  number  of  lodges  had  increased  to  one 
hundred  and  sixty-eight,  with  a  membership  of  7030. 

In  the  year  1890  several  lodges  in  the  western  part  of  the  state  suffered 
severely  from  the  effects  of  the  drought.    A  call  for  aid  by  the  Grand 


870  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Master  met  with  a  response  characteristic  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  every 
dollar  of  funds  contributed  was  forwarded  to  the  parties  in  distress, 
and  correctly  accounted,  thus  enabling  many  families  to  live  until  farm 
products  could  again  be  raised ;  such  being  the  zeal  and  loyalty  of  the 
Odd  Fellows  of  Nebraska,  that  not  a  single  lodge  was  lost  from  the  effects 
of  the  scourge.     On  the  contrary,  however,  the  close  of  1891  showed  a  gain, 

—  there  being  at  that  time  one  hundred  and  eighty-six  lodges,  with  7718 
members.  The  steady  increase  of  the  Order  has  continued,  until,  at  this 
time,  there  are  two  hundred  and  eighteen  active  lodges,  with  a  membership 
of  nearly  l0,000. 

.  The  fraternity  in  this  jurisdiction  is  full  of  noble  men  eminent  in  all 
walks  of  life,  among  which  we  name :  Charles  F.  Holly,  who  instituted  the 
first  lodge  in  the  territory,  and  afterward  became  the  first  Grand  Master,  by 
profession  a  jurist ;  Alf.  D.  Jones,  the  first  Noble  Grand  of  Omaha  Lodge, 
No.  2,  afterward  Grand  Master,  prominent  in  business  circles ;  Jonas 
Hacker,  who  was  Grand  Master  in  1866,  one  of  the  sturdy  yeomen  of  the 
state,  —  his  administration  was  marked  with  success,  —  he  died  in  1871. 
Alvin  Saunders  was,  in  1861,  appointed  Governor  of  Nebraska  territory 
by  President  Lincoln,  and  from  1877  to  1883  was  United  St^s  senator, 

—  afterward  Grand  Master.  W.  L.  Boydston  located  at  Nebraska  City, 
in  1856,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  law ;  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  at  its  organization,  and  an  honored  member  when  he  died 
in  1875.  John  Hamlin  was  a  hotel-keeper  at  Nebraska  City,  in  1855,  and 
a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  the  time  of  its  institution ;  served  as 
Grand  Master  in  1870,  and  resides  in  Omaha. 

During  the  thirty-eight  years  of  the  existence  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Nebraska,  ten  of  its  grand  masters  have  succumbed  to  the  inevitable  law 
of  nature,  and  have  answered  the  summons  from  the  Grand  Lodge  above. 
Twenty-eight  still  remain,  located  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  engaged 
in  the  active  vocations  of  life. 

Provisions  have  been  made  for  an  Orphans'  home,  which  has  so  far 
progressed  as  to  become  chartered  under  the  state  law,  and  the  collection 
of  funds  for  buildings  and  maintenance  of  the  same  is  regularly  made 
throughout  the  jurisdiction. 

Kansas.  —  This  state  as  now  known  was  once  a  part  of  the  vast  domain 
acquired  by  the  United  States,  in  1803,  by  virtue  of  the  Louisiana  Pur- 
chase. 

It  was  made  a  territory  in  May,  1854,  and  admitted  as  a  state  January 
29, 1861,  just  as  the  clouds  of  the  great  civil  war  began  to  show  unmis- 
takable signs  of  the  coming  storm. 

From  1854  to  1861  it  was  the  scene  of  many  conflicts,  in  border  war- 
fare, between  those  contending  for  the  extension  of  slavery  and  those 
opposed,  and  it  bore  its  share  of  devastation  during  the  late  war.     In  fact. 


THE  QBANI)  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS,  371 

it  may  truthfully  be  said  that,  from  the  time  of  its  territorial  formation 
to  the  close  of  1865,  the  attention  of  the  entire  country  was  drawn  to  the 
conflict  raging  on  the  plains  of  Kansas,  then  supposed  by  many  to  be  a 
part  of  the  "  Great  American  desert."  To  the  reader  it  will  probably 
appear  strange  that  Odd  Fellowship  should  have  been  considered  by 
Kansas  during  the  period  named,  but  among  the  fearless  pioneers  of  that 
day  were  found  those  who  desired  the  benefits  of  the  Order ;  and,  on  the 
2nd  of  March,  1857,  Grand  Sire  William  Ellison  granted  a  dispensation 
for  Shawnee  Lodge,  No.  1,  to  be  located  at  Tecumseh.  It  was  instituted 
in  due  time  (date  not  found)  with  Benjamin  D.  Castleman,  H.  W.  Martin, 
Caleb  B.  Clements,  Francis  Grasmack,  and  Charles  Millican  as  charter 
members.  In  February,  1861,  the  lodge  was  moved  to  Topeka,  where  it 
still  remains.  During  the  same  year  dispensations  were  granted  for  Lodge 
No.  2,  at  Leavenworth ;  No.  3,  at  Wyandotte ;  No.  4,  at  Lawrence ;  and  No. 
5,  at  Atchison ;  all  of  which  were  represented  at  the  organization  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Kansas  at  Tecumseh,  June  2, 1858 ;  at  which  time  and 
place  a  convention  was  held  with  representatives  present  from  Lodges 
Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5.  J.  C.  Hemingray,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for 
this  occasion,  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kansas  and  installed  its  first 
officers.  John  Collins,  of  No.  3,  was  elected  Grand  Master,  and  Brother 
Hemingray  Grand  Representative,  and  the  Grand  body  was  declared  duly 
organized.  It  proceeded  to  adopt  a  constitution,  by-laws,  etc.,  and  closed 
the  session  on  the  evening  of  June  4th,  to  meet  in  Leavenworth,  October 
12th,  of  the  same  year,  at  which  time  there  was  in  this  jurisdiction  five 
lodges  and  174  members. 

December  15, 1858,  White  Cloud  Lodge,  No.  6,  was  instituted  by  W.  A. 
Shannon,  District  Deputy  Grand  Master.  January  13,  1859,  after  per- 
sonal investigation,  Grand  Master  John  Collins  instituted  No.  7,  at  Sumner, 
at  that  time  a  flourishing  town  on  the  Missouri  river,  about  five  miles 
below  Atchison;  but  this  lodge  ceased  to  exist  long  ago,  and  the  town  site 
is  now  a  part  of  a  fine  Kansas  farm. 

The  first  German  lodge  created  in  Kansas  was  G«rmania,  No.  9,  at 
Leavenworth,  instituted  February  24, 1859,  by  C.  A.  Logan,  Grand  War- 
den. March  8th;  of  that  year,  Oakaloosa  Lodge,  No.  8,  was  organized,  by 
Grand  Secretary  G.  W.  Brown ;  and  March  6th,  he  instituted  No.  10,  at 
Emporia, — which  closed  its  career  in  1862,  and  No.  15  took  its  place 
in  1865.     Lodge  No.  32,  later,  succeeded  old  No.  8. 

This  made  a  total,  June  30, 1859,  of  ten  lodges  with  a  membership  of 
333.  March  3, 1860,  No.  11,  at  Paola,  was  started  on  its  successful  career ; 
and,  later,  in  the  year,  Grand  Master  C.  A.  Logan  granted  a  dispensation 
for  Peak  Lodge,  No.  12,  at  Denver  City,  —  then  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  Kansas, — and  N.  A.  Kirk,  of  Sum-mun-du-wot  Lodge,  No.  3,  was 
appointed  to  open  it. 


872  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

From  this  time  until  the  close  of  the  war  little  advancement  was  made. 
June  30, 1865,  there  were  nine  active  lodges  and  407  members.  The  return 
of  peace  brought  prosperity,  and  the  growth  of  the  Order  has  kept  pace 
with  the  growth  of  the  state  in  wealth  and  population.  The  membership 
is  now  about  23,000,  in  four  hundred  and  thirty  working  lodges. 

One  of  the  unfortunate  incidents  of  the  war  was  the  sacking  of  the 
beautiful  city  of  Lawrence,  by  Quantrell,  August  21, 1863,  which  caused 
the  loss  of  two  valuable  members  of  the  Order;  namely,  Jerome  F.  Gris- 
wald.  Grand  Treasurer  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  Josiah  0.  Trask,  Past 
Grand  of  Ko.  4,  both  shot,  in  cold  blood,  in  the  presence  of  their  fami- 
lies, after  having  given  themselves  and  property  into  the  hands  of  the 
marauders. 

In  1894  Grand  Sire  Campbell,  in  his  report  to  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  said,  in  substance,  that ''  peace  and  harmony  prevails  in  all  juris- 
dictions except  in  Kansas."  The  trouble  referred  to  was  occasioned  by 
what  is  known  as  the  DeBoissiere  orphan  home  matter.  Early  in  1892, 
an  aged  Frenchman  desiring  to  dispose  of  some  property,  and  being 
benevolently  inclined,  conveyed  a  large  tract  of  land,  consisting  of  over 
3000  acres  with  the  improvements,  to  five  members  of  the  Order  in 
trust  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  an  orphans'  home  and  school.  At 
the  same  time  the  trustees,  named  in  the  deed  of  conveyance,  procured 
a  charter,  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Kansas,  incorporating  by  the 
name  of  ''The  DeBoissiere  Odd  Fellows  Orphans'  Home  and  Industrial 
School  Association,"  and  an  appeal  was  sent  out  by  the  Grand  Master 
calling  for  donations  to  pay  a  claim  of  about  $20,000  against  the  estate,  to 
which  a  liberal  response  was  made  by  many  lodges,  as  the  property  was 
variously  estimated  to  be  worth  from  $100,000  to  $150,000,  and  supposed 
to  be  a  donation  to  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Kansas.  At  the  session  of  the 
Grand  liodge  in  October,  of  that  year,  this  matter  was  considered;  and 
with  the  idea,  as  just  explained,  it  was  practically  unanimously  accepted. 
There  was,  however,  not  a  few  who  regarded  it  as  a  private  institute,  as 
by  the  terms  of  the  charter  the  trustees  hold  office  for  life,  and  have  the 
sole  control  and  management  of  it;  and  when,  at  the  session  of  1893,  the 
Grand  Lodge  levied  an  assessment  of  $1.50,  per  capita,  to  pay  the  debt 
referred  to,  make  improvements,  and  maintain  the  home,  the  storm  came. 
Many  lodges  that  had  voluntarily  contributed  $1  for  each  member,  refused 
to  pay  the  remainder  necessary  to  make  the  $1.50  called  for,  and  others 
declined  to  pay  anything.  As  a  result  of  this  insubordination,  forty-seven 
lodges  were  summarily  suspended.  The  feeling  among  the  members  of 
the  Order  was  then  at  fever  heat,  and  had  not  materially  cooled  when  the 
Grand  Lodge  met  at  Wichita  in  October,  1894.  At  that  session,  however, 
the  whole  matter  was  ''  disposed  of,"  by  instructing  the  proper  officers  to 
quitclaim  any  real,  or  imaginary,  interest  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Kansas  might 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  878 

have  had  in  said  home,  to  the  trustees^  which  was  done,  and  peace  and 
harmony  again  prevailed. 

At  Great  Bend,  Kansas,  there  is  a  little,  unobtrusive  widows'  and 
orphans'  home  owned  and  maintained  by  Valley  Lodge,  No.  95.  The 
building  is  small ;  its  walls  are  not  of  granite  nor  is  its  roof  surmounted 
by  a  gilded  dome,  but  it  has  for  several  years  shielded  from  the  summer 
sun  and  wintry  blasts  the  widow  and  six  orphan  children  of  John  Crilley, 
a  former  member  of  that  lodge. 

In  September,  1890,  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  held  its  sixty-sixth 
annual  session  in  the  capital  city  of  the  state,  which  gave  an  impetus  to 
the  growth  of  all  branches  of  the  Order. 

John  Collins,  the  first  Grand  Master,  was  a  self-made  man,  whose 
service  to  the  Order  during  the  first  eighteen  months  of  its  existence,  in 
Kansas  as  an  independent  jurisdiction,  cannot  be  overestimated. 

Doctor  Cornelius  A.  Logan  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  this  state.  He 
was  present  at  the  opening  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  was  the  first  Noble  Grand 
of  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  5,  at  Atchison ;  the  first  Grand  Warden  and  the 
second  Grand  Master  of  this  jurisdiction,  —  succeeding  that  fine  example  of 
the  true  Odd  Fellow,  John  Collins.  In  1862  he  was  elected'  representative 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  served  continuously  in  that 
body  until  1872,  when  he  was  made  Grand  Sire.  Soon  after  this  he  was 
sent  to  Chile  as  United  States  Minister  and  established  the  Order  in  that 
country  by  the  institution  of  Valparaiso  Lodge,  No.  1,  April  15, 1874.  He 
also  organized  lodges  in  Peru  and  other  South  American  states. 

W.  A.  Shannon  was  the  third  Grand  Master.  He  was  Secretary,  pro 
tempore,  at  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  attended  every  session 
from  that  time  to  1895,  when  the  infirmities  of  a^e  made  his  seat  vacant. 

John  Martin,  of  Topeka,  was  Grand  Master  in  1863,  and  acting  Grand 
Master  during  the  greater  part  of  the  preceding  year;  he  afterward 
became  United  States  senator. 

One  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  Order  was  Samuel  F.  Burdett, 
who  succeeded  George  W.  Brown  as  Grand  Secretary  in  1861,  and  filled 
that  important  office  until  1890,  —  only  a  short  time  before  his  death, — 
making  twenty-nine  years'  continuous  service  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
twenty-six  years  as  Grand  Scribe  of  the  Grand  Encampment  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Order  in  good  standing  for  more  than  fifty  years.  He 
represented  his  jurisdiction  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for 
the  Grand  Encampment  in  1869-70,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  by  appointment 
in  1876.  While  his  name  does  not  appear  among  those  who  were  present 
when  the  "curtain  was  rolled  up,"  yet  for  more  than  thirty  years  his 
name  was  familiar  to  every  Odd  Fellow  in  Kansas. 

The  jurisdiction  has  had  thirty-nine  grand  masters,  ten  of  whom 
have  passed  over  the  great  river  and  ten  are  evidently  nearing  its  shores. 


374  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Dakota  and  Present  South  Dakota.  —  The  first  lodge  of  Odd  Pellows, 
in  what  was  once  the  territory  of  Dakota,  was  located  at  Cheyenne,  now 
Wyoming,  and  was  known  as  Cheyenne,  No.  1.  It  was  instituted  in 
1868,  by  John  Forbes,  Special  Deputy,  under  the  supervision  of  R.  G. 
Buckingham,  Grand  Master  of  Colorado,  under  whose  jurisdiction  it  was 
placed. 

May  26y  1870,  Dakota  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  established  at  Yankton ;  and, 
in  1872,  No.  2,  at  Fort  Eandall,  and  No.  3,  at  Vermillion,  were  instituted. 
January  21,  1873,  Lodge  No.  4,  at  Elk  Point,  was  organized;  Lodge 
No.  5,  at  Yankton,  was  instituted  March  11,  1874,  and  No.  6,  at  Fargo, 
July  23, 1874.  All  these  lodges  were  instituted  and  properly  instructed 
by  T.  J.  Kincaid,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  of  Iowa,  who  was  highly 
commended  by  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  for  his  efficient  services. 

During  the  month  of  May,  1875,  the  propriety  of  organizing  a  Grand 
Lodge  in  Dakota  was  considered  by  William  L.  H.  Owens,  Ralph  R. 
Briggs,  and  James  F.  Curtis,  past  grands  of  Vermillion  Lodge,  No.  3,  and 
the  question  was  submitted  to  the  past  grands  of  the  other  lodges,  which 
resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Dakota  at  Yankton, 
October  13,  1875,  by  William  Blatt,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  There 
were  three  duly  accredited  representatives  present  from  each  of  the  follow- 
ing lodges:  Dakota  Lodge,  No.  1,  Yankton;  Echo,  No.  2,  Fort  Randall; 
Vermillion,  No.  3,  Vermillion ;  Elk  Point,  No.  4,  Elk  Point ;  Humboldt, 
No.  5,  Yankton ;  and  Northern  Light,  No.  6,  Fargo.  William  Blatt  was 
the  first  Grand  Representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

At  the  next  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  October  11, 1876,  nine  lodges 
were  in  existence  with  a  total  membership  of  282.  At  the  close  of  the 
first  decade,  December  31, 1885,  the  number  of  lodges  had  reached  seventy- 
nine  with  total  membership  of  2955. 

In  May,  1890,  at  the  session  held  at  Deadwood,  the  membership  had 
increased  to  4330  in  one  hundred  and  nine  lodges.  At  this  session  Dakota 
was  divided  into  two  jurisdictions,  thereafter  to  be  known  as  North  and 
South  Dakota,  the  latter  taking  the  original  charter  and  effects,  as  the 
successor  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Dakota.  The  closing  scene  at  the  sepa- 
ration was  affecting  and  will  ever  be  remembered  by  those  present.  Retir- 
ing Grand  Master  A.  E.  Nugent,  on  the  part  of  the  Odd  Fellows  of  North 
Dakota,  presented  the  brethren  of  South  Dakota  with  a  beautiful  gavel  of 
solid  ivory  inscribed :  "  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Dakota,  LO.O.F.,  May, 
1890  " ;  and,  in  closing  his  remarks,  said :  — 

"  May  it  ever  serve  yon  as  a  pledge  of  our  fraternal  solicitude,  and  constantly  remind 
you  of  the  friendship  that  has  lasted  through  years  and  bound  us  together  in  the  happy 
associations  of  the  past.  May  it  ever  be  raised  in  justice  and  fall  with  impartiality ;  and  now 
with  heavy  hearts  we  must  say  farewell,  wishing  you  abundant  prosperity  and  aU  the 
blessings  of  this  life.  May  your  individual  paths  be  strewn  with  roses,  and  the  morning  and 
evening  a  constant  source  of  joy.    Once  more  farewell ;  the  rest  let  sorrow  say." 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  876 

To  which  0.  S.  Basford,  Grand  Master  of  South  Dakota,  appropriately 
responded,  accepting  the  gavel  as  a  token  of  abiding  friendship.  Many 
eloquent  and  intensely  interesting  speeches  were  delivered  on  this  occasion, 
and  then  the  North  Dakota  brothers  withdrew. 

This  division  necessarily  reduced  the  membership  in  South  Dakota,  yet 
the  reports  for  December  31,  1894,  show  eighty-eight  lodges  and  3937 
members. 

North  Dakota.  —  In  accordance  with  the  action  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  session  of  1889,  the  subordinate  lodges  located  in  the  present  state 
of  North  Dakota,  formerly  working  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Dakota,  met  in  convention  at  Deadwood,  May  22,  1890.  The 
terms  of  dissolution  having  been  settled  between  the  brothers  of  North 
Dakota  and  South  Dakota,  after  the  installation  of  the  officers  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  South  Dakota  (successor  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Dakota), 
the  members,  standing  and  joining  hands,  sang  *'  Auld  Lang  Syne,"  and 
then  in  silence  the  members  of  North  Dakota  withdrew  to  the  hall  of 
Eureka  Lodge  and  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  of  that  jurisdiction,  with 
the  following  lodges  represented  (numbers  given  as  they  now  appear) :  — 

No.  1,  Fargo  (this  was  originally  No.  6);  No.  2,  Bismarck;  No.  3,  Devirs  Lake;  No. 
4,  Grand  Forks ;  No.  5,  Mandan ;  No.  6,  Valley  City ;  No.  7,  Gasselton ;  No.  8,  Jamestown ; 
No.  9,  Hlllsboro;  No.  10,  Wahpeton;  No.  11,  Pembina;  No.  12,  Portland;  No.  13,  Mayville; 
No.  14,  Lisbon ;  No.  15,  Caledonia ;  No.  16,  Bixton ;  No.  17,  EUendale ;  No.  18,  Fort  Buford ; 
No.  19,  Hope ;  No.  20,  LaMoure ;  No.  21,  Milnor ;  No.  22,  Park  River ;  No.  23,  Larimore ;  No. 
24,  St.  Thomas;  No.  25,  Hanter;  No.  26,'Ludde9;  No.  27,  Dickinson;  No.  28,  Drayton; 
No.  29,  Milton ;  No.  30,  Northwood ;  No.  31,  Wheatland ;  No.  32,  Hamilton. 

H.  J.  Bice,  Past  Grand  Master,  and  special  deputy  grand  sire, 
assisted  by  A.  G.  Smith,  E.  W.  Miller,  F.  S.  Emerson,  R.  R.  Riggs,  Z. 
R.  Ritchie,  A.  E.  Clough  (all  Past  Grand  Masters),  and  S.  E.  Blauvelt, 
Past  Grand  Patriarch,  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge,  closing  the  exercises 
with  the  election  and  installation  of  officers.  A.  E.  Kugent  was  elected 
Grand  Representative  for  two  years  and  H.  J.  Rowe  for  one  year.  The 
number  of  lodges  represented  at  this  meeting  was,  probably,  greater  than 
at  the  organization  of  any  other  Grand  Lodge. 

June  7,  1893,  a  disastrous  fire  at  Fargo  laid  waste  the  greater  part 
of  the  city,  destroying  over  $3,000,000  of  property,  and  leaving  hundreds 
of  people  homeless  and  destitute.  Northern  Light  Lodge,  No.  1,  and 
many  of  its  members  were  among  the  sufferers.  The  city  authorities 
appealed  for  aid,  and  the  Odd  Fellows  did  not  stand  idly  by  and  leave 
the  work  of  relief  to  others.  A  committee  was  appointed,  who  sent  out 
an  appeal  which  met  with  a  warm  and  substantial  response  from  the  fra- 
ternity ;  but,  as  is  sometimes  the  case,  the  management  of  the  funds  con- 
tributed caused  trouble  in  later  years  and  resulted  in  the  downfall  of 
Northern  Light  Lodge,  No.  1. 

The  jurisdiction  has  been  prosperous  in  the  main,  having  at  the  close 


876  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  18d4  fifty  lodges  with  a  membership  of  about  2500.  Among  its  promi- 
nent members  are :  Doctor  H.  J.  Bowe,  Grand  Representative  since  the 
organization ;  United  States  Senator  H.  C.  Hambrough ;  J.  M.  Divine,  of 
LaMoure,  and  A.  W.  Edwards. 

Indian  Territory.  —  The  founding  of  the  Order  in  this  field  was  accom- 
plished May  8, 1875,  by  the  institution  of  Caddo  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Caddo. 
With  the  report  B.  F.  Christian,  Past  Grand  Master  of  Texas,  special 
deputy,  wrote :  "  I  have  good  reason  for  believing  there  will  be  from  three 
to  five  applications  for  other  lodges  in  a  short  time  " ;  and,  on  the  17th  of 
June,  I.  W.  Stone,  the  Noble  Grand,  sending  its  constitution  and  by-laws 
for  approval,  said :  '^  We  are  succeeding  beyond  our  most  sanguine  expec- 
tations, and  if  persons  with  a  small  percentage  of  Indian  blood  could  be 
admitted,  we  could  soon  count  our  numbers  by  the  score.''  Among 
the  class  tainted  with  Indian  blood  are  found  the  best  citizens  of  this 
territory. 

Tishomingo  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted  in  October,  1875,  by  Israel  W. 
Stone,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  with  12  members,  which,  with  25  at 
Caddo,  made  a  total  of  37  at  this  time.  No.  2  continued  work  until  some 
time  in  1882,  when  its  charter  was  surrendered. 

April  26,  1877,  McAllister  Lodge,  No.  3  (afterward  known  as  Cyclone 
Lodge,  No.  3),  was  organized  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Stone.  This 
lodge  started  under  flattering  auspices,  and  is  still  at  work. 

No.  4  was  instituted  at  Erin  Springs,  June  29,  1878,  by  the  same 
officer,  who  made  the  journey  of  one  hundred  and  ten  miles  in  a  wagon 
over  execrable  roads,  —  it  requiring  ten  days  to  make  the  trip.  Four 
persons  were  initiated  at  that  time,  but  no  more  business  appears  to  have 
been  done,  and  the  charter  was  reclaimed  in  February,  1880. 

May  6,  1882,  Lodge  No.  5,  at  Atoka,  was  instituted  by  the  Reverend 
J.  S.  Murrow,  special  deputy.  In  1889  the  Grand  Sire  authorized  the 
removal  of  the  lodge  to  Lehigh,  where  it  is  now  located.  In  1883  there 
were  only  three  lodges  in  the  territory:  Nos.  1,  3,  and  5.  Pocahontas 
Lodge,  No.  2  (taking  the  place  of  Tishomingo),  at  Savanna,  was  instituted 
December  8, 1884,  it  is  presumed  by  H.  J.  EUard,  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire.  Savanna  was  a  mining  town,  and  vanished  after  the  explosion  of 
the  mines  at  that  place,  and  No.  2  was  moved  to  Lehigh,  where  it  now 
flourishes.  Tahlequah,  No.  4  (in  place  of  Erin  Springs,  defunct),  was 
instituted  June  2d>,  1886,  by  J.  R.  Harris,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 
There  were  then  five  lodges  and  two  encampments  in  the  territory.  In 
1888  Thomas  Wildey  Lodge,  No.  6,  was  organized  May  24th ;  South  Cana- 
dian, No.  7,  on  June  29th,  and  Friendship,  No.  8,  at  Krebs,  October  18th, 
all  instituted  by  G.  C.  Schueler,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  At  the 
close  of  this  year  there  were  359  members,  an  increase  of  97. 

Ardmore  Lodge,  No.  9,  was  instituted  April  3, 1889,  by  Special  Deputy 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  377 

B.  F.  Phillips,  of  Gainesville,  Texas,  with  eight  charter  members.  In  1890 
there  were  fifteen  lodges  in  the  territory.  Enterprise  Lodge,  No.  13  (now 
No.  10,  at  Coalgate),  was  instituted  February  8, 1890,  by  Benjamin  Wood, 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  with  fourteen  charter  members.  During  this 
year  the  following  were  instituted  in  what  is  now  Oklahoma:  No.  10,  at 
Norman;  No.  11,  at  Oklahoma  City;  No.  12,  at  Guthrie;  No.  14,  at  King- 
fisher ;  No.  15,  at  Edmond,  but  these  numbers  were  afterward  changed. 
A  new  district  was  formed,  known  as  Oklahoma,  and  a  district  deputy 
grand  sire  was  appointed.  Lodge  No.  11  (originally  No.  16),  at  Purcell, 
was  organized  December  4,  1890,  by  Amos  Green,  special  deputy,  after- 
ward Grand  Eepresentative  of  Oklahoma;  and  No.  12  (formerly  No.  17) 
at  South  McAlester,  was  instituted  June  6,  1891,  by  Thomas  C.  Fisher, 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  In  1892  Lodge  No.  13,  at  White  Bead  Hill, 
was  instituted  January  2nd;  No.  14,  at  Hartshorne,  April  1st;  and  No.  16, 
at  Paul's  Valley,  August  16th.  April  5, 1893,  No.  17  was  organized  at 
Claremore,  by  William  Noble,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 

This  closes  the  list  of  subordinates  to  the  institution  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  The  records  from  which  these  facts  have  been  gathered  are  very 
incomplete ;  in  most  instances  being  the  mere  statements  of  organization, 
—  all  that  can  now  be  found.  The  growth  of  the  Order  in  the  Indian 
Territory  has  been  greatly  retarded  on  accoimt  of  the  law  excluding  from 
membership  a  large  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  section.  Just  why 
the  mixture  of  a  little  Indian  blood  in  the  veins  of  a  good  man  or  woman 
should  deprive  them  of  the  benefits  of  this  great  Order  is  a  question  not 
yet  answered. 

During  the  early  part  of  1893,  the  seventeen  lodges  in  the  Indian 
Territory  (Oklahoma  having  been  detached  as  a  separate  district),  peti- 
tioned for  the  formation  of  a  Grand  Lodge,  which  was  approved  by  Grand 
Sire  Campbell,  and  A.  L.  Voorhis,  Past  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Repre- 
sentative of  Kansas,  was  commissioned  to  organize  the  Grand  body,  which 
was  done  at  Lehigh,  on  the  3d  of  August,  1893.  Delegates  were  pres- 
ent from  all  the  lodges,  except  No.  4,  which  was  not  represented  on  account 
of  the  distance  and  diflScult  mode  of  travel.  Twenty-eight  past  grands 
and  representatives  were  present.  W.  E.  Groomer  was  elected  Grand 
Representative,  and  John  Bennie  first  Grand  Master. 

December  31,  1894,  there  were  thirty-two  working  lodges  with  a 
membership  of  1344.  The  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Okla- 
homa, and  of  this  jurisdiction,  by  Past  Grand  Master  Voorhis,  com- 
pleted the  establishment  of  Grand  Lodges  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  in  the  United  States: — 

"  Built  upon  the  immatable  comer-stones  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,  despite  the 
efforts  of  foes  without  and  enemies  within,  it  wiU  live  to  bless  mankind  in  the  future  as  it 
has  done  in  the  past." 


378  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Oklahoma. — This  jurisdiction  was  a  part  of  Indian  Territory  until 
some  time  early  in  1890,  when  Lodges  Nos.  10,  11,  12,  14,  and  15,  as 
originally  numbered,  were  placed  under  a  new  district  deputy  grand  sire, 
who  was  appointed  for  Oklahoma. 

In  1891  the  lodges  in  this  and  the  Indian  Territory  were  renumbered : 
those  in  this  jurisdiction  in  the  order  given  above,  beginning  with  No.  1, 
located  at  Norman,  instituted  November  21,  1889;  No.  2,  at  Oklahoma 
City,  December  18, 1889 ;  No.  3,  at  Guthrie,  February  13, 1890 ;  No.  4,  at 
Kingfisher,  April  5th ;  and  No.  5,  at  Edmund,  May  9th,  of  the  same  year. 
It  is  unfortunate  that  so  little  is  known  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Order  in 
this,  as  well  as  many  other  jurisdictions. 

Lodge  No.  6,  formerly  No.  18,  at  Stillwater,  seems  to  have  begun  its 
existence  in  1891,  but  date,  where  or  by  whom  organized  are  not  reported. 
Lodges  No.  7,  at  El  Eeno,  November  19, 1891 ;  No.  8,  at  Dover,  March  2, 
1892 ;  and  No.  9,  at  Chandler,  May  23d,  of  the  same  year,  were  instituted 
by  A.  C.  Potter,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  Lodge  No.  10,  at  Crescent, 
was  instituted  August  24, 1892 ;  Hennessey,  No.  11,  September  7,  1892 ; 
and  No.  12,  at  Mulhall,  — no  date  of  institution, — but  the  latter  had  41 
members  in  April,  1893. 

This  closed  the  work  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Oklahoma  was  organized  April  26, 
1893,  at  Oklahoma  City,  by  A.  L.  Voorhis,  Past  Grand  Master  and  Grand 
Representative  of  Kansas,  assisted  by  J.  A.  Campbell,  Deputy  Grand 
Master ;  J.  T.  McMillen,  Past  Grand  Master ;  Past  Grand  J.  A.  Dillon, 
of  Kansas ;  and  Past  Grand  E.  E.  Bacon,  and  Past  Grand  Secretary  G.  M. 
Adams,  of  Oklahoma.  The  twelve  lodges  petitioning  for  a  Grand  Lodge 
charter  were  represented,  each  by  three  representatives  and  other  past 
grands,  making  in  all  45.  The  Grand  Encampment  of  Oklahoma  was 
instituted  the  same  day  by  the  same  officers.  The  seventy-fourth  anni- 
versary of  the  Order  was  a  great  day  for  the  Odd  Fellows  of  this  jurisdiction. 
The  enthusiasm  displayed  by  them  was  great  and  does  not  appear  to  have 
abated,  as  there  are  thirty-four  working  lodges,  with  over  1500  members. 


DIVISION  Y. 

THIRD  MERIDIAN. 

THE  PACIFIC  COAST  AND  ROCKY  MOUNTAINS,  FROM  BRITISH  COLUMBIA 
TO  MEXICO :  THE  GRAND  LODGES  OF  CALIFORNIA,  OREGON,  COLO- 
RADO, NEVADA,  IDAHO,  WASHINGTON,  MONTANA,  WYOMING,  UTAH, 
ARIZONA,  NEW  MEXICO  (INCLUDING  ALASKA). 

By  Charles  N.  Fox,  Past  Grand  Master^  Past  Grand  Patriarchy  and  Past 

Grand  Representative  of  California^ 


INTRODUCTION. 

"  Westward  the'  star  of  Empire  takes  its  way." 

This  expression  of  the  revered  Bishop  Berkeley  was  not  only  the 
enunciation  of  a  truth  of  his  time,  but  it  was,  also,  prophetic  of  the 
future;  and  not  less  prophetic  of  the  march  of  the  empire  of  states,  or 
organized  civil  governments,  and  of  the  progress  of  arts  and  sciences,  than 
of  the  march  of  the  empire  of  peace  and  love,  as  taught  at  the  altars  and 
develoi)ed  in  the  lodges  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

When  this  Independent  Order,  so  essentially  American  in  its  organi- 
zation and  forms  of  government,  was  first  given  organized  form  by  good 
old "  Father"  Wildey,  and  his  associates;  yes,  even  later,  when  it  had  been 
exalted,  through  the  efforts  of  the  immortal  Ridgely  and  his  confreres, 
into  an  association  for  the  improvement  and  elevation  of  the  character  of 
man,  and  the  enlightenment  of  his  mind,  as  well  as  for  mutual  relief  in 
the  struggles  which  are  inseparable  from  human  life,  the  vast  domain 
which  has  been  assigned  to  the  Third  Meridian  in  the  order  of  this  publi- 
cation, was  almost  unknown  to  civilized  man.  Then  the  "  Great  West " 
was  bounded  toward  the  setting  sun  by  the  western  borders  of  the  valley 
of  the  Mississippi,  and  few  men,  if  any,  dreamed  that  beyond  it  there 
was  anything  more  than  the  slope  and  summit  of  the  '^Eockies,"  that 
summit  being  regarded  as  the  "  jumping-off  place  "  of  all  who  should  have 
the  temerity  to  seek  a  "farther  west."  Few,  if  any,  believed  that  beyond 
this  summit,  against  whose  western  base  it  was  supposed  the  waters  of 
earth's  greatest  ocean  broke  their  ceaseless  waves,  there  was  an  empire, 

379 


380  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

broader  in  extent,  with  fairer  suns  and  brighter  climes,  richer  in  natural 
resources,  and  capable  of  supporting  a  larger  population  than  all  the  bal- 
ance of  our  country's  vast  domain.  And  yet,  such  is  now  known  to  be  the 
fact,  and  such  is  the  "  sunset  land,"  constituting  our  Third  Meridian. 

The  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  is  limited  to  no  country,  and 
the  history  of  its  organization  and  growth  in  no  sense  involves  a  study  of 
the  physical  geography,  or  political  history  of  any  nation ;  and  yet  the 
Meridian  of  which  we  write,  covering  as  it  does  more  than  two-thirds  of 
the  area  of  the  entire  domain  of  the  nation  under  whose  beneficent  gov- 
ernment the  Order  found  its  birth,  and  after  whose  form  of  government 
its  organization  is  so  largely  modelled,  but  forming  no  part  of  that  domain 
at  the  time  of  the  nation's  birth  and  organization,  —  even  her  right  to  any 
part  of  it  being  still  unsettled  and  in  dispute  at  the  time  of  th^  birth  and 
organization  of  the  Order  itself,  —  it  would  seem  to  be  not  inappropriate, 
at  this  time^  to  briefly  summarize  the  time  and  manner  of  its  acquisition 
by  the  nation,  to  be  followed  in  regular  course,  and  in  pursuance  with  the 
more  immediate  object  of  this  work,  with  a  history  of  the  time  and  man- 
ner of  the  conquest  of  its  separate  parts  by  the  Order  itself. 

Geographical  and  Historical  Characteristics.  —  Of  this  Meridian  the  ter- 
ritory included  in  the  following  states  and  territories,  to  wit,  Oregon, 
Washington,  Idaho,  Montana,  Nevada,  Wyoming  between  the  Platte  and 
Powder  rivers,  and  Colorado  north  of  the  Arkansas  river  and  east  of  the 
Eocky  mountains,  was  part  of  the  Louisiana  Purchase,  made  by  treaty 
with  France  in  1803.  The  northern  boundary  of  this  territory,  however, 
was  in  dispute  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  involving  war 
clouds ;  and  the  old  American  cry  of  "  fifty-four  forty  or  fight "  until  the 
year  1846,  when  by  treaty  the  49th  parallel  of  north  latitude  was  fixed  as 
the  international  boundary,  possessed  great  significance.  Even  after  that 
date  the  dispute  was  continued,  as  to  the  boundary  between  the  two  gov- 
ernments beyond  the  shore-line  of  St.  George's  channel,  until  1872,  when, 
the  matter  having  been  submitted  to  the  arbitration  of  the  Emperor  of 
Germany,  it  was  decided  that  the  Canal  de  Haro,  with  the  Strait  of  Fuca, 
separated  the  possessions  of  the  two  countries,  thus  giving  to  the  United 
States  all  that  was  claimed. 

The  territory  embraced  within  the  state  of  California  was  acquired  by 
conquest  during  the  Mexican  war,  the  American  flag  being  raised  by 
Commodore  Sloat  at  Monterey,  and  possession  of  the  country  taken,  in  the 
name  of  the  United  States,  July  7, 1846.  This  acquisition  was  confirmed 
by  the  treaty  of  Guadalupe-Hidalgo,  made  February  2, 1849,  subsequently 
ratified  by  both  republics  and  promulgated  by  the  President  July  4, 1849. 
By  this  treaty  the  United  States,  also,  acquired  a  part  of  what  is  now  the 
territory  of  Arizona,  and  a  part  of  the  territory  of  New  Mexico.  Another 
portion  of  Arizona  was  acquired  under  the  Gadsden  Purchase  in  1853. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JUBISDICTIONS.  881 

The  remainder  of  the  territory  within  this  Meridian,  now  held  by  the 
United  States,  lying  south  of  the  49th  parallel,  was  acquired  by  cession 
from  Texas  in  1850,  but  Texas,  as  an  independent  government,  had  been 
annexed  to  the  United  States  in  1845. 

The  remainder  of  the  territory  within  this  Meridian,  now  known  as 
Alaska,  covering  an  area  of  577,390  square  miles,  was  acquired  by  pur- 
chase from  Eussia,  in  1867. 

Within  and  throughout  this  great  Meridian  Odd  Fellowship  has  had  a 
history  peculiarly  its  own:  an  experience  in  many  respects  unlike  that 
found  in  any  other  portion  of  the  world,  except,  possibly,  at  a  later  period, 
and  in  lesser  degree,  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Australasia.  A  brief  statement 
of  the  causes  and  character  of  this  peculiar  history  in  this  Introduction 
will  save  much  of  repetition  when  we  come  to  the  historical  review  of  jbhe 
separate  jurisdictions. 

Here  the  Order  has  escaped,  in  large  measure,  the  anathema  and  pro- 
scription which  attended  the  earlier  efforts  of  its  founders  in  the  East, 
and,  as  a  rule,  has  been  universally  honored  rather  than  proscribed.  The 
peculiar  features  attending  its  organization  and  growth  have  "  grown  out  * 
of  the  sudden  and  marvellous  influx  of  immigration  which  has  builded,  in 
fifty  years,  an  empire  in  the  farther  West,  the  equal  of  which  was  never 
before  established  on  the  globe,  except  by  slow  processes  running  through 
centuries  of  time ;  and  these  features  have  been,  at  all  times  during  the 
period  of  their  growth,  strangely  affected  and  marked  by  sudden  changes 
in  the  base  of  operations  of  multitudes  of  men  of  every  grade  and  rank 
in  life,  engaged  in  a  wild  stampede  in  search  of  gold,  and  the  wealth  and 
power  which  it  brings. 

Gold  and  silver  are  found,  in  their  native  state,  in  greater  or  less  quan- 
tity, in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  vast  area  of  this  Meridian;  and  while 
scattered  throughout  its  borders  are  large  tracts  of  the  most  productive  of 
arable  lands,  where  the  fruits  of  the  soil  are  abundant  in  quantity  and 
most  varied  in  kind,  —  lands  of  sunshine  and  of  flowers, — there  are  other 
vast  areas  given  to  eternal  snows  and  scarred  with  glacial  erosions ;  but 
nearly  everywhere,  in  the  beds  of  its  numerous  streams,  in  the  foothills 
bordering  its  valleys,  at  the  very  surface  of  its  flower-clad  soil,  and  deep 
down  among  the  rocks  that  underlie  it,  — in  the  gulches  and  cailons  of  its 
mountain  ranges,  and  even  high  up,  under  the  perpetual  ice  and  snows  of 
its  mountain  tops,  —  "  prospects  "  are  found  which  make  men  wild  in  the 
pursuit  of  wealth,  and  lead  many  to  abandon  all  other  occupations  in  search 
of  those  precious  metals,  the  possession  of  which  gives  to  men  position 
and  standing  among  their  fellows,  and  power  to  rule  the  commerce  of  the 
world. 

About  the  time  of  the  conquest  of  California  a  straggling  immigration 
had  *^  set  in  "  from  the  East  toward  the  little  known  but  fertile  valleys  of 


382  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Oregon.  A  few  wanderers,  also,  found  their  way  into  California  and 
"squatted"  upon  the  public  domain,  or  allied  themselves  with  the 
families  of  native  Californians  found  around  the  early  Spanish  missions. 
In  1848  Brigham  Young  established  the  sinCe  famous  Mormon  settlement 
in  Utah ;  but  as  yet  this  entire  country  was  so  little  known  to  the  outside 
world,  that  immigration  was  insufficient  to  attract  public  attention,  and 
population  too  sparse  to  induce  much  of  intercommunication,  until  the 
news  had  gone  forth  that  in  January,  1848,  gold  had  been  discovered  on 
the  banks  and  in  the  bed  of  the  American  river,  at  what  is  now  the  little 
hamlet  of  Coloma,  in  El  Dorado  county,  California ;  a  hamlet  that,  like 
most  other  mining  towns,  has  had  its  rise  and  fall,  —  was  once  full  of  life 
and  activity,  with  a  large  population  and  a  thriving  lodge,  —  but  is  now 
a  veritable  "  sleepy  hollow,"  with  a  very  small  population,  living  upon  the 
luscious  fruits  which  the  soil  and  the  climate  produce,  and  enjoying  the 
visits  of  an  occasional  pilgrimage  made  to  view  the  monument  erected  by 
the  state  to  the  memory  of  Marshall,  the  man  who  first  discovered  the  gold, 
and  thus  led  to  the  opening  of  the  doors  of  the  treasure-vault  of  the  world. 
The  old  lodge,  however,  still  lives,  and,  though  compared  with  the  past  is 
small  in  numbers  and  poor  in  purse,  practises  the  precepts  and  faithfully 
performs  the  duties  enjoined  by  Odd  Fellowship. 

In  the  absence  of  all  regular  communication  between  this  and  the  more 
populous  portions  of  the  earth,  it  took  a  year  for  the  news  of  this  discovery 
to  become  disseminated ;  but  each  message  transmitted  was  followed  by 
another  confirming  the  tidings,  and  giving  assurances  of  new  discoveries, 
and  of  the  finding  of  "  oro  "  in  so  many  places,  and  in  such  quantity,  that 
all  the  world  began  to  look  upon  California  as  a  "  land  of  gold  " ;  and,  in 
just  about  one  year  from  the  date  of  the  original  discovery,  a  hegira  of 
immigration  set  in,  such  as  had  never  before  been  witnessed.  Within  one 
year  from  the  commencement  of  this  flood-tide  of  immigration  the  popula- 
tion of  California  had  increased  to  92,000  souls.  Every  inhabited  portion 
of  the  globe,  and  all  classes,  ranks,  professions,  and  callings  of  men,  —  and 
as  a  rule  of  men  only,  —  were  represented;  and  these  were  nearly  all 
young  men,  —  very  few  of  them  had  even  reached  to  middle  life.  By  sea 
and  by  land  they  came,  and  in  all  kinds  of  conveyances, — not  a  few  with- 
out conveyances,  —  suffering,  in  the  excitement  of  the  race,  almost  without 
knowing  it,  untold  hardships ;  and,  once  arrived,  rushing  headlong  "  to  the 
mines  "  without  proper  preparation  or  equipment,  taking  their  chances  of 
finding  gold  at  once,  and  being  able  to  live  on  it,  in  a  country  where,  at  the 
time,  very  little  of  anything  else  was  produced. 

The  result  of  all  this  enthusiasm  was  that  wherever  "  a  strike  "  was 
made  a  town  arose  as  by  magic,  with  a  large  population  composed  of  men 
entirely  unknown  to  one  another,  not  a  few  of  whom  were  there  solely  to 
prey  upon  their  fellow-men.    Without  law,  and  without  order,  each  was 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  388 

for  himself,  and  caxed  nothing  for  the  rest.  By  day,  honest,  earnest  men 
toiled  in  sweat  and  grime  to  make  the  earth  give  up  her  treasure,  and  by 
night  gamblers  and  thieves  ran  riot  in  their  efforts  to  secure  by  less  legiti- 
mate means  the  fruits  of  others'  honest  toil.  Pistols  and  knives  were 
the  arbiters  of  right  or  of  wrong,  and  Judge  Lynch  held  the  only  court 
"  at  the  mines,"  a  court  of  first  and  last  resort.  Very  soon  a  necessity  for 
organization  on  the  part  of  honest  men  was  felt,  as  a  means  of  protection, 
and  of  bringing  order  out  of  chaos.  Among  the  first,  if  not  the  very  first, 
of  the  efforts  in  this  direction  was  in  each  instance  a  call  for  a  meeting 
of  Odd  Fellows,  in  response  to  which  men  educated  in  the  principles  of 
"  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,"  and  trained  in  the  light  of  personal  integ- 
rity and  honor,  assembled  and  became  acquainted  with  one  another ;  and 
not  only  commenced  the  practice  of  the  obligations  of  mutual  relief,  but 
by  their  united  efforts  in  the  restoration  of  order,  and  in  the  protection 
of  the  lives  and  property  of  each  other,  and  of  their  well-disposed  neigh- 
bors, gave  practical  demonstration  of  the  fact  that  "in  union  there  is 
strength."  Without  waiting  for  charters,  the  sick  were  visited,  the  des- 
titute relieved,  and  the  dead  were  buried  with  tender  care,  if  not  with 
ritualistic  ceremonies.  As  soon  as  it  was  possible  to  get  the  semblance 
of  legal  authority,  a  lodge  was  organized,  and  the  work  of  teaching  as  well 
as  of  practising  the  precepts  of  the  Order  was  begun.  Usually,  through- 
out the  mining  regions,  these  lodges  have  been  the  pioneers  of  all  organi- 
zations tending  toward  social  order  and  organized  government;  and  in 
them  were  gathered  the  flower  not  only  of  the  new  land  of  their  adoption, 
but  of  the  young  men  of  the  nation,  state,  or  county  from  whence  they 
came ;  for  of  those  who  came  hither  to  seek  wealth  by  honest  means,  only 
the  strong,  the  bright,  the  active,  and  the  courageous  dared  to  brave  the 
hardships  of  the  passage  and  the  perils  of  the  wilderness. 

In  a  land,  and  among  a  people  where,  as  a  rule,  there  were  no  mothers, 
wives,  daughters,  or  sweet-hearts,  no  homes  or  firesides,  men  soon  came 
to  literally  regard  their  lodge  as  their  family,  and  the  fortimate  ones  con- 
tributed without  stint  to  upbuild  and  beautify  its  home,  and  to  care  for 
their  less  fortunate  brethren.  In  such  a  country  and  under  such  conditions, 
this  was  not  only  a  labor  of  love,  but  also  one  of  untiring  effort  and  untold 
expense.  Rooms  adapted  to  the  uses  of  the  Order  had  to  be  specially 
builded  for  the  purpose.  For  thirty  years  after  the  Order  was  successfully 
organized  and  in  a  flourishing  condition  in  California,  it  was  entirely  safe, 
upon  visiting  any  city  or  town,  to  go  directly  to  the  finest  building  in  it, 
assured  that  it  was  "the  Odd  Fellows'  hall."  In  all  the  mining  regions, 
in  the  early  days,  the  halls  of  the  Order  were  erected  and  furnished  at 
enormous  expense,  compared  with  the  cost  of  similar  structures  elsewhere, 
—  not  because  the  brethren  here  were  more  extravagant  in  this  regard 
than  elsewhere,  but  because  of  the  cost  of  material,  labor,  and  transpor- 


884  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

tation.  The  cost  of  labor  and  of  every  means  of  subsistence  was  "  out  of 
sight,"  when  compared  with  anything  ever  before  known  among  men,  and 
much  that  was  necessary  had  to  be  transported  long  distances  over  moim- 
tain  trails,  where  wheels  of  any  kind,  outside  the  cases  of  watches  or  heads 
of  cranks,  were  unknown.  It  often  happened  that  very  soon  after  "  the 
hall "  was  completed  and  furnished,  a  fire  would  sweep  the  entire  business 
portion  of  the  town  off  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  "  the  hall "  woidd  go 
with  it,  for  everything  was  built  of  the  most  combustible  material  and 
there  was  no  means  of  fighting  the  element  of  fire.  In  such  cases,  if  the 
"  camp  "  was  a  promising  locality,  before  the  ashes  were  cold  the  work  of 
rebuilding  would  commence,  and  where  the  former  hall  stood,  a  better 
one  would  rise  in  its  stead.  In  many  places  this  process  has  been  repeated 
time  and  time  again.  In  other  cases,  where  the  mines  were  not  as  rich 
as  others  were  rumored  to  be,  the  whole  town  would  be  abandoned,  and 
almost  in  a  night  the  entire  population  would  disappear,  scattering  to  the 
four-winds,  seeking  new  places  to  "  set  their  stakes,"  and  begin  the  world 
anew,  among  strangers,  and  again  to  pass  through  the  scenes  and  strug- 
gles attendant  upon  their  original  attempt  at  settlement.  Even  with- 
out a  fire  to  prompt  it  such  stampedes  as  this  have  frequently  occurred, 
and  large  and  apparently  thriving  towns  have  been  almost  entirely  aban- 
doned, leaving  buildings  and  everything  of  a  fixed  nature  to  be  preempted 
by  the  next  comer  who  might  be  tempted  to  take  it  Not  unf  requently 
the  "  next  comer  "  has  been  a  Chinaman,  who  lived  in  what  was  to  him  a 
palace  already  "  builded  to  his  hand,"  and  gathered  "  wealth  galore,"  in  a 
place  from  which  the  white  man  had  fled  to  "  new  diggings,"  where  his  hard- 
ships were  often  greater  and  his  profits  less  than  before  ]  but  the  Chinaman 
was  safe,  for  there  was  no  danger  of  the  white  man  coming  back.  When- 
ever the  latter  has  had  a  bad  attack  of  the  "  mining  fever  "  and  has  adopted 
practical  surface  mining  as  his  occupation,  he  never  gets  over  that  fever ; 
but  becomes,  like  the  stones  of  the  placers  among  which  he  works, 
a  "  rolling  stone,"  never  content  to  stay  in  any  one  spot,  however  well  he 
may  be  doing,  but  always  looking  to  find  the  place  where  the  rainbow 
rests,  listening  for  rumors  of  "  new  diggin's,"  —  the  farther  off  the  better, 
— and,  upon  hearing  them,  abandoning  everything  else,  rushing  for  the 
antipodes,  it  may  be,  in  the  hope  of  making  a  new  and  richer  "  strike." 

It  was  this  fever,  first  breaking  out  in  California  and  spreading  by 
contagion,  that,  at  later  dates,  led  to  the  discovery  and  opening  of  mines 
in  nearly  every  other  portion  of  this  Meridian,  repeating  for  the  Order 
in  each  of  its  jurisdictions  the  experience  of  struggles  and  hardships,  of 
triumphs  and  noble  works,  which  it  had  in  California;  and  even  now, 
while  we  write,  the  enactment  of  the  same  scenes,  "  brought  about "  by 
the  same  cause,  is  just  commencing  in  far  Alaska,  on  the  auriferous  banks 
of  the  ice-bound  Youkon. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  385 

In  Oregon  and  Washington  the  immigration  has  never  been  so  rapid, 
though  more  steady ;  nor  has  it  been  so  largely  affected  by  mining  excite- 
ments ;  but  even  these  jurisdictions  have  not  been  without  some  measure 
of  the  experience  of  "mining  camps."  In  these  two  states,  the  experi- 
ences of  the  Order  have  been  those  of  pioneers  in  the  settlement  of  new 
and  unknown  lands,  and  its  members  have  come  together  as  personal 
strangers  to  one  another,  bound  and  proving  themselves  only  by  the 
"  mystic  tie  " ;  and,  like  their  brethren  in  the  mining  regions,  by  supreme 
effort,  through  personal  sacrifice  and  hardship,  have  founded  lodges  and 
erected  altars  where  the  characters  of  men  have  been  exalted,  their  minds 
enlightened,  the  sphere  of  human  affection  has  been  enlarged,  distress 
relieved,  good  government  promoted,  and  the  blessings  of  social  order 
advanced. 

In  every  other  portion  of  this  Meridian  the  early  history  of  the  organi- 
zation and  struggles  of  the  Order  in  California  has  been  repeated,  and 
from  the  same  causes.  The  few  lodges,  where  there  were  any,  whose 
organization  preceded  those  at  the  mining  camps,  like  the  earlier  lodges 
in  San  Francisco,  Sacramento,  Stockton,  and  Marysville,  were  so  organized 
at  termini  of  public  transportation,  —  places  from  which  men  started  and 
where  they  "  fitted  out "  for  the  mines,  and  distributing  points  of  supply. 
At  these  points  the  lodges  had  frequent  struggles  with  fire  and  flood,  and 
with  the  pestilence  which  attended  crowded  conditions  and  insufficient 
appliances  for  accommodation  and  care,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  the  histories 
of  the  world  produce  other  instances  in  which  small  bodies  of  men  made 
such  vast  contributions  of  time  and  money  to  the  cai*e  of  the  sick  and 
the  burial  of  the  dead  who  were  strangers  among  them,  as  in  the  pioneer 
days  were  made  by  the  pioneer  lodges  and  organizations  of  Odd  Fellows, 
located  at  these  way-stations  on  the  line  of  immigration.  Hundreds  of 
thousands  of  dollars  were  thus  expended,  even  before  charters  were  secured. 

Out  of  the  lodges  which  have  thus  struggled  into  existence  in  this 
Meridian,  and  have  contributed  so  largely  to  the  upbuilding  of  our  great 
fraternity,  have  come  forth  the  leading  spirits  who  have  builded  this 
great  political  and  social  empire  in  the  farther  West.  Lawyers,  doctors, 
ministers,  bankers,  merchants,  manufacturers,  mechanics,  and  laborers  of 
every  class,  have,  side  by  side  at  these  altars,  studied  the  great  lesson 
of  faith  in  God  and  love  for  man,  inculcated  by  the  Jewish  child  of 
Bethlehem,  who,  when  he  had  grown  to  man's  estate,  on  the  shores 
of  Galilee,  gathered  around  him  the  humble  fishermen  and  sent  them 
out  to  teach  all  the  world :  — 

"  Thou  Shalt  love  the  Lord,  thy  God,  with  all  thy  heart,  with  aU  thy  mind,  and  with  all 
thy  strength,  and  thou  ithalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself";  and  again:  "  Whatsoever  ye 
would  that  others  should  do  unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  unto  them  " ;  and  to  pray :  "  Forgive  na 
our  trespasses,  as  toe  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us.** 


386  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Here  they  have  learned,  also,  to  be  "faithful  to  their  country,"  to 
uphold  its  laws,  and  to  upbuild  its  free  institutions.  From  these  lodges 
in  every  jurisdiction,  men  have  been  called  to  fill,  and  have  shed  lustre 
upon,  the  highest  stations  in  civil  life,  executive,  judicial,  and  legislative. 
In  gubernatorial  chairs,  in  legislative  halls,  in  both  houses  of  the  Congress 
of  the  nation,  and  at  the  courts  of  great  foreign  powers,  these  lodges  have 
so  often  been  represented  by  men  who  in  the  highest  degree  honored  the 
stations  to  which  they  were  called,  as  well  as  the  people  whom  they 
served,  that  space,  in  a  work  like  this,  forbids  the  mention  of  them  all, 
and  it  may  seem  invidious  to  mention  less  than  all.  But  among  them 
there  was  one,  now  gone  to  God,  too  busy  in  life  to  accept  or  earn  the 
honors  of  the  Order,  but  not  too  busy  to  study  its  lessons  or  practise  its 
precepts,  —  one  whose  character  was  moulded  by,  and  whose  life  was  in 
accord  with,  those  lessons,  —  whose  public  career  was  so  exalted  and 
honorable  that  no  one  can  be  wounded  by  the  mention  of  his  name  to 
the  exclusion  of  others,  and  whose  record  of  philanthropy,  the  outgrowth 
of  his  study  of  the  teachings  of  Odd  Fellowship,  belongs  to  the  world  at 
large.     Let  his  name  be  recorded  here. 

Leland  Stanford.  — This  brother,  a  member  of  Sacramento  Lodge,  No.  2, 
the  great  war-governor  of  California,  nearly  thirty  years  ago,  when  the 
Grand  Lodge  first  began  to  agitate  the  subject  of  establishing  an  Odd 
Fellows'  home,  and  when  he  was  comparatively  a  poor  man,  took  a  lively 
interest  in  the  matter,  and  authorized  the  writer,  whenever  the  work  was 
undertaken,  to  draw  on  him  for  $25,000  for  that  purpose.  After  some 
years  of  investigation  it  was  found  that  there  was,  at  that  time,  scarcely 
an  old  man  in  membership  in  the  jurisdiction,  and  not  a  sufficient  number 
of  persons  needing  the  care  of  the  Order  in  such  a  home  to  justify  the  under- 
taking. For  a  quarter  of  a  century  the  matter  remained  in  abeyance,  but 
frequently  during  that  period,  and  to  very  near  the  time  of  his  death,  the 
great-hearted  brother  recurred  to  the  subject,  and  reminded  the  writer  to 
call  on  him  whenever  the  money  was  needed.  When  at  length  the  time 
came  that  there  were  sufficient  wards  of  the  Order  to  justify  the  establish- 
ment of  a  home,  Brother  Stanford  had  gone  to  his  rest,  dying  a  United 
States  senator,  and,  what  was  better  still,  a  world's  greatest  benefactor. 
His  book  of  life  was  finished.  The  sun  of  his  life  had  set,  but  the  after- 
glow lighted  the  whole  earth  with  the  effulgence  of  its  glory,  and  warmed 
the  hearts  of  men  everywhere,  as  they  had  never  been  warmed  by  any 
single  act  of  benevolence  before. 

Nor  had  he  waited  the  call  of  death  to  respond  to  the  call  of  human 
sympathy.  Before  Azrael  came,  he  had,  single-handed  and  alone,  except 
as  he  was  seconded  by  his  noble  wife,  founded,  and  so  far  builded  as  to 
have  put  into  successful  operation,  a  great  university  for  the  practical 
education  of  children  of  both  sexes,  from  all  lands  and  for  all  time  to 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  387 

come,  fitting  them  to  enter  at  once  upon  the  active  affairs  of  life,  and 
to  become  useful  and  honorable  representatives  of  their  race ;  a  university 
of  the  highest  rank,  and  yet  most  practical  in  its  methods,  and  so  well 
endowed  as  to  insure  its  perpetuity,  and  that  it  shall  be  a  blessing  to  the 
children  of  men  through  all  the  ages  to  come. 

It  is  not  so  named,  for  it  is  a  benefaction  for  the  race,  and  not  for  any 
particular  sect  or  order  of  men;  but  this  university  is  in  spirit  an  Odd 
Fellows'  great  institution  of  learning,  for  it  was  founded  by  an  Odd  Fellow, 
in  the  spirit  engendered  and  fostered  by  the  lessons  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
and  its  deed  of  endowment  is  so  framed,  and  its  course  of  instruction  so 
outlined,  by  its  founder,  as  to  make  it  a  place  especially  to  be  sought  by 
those  who  are  "  Selected  out  from  the  general  mass  with  a  desire  for  true 
knowledge."  *  And  here,  at  Palo  Alto,  where  many  of  its  consecrated 
buildings  already  stand  completed,  and  where  the  ashes  of  its  founder 
rest,  within  the  sound  of  surging  seas,  where  the  trees  are  forever  green 
and  flowers  forever  bloom,  thousands  are  already  coming,  and  unborn 
millions  will  yet  come,  to  drink  at  the  fountain  of  knowledge  opened  to 
the  world  by  the  bounty  of  a  single  man,  and  he  one  of  the  earliest  of 
those  who  sought  for  knowledge,  in  the  light  of  that  Truth  which  reveals 
to  us  Love  as  the  foundation  of  all  good  in  this  life  and  in  the  life  to 
come,  at  the  altar  of  an  Odd  Fellows'  lodge,  in  the  land  of  the  golden  West. 

The  original  endowment,  when  it  was  deeded  in  trust  for  the  uses 
of  the  university,  was  esteemed  to  be  worth  twenty  millions  of  dollars. 
Perhaps  the  late  depreciation  in  the  values  of  real  estate  would  reduce 
this  estimate  somewhat  at  the  present  time,  but  in  the  meanwhile  vast 
sums  of  money  have  been  expended  by  the  founder  in  "  carrying  out "  the 
great  undertaking,  —  sums  again  running  into  the  millions,  without 
encroaching  upon  the  original  endowment ;  and  his  will  provided  many 
millions  more  to  follow  in  the  same  direction,  making  this  university,  — 
which  he  named,  in  memory  of  his  deceased  and  only  son,  the  Leland 
Stanford  Junior  University,  —  while  one  of  the  youngest,  yet  one  of  the 
most  richly  endowed  institutions  of  learning  in  the  world,  the  free  gift  of 
a  bereaved  but  great-hearted  father  to,  and  for,  the  benefit  of  the  children 
of  his  fellow-men,  and  the  most  munificent  gift  to  the  race  ever  made 
by  any  single  individual.  How  far  he  was  induced  in  this  direction  by 
the  teachings  and  influences  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  world  may  never 
know,  but  certain  it  is  that  the  gift  is  in  direct  line  with  the  teachings  of 
that  Order,  which  we  know  he  loved  and  honored ;  and  in  the  many  pub- 
lished reports  of  interviews  had  with  him  upon  the  subject  the  spirit,  and 
many  times  almost  the  language,  of  the  lodge-room  fell  from  his  lips, 
as  showing  the  moving  cause  for,  and  what  he  hoped  to  accomplish  by, 
this  crowning  act  of  his  humanitarian  and  useful  life. 

>  The  original  signification  of  the  term  "  Odd  Fellow,"  —  now  obsolete. 


388  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITF. 

In  the  light  of  such  a  noble  work  already  done,  —  a  work  in  the  direct 
line  of  our  aspirations,  and  so  much  greater  than  all  the  rest  could  do,  — 
the  Order  has  never  called  upon  his  esteemed  widow  (who  is  enshrined 
in  the  hearts  of  all  its  members  throughout  the  jurisdiction,  and  who  is 
bending  every  energy  to  perfect  and  complete  the  great  work  which  her 
husband  began,  and  who  has  already  expended  many  thousands  in  her 
own  behalf  in  the  care  and  education  of  helpless  little  ones  of  the  race),  to 
make  good  in  any  measure  the  sum  which  her  husband  had  proposed  to 
give  for  the  Odd  Fellows'  home,  which  has  risen  since  his  death  amidst 
the  orange  groves  of  Thermalitoj  and  where,  already,  more  than  half  a 
hundred  of  the  aged  patriarchs,  who  were  his  compeers  in  the  erection  of 
these  sacred  altars  in  the  West,  await  in  joy  and  peace  and  in  the  sun- 
shine of  love  the  Great  Grand  Master's  call.  For  we  know  full  well  that 
while  she  lives,  the  great  work,  born  of  their  benevolence,  will  never  cease ; 
and  when  she  too  shall  sleep  in  Palo  Alto's  sacred  tomb,  their  labors  will 
still  survive,  blessing  the  children  of  men  through  all  the  generations  yet 
to  come.  Even  when  their  bodies  and  marble  shrines  have  turned  to 
dust,  a  golden  shaft  of  human  love,  springing  from  the  hearts  of  untold 
thousands  of  their  beneficiaries,  like  a  "  monument  of  widows'  tears,""  will 
rise  from  earth  above  them,  and  pierce  the  cloudless  skies. 

Brother,  Hail !    Farewell.    Here  where  your  ashes  rest,  let 

"  Peace  o'er  the  world  her  olive  wand  extend » 
And  white-robed  Innocence  from  heaven  descend." 


CHAPTER  I. 

JURISDICTIONS  OF  THE  PACIFIC  SLOPE   AND  ROCKY  MOUNTAINS. 

California.  —  Even  as  California,  in  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury, became  the  one  point  upon  which  all  eyes  were  centred,  the  observed 
of  all  the  world's  observers,  because  of  its  marvellous  immigration,  and  its 
wondrous  contributions  to  the  circulating  medium  of  the  world,  so  also, 
at  the  same  period  of  time,  it  became  the  nucleus  within  and  around  which 
has  grown  up  the  mighty  fabric  of  fraternal  association  and  organization^ 
from  the  eastern  base  of  the  Bocky  mountains  to  the  great  western  seas ; 
and  first  among  those  associations,  in  membership  and  in  wealth,  as  well 
as  in  the  dissemination  of  mutual  relief  and  the  upbuilding  of  civilized 
society,  was  and  still  is  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

The  first  altar  of  this  Order  in  California  was  erected  in  San  Francisco, 
the  place  better  known  in  those  early  days  by  its  old  Spanish  name  of 
Yerba  Buena.     But  this  altar  was  erected  without  any  regular  authority 


i'r^fCi-^l^  (^■•n»«9<»ial-4 


l^glC^EiXglD^^t^^n    FRANCISCO.    CALIFORNIA. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  389 

of  law,  its  records  were  subsequently  destroyed,  and  now  at  this  date,  less 
than  fifty  years  from  the  time  of  its  erection,  its  history  is  scarcely  more 
than  a  legend.  However,  from  the  broken  files  of  old  newspapers  which 
the  universal  Yankee  established  almost  immediately  after  the  conquest, 
something  of  what  was  done  by  these  pioneers  of  the  Order  may  be  learned. 
In  the  California  Star,  published  in  San  Francisco,  in  1847,  is  found  the 
following :  — 

*'NoTiCB. — The  friends  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  are  respectfully 

invited  to  attend  a  meeting  of  the  Order  on  Tuesday  evening  next,  at  the  Portsmouth  house. 

"Many  Odd  Fellows. 
"  San  Francisco,  December  4, 1847.'' 

Nearly  a  dozen  Odd  Fellows  assembled  in  response  to  this  call,  and, 
after  consideration,  notwithstanding  they  held  no  charter  or  dispensation, 
they  resolved  to  organize  a  lodge,  and  selected  Doctor  E.  P.  Jones  as  Noble 
Grand,  Sam.  Brannan  as  Vice  Grand,  and  John  Joice  as  Secretary.  For 
a  time  they  continued  to  meet  at  the  Portsmouth  house,  but  subsequently 
fitted  up  a  lodge-room  in  a  frame  building  at  Clark's  Point.  There  is  no 
positive  proof  that  this  lodge  ever  attempted  to  initiate  or  confer  degrees, 
but  it  provided  itself  with  books  and  regalia,  and  engaged  regularly  in  the 
benevolent  work  of  the  Order,  increasing  in  membership  until  the  number 
reached  some  thirty ;  but  when  the  grand  rush  for  the  mines  came,  in 

1848,  when  the  church  became  desolate,  schools  were  broken  up,  the  news- 
papers ceased  their  issues,  the  Odd  Fellows  made  a  bonfire  of  all  their 
books  and  papers,  so  that  they  shoidd  not  fall  into  improper  hands,  stored 
away  their  regalia, — where  it  was  afterward  destroyed  in  one  of  those 
desolating  fires  which  swept  away  the  town  at  frequent  intervals  in  those 
early  days,  —  and  they,  too,  joined  in  the  hegira  to  the  mountains  in  search 
of  gold.  This  lodge  was  never  revived,  and  very  few  of  its  members  ever 
returned  to  become  citizens  of  the  great  city  which,  ultimately,  grew  up 
around  the  site  of  its  birth ;  but,  in  the  latter  part  of  1848,  another  lodge 
of  the  same  name  was  instituted,  and  upon  this  was  conferred  the  first 
dispensation  enjoyed  by  any  fraternal  association  in  California.  Even 
this  dispensation  was  irregular,  and  the,  lodge  was  not  properly  instituted. 
Its  records  having  been  entirely  destroyed  by  fire,  little  is  now  known  of 
its  history.  The  present  California  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  under  a 
charter  granted  by  Grand  Sire  Horn  R.  Kneass,  bearing  date  January  12, 

1849.  It  was  organized  September  9,  1849,  just  one  year  prior  to  the 
admission  of  the  state  into  the  Union.  This  dispensation  was  issued  to 
Brothers  Samuel  J.  Torbet,  Charles  Justis,  Frank  M.  Caldwell,  George  H. 
Weaver,  John  Willets,  and  James  Smiley,  then  of  Philadelphia,  but  about 
to  start  for  California.  Three  of  these  brothers  arrived  with  the  books 
and  papers  on  the  26th  of  May,  1849,  but  in  consequence  of  the 
hegira  to  the  mines,  a  sufficient  number  of  brothers  having  the  requisite 


390  TBE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

cards  were  not  assembled  until  the  9th  of  September,  following.  Mean- 
time and  in  the  month  of  August,  an  unsuccessful  attempt  had  been  made, 
by  a  novel  method,  to  get  enough  together  to  constitute  a  lodge.  This 
was  done  by  a  crier,  ringing  a  bell  through  the  streets,  and  announcing 
that  a  meeting  of  Odd  Fellows  was  called  at  the  schoolhouse,  to  take 
into  consideration  the  organization  of  a  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  To  this  call  responded  a  large  number  of  brothers, 
representing  every  state  in  the  Union,  but  among  them  all,  seven  brothers 
could  not  be  found  who  were  qualified  to  become  charter  members.  On 
the  9th  of  September,  however,  a  sufficient  number  of  qualified  brothers 
assembled,  and  the  lodge  was  instituted  in  due  form  by  Brother  James 
Smiley,  who  was  thereunto  duly  authorized.  Space  will  not  permit  the 
giving  of  the  names  of  even  the  charter  members  of  the  lodges  in  this 
vast  Meridian,  as  a  rule,  but  sufficient  at  least  should  be  taken  for  the 
names  of  those  who  were  recognized  actors  in  the  organization  of  the  first 
regularly  instituted  lodge  west  of  the  "  Rockies."  The  charter  members 
of  this  lodge  were:  R.  H.  Taylor,  Noble  Grand;  H.  W.  Henley,  Vice 
Grand;  E.  C.  Franklin,  Secretary;  John  M.  Coughlin,  Treasurer;  and 
Brothers  Julius  Rose,  William  Burling,  J.  K.  Dall,  David  Jobson,  Lewis 
Tramble.  There  were  a  large  number  of  other  brothers  present,  holding 
visiting  cards  from  the  Atlantic  states,  and  these,  with  their  presence, 
continued  to  assist  the  lodge,  regularly  contributed  dues  for  its  support, 
and  made  frequent  and  munificent  subscriptions,  to  enable  the  lodge  to 
minister  to  the  wants  of  the  sick  and  the  destitute.  The  early  records  of 
this  lodge  were,  also,  destroyed  by  fire,  and  it  is  impossible  at  this  date 
to  ascertain,  with  any  certainty,  the  measures  of  relief  which  it  furnished 
in  the  early  days  of  its  history.  Pioneers,  however,  of  whom  very  few 
that  survive  were  members  of  the  Order,  tell  us  that  the  disbursements 
made  by  this  lodge,  and  its  irregular  predecessors,  during  the  years  1849, 
1850,  and  1851,  for  the  relief  of  distress  among  the  many  thousands  who 
arrived  at  this  port  during  that  period,  stranded  and  destitute  when  land- 
ing, was  enormous ;  most  of  them  estimating  the  sum  expended  for  this 
•  purpose,  and  for  the  burial  of  the  dead,  by  the  brethren  of  the  Order,  at 
not  less  than  $100,000. 

Sacramento,  the  present  capital  of  the  state,  became  the  birth-place  of 
the  second  lodge  in  the^  jurisdiction ;  but  here,  also,  long  before  a  lodge 
was  instituted,  the  cry  for  organized  relief  was  heard,  and  by  Odd  Fellows 
was  answered.  There,  on  an  open  plain,  in  a  hot  climate,  at  the  junction 
of  two  great  rivers,  whose  waters  rose  to  nearly  the  level  of  the  surround- 
ing country,  and  not  infrequently  subjected  it  to  inundation,  thousands 
of  men  congregated,  from  thence  to  start  for  the  mines,  and  a  great  city 
sprang  up  as  if  by  magic,  composed  almost  entirely  of  tents ;  and  even 
these  were  not  sufficient  in  number  for  the  shelter  of  the  multitude,  many 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  391 

of  whom  lived  in  the  open  air,  sleeping  upon  the  ground,  with  nothing 
but  the  heavens  for  a  covering,  —  and  this  multitude  were  all  strangers 
to  one  another.  While  very  many  of  them  came  from  San  Francisco, 
thousands  assembled  here  who  had  never  seen  the  Golden  Gate,  but  had 
reached  this  temporary  haven  by  months  of  weary  travel  across  unin- 
habited plains,  mountains,  and  deserts,  from  the  "  father  of  waters "  in 
the  East  to  the  waters  that  washed  the  golden  sands  in  the  West.  Here 
and  then,  upon  this  unfed,  unhoused,  unprovided,  and  uncared-for  multi- 
tude of  men,  among  whom  no  ministering  angel  in  the  form  of  woman  was 
found,  sickness  laid  its  paralyzing  hand  with  a  force  that  never  before,  or 
since,  was  felt  at  any  point  on  the  Pacific  slope ;  and  from  it,  for  a  time, 
the  number  of  deaths  became  appalling. 

Under  these  conditions  the  brethren  at  Sacramento  were  not  behind 
those  of  San  Francisco,  in  the  great  mission  of  love,  mercy,  and  humanity ; 
indeed,  they  seem  to  have  been  even  more  active  in  "  visiting  the  sick,  and 
burying  the  dead,"  for  these  were  more  in  evidence,  and  their  needs  more 
pressing.  A  call  for  a  meeting  of  Odd  Fellows  was  issued ;  and,  on  the 
20th  of  August,  1849,  a  goodly  number  assembled,  and  an  association  was 
formed,  "  for  the  relief  of  distress,"  and  at  once  entered  upon  the  benevo- 
lent work  of  the  Order,  continuing  in  active  operation  until  a  regular 
lodge  was  instituted.  Among  the  most  active  of  the  members  of  this 
association  was  a  young  doctor.  Brother  John  F.  Morse,  who  early  became 
one  of  the  most  zealous  and  highly  esteemed  among  the  membership  in 
this  jurisdiction,  being  chosen  as  the  second  Grand  Master  of  the  state, 
subsequently  a  representative  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States ; 
and,  in  1870,  under  a  special  commission  issued  by  Grand  Sire  Farns- 
worth,  he  had  the  high  honor  of  introducing  and  instituting  the  Order  in 
Germany.  In  a  city  directory  of  Sacramento,  published  in  1853,  we  find 
a  short  historical  sketch  of  the  city  of  Sacramento,  written  by  Brother 
Morse,  from  which  we  quote  the  following  in  relation  to  this  association 
of  Odd  Fellows :  — 

"  The  first  and  most  effective  relief,  the  first  organized  effort '  to  visit  the  sick,  relieve 
the  distressed,  and  bary  the  dead,*  was  made  by  the  fraternity  of  Odd  Fellows.  The  first 
lights  of  effective  charity  that  gleamed  upon  the  despairing  visions  of  hundreds  of  the  sick 
and  djing,  ascended  from  the  '  altar  fires '  of  this  glorious  brotherhood,  which  the  presiding 
genius  of  the  institution  had  enkindled.  Although  denied  the  privilege  of  a  complete 
organization,  yet  they  came  together,  bound  themselves  by  an  informal  association,  and  like 
a  baud  of  pure  Samaritans,  devoted  themselves  with  untiring  zeal  to  the  wants  and  necessi- 
ties of  suffering  humanity.  Greneral  A.  M.  Winn  was  elected  president  of  the  association, 
than  whom  no  man  could  have  been  more  active  in  his  charity  ;  a  Mr.  McLaren,  Secretary, 
and  Captain  Gallup,  Treasurer ;  and  every  member  of  this  body  became  one  of  a  visiting 
committee,  whose  duty  it  was  to  keep  the  society  constantly  advised  of  every  dependent 
subject  of  distress  coming  to  their  knowledge. 

"  From  this  association,  the  history  of  which  would  thrill  the  heart  of  eyery  lover  of 
humanity,  an  immense  and  immeasurable  amount  of  relief  was  dispensed  ;  but  this  was  not 
sufficient  to  dissipate  the  increasing  calamity.    Men  stiU  sickened  and  died  without  assist- 


392  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

ance  ;  men  were  still  buried  in  the  filth  of  an  unattended  sickness,  and  frequently  without 
the  benefit  of  being  sewed  in  a  blanket  for  interment.  Rough  pine  coffins  ranged  from 
$60  to  $150,  and  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  in  the  midst  of  such  distress  and  poverty, 
coffins  could  always  be  procured.  This  association  of  Odd  Fellows  spent  thousands  of 
dollars  for  coffins  alone ;  and  when  General  Winn  became  the  executive  officer  of  the  city 
government,  no  man  was  refused  a  coffin  burial." 

After  a  time,  when  the  scourge  of  cholera  had  passed,  and  the 
general  health  improved,  with  the  better  conditions  of  men,  an  effort  was 
made  to  secure  the  proper  authority,  and  to  institute  a  regular  lodge. 
As  a  result  of  this  effort,  on  the  28th  of  January,  1851,  under  a  dispensa- 
tion which  was  believed  to  be  regular,  Sacramento  Lodge,  No.  2,  was 
instituted  by  Past  Grand  James  Smiley,  acting  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire.  From  that  time  forward,  the  work  of  the  Order  was  done  under  the 
supervision  and  direction  of  the  lodge. 

July  5, 1851,  the  petitioners  for  a  second  lodge  in  San  Francisco  were 
called  together  by  acting  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  James  Smiley,  when, 
seven  brothers  being  present,  having  the  necessary  qualifications,  although 
without  dispensation  or  documents  of  any  kind,  a  lodge  was  instituted, 
styled  San  Francisco,  No.  3,  and  declared  to  be  regularly  organized. 
Although  the  whole  proceeding  was  irregular,  the  lodge  was  set  at  work 
to  carry  out  the  principles  and  objects  of  the  Order,  and  it  has  ever  since 
faithfully  performed  all  the  duties  and  functions  for  which  it  was 
designed,  and  very  soon  became  the  largest  lodge  in  the  jurisdiction. 
Others  have  since  outstripped  it  in  numbers  of  membership. 

Eureka  Lodge,  No.  4,  was  organized  by  Past  Grand  C.  C.  Hayden, 
January  7, 1852,  under  a  dispensation  dated  January  2, 1852.  It  is  need- 
less to  say  that  the  institution  of  this  lodge  was,  also,  informal,  but  the 
lodge  still  lives,  and  has  done  noble  work  in  the  Order. 

Marysville,  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Yuba  and  the  Feather 
rivers,  at  the  then  practical  head  of  navigation  in  that  direction,  early 
became  a  distributing  point,  where  men  congregated,  and  from  thence 
travelled  to  the  more  northern  mines.  Here  conditions  similar  to  those 
at  Sacramento  arose,  although  in  far  less  degree,  and  affecting  a  much 
smaller  number  of  people.  Here,  also,  an  association  of  Odd  Fellows  was 
formed,  for  a  like  purpose,  out  of  which  "grew  up"  Yuba  Lodge,  No.  5 ;  but 
it  was  never  able  to  show  sufficient  color  of  authority  for  its  existence  as 
a  legal  lodge  to  secure  recognition  as  such,  until  after  the  organization 
and  the  receipt  of  a  charter  from,  and  being  regularly  instituted  under 
authority  of,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California. 

Stockton  was  another  city  of  the  plains,  —  a  half-way  house  to  the 
mines,  —  situate  at  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  San  Joaquin  river.  Here 
many  people,  also,  congregated  during  the  years  1850  and  1851,  and,  as  in 
the  other  cities  referred  to,  were  strangers  to  one  another.  Hither,  in  the 
latter  part  of  1851,  a  stranger  came,  —  having  no  acquaintances  except  one 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  393 

merchant  with  whom  he  had  some  dealings.  At  the  house  of  this  mer- 
chant he  became  sick,  and  finally  died.  The  sick  man  was  an  Odd  Fellow, 
and  when  satisfied  that  his  ^Hime  had  come,"  he  asked  to  see  an  Odd 
Fellow.  His  friend  succeeded  in  finding  a  man  who  claimed  to  be  one, 
and  he  came  at  once,  and  thenceforward  ministered  to  the  brother's  wants 
till  death  ensued.  Then  notices  were  posted  requesting  all  members  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  to  assemble  and  attend  the  funeral 
of  the  deceased  brother.  This  was  the  first  intimation  of  the  existence 
of  Odd  Fellowship  in  that  city,  but  those  cabalistic  letters  (I.O.O.F.), 
and  the  call  to  duty  rekindled  the  dormant  fires  of  Friendship,  Love, 
and  Truth,  and  a  large  concourse  of  men,  from  almost  every  section  of 
the  Union,  assembled,  greeting  one  another  as  brothers,  and,  with  tender 
hands,  bore  the  body  of  their  deceased  and  hitherto  unknown  brother  to 
its  final  rest.  Out  of  this  assembly,  so  called  together.  Charity  Lodge, 
No.  6,  was  bom.  It  was  instituted  February  14, 1852,  under  a  dispen- 
sation issued  by  Past  Grand  J.  M.  Goughlin,  then  acting  as  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  the  Pacific  coast.  This  proceeding,  like  most  of 
the  others,  was  irregular,  but  under  it  this  lodge  has  ever  since  done  noble 
work,  of  a  character  which  fully  justifies  the  name  chosen  by  its  founders, 
and  it  is,  to-day,  one  of  the  best  equipped  for  the  dispensation  of  charity 
among  the  lodges  of  the  world. 

Auburn  Lodge,  No.  7,  was  instituted  by  Past  Grand  George  I.  N. 
Monell,  under  dispensation  dated  October  7,  1852,  at  Auburn,  in  Placer 
county: 

El  Dorado  Lodge,  No.  8,  was  organized  September  4,  1852,  by  Past 
Grand  John  F.  Morse,  under  dispensation  dated  June  25,  1852.  It  was 
reorganized  in  January,  1853,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  S.  H. 
Parker,  the  former  organization  having  been  informal. 

These  constituted  all  the  lodges  that  had  any  semblance  of  organiza- 
tion in  the  state,  prior  to  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Cali- 
fornia, and  these  subordinates  were  so  irregularly  organized  that  it  was 
with  great  difficulty,  and  after  the  most  strenuous  effort,  that  a  dispensa- 
tion for  a  Grand  Lodge  was  secured.  In  June,  1852,  seven  lodges  in  this 
state  were  reported  as  in  good  working  order,  but  in  September,  of  that 
year.  Grand  Secretary  Eidgely  reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  that  but  one  of  these  had  been  regularly  chartered  by  that  Grand 
body.  The  brethren  here  were  three  thousand  miles  from  the  seat  of 
government  of  the  Order.  In  those  days  there  was  no  telegraph,  and 
the  mail  service  was  by  sea,  taking  two  months  to  send  a  letter  and  get 
an  answer.  Besides  very  few  of  those  here  had  ever  had  any  direct  rela- 
tions with  the  governing  body,  —  they  were  without  books,  or  means  of 
ascertaining  what  was  required  of  them,  and  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  that 
organization  was  not  only  irregular  but  slow.     Only  one  lodge  was  recog- 


394  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

nized  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  until  after  the  appoint- 
ment of,  and  report  from,  Past  Grand  Master  Samuel  Hale  Parker,  who 
was  appointed  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  1862,  and  came  here,  fresh  from  his  labors  as  Grand  Master  and 
Grand  Representative  in  the  East,  fully  equipped  with  the  information 
and  authority  necessary  to  correct  the  errors  of  the  past,  and  put  the 
irregular  lodges  in  line  to  secure  recognition.  Upon  this  work  he  at  once 
entered,  with  a  zeal  and  an  intelligence  which  soon  led  to  ultimate  suc- 
cess ;  and,  on  the  17th  of  May,  1853,  he  called  the  past  grands  of  the  state 
together  at  San  Prancisco,  and  when  assembled  read  to  them  a  dispense 
tion  which  had  been  issued,  —  granted  to  the  representatives  of  California 
Lodge,  No.  1;  Sacramento  Lodge,  No.  2;  San  Francisco  Lodge,  No.  3; 
Eureka  Lodge,  No.  4;  and  Charity  Lodge,  No.  6,  —  for  a  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Pellows  in  the  state  of  California,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  institute  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Pending  the  call  and  assembling  of  this  convention.  Auburn  -Lodge, 
No.  7,  and  El  Dorado  Lodge,  No.  8,  had  become  entitled  to  admission 
into  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  upon  motion  their  past  grands  were  duly 
admitted.  At  this  session  twenty-nine  votes  were  cast  at  the  election 
of  officers,  and  Past  Grand  Master  Samuel  Hale  Parker,  then  of  No.  3,  was 
elected  Grand  Master,  and  John  F.  Morse,  of  No.  2,  Deputy  Grand  MEister.  . 
The  sessions  continued  for  four  days,  during  which  time  a  constitution 
and  rules  of  order  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  a  constitution  for  subordi- 
nates, were  formulated  and  adopted,  and  active  measures  taken  for  the 
further  and  better  organization  and  government  of  the  Order  in  the  juris- 
diction. The  time  of  the  annual  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
was  fixed  for  the  second  Tuesday  of  May,  in  each  year,  and  regular 
sessions  have  since  been  held  on  that  day.  All  past  grands,  in  good 
standing,  are  entitled  to*  admission  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  vote 
upon  the  election  of  officers,  but  the  legislative  business  is  conducted  by 
representatives  elected,  annually,  by  the  subordinate  lodges,  according  to 
membership.  Brother  T.  Rodgers  Johnson,  elected  Grand  Secretary  at 
the  first  session,  proved  so  efficient  and  worthy  an  officer  that  he  was 
reelected  from  year  to  year,  until  the  session  of  1875,  when,  having  served 
for  twenty-two  consecutive  years,  Past  Grand  Walter  B.  Lyon  succeeded 
him.  He,  also,  was  competent  and  efficient,  and  was  continued  in  the 
office  until  his  death  in  November,  1893,  when  Past  Grand  George  T.  Shaw 
was  appointed,  and  by  subsequent  elections  still  continues  in  the  office. 
It  will  thus  be  seen  that  during  the  forty-three  years  and  upward,  of  the 
history  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  it  has  had  but  three  grand  secretaries  one  of 
whom  is  the  present  able  incumbent. 

Not  so  with  the  grand  masters.     That  office  carries  no  emoluments, 
and  the  area  of  the  jurisdiction  is  so  vast,  the  volume  of  correspondence 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  395 

SO  great,  and  the  accustomed  time  taken  for  visitation,  instruction,  and 
encouragement  so  much,  that  one  can  do  little  else  than  perform  the  duties 
of  that  office  while  he  holds  it ;  and  while  most  of  the  forty-four  grand 
masters  in  this  jurisdiction  have  been,  and  those  of  them  who  still  survive 
are,  enthusiasts  in  the  Order,  no  one  of  them  has  ever  aspired  to  a  second 
term.  This  jurisdiction  has  furnished  one  Grand  Sire,  John  B.  Harmon^ 
Grand  Master  in  1869-70. 

The  growth  of  the  Order  in  the  jurisdiction  has  fluctuated  at  times, 
affected  by  financial  conditions,  but,  as  a  whole,  it  has  moved  constantly 
•  forward  and  upward,  its  progress  at  some  periods  having  been  phenomenal. 
This  was  particularly  so  after  the  passage,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  of  the  non-affiliate  law.  A  parallel  of  the  condition  of 
things  in  California  in  tliose  early  days,  as  to  non-affiliated  Odd  Fellows, 
was  never  known  elsewhere.  At  the  third  annual  communication  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  May,  1855,  a  memorial  on  the  subject  was  adopted  to  be 
presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  prepared  by  that  able 
and  eloquent  brother,  Aaron  A.  Sargent,  who  afterward  became  Grand 
Representative,  representative  in  Congress,  United  States  senator,  and 
minister  to  Germany,  and  who  had  a  wide  acquaintance  throughout  the 
jurisdiction,  and  knew  whereof  he  wrote.  This  memorial  showed  that  by 
reason  bf  the  lapse  of  time,  and  difficulties  of  communication  with  their 
former  homes  in  the  East,  —  to  which  most  of  the  brothers  expected  to 
return  when  they  rushed  to  the  "  land  of  gold  "  in  the  years  1849-53,  — 
and  because  of  conditions  changing  these  plans  to  that  of  a  permanent 
settlement,  at  least  15,000  Odd  Fellows  had  lost  their  membership,  and 
were  now  non-affiliated,  and  had  been  unable  to  renew  that  connection 
from  no  fault  of  their  own,  and  prayed  for  some  means  of  relief. 

To  grant  this  involved  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  favorable  action  was  not  secured 
until  1858,  and  even  then  it  was  too  indefinite  and  uncertain  to  accom- 
plish its  purpose  until  other  and  more  specific  legislation  was  had ;  but 
this  came  at  last,  and  in  securing  it,  the  memorialists  were  greatly  aided 
by  the  efforts,  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  of  Representative 
Nathan  Porter,  of  Rhode  Island,  who  subsequently  became  a  member  of 
the  Order  in  California,  and  was  for  many  years  one  of  its.  most  able 
representatives  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  body,  where  he  then  secured  an 
important  addition  to  the  secret  work.  This  relief  being  at  last  afforded, 
the  numerical  as  well  as  the  financial  strength  of  the  Order  increased 
rapidly. 

The  reports  of  membership,  revenue,  and  relief,  during  the  first  decade 
after  organization,  were  very  incomplete,  but  if  they  had  been  otherwise, 
space  in  this  work  would  forbid  giving  the  statistics  showing  the  growth 
from  year  to  year.     Suffice  it  to  say  that  at  the  close  of  the  year  1895,  the 


396  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

assets,  revenue,  and  disbursements  of  the  lodges  within  the  jurisdiction 
for  that  year  were  reported  as  follows :  total  assets,  $2,589,417.98  \  reve- 
nue for  the  yesMT,  $552,652.86 ;  paid  for  relief  and  charity,  $282,103.29 ; 
paid  for  current  expenses,  $218,476.36 ;  grand  total  for  relief,  charity, 
and  expenses,  $500,579.65.  In  three  hundred  and  sixty  lodges  there  were 
30,867  members. 

From  a  compilation  by  Grand  Secretary  Shaw,  made  in  1895,  it  appears 
that  the  total  receipts  of  the  Order  (from  the  organization  of  the  Grand 
Lodge),  has  been  $14,544,554.94 ;  and  that  there  was  paid  for  the  relief  of 
members  during  the  same  period  (exclusive  of  that  extended  to  transients), 
$5,372,206.98. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1895,  the  Order  in  the  jurisdiction  held  real 
property,  partly  invested  in  incorporated  hall  associations,  of  which  the 
bulk  of  the  stock  was  held  by  lodges,  and  partly  in  lodges  direct,  to  the 
aggregate  value  of  $1,952,407.85,  subject  to  an  indebtedness  of  only 
$352,685,  and  bringing  in  an  annual  revenue  of  $82,833.90.  This  is 
exclusive  of  money  invested  in  the  Odd  Fellows'  home. 

Appeals  for  relief  to  sufferers  outside  the  jurisdiction  have  frequently 
been  made,  and  so  far  as  known  have  never  failed  of  a  response  creditable 
to  the  lodges  of  California.  Such  sums  as  were  contributed  in  response  to 
these  appeals  are  not  included  in  the  aiQOunt  named  above,  as  having  been 
paid  for  the  relief  of  members.  A  few  of  the  contributions  made  by  the 
lodges,  in  response  to  emergent  appeals,  may  be  mentioned :  — 

For  the  benefit  of  the  sufferers  in  the  great  Chicago  fire  of  1871,  $14,469.90 ;  bat  of  this 
amoant  $1,970.77  was  returned  to  the  lodges.  For  the  sufferers  from  cholera  in  the  South, 
in  1878,  the  sum  of  $15,288.  For  the  sufferers  in  the  Wisconsin  fires  in  1871,  $1,520.60. 
For  the  sufferers  by  the  Johnstown  flood  in  1889,  $4,413.45.  No  general  appeal  therefor 
was  ever  made,  but  a  few  of  the  lodges  in  San  Francisco,  also,  made  liberal  contributions 
toward  the  expense  of  establishing  the  Order  in  Germany,  in  1879.  The  list  of  these  is 
now  inaccessible,  if  indeed  any  list  ever  existed,  but  at  the  head  stood  Templar  Lodge, 
No.  17,  with  a  contribution  of  $1200,  and  Bay  City  Lodge,  No.  71,  then  a  much  smaller 
lodge,  but  composed  almost  entirely  of  Germans,  followed  promptly  with  its  grand  contri- 
bution of  $1000. 

Across  the  Continent  in  1869. — "^^^  ^^^  event  which,  perhaps,  more 
than  all  others,  has  fixed  itself  in  the  memory  of  the  brethren  in  Califor- 
nia, who  were  in  affiliation  at  that  time,  and  from  which  they  derived 
more  person9,l  satisfaction  than  from  any  other,  was  the  visit  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  to  San  Francisco,  an(j[  the  holding  of 
its  annual  communication  in  that  city,  in  September,  1869.  At  the  time 
of  the  session  in  Baltimore,  in  1868,  the  most  speedy  communication 
which  was  practicable  for  such  a  trip  was  by  sea,  taking  a  month  to 
make  the  trip ;  but  work  was  pushed  with  the  utmost  dispatch  to  com- 
plete a  transcontinental  railroad,  which  should  be  finished  within  the 
following  year,  and  the  California  representatives  urged  upon  the  mem- 


fiti^taas  way  U  trod, 
B  Is  nobly  won. 
^■^g€S^*^3iSur  God. 
;$:(;;SiS55jSSW^  horizon  I 

•^••^»    •     •'f-Jl^t      —  Adapltd frtiiK  " Luaf." 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  397 

bers  of  the  Grand  body  the  proposal  that  the  next  session  should  be  held 
in  San  Francisco.  The  proposition  was  at  first  deemed  too  chimerical  to 
be  entertained,  but  the  more  it  was  discussed  the  more  it  gained  in  favor. 
Two  obstacles,  however,  stood  in  the  way :  the  uncertainty  of  the  com- 
pletion of  the  railroad,  and  the  great  expense  of  a  three  thousand  mile 
trip  across  the  continent.  The  first  that  was  known  of  the  matter  in  Cali- 
fornia was  through  a  telegram  sent  by  the  Grand  Representatives  to  the 
Grand  Patriarch,  the  Grand  Master  being  at  the  time  absent  from  the 
city,  explaining  the  situation.  The  Grand  Patriarch  had  no  authority  to 
speak  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  finding  that  the  Grand  Master  could  not 
at  the  moment  be  reached,  took  the  responsibility  of  acting,  and  at  once 
by  telegraph  advised  the  representatives  to  guarantee  free  transportation 
from  Omaha  to  San  Francisco  and  return,  and  to  make  their  resolution 
conditional :  if  the  railroad  was  not  completed  in  time,  then  to  meet  in 
Baltimore,  instead.  The  same  night  the  matter  was  called  to  the  attention 
of  Templar  Lodge,  and  it  immediately  passed  a  resolution  agreeing  to 
insure  the  expenses  of  the  representatives,  in  case  they  came  to  San  Fran- 
cisco, to  the  extent  of  $10,000.  This  fact  was  at  once  telegraphed  the 
representatives  at  Baltimore,  and  thereupon  a  resolution  was  passed  to 
hold  the  next  annual  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  at  San  Francisco,  with  a  proviso,  that  in  case  the  railroad  was 
not  completed  and  trains  running  from  Omaha  to  Sacramento,  so  that 
representatives  could  be  carried  through  without  change  or  detention, 
then  the  Grand  Sire  should,  by  proclamation,  call  the  meeting  at  Balti- 
more ;  and,  a  further  proviso,  that  mileage  for  representatives  should  be 
computed  from  their  homes  to  Omaha  only,  excepting  those  from  the 
Pacific  coast,  and  as  to  the  latter  it  should  be  computed  to  San  Francisco. 
When  the  news  of  this  action  was  promulgated  in  California,  there  was  joy 
in  every  lodge-room,  and  no  one  lodge  had  longer  to  stand  sponsor  for  the 
expenses.  v 

Li  July,  1869,  the  golden  spike  was  driven  that  completed  the  line  of 
railroad  from  one  ocean  to  the  other,  but  for  some  little  time  trains  were 
irregular,  and  there  was  no  absolute  certainty  that  the  Grand  Lodge 
would  actually  cross  the  continent;  and,  consequently,  although  more 
money  had  been  offered  and  pledged  than  was  likely  to  be  wanted,  none 
had  been  collected  until,  on  the  10th  of  September,  the  day  appointed 
for  the  assembling  of  the  representatives  at  Omaha,  when  Grand  Master 
John  B.  Harmon  (subsequently  Grand  Sire),  chairman  of  the  committee 
appointed  to  escort  them  across  the  continent,  telegraphed  his  colleague, 
the  late  Grand  Patriarch,  that  all  were  there,  but  the  Union  Pacific  rail- 
road managers  refused  to  start  the  train  until  their  bill  was  paid.  It  had 
been  expected  to  pay  the  transportatidn  charges  at  San  Francisco,  but  the 
"  through  train "  was  furnished  by  the  Union  Pacific  company ;  and  as 


398  TBE  TERSE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

the  Central  Pacific  company  made  no  charge  for  "  hauling  "  it  over  its  part 
of  the  road^  and  consequently  had  no  interest  in  the  collection^  the  Union 
Pacific  company  insisted  upon  payment  in  advance.  Thereupon  the 
facts  were  at  once  made  known  to  Brother  William  C.  Balston,  of  the 
Bank  of  California,  a  member  of  Templar  Lodge,  but  whose  work  as  an. 
Odd  Fellow  had  been  confined  to  the  prompt  payment  of  his  dues,  and 
liberal  responses  to  every  appeal  for  aid.  After  listening  to  a  very  brief 
statement  of  the  situation,  he  inquired  what  was  wanted  from  him,  and 
was  told.  "How  are  you  going  to  get  the  money?''  said  he.  The 
answer  was  :  "  The  Odd  Pellows  of  California  will  pay  it,  and  your  own 
lodge  has  guaranteed  it  to  the  extent  of  ^10,000."  Instantly  he  complied 
with  the  request  made  upon  him,  and  by  telegraph  authorized  Brother 
Harmon  to  draw  upon  his  bank  for  310,000.^  The  sdjne  afternoon  (what 
was  in  those  days)  a  magnificent  train  of  sleepers  "pulled  out"  from  Omaha, 
bearing  across  plains,  mountains,  and  desert  the^rai  body  of  men, — com- 
posed of  direct  representatives  from  every  state  and  territory  in  the 
Union,  as  well  as  from  our  sister  British  colonies, — that  ever  assembled  on 
the  Pacific  coast.  And  they  were  representative  men,  the  very  presence 
of  whom  made  all  California  rejoice  and  who,  on  their  return,  made  the 
Golden  State  better  known  in  the  East  than  she  had  ever  been  before. 
This  visit  was,  in  fact,  the  starting-point  of  a  new  immigration  and  new 
life  to  the  state,  as  well  as  new  life  and  grander  work  for  the  Order 
everywhere. 

The  Grand  Lodge  reached  Sacramento  on  the  14th  of  September, 
where  they  were  received  and  entertained  by  the  brethren  of  that  city ; 
and,  on  the  following  day,  amid  a  large  concourse  of  people.  Grand  Sire 
Famsworth,  assisted  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the 
magnificent  Odd  Fellows'  temple,  now  standing  in  the  city,  devoted  to 
the  uses  of  the  Order.  On  the  16th  the  train  started  again,  over  the 
Western  Pacific  road,  and  proceeded  on  its  journey  toward  San  Francisco. 
Reaching  the  shores  of  the  great  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  and  leaving  the 
cars,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  captured  by  Past  Grand  Representative 
Nathan  Porter,  and  entertained  at  a  magnificent  luncheon,  under  the 
grand  old  oaks  surrounding  his  residence  on  the  Encinal  de  Alameda. 
Boat  was  then  taken  for  San  Francisco,  where  the  Grand  Lodge  was  met 
by  a  fraternal  gathering  such  as  had  never  before  assembled  on  the 
Pacific  slope.  The  representatives  and  their  ladies,  seated  in  carriages, 
—  escorted  by  a  procession,  headed  by  a  platoon  of  police  and  a  regiment 
of  the  National  Guard,  followed  by  thousands  of  Odd  Fellows  in  full 
regalia, — rode  to  the  California  Theatre,  then  the  largest  and  finest  audi- 
torium  on  the  coast.    Here  the  visiting  Grand  Lodge,  with  the  committee 

1  yote  by  ihs  Editor-in'-Chi^.  —  This  would  indicate  that  there  is  a  record  In  existence  as  to  this  fkct 
and  it  supplies  the  "missing  link,"  p.  189  of  this  work. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JUBISDICTI0N8.  399 

of  reception  and  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California,  occupied  the 
stage^  and  the  great  avditorium  was  packed  from  pit  to  dome,  —  the  dress 
circle  with  ladies,  and  the  balance  of  .the  house  with  Odd  Fellows.  The 
streets  of  the  city  were  gaily  decorated,  and  the  theatre  was  streaming 
with  banners  and  emblems  of  the  Order.  The  sun  was  just  sinking 
in  the  west,  and  within  the  room  the  evening  shadows  were  gathering 
thick  and  fast,  while  the  whole  building  and  the  streets  without  rang 
with  the  glad  shouts  of  welcome.  Order  being  secured,  an  eloquent 
address  of  welcome  was  made  by  Grand  Master  Harmon,  and  a  reply  by 
Grand  Sire  Earnsworth.  Then  occurred  a  scene  such  as  has  seldom  been 
witnessed  anywhere  on  ati  occasion  like  this.  No  name  in  the  world's  his- 
tory of  Odd  Fellowship  was  ever  more  revered  than  that  of  the  Grand 
Secretary,  James  L.  Ridgely,  by  the  brethren  of  the  Pacific  coast,  very  few 
of  whom  had  ever  seen  him.  He  was  regarded,  everywhere,  among  them 
as  the  "Moses"  who  had  brought  the  Order  from  the  tap-room  to  the 
temple,  preserving  all  its  original  plan  of  fraternity  and  relief,  and  at  the 
same  time  exalting  it  to  be  an  intellectual  giant,  engaged  in  the  great  work 
of  enlarged  human  benevolence,  guided  by  love,  lighted  by  the  teach- 
ings of  everlasting  truth.  The  moment  that  propriety  would  permit,  a 
cry  went  up,  from  thousands  of  voices,  for  Ridgely  I  Ridgely !  I  Ridgely  HI 
The  venerable  Grand  Secretary  rose  in  his  place,  trembling  in  every  limb, 
and  was  led  by  the  acting  marshal  to  the  front.  For  some  time  he  was 
too  much  moved  to  speak.  The  shadows  were  by  this  time  too  dark 
and  deep  to  distinguish  persons  at  any  considerable  distance ;  and  then 
another  cry  arose :  "  Light !  light ! !  light  /  /  / "  It  rang  from  every  part  of 
the  house,  and  one  enthusiastic  brother,  far  back  in  the  audience,  sprang 
upon  his  seat,  and,  waving  his  hat,  cried  out  in  tones  heard  throughout 
the  building:  "^  thousand  dollars  for  a  light!"  At  that  moment  the  gas 
was  turned  on,  from  the  great  sunburst  above,  and  from  every  gas  jet  in 
the  room  an  almost  blinding  blaze  of  light  was  thrown  upon  the  scene ; 
and  such  a  scene,  —  one  showing  so  much  emotion, — has  seldom  been 
witnessed  in  any  public  assembly.  For  some  minutes  Brother  Kidgely 
was  unable  to  proceed,  and  could  not  have  been  heard  if  he  had  tried  to 
do  BO.  At  last,  however,  perfect  silence  was  restored,  he  found  his  voice, 
and  in  terms  of  eloquence,  but  choking  still  with  emotion,  he  responded 
to  the  greeting.  Then  the  thousands  of  handkerchiefs,  which  to  this  time 
had  fanned  every  inch  of  air  in  their  constant  wavings,  found  other  uses ; 
and  "the  boys,"  as  the  brothers  on  the  coast  still  call  themselves,  felt 
that  they  had  been  paid  a  thousand-fold  for  all  that  they  had  done,  or 
could  yet  do,  to  secure  the  presence  of  "  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  world," 
and  make  its  visit  a  joy  to  those  who  came. 

Nor  wafl  the  venerable  Grand  Treasurer,  Joshua  Vansant,  forgotten,  in 
this  hour  of  greeting.    He,  too,  was  honored  and  beloved,  on  the  Pacific 


400  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

coast,  and  received  on  this  occasion  a  brother's  greeting.  Long  before  he 
came  his  name  was  a  household  word  among  Odd  Fellows,  as  that  of  one 
who  was  the  embodiment  of  the  personal  integrity  which  the  teachings 
of  Odd  Fellowship  inculcate.  The  brothers  did  not,  generally,  know  that 
the  little  satchel  standing  beside' his  chair  on  the  stage  had  not  been  beyond 
the  reach  of  his  hand  since  he  left  Baltimore,  and  contained  all  the  money 
required  for  the  payment  of  mileage  of  representatives,  and  other  expenses 
of  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  with  which  he  had  burdened  himself 
during  the  long  trip,  rather  than  take  the  risk  of  being  caught  without 
funds  when  needed,  by  purchasing  exchange  on  unknown  banks  three 
thousand  miles  away ;  but  they  did  know  that  no  funds  intrusted  to  Van- 
sant  were  ever  lost,  and  that  whenever  a  duty  devolved  upon  him  he  never 
failed  to  do  it,  and  they  honored  him  accordingly. 

He  is  a  vulgar  host  who  ever  tells  the  cost  of  the  entertainment  of  his 
invited  guests.  No  public  record  was  ever  made  of  the  cost  to  the  Order 
in  California  of  this  entertainment  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States.  The  whole  financial  part  of  the  undertaking  was  in  charge  of  a 
special  committee,  who  dealt  directly  with  the  subordinate  lodges.  The 
writer  was  one  of  the  actors  of  the  occasion  and  is  able  and  willing  to  say 
this  much :  while  pledges  had  been  solicited,  no  money  was  collected  until 
it  was  known  for  a  certainty  that  it  would  be  required.  Then  the  golden 
eagles  came  rattling  in  like  hail;  every  bill  was  promptly  paid, — the  com- 
mittee made  a  full  report  of  receipts  and  disbursements  to  the  donors 
direct,  returning  to  them,  pro  rata,  a  handsome  surplus,  and  then  that  part 
of  the  record  closed  forever. 

Session  of  1888.  — The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  again  visited  California, 
and  held  its  annual  communication  at  the  city  of  Los  Angeles,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1888  ;  but  then  conditions  had  changed.  Forty  years  had  passed  since 
the  first  feeble  effort  at  organization  of  the  Order  on  the  Pacific  coast,  and 
nineteen  years  since  the  first  visitation.  Transcontinental  railroads,  of 
which  there  were  then  three  tapping  the  state  direct,  had  revolutionized 
the  great  western  world.  Southern  California  which,  in  1869,  was  almost 
a  desert,  had  been  filled  with  people,  and  made  to  blossom  as  the  rose. 
The  "  City  of  the.  Angels  "  which,  in  1869,  was  little  more  than  a  deserted 
Spanish  mission,  was  now  the  most  bustling,  modern  city  on  the  coast, 
with  60,000  population.  Trips  across  the  continent  were  matters  of 
daily  occurrence,  and  special  trains  bearing  great  fraternal  bodies  from 
one  ocean  to  the  other  had  ceased  to  be  a  wonder.  Other  great  associa- 
tions had  held  their  supreme  conclaves  by  the  western  seas.  Distance  had 
been  annihilated,  and  the  great  barriers  of  mountain  and  of  desert,  which 
had  aforetime  separated  the  Odd  Fellows  of  the  East  and  the  West,  had  been 
overcome,  so  that  these  brothers  were  no  longer  strangers  to  one  another, 
but  in  close  affiliation,  —  members  of  one  great  family;  and  those  who 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  401 

journeyed  westward  found  all  along  the  way  altars,  where  they  could  pause 
and  offer  up  devotions.  They  came,  not  to  spy  out  a  new  country,  but  to 
enjoy  the  sunshine  and  the  hospitality  of  one  already  known  to  them; 
and,  again,  they  were  welcomed,  and  those  who  did  not  participate  in  the 
journey,  because  already  here,  were  made  happy  by  their  presence ;  but 
this  visit  did  not  so  distinctly  mark  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  the  Order, 
or  of  the  state,  as  did  the  former  one.  Besides,  between  the  dates  of  these 
two  distinguished  visits,  the  Order  in  California  had  not  only  enjoyed  the 
honor  of  having  one  of  its  own  members  appointed  Special  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  to  plant  the  Order  in  the  "  Father-land,"  to  which  allusion  has  already 
been  made ;  but  she,  also,  had  her  own  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  Brother  John 
B.  Harmon,  who  had  rehabilitated  and  exalted  the  Order  in  Australasia, 
and  who  was,  subsequently,  honored  with  the  exalted  station  of  Grand 
Sire.  After  filling  that  office  with  honor  to  himself,  his  state,  and  the 
Order  at  large,  he  had  returned  to  his  home  constituency,  and  by  his  daily 
life  proved  to  those  around  him  that  no  station  can  lift  the  true  Odd  Fel- 
low above  the  rank  of  brotherhood,  but  rather  makes  him  the  more  keenly 
alive  to  duty  in  the  humbler  walks  of  fraternal  life.  He  still  survives, 
stricken  in  years,  but  with  the  "  harness  on."  His  official  history  is  found 
embalmed  in  the  journals  of  the  Order.  His  private  life  and  character,  in 
and  out  of  Odd  Fellowship,  will  be  remembered  when  with  him  the  Mas- 
ter's work  is  done. 

The  Home.  — The  last  and  greatest  work  of  the  Order,  in  this  jurisdic- 
tion, has  been  the  founding  and  opening  of  a  *^  home  for  aged  and  indigent 
Odd  Fellows,  their  wives,  widows,  and  orphans."  The  history  of  this 
undertaking,  also,  belongs  to  another  department  of  this  work,  but  here 
it  seems  proper  to  say :  the  establishment  of  this  home  is  so  far  an  assured 
success  that  already  an  elegant  building  has  been  secured,  with  a  capacity 
for  housing  at  least  sixty  people,  besides  servants  and  officers,  —  situated 
amid  orange  groves,  at  Thermalito,  in  Butte  county,  in  what  may  well 
be  called  the  Palestine  of  the  Western  world,  upon  a  site  commanding  one 
of  the  most  magnificent  views  upon  which  the  eye  ever  rested,  in  a  land 
of  perpetual  flowers,  where  the  sky  is  ever  blue,  and  the  sun  by  day  and 
the  stars  by  night  forever  shine,  —  in  which  already  dwell  sixty  of  the 
veterans  of  the  Order,  brothers  who  blazed  their  way  through  the  recent 
wilderness,  and  helped  to  make  the  Order  what  it  is  to-day ;  and  there,  in 
peace  and  joy,  giving  thanks  every  hour  for  the  comfort  that  has  come  to 
them  in  the  years  of  their  infirmity,  they  await  the  Master's  call.  Already 
an  addition  is  in  process  of  construction,  doubling  the  capacity  of  the  build- 
ing.. The  property  as  it  stands  at  this  writing  is  worth  $50,000.  There  is 
no  debt  against  it,  and  there  can  be  none  under  the  law  of  its  founda- 
tion; but  so  long  as  age  brings  infirmity,  misfortune  entails  financial 
disability,  and  there  is  want  to  relieve,  this  home  will  be  maintained 


402  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

by  the  Order  in  California,  and  be  made,  what  its  name  implies,  a  home 
for  those  who  deserve  and  need  its  sheltering  care. 

Oregon.  —  Undoubtedly  the  first  effort,  toward  organizing  the  Indepen- 
dent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  on  the  Pacific  coast,  was  made  to  effect  such 
organization  in  the  then  territory  of  Oregon.  There  is  a  legend  to  the 
effect  that  a  dispensation  was  granted  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  as  early  as 
1843,  for  the  establishment  of  a  lod^e  at  the  place  now  known  as  Salem, 
Oregon,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  brother  then  about  to  start  for  that 
point ;  but,  according  to  the  legend,  upon  his  arrival  he  found  the  place 
too  small  to  give  any  hope  of  establishing  a  lodge ;  and,  becoming  discon- 
tented, he  journeyed  south  to  Sutter's  Fort,  in  the  then  Mexican  domain 
of  California.  Here,  also,  he  found  no  material  for  the  organization  of  a 
lodge,  and  after  a  time  started  for  the  town  of  Sonoma,  in  the  same  ter- 
ritory, —  the  place  where  the  bear  flag  was  first  raised.  There  all  traces 
of  this  brother,  and  of  his  dispensation,  are  lost.  Later,  in  1846,  an  appli- 
cation was  made  for  leave  to  institute  a  lodge  in  St  Louis,  Missouri,  and 
then  remove  the  same  to  some  point  in  Oregon ;  but  this  petition  was  not 
granted.  In  the  same  year  Past  Grand  Master  Samuel  Yorke  At-Lee, 
of  the  jurisdiction  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  made  application  for 
authority  to  institute  a  lodge  in  the  territory  of  Oregon,  which  was  not 
granted.  In  that  year,  however,  a  dispensation  was  obtained  by  Past 
Grand  Gilbert  Watson,  of  Massachusetts,  from  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  Albert  Guild,  of  that  jurisdiction,  authorizing  himself,  and  such 
others  as  he  might  select,  to  institute  a  lodge  on  arrival  at  their  des- 
tination in  Oregon.  Afterward  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
attempted  to  legalize  this  action,  by  forwarding  to  Brother  Watson  a 
charter  for  "  Oregon  City  Lodge,  No.  1."  Brother  Watson  and  his  party 
sailed  from  Massachusetts  in  April,  1846,  but  never  reached  their  destina- 
tion. The  defective  charter,  however,  proved  the  nxicleus  around  which 
was  gathered  the  first  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows,  west  of  the  Rocky  moim- 
tains.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  learning  of  the  failure  to 
establish  the  lodge  in  Oregon,  commissioned  Alexander  V.  Frazier,  a  Past 
Grand  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  as  special  commissioner  to  establish 
and  superintend  the  Order  in  Oregon,  California,  and  the  islands  of  the 
Pacific.  Brother  Frazier,  like  Brother  Watson,  failed  to  reach  Oregon, 
but  did  visit  Honolulu,  and  there  made  use  of  the  valid  charter  which  had 
been  issued  for  Oregon  City  Lodge,  No.  1,  as  a  legal  basis  for  Excelsior 
Lodge,  No.  1,  of  the  Sandwich  Islands,  —  thousanc^  of  miles  beyond  the 
site  of  its  intended  destination. 

Nothing  further  seems  to  have  been  done  toward  the  institution  of  a 
lodge  in  Oregon  until  1851,  when  E.  M.  Barnum  issued  an  invitation  to 
Odd  Fellows  to  meet  and  consider  the  subject.  To  that  call  six  brothers 
responded ;  and,  on  the  7th  of  January,  1852,  a  petition  for  the  institution 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  408 

of  a  lodge,  at  Salem,  Oregon,  was  forwarded  to  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely, 
signed  by  Brother  Bamum  and  eleven  others,  representing  six  Grand 
jurisdictions.  After  considerable  delay  a  warrant  was  issued  by  Grand 
Sire  William  W.  Moore,  commissioning  Brother  E.  M.  Barnum,  as  Special 
Deputy  Grand  Sire,  to  institute  Chemeketa  Lodge,  No.  1.  at  Salem,  Oregon. 
The  lodge  was  instituted  December  6, 1852. 

On  the  8th  of  April,  1853,  Samaritan  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted  at 
Portland ;  and,  on  the  31st  of  December,  of  the  same  year,  Oregon  Lodge, 
No.  3,  was  instituted  at  Oregon  City.  July  26, 1854,  Albany  Lodge,  No. 
4,  was  instituted  at  Albany.  These  comprise  all  the  subordinate  lodges 
first  working  under  warrants  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States. 

A  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon  having  been  granted  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  it  was  duly  organized  at  Oregon  City, 
May  23,  1856.  E.  M.  Barnum  was  elected  Grand  Master,  and  Amory 
Holbrook  Grand  Kepresentative.  Since  then  annual  communications 
have  been  regularly  held ;  but,  owing  to  the  sparsely  settled  condition  of 
the  country  new  lodges  were  added  slowly,  only  four  additional  lodges 
being  reported  up  to  the  session  of  1859.  In  1860  measures  were  taken 
in  this  Grand  Lodge  looking  to  the  placing  of  the  territory  of  Washing- 
ton under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon,  and  subsequently 
the  lodges,  both  in  Washington  and  Idaho,  were  placed  under  its  super- 
vision, and  their  representatives  were  admitted  to  that  Grand  Lodge. 
The  Grand  Lodge,  also,  assumed  that  it  had  authority  to  charter  new 
lodges  in  those  territories,  and,  in  1863,  two  lodges  in  Washington  were 
reported  as  having  been  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge. 
The  following  year  a  similar  report  was  made  as  to  one  lodge  in  Idaho, 
and  thereafter,  for  some  years,  charters  were  granted  by  this  Grand  Lodge 
for  the  institution  of  new  lodges  in  those  territories.  In  1869  there  were 
reported  as  under  this  jurisdiction,  twenty-five  lodges  in  Oregon,  two  in 
Washington,  and  five  in  Idaho,  with  an  aggregate  membership  of  1271. 
At  that  session  the  Grand  Lodge  instructed  its  representative  to  use  his  best 
efforts  to  secure  favorable  action  toward  the  establishment  of  the  Order 
in  Germany.  During  the  following  year  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Fred.  D. 
Stuart  made  a  somewhat  extended  visit  to  this  jurisdiction,  from  which 
great  benefit  was  derived  by  the  Order,  and  was  so  well  pleased  with  the 
work  of  the  subordinates  tliat,  in  a  letter  he  wrote  .to  the  Grand  Master, 
he  said:  — 

"  I  now  My  to  yon  that  I  was  perfectly  astonished  to  find  the  members  of  the  Order, 
wherever  I  visited,  so  weU  posted  in  the  work.  ...  I  have  said,  and  stiU  say,  that  Odd 
Fellowship  in  Oregon  oomes  np  to  my  notion  of  what  it  should  be." 

It  may  be  well  to  say  that,  as  early  as  1861,  the  Grand  Lodge  had 
established  the  rule  that  officers  of  subordinates  should  not  be  installed 


404  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

until  they  had  perfected  themselves  in  their  respective  parts.  The  action 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  1870,  shows  how  honestly  and  sincerely  the 
brethren  of  Oregon  believed  that  their  Grand  Lodge  had  full  jurisdiction 
over  Washington  and  Idaho;  for,  at  that  session,  they  elected  Brother 
Daniel  Oram,  of  Idaho,  as  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  Brother  0.  0.  Hewitt, 
of  Washington,  as  Grand  Warden.  In  1872  the  Grand  Master  reported 
that  he  had  visited  every  lodge  in  the  jurisdiction.  A  resolution  was 
passed,  consenting  to  the  establishment  of  Grand  Lodges  in  Washington 
or  Idaho,  or  both,  whenever  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  should 
deem  it  wise  to  do  so. 

The  Oregon  Question. — At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  in  1873,  Grand  Secretary  Eidgely  called  attention,  in  his  report,  to 
the  anomalous  condition  of  affairs  in  several  of  the  territories,  where 
charters  for  subordinates  had  been  issued  by  the  Grand  bodies  of  con- 
tiguous jurisdictions,  and  said :  — 

"Odd  Fellowship  in  these  territories  recognizes  no  immediate  subordination  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  having  been  placed  by  law  under  the  supervision  and 
care  of  contiguous  Grand  Lodges.  By  a  strange  construction  of  this  law,  those  Grand 
Lodges  have  assumed  the  prerogative  secured  exclusively  by  the  constitution,  article  i., 
section  seven,  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  have  exercised  its  highest 
right  of  sovereignty  by  erecting  subordinate  lodges  in  the  national  jurisdiction,  under  their 
state  warrants  or  charters.  It  must  be  conceded  that  in  the  exercise  of  this  authority, 
which  has  been  going  on  for  years,  they  have  not  been  in  any  way  checked  heretofore, 
and  that  they  have  done  good  service  in  promoting  the  spirit  of  the  Order  in  these  remote 
and  sparsely  settled  territories." 

Some  correspondence  had  already  taken  place  between  Grand  Master 
Apperson,  of  Oregon,  and  Grand  Sire  Logan,  on  the  subject,  in  which  the 
former  disclaimed  any  intention  on  the  part  of  his  Grand  Lodge  to  do  any 
wrong  in  the  premises,  and  the  latter  had  assured  him  that  he  did  not 
regard  the  Grand  Lodge  as  deserving  of  censure  for  having  acted  under 
a  misapprehension  of  its  powers  and  privileges,  and,  after  having  set  forth 
the  law,  required  compliance  with  it  in  the  future,  and  suggested  that  a 
curative  act  for  the  past  might  be  passed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States.  At  this  session  (1873)  the  Sovereign  Grand  body  passed 
the  following  resolutions:  — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  acts  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Oregon,  Colorado,  and  Nevada,  in 
instituting  lodges  in  the  territories  of  Washington,  Wyoming,  Utah,  and  Idaho,  and  also 
the  acts  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  California  in  constituting  encampments  in  the  terri* 
tories  of  Nevada  and  Oregon,  including  the  receipts  of  returns,  and  moneys  from  the  same, 
are  hereby  sanctioned  as  de  facto,  and  as  such  are  hereby  ratified  and  confirmed. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Secretary  is  hereby  authorized  to  issue  charters  to  aB  such 
lodges  and  encampments  as  may  now  be  working  under  charters  granted  by  the  jurisdictions 
mentioned  in  the  foregoing  resolution,  without  the  usual  charge  for  the  same. 

**  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Grand  body  are  hereby  tendered  to  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  Oregon,  Colorado,  and  Nevada,  and  the  Grand  Encampment  of  California,  for 
the  zeal  and  energy  exhibited  in  the  supervision  of  the  Order  in  the  states  and  territories 
heretofore  mentioned." 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  406 

Thereupon  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon  instituted  no  more  lodges  out- 
side the  boundaries  of  her  own  territory^  but  claimed  and  maintained  the 
right  of  representation,  return,  and  revenue  over  the  lodges  in  question, 
and  elected  officers  from  their  membership. 

On  the  twentieth  anniversary  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  1876,  the  number 
of  lodges  had  increased  to  fifty-five  with  a  membership  of  2803.  In 
November,  1878,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Washington  was  instituted ;  and,  in 
1879,  the  Grand  Master  reported  four  new  lodges  during  his  term,  and  an 
increase  of  membership,  notwithstanding  the  withdrawal  of  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows of  Washington,  the  membership  being  then  2868,  and  the  relief 
granted  $14,096.90.  At  this  session  it  was,  also,  provided  for  levying  a  tax 
of  twenty-five  cents,  |?6r  capita,  upon  the  membership,  for  the  establishment 
of  an  "  Odd  Fellows'  Orphans'  Home  and  Educational  Fund,"  and  a  board  of 
trustees  was  elected  for  the  management  thereof. 

At  the  session  of  1881,  the  representative  was  instructed  to  procure  such 
legislation  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  as  would  authorize  state  Grand 
bodies  to  build  homes  for  orphans,  and  kindred  objects. 

In  1883  the  subordinates  of  Idaho  having  expressed  a  desire  for  a  Grand 
Lodge  in  their  territory,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon,  recommended  that  a 
charter  be  granted  accordingly,  which  was  subsequently  done,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Idaho  was  organized  in  the  latter  part  of  1883,  thus  withdrawing  the 
lodges  and  membership  in  that  territory  from  the  further  care  of,  and  repre- 
sentation in,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon.  During  the  session  of  1883,  the 
corner-stone  of  the  X>rphans'  home  was  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies, 
by  the  Grand  Lodge,  assisted  by  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Oregon,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Washington,  and  a  large  concourse  of  patriarchs  and 
brothers  of  subordinates. 

At  the  session  of  1891,  an  invitation  was  extended  to  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  to  hold  its  annual  session  for  1892,  at  Portland,  Oregon,  and 
appropriate  committees  were  appointed  to  make  suitable  arrangements  for 
the  entertainment  of  representatives  and  their  ladies,  if  the  invitation 
should  be  accepted.  An  appropriation  of  $5000  was  made  from  the  treasury 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  this  purpose,  at  the  session  of  1892,  the  invitation 
having  been  accepted.  Liberal  contributions  from  the  subordinates  were, 
subsequently,  added  to  this  fund,  so  that  when  the  entertainment  was  over, 
the  sum  of  $2582  was  retumied  to  the  treasury  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  and 
still  the  entertainment  was  on  a  grand  scale  of  munificence,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  an  able  committee,  of  which  Past  Grand  C.  A.  Dolph  was  chairman, 
and  as  such  delighted  the  visitors,  while  to  the  brethren  of  Oregon,  it 
marked  a  new  epoch  in  their  career,  and  imparted  renewed  life  and  energy 
to  the  whole  Order  in  that  jurisdiction. 

The  annual  reports  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  since  its  organization,  show  a 
steady  average  increase,  corresponding  in  some  measure  with  the  settle- 


406  THE   THREE-LINK  FRATEJRNITT. 

ment  of  the  country.  Occasionally  there  has  been  a  year  showing  a  slight 
decrease  in  membership ;  but,  usually,  there  was  an  increase  in  numbers 
of  lodges  and  in  members.  December  31, 1891,  showed  that  at  that  date 
the  number  of  lodges  and  of  members  was  largely  in  excess,  in  Oregon 
alone,  of  the  number  attained  at  any  time  when  the  lodges  in  Washington 
and  Idaho  were  under  its  supervision;  the  number  of  lodges  then  (December 
1, 1891),  being  one  hundred  and  five,  with  a  membership  of  5186.  During 
the  year  of  this  visitation  (1892),  the  lodges  increased  to  one  hundred  and 
fourteen,  and  the  membership  to  5772.  At  the  close  of  1895,  the  total 
number  of  lodges  reporting  was  one  hundred  and  twenty-two,  with  a 
membership  of  5806 ;  paid  for  relief,  $25,945.71 ;  total  paid  for  relief  and 
expenses,  $71,713.42 ;  total  receipts,  $88,054.89 ;  assets,  $433,158.25. 

Among  the  members  of  the  Order  who  have  attained  special  promi- 
nence, will  be  found  the  names  of  Hon.  John  H.  Mitchell,  a  Past  Grand 
of  Hassalo  Lodge,  No.  15,  now,  and  for  years,  a  leading  member  of  the 
United  States  Senate ;  Joseph  K.  Dolph,  Past  Grand  Master,  a  member 
of  Samaritan,  No.  2,  for  years,  and  until  recently,  a  prominent  United 
States  senator;  Hon.  George  H.  Burnett,  Past  Grand  Master,  a  judge  of 
the  state  Circuit  Court;  Hon.  H.  G.  Struve,  Past  Grand  Master,  ex-secretary 
of  the  State  of  Washington ;  T.  M.  Gatch,  Past  Grand  Master,  ex-president 
of  Willamette  University,  Oregon,  and  subsequently  president  of  the  Wash- 
ington University ;  Henry  M.  Gilfrey,  Past  Grand  Master,  for  many  years 
reading  clerk  in  the  United  States  Senate ;  Hon.  Phil.  Metschan,  Past 
Grand  Master,  state  treasurer ;  Joshua  J.  Walton,  Past  Grand  Master  and 
Past  Grand  Representative,  a  leading  attorney ;  Hon.  Peter  P.  Gates,  Past 
Grand  Master  and  Past  Grand  Representative,  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Oregon  senate  (deceased) ;  Hon.  O.  N.  Denny,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
who  resigned  his  position  in  the  Grand  Lodge  to  accept  the  appointment 
of  Chinese  consul,  and  afterward  became  business  adviser  of  the  king  of 
Corea ;  R.  Alexander,  Past  Grand  Master  and  Past  Grand  Representative, 
also  Past  Grand  Messenger  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  the  only  recog- 
nition Oregon  has  had  in  that  body.  All  of  those  mentioned,  — with  the 
one  exception  of  Brother  Peter  P.  Gates,  —  are  now  living,  and  continue 
zealous  Odd  Fellows. 

For  most  of  the  material  and  much  of  the  language  used  in  compiling 
this  history  of  our  Order  in  Oregon,  the  writer  is  indebted  to  Past  Grand 
Representative  A.  G.  Walling,  who  departed  this  life  in  April,  1896,  being 
at  the  time  Deputy  Grand  Master  of  the  jurisdiction.  He  was  initiated  in 
Hassalo  Lodge,  No.  15,  of  Portland,  October  16, 1867,  and,  from  that  time 
until  the  day  of  his  death,  proved  himself  aOv  active  and  worthy  Odd 
Fellow,  faithfully  serving  the  Order  in  many  important  stations,  twice 
representing  his  jurisdiction  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  passing  the 
chair  of  Grand  Patriarch,  and  had  he  lived  would  now  be  Grand  Master. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  407 

Colorado. — The  territory  embraced  in  the  state  and  Grand  jurisdic- 
tion of  Colorado  was  originally  included  in  Kansas  and  Kebraska,  under 
the  celebrated  Kansas-Nebraska  Act  of  1854,  and  was  not  erected  into 
a  separate  territory  until  more  than  two  years  after  the  discovery  of 
gold  at  Pike's  Peak.  This  discovery  made,  here  as  elsewhere,  men  began 
to  flock  into  the  mining  regions  by  thousands,  and  among  them  were  those 
who  had  already  been  **  Selected  out  from  the  general  mass  with  a  desire 
for  true  knowledge,"  and  who  had  commenced  in  other  lands  to  seek  for 
that  knowledge  at  the  fountain  of  Odd  Fellowship ;  so  that  we  find  traces 
of  our  Order  within  the  area  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  ^'  Centennial 
State "  before  even  the  name  '^  Colorado "  appears  as  a  territorial  desig- 
nation. 

On  the  21st  of  March,  1860,  a  petition  was  forwarded  to  Cornelius  A. 
Logan,  then  Grand  Master  of  Kansas,  for  a  lodge  to  be  located  at  Denver 
City,  Pike's  Peak,  but  it  was  not  until  September  19, 1860,  that  the  neces- 
sary cards  were  supplied,  and  the  charter  fee  received;  and  not  until 
December  4,  1860,  that  the  lodge  was  instituted,  —  "located  at  Denver 
City,  Kansas,"  —  and  known  as  Peak  Lodge,  No.  12.  The  organic  act  of 
the  territory  of  Colorado  was  approved  February  2S,  1861 ;  and,  on  the  20th 
of  April,  following,  the  lodge  made  a  request  of  the  Grand  Master  that  its 
name  be  changed  to  "  Colorado  Lodge,  No.  1."  This,  necessarily,  had  to 
be  referred  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  prior  to  the  meeting  of  that  body  in 
October,  following,  the  lodge  had  ceased  to  exist. 

Several  meetings  of  Odd  Fellows  were,  subsequently,  held  in  Denver, 
but  without  organic  form,  until  July  6, 1864,  when  Grand  Sire  James  B. 
Nicholson  issued  to  Luther  R.  Boxley,  Birks  Cornforth,  Herman  H. 
Heiser,  Jabez  H.  Vanderverter,  and  John  Voght,  a  dispensation  for  Union 
Lodge,  No.  1 ;  and  these  five  brothers,  meeting  while  their  country  was 
passing  through  the  throes  of  civil  war,  became  the  recognized  founders  of 
Colorado  Odd  Fellowship.  As  \he  first  five  had  named  their  lodge  after 
the  "  father  of  his  country,"  so  these  named  theirs  in  commemoration  of 
its  perpetual  union.  The  lodge  was  instituted  August  18, 1864,  and  on  the 
night  of  its  institution  admitted  five  members.  By  the  end  of  1867,  the 
lodge  had  admitted  133  members,  and  lost  59. 

Rocky  Moimtain  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted  June  13, 1865,  at  Central 
City ;  Colorado  Lodge,  No.  3,  at  Black  Hawk,  May  16, 1866 ;  and,  on  Sep- 
tember 29, 1866,  No.  1  became  a  mother,  and  Denver  Lodge,  No.  4,  was 
instituted  at  Denver. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  1867,  a 
petition  was  received  from  representatives  of  these  four  lodges  for  a  char- 
ter for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Colorado,  which  was  granted;  and,  on  the  30th 
of  November,  1867,  the  past  grands,  representatives  of  these  lodges,  assem- 
bled at  Odd  Fellows'  hall  in  Denver,  where  they  were  met  by  Past  Grand 


408  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

John  H.  Jay,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Colo- 
rado was  duly  instituted  in  regular  form  and  the  officers  installed.  B.  G. 
Buckingham  was  elected  Grand  Master.  Reports  made  at  the  session  of 
February,  1868,  for  the  term  closing  December  31, 1867,  showed  the  number 
of  lodges  to  be  four ;  membership,  255 ;  past  grands,  27 ;  receipts  for  the 
term,  $2958.24,  of  which  the  percentage  to  the  Grand  Lodge  was  1(295.82. 

The  first  regular  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  held  at  Cen- 
tral City,  October  21, 1868,  at  which  time  it  appeared  that  the  number  of 
lodges  had  increased  to  seven,  and  the  membership  to  281.  Regular 
annual  sessions  have  since  been  held  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  October,  in 
each  year.  Until  1874  the  territory  of  Wyoming  was  included  in  the  juris- 
diction of  Colorado,  and  the  fifth  annual  session  of  this  Grand  Lodge  was 
held  at  Cheyenne,  Wyoming.  At  the  annual  session  of  1873,  a  new  consti- 
tution was  adopted,  making  the  Grand  Lodge  a  representative  body,  so  far 
as  the  general  business  was  concerned,  although  still  giving  all  past  grands 
the  right  to  sit  in  the  Grand  body.  During  the  year  preceding  this  session 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Wyoming  had  been  instituted,  and  the  seven  lodges 
located  in  that  territory  were  then  withdrawn  from  the  jurisdiction  of 
Colorado. 

That  the  Order  in  this  Grand  jurisdiction  has  carried  forward  the 
great  work  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  met  with  a  reasonable  degree  of  pros- 
perity, is  shown  from  the  fact  that  at  the  twenty-seventh  annual  session  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  the  reports  for  the  term  ending  June  30, 1894,  show  one 
hundred  and  four  lodges  in  active  operation,  with  a  membership  of  7456 ; 
an  income  of  $57,884.44;  disbursed  for  relief,  $26,816.14;  for  total 
expenses,  $  52,548.46 ;  and  closed  the  year  with  assets  amounting  to  the 
sum  of  $324,828.47.  Surely  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Centennial  State  has 
reason  to  be  proud  of  the  work  of  the  Order  in  its  jurisdiction.  Among 
its  membership  are  the  names  of  many  men  who  have  become  distin- 
guished out  of,  as  well  as  within,  the  Order,  and  whose  biographical 
sketches,  full  of  interest,  are  given  in  the  "  Book  of  Odd  Fellowship  in 
Colorado,"  a  work  to  which  the  writer  is  indebted  for  much  of  the  matter 
here  compiled. 

Nevada. — Odd  Fellowship  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Nevada  is  the  legiti- 
mate child  of  the  Order  in  California.  Perhaps  no  more  exciting  scenes 
were  ever  witnessed,  locally,  and  in  civil  life,  than  those  which  occurred 
"on  the  Comstock,"  upon  the  discovery  and  "opening  up,?  in  the  early 
sixties,  of  the  great  silver  mines  in,  and  at,  the  base  of  Mount  Davidson, 
in  the  then  territory,  now  state  of  Nevada.  Up  to  that  time  the  whole 
territory,  originally  known  as  Western  Utah,  seemed  to  be  abandoned  of 
God,  and  almost  shunned  by  men,  —  being  looked  upon  as  a  useless  desert 
waste ;  but  upon  the  discovery  and  opening  of  these  great  mines  a  set- 
tlement of  thirty  thousand  people  suddenly  gathered  around  the  base  of 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  409 

the  great  moimtain,  and,  subsequently,  other  discoveries  were  made  in 
different  parts  of.  the  territory,  until  it  finally  came  to  be  regarded  as  a 
great  mining  state.  These,  however,  have  since  so  far  "  petered  out,"  or 
become  so  expensive  to  work,  that  the  state  of  to-day  is  but  a  memory  of 
the  past,  its  population  sparse  and  widely  scattered,  and  for  the  present, 
at  least,  the  prosperity  which  upbuilded  this  and  kindred  organizations 
within  its  borders  has  almost  deserted  it;  and  yet,  there  is  little  doubt 
that  it  is  still  a  rich  storehouse  of  treasure,  and  that  the  time  will  come 
when  the  state  will  support  a  large  and  prosperous  population. 

Out  of  the  social  chaos  which  clustered  around  Mount  Davidson,  in 
1861-62,  arose  a  call  for  organization  and  relief,  and  from  this  situation 
came  assemblages  of  Odd  Fellows,  operating  much  as  they  had  done  in 
early  times,  in  bringing  order  out  of  chaos,  and  relief  to  distress.  The  ter- 
ritory having  been  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  California  in  April, 
1862,  four  lodges  were  instituted,  under  dispensations  from  that  Grand 
Lodge :  Wildey,  No.  1,  at  Gold  Hill,  April  1st ;  Silver  City,  No.  2,  at  Sil- 
ver City,  April  14th ;  Mount  Davidson,  No.  3,  at  Virginia,  April  23d ;  and 
Carson,  No.  4,  at  Carson  City,  April  25th.  Five  others  were,  subsequently, 
instituted  under  the  same  authority,  viz. :  Dayton,  No.  5,  at  Dayton,  Jime 
2,  1863;  Esmeralda,  No.  6,  at  Aurora,  September  16,  1863;  Nevada, 
No.  7,  at  Virginia,  January  16, 1864 ;  Washoe,  No.  8,  at  Washoe,  January 
18, 1864 ;  Austin,  No.  9,  at  Austin,  January  23, 1864 ;  and  Virginia,  No.  10, 
at  Virginia,  May  18, 1866. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  1866,  a 
charter  was  granted  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Nevada ;  and,  on  the  21st  of 
January,  1867,  the  past  grands  of  the  ten  lodges,  above  mentioned,  assem- 
bled in  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  in  Virginia,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  duly 
instituted  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Daniel  Norcross,  and  the  officers 
were  installed. 

Since  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  subordinates  have 
increased  in  numerical  order  to  No.  36 ;  but,  in  the  meantime,  ten  have 
"  dropped  out,"  usually  consolidating  with  other  lodges,  until,  at  the  session 
of  1896,  but  twenty-five  lodges  were  reported  as  in  active  operation,  with 
a  membership  of  1409.  We  do  not  find  that  the  membership  was  ever 
reported  as  exceeding,  at  one  time,  2044,  and  this  was  in  1877.  Since 
then  there  has  been  a  steady  decrease  in  numbers,  but  the  work  of  the 
handful  of  brethren,  who  have  borne  our  standard  in  the  Sage  Brush  State, 
entitles  them  to  rank  very  high  among  the  live  and  true  Odd  Fellows  of 
the  world.  Small  as  is  the  jurisdiction,  numerically,  and  scattered  as  is 
its  membership,  they  have  never  faltered  in  the  duty  of  visiting  the  sick, 
relieving  the  distressed,  burying  the  dead,  or  caring  for  the  orphan ;  and 
they  have  expended  in  relief  and  charity  alone,  during  their  comparative 
short  period  of  active  operation,  the  munificent  sum  of  $344,310.28.     It 


410  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

is  doubtful  if  so  small  a  number^  laboring  under  so  many  difficulties,  have 
ever  done  a  nobler  work.  To  do  them  justice,  in  contemplating  these* 
figures,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  entire  population  of  the  state,  as 
shown  by  the  last  census,  is  less  than  46,000,  scattered  over  an  area  of 
110,700  square  miles,  —  a  territory  nearly  as  large  as  the  states  of  Ohio, 
Indiana,  and  Kentucky  combined,  and  one  which  is  in  no  sense  inviting 
for  the  homes  of  men. 

Idaho.  —  The  first  nine  lodges  in  this  jurisdiction  were  organized 
under  dispensations  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon.  The  history 
of  their  organization  is  almost  invariably  associated  with  the  discovery 
of  gold.  When  large  towns  "sprang  up,"  as  it  were,  in  a  night,  and 
vanished  almost  in  a  day;  when  lawless  men  ruled  by  force  of  might, 
when  men  were  strangers  to  one  another,  and  the  lives  of  individuals 
depended  upon  their  nerve  and  proficiency  in  the  use  of  the  gun  and 
the  knife ;  when  Judge  Lynch  administered  the  only  recognized  law,  and 
men  were  without  any  of  the  refining  influences  of  family  or  home, — those 
who  were  bound  together  by  the  "  mystic  tie ''  began  to  search  each  other 
out,  and  by  the  teachings  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,  to  bring  about 
the  civilization  of  the  new  land  in  which  their  present  lot  had  been  cast. 
They  were  the  first  in  the  field,  and  paved  the  way  for  schools  and 
churches,  and  for  law  and  order. 

Pioneer  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  at  Idaho  City,  March  14,  1864, 
with  six  charter  nembers.  During  the  ensuing  year  the  n^embership  was 
increased  to  twenty-two.  On  the  18th  of  May,  1865,  the  lodge  was  burned 
out,  losing  all  it  possessed,  except  the  regalia  and  a  few  books  and  papers. 
They  then  met  at  the  private  residence  of  Brother  R.  E.  Jackson  (one 
of  the  charter  members),  for  a  time,  then  in  the  schoolhouse  for  a  few 
months,  then  in  the  Masonic  hall,  where  they  continued  to  meet  until 
March  11,  1867,  when  they  moved  into  a  new  hall  of  their  own.  At 
this  time  they  were  assessing  themselves  from  $5  to  $50  per  week  for 
the  relief  of  the  sick.  Two  months  later  this  hall,  and  nearly  the 
entire  town,  was  again  swept  away  by  fire.  The  Masonic  hall,  however, 
escaped  the  fire,  and  its  use  was  again  courteously  extended  to  Pioneer 
Lodge.  In  1874-75  the  lodge  builded  for  itself  another  hall,  upon  a 
beautiful  site,  on  a  hill  overlooking  the  town,  where  they  still  keep  the 
altar  fires  brightly  burning.  During  all  the  years  of  its  existence,  this 
lodge  has  done  noble  work,  fully  obeying  "the  command  of  our  law," 
continuing  at  all  times,  as  occasion  required,  to  minister  to  the  afdicted, 
often  at  the  expense  of  heavy  extra  assessments  upon  its  membership. 
In  it  many  of  the  leading  men  of  the  state,  among  them  its  present  gov- 
ernor, have  studied  the  lessons  of  the  Order,  no  doubt  to  their  own  ele- 
vation in  character  and  the  enlargement  of  their  sphere  of  usefulness.  For 
these  and  other  facts  which  space  will  not  permit  us  to  give,  in  regard  to 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  411 

the  history  of  this  pioneer  lodge  of  Idaho,  we  are  indebted  to  Past  Grand 
\V.  H.  Button.  They  are  illustrative  of  the  history  and  environment  of 
all  the  early  lodges  in  this  jurisdiction. 

The  remaining  lodges,  instituted  prior  to  the  organization  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  originally  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon,  were ;  Owyhee, 
Xo.  2,  at  Silver  City,  August  26, 1867 ;  Ada,  No.  3,  at  Bois^  City,  January 
24, 1868 ;  Excelsior,  No.  4,  at  Centerville,  October  6,  1868 ;  Eocky  Moun- 
tain, No.  5,  at  Salmon  City,  January  1,  1870 ;  Covenant,  No.  6,  at  Placer- 
ville,  December  7, 1870 ;  Mount  Idaho,  No.  7,  at  Grange ville.  May  8, 1880 ; 
Lewiston,  No.  8,  at  Lewiston,  April  6, 1881 ;  Bellevue,  No.  9,  at  Belle vue, 
July  13, 1882. 

These  lodges  were  all,  subsequently,  regularly  chartered  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  and,  on  the  22nd  of  September,  1883,  a  charter 
was  granted  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Idaho.  It  was  not  instituted,  how- 
ever, until  November  13,  1883.  On  that  day  the  representatives  of  these 
nine  lodges  met  at  Bois^  City,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  was  duly  instituted 
by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  William  C.  Beachey.  The  laws  of  the 
Order  in  Oregon  were  made  applicable  to  the  jurisdiction,  and  an  assess- 
ment of  $2,  per  capita,  was  levied  for  the  support  of  the  Grand  body. 

At  the  next  annual  communication.  Grand  Master  G.  W.  Brumm 
reported  only  one  new  lodge,  —  Caldwell,  No.  10,  —  but  to  this  day  the 
Grand  Lodge  is  proud  of  this,  its  first-born,  of  its  work  and  its  member- 
ship. It  has  been  not  only  an  important  factor  in  the  Order,  but  also  in 
moulding  the  general  history  of  the  state,  producing  more  men  who  have 
attained  distinction  in,  and  out  of,  the  Order  than  any  other  one  lodge. 
At  this  session  a  constitution  and  by-laws  for  subordinates  were  adopted, 
and  the  per  capita  tax,  for  the  expenses  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  was  increased 
to  §3,  and  a  special  tax  of  $1,  for  each  degree  conferred,  was  also  imposed 
for  the  same  purpose.  This  high  rate  of  taxation  was  maintained  for 
many  years,  and  caused  no  little  friction  among  the  subordinates;  and 
those  of  Northern  Idaho,  at  several  sessions,  endeavored  to  secure  the 
passage  of  resolutions  authorizing  them  to  withdraw,  and  become  attached 
to  the  sister  jurisdiction  of  Washington,  but  without  success.  The  cost 
being  now  reduced  to  a  tax  of  $1.50,  per  capita,  all  friction  seems  to  have 
ceased,  and  harmony  prevails  throughout  the  jurisdiction. 

At  the  session  of  1888,  the  Grand  Lodge  enacted  an  anti-Mormon  law, 
which  remained  in  force  until  1893,  when  it  was  repealed.  Through  the 
personal  efforts  of  Grand  Master  D.  L.  Badley  this  was  made  a  red-letter 
year  for  the  Order  in  Idaho,  showing  a  larger  increase  than  ever  before,  and 
new  life  in  the  degree  of  Rebekah.  At  the  session  of  1889,  the  initial  step 
was  taken  toward  founding  an  Odd  Fellows'  home,  and  $110  was  collected 
on  the  floor  of  the  Grand  Lodge  as  a  nucleus  for  a  "  home  fund."  At  the 
session  of  1891,  this  fund  had  increased  to  $1053.05,  when  Idaho  Falls 


412  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

offered  a  contribution  of  $10,000,  in  land,  and  a  like  amount  in  cash,  con- 
ditioned upon  the  home  being  located  at  that  place.  The  proposition  was 
accepted,  and  now  young  Idaho  boasts  a  beautiful  home,  with  a  three- 
story  stone  building,  on  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  under  cultivation,  and  one- 
sixth  of  the  per  capita  tax  is  appropriated  for  the  benefit  of  the  home. 

At  the  session  of  1895,  —  the  last  yet  reported,  —  the  jurisdiction 
had  a  membership  of  5092,  and  was  in  a  healthy  condition,  with  forty- 
three  working  lodges,  having  total  assets  of  $112,863.87.  During  the 
year  preceding,  their  expenses,  other  than  for  relief  and  charity,  were 
$21,166.91,  and  receipts,  from  all  sources,  $33,386.19.  Many  of  the 
lodges  own  their  halls  and  cemeteries  ;  and,  since  the  organization  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  the  subordinates  have  paid  about  $45,600  for  relief.  Pos- 
sibly to  Past  Grand  ^Master  M.  B.  Gwinn,  more  than  to  any  other  single 
member,  is  the  Order  indebted  for  the  great  work  done  in  this  remote 
mountainous  jurisdiction,  but  all  its  officers  and  past  officers  have  nobly 
won  their  honors,  and  among  these  should  be  named  A.  K.  Steunenberg, 
for  many  years  and  still  Grand  Secretary,  to  whom  we  are  largely  indebted 
for  the  data  from  which  this  brief  history  is  written. 

Washington. — The  early  history  of  the  Order  in  this  jurisdiction  is 
not  without  interest.  From  the  data  before  us  we  are  unable  to  give  the 
names  of  the  pioneers  in  its  organization,  but  on  the  13th  of  July,  1855, 
Olympia  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  at  Olympia,  under  a  warrant  granted 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  it  continued  to  work  under 
that  jurisdiction  until  1861,  when  the  subordinate  lodges  in  that  territory 
were  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon.  Shortly 
after  this,  owing  to  the  dispersion  of  its  members,  it  was  reluctantly  com- 
pelled to  submit  to  a  temporary  suspension  of  its  charter,  but  this  was 
restored  in  1867,  and  from  that  time  this  pioneer  lodge  has  continued  to 
remain  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and  stands  as  the  pioneer  of  Washington. 
By  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Oregon,  the  following  lodges  were  insti- 
tuted in  the  territory :  Enterprise,  No.  2,  at  Walla  Walla,  February  2, 1863 ; 
Vancouver,  No.  3,  at  Vancouver,  April  17,  1865 ;  Olive  Branch,  No  4,  at 
Seattle,  August  23, 1870 ;  Touchet,  No.  5,  at  Waitsburg,  September  12, 1871 ; 
Western,  No.  6,  at  Olympia,  October  22,  1872.  In  1863,  under  instruc- 
tion from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ore- 
gon ceased  to  issue  charters  in  Washington,  although  the  lodges  in  that 
territory  still  remained  imder  its  care  and  supervision,  were  represented 
in  its  sessions,  and,  occasionally,  grand  officers  were  selected  from  among 
them.  Seattle,  No.  7,  at  Seattle,  was  instituted  June  11,  1876,  under 
the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  others 
rapidly  followed,  until  Colfax,  No.  14,  was  instituted  at  Colfax,  June 
14,  1878. 

November  26,  1878,  under  authority  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  413 

the  United  States,  the  representatives  of  these  fourteen  lodges  assembled 
at  Olympia,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Washington  was  duly  instituted  by 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  H.  G.  Struve,  who  had  passed  the  chair  of  Grand 
Master  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Oregon,  assisted  by  Past.  Grand  Eepre- 
sentative  Daniel  Norcross,  of  California.  John  M.  Swan  was  elected 
Grand  Master,  and  W.  W.  Evans,  Grand  Representative.  The  Grand 
Lodge  remained  in  session  three  days  and  began  a  career  of  earnest  work 
and  usefulness,  —  which  has  never  since  abated,  —  wiih  fourteen  subordi- 
nates, having  a  membership  of  451,  and  assets  amounting  to  $8077.53. 

The  second  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  held  at  Seattle,  May  13, 
1879,  —  less  than  six  months  after  its  organization.  At  that  session  one 
new  lodge  was  reported.  The  number  of  members  reported  December 
31, 1878,  was  498,  and  the  relief  for  that  term  was  $761.  During  the 
year  1879  the  membership  increased  to  563,  and  the  relief  was  $1907.65. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  Washington  is  among  the  youngest  of  the 
states  in  the  Union,  that  its  chief  industries  are  farming  and  lumber, 
thousands  of  miles  from  the  great  markets  of  the  world,  that  even  yet  it 
is  comparatively  sparsely  settled,  the  growth  of  the  Order,  since  the  organ- 
ization of  its  Grand  Lodge,  has  been  marvellous.  There  is  no  single  year 
in  its  history  of  which  it  may  not  be  justly  said  of  the  officers  having  the 
work  in  charge :  "  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servants."  There 
has  been  a  slight  decline  in  its  membership,  during  the  past  three  years 
of  financial  depression,  but  even  allowing  for  this,  at  the  session  of  1896, 
only  seventeen  and  one-haK  years  after  its  organization,  the  number  of 
lodges  had  increased  to  one  hundred  and  fifty-one,  and  the  membership 
reported,  in  good  standing,  was  7121.  In  those  seventeen  and  one-half  years, 
the  subordinates  had  paid  out  for  relief,  the  munificent  sum  of  $195,436.79, 
at  its  close  had  invested  funds  to  the  amount  of  $298,312.19,  and  their 
total  assets  amounted  to  $386,544.40.  The  Order  in  this  jurisdiction  is 
now  actively  engaged  in  the  work  of  building  an  Odd  Fellows'  home,  for 
which  a  site  was  selected  in  Walla 'Walla,  at  the  last  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  While  it  does  not  pertain  to  this  department,  it  tends  to  illustrate 
the  activity  and  spirit  of  the  Order  in  the  jurisdiction,  to  note  the  fact  that 
Washington  has  ninety-three  Rebekah  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  4180, 
and  assets  to  the  amount  of  $18,434.52. 

Montana.  — The  earliest  organization  of  the  Order  in  this  jurisdiction, 
of  which  we  have  any  information,  was  July  2, 1867,  when  Montana  Lodge, 
No.  1,  was  instituted  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  H.  S.  Norcum,  at 
Helena.  We  have  not  at  hand  the  names  of  the  pioneers  who  became 
members  6r  officers  of  this  lodge,  but  it  stood  alone,  maintained  its  exist- 
ence, and  successfully  sowed  the  seed  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth, 
until  June,  1871,  when  Cottonwood  Lodge,  No.  2,  and  Bannock  Lodge, 
No.  3,  were  institued  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  C.  Dunnevan.     These 


414  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY, 

were  followed  by  Western  Star,  No.  4,  instituted  April  26, 1872,  by  D.  H. 
Cuthbert,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  Here  again  occurred  a  hiatus  of 
two  years,  with  no  progress,  except  as  these  four  lodges  kept  the  fires 
burning,  and  in  their  respective  localities  continued  to  work  for  the  eleva- 
tion of  the  character  of  man« 

On  the  16th  of  July,  1875,  Special  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Cuthbert 
summoned  the  representatives  of  these  lodges  to  Helena,  where  he  pre- 
sented a  warrant  for  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Montana,  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  instituted,  ten  members  being  obligated,  and  D.  H.  Cuth- 
bert was  elected  Grand  Master. 

Almost  immediately  after  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  the  good 
work  advanced  with  renewed  vigor ;  and,  on  the  22nd  of  August,  1874, 
Excelsior  Lodge,  No.  5,  was  instituted;  followed  by  Covenant,  No.  6, 
February  19,  1875 ;  Virginia,  No.  7,  July  19, 1875 ;  and  Fidelity,  No.  8, 
May  25, 1876.  All  these  lodges  still  exist,  and  are  doing  good  work.  At 
the  close  of  1874,  there  were  five  lodges,  with  a  membership  of  171; 
relief  during  the  year,  $220 ;  receipts,  $2040.  Since  then  the  growth  has 
not  been  rapid,  but  it  has  been  very  regular.  We  note  only  one  year  in 
which  there  was  an  actual  loss  in  membership.  In  1895  there  had  been, 
all  told,  5418  members  admitted  into  the  lodges  in  the  jurisdiction,  and 
at  the  close  of  that  year  there  were  forty-eight  subordinates,  with  a 
membership  of  2754.  During  1894  the  total  revenue  of  the  lodges  was 
$36,571.84,  and  they  expended  for  relief  $10,105.52.  We  regret  that  we 
have  not  the  data  at  hand  showing  the  total  relief  which  has  been  paid  by 
this  small  jurisdiction,  but  from  such  as  we  have  given  it  would  appear 
that  it  has  been  munificent,  in  proportion  to  its  membership. 

During  the  entire  history  of  the  Order  in  this  jurisdiction,  it  has  lost 
but  213  members  by  death,  —  a  ratio,  probably,  without  a  parallel  among 
all  the  jurisdictions  of  the  world- 
Far  removed  as  it  is  from  the  great  centres  of  activity  in  the  Order, 
the  lodges  are  endeavoring  to  keep  pabe  with  their  brethren  elsewhere  in 
the  manner  of  conducting  the  work.  Grand  Secretary  A.  G.  White,  in 
his  own  lodge,  inaugurating  the  effort  to  attain  perfection  in  the  conferring 
of  degrees,  and  stimulating  others  to  a  like  effort. 

Wyoming.  —  The  conditions  of  climate,  topography,  and  settlement,  in 
this  jurisdiction,  are  unfavorable  to  the  rapid  growth  of  fraternal  organiza- 
tions. Situated  upon  the  summit  of  the  "  Rockies,"  the  back-bone  of  the 
continent ;  while  the  atmosphere  is  dry,  pure,  and  invigorating,  the  tem- 
perature is  severe;  the  entire  country  is  mountainous;  settlements  are 
far  removed  from  each  other,  and  there  are  but  tfew  cities  or  towns  of  any 
considerable  size  or  importance,  and  these  are  mostly  on  the  line  of  the 
single  railroad  which  traverses  the  southern  tier  of  counties.  Off  the  line 
of  that  one  road  the  facilities  for  travel  are  primitive  and  dif&cult. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS,  416 

Cheyenne  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  at  the  station,  now  city,  bear* 
ing  that  name,  soon  after  the  railroad  had  reached  that  point,  late  in 
1867,  or  early  in  1868,  nnder  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Sire.  We 
have  no  details  of  the  particulars  of  the  organization,  the  personnel  of  its 
membership,  or  of  its  subsequent  growth,  except  such  as  enables  us  to  say 
that  its  altar  fires  have  never  ceased  to  bum,  and  that,  although  there  are 
now  two  lodges  in  the  same  city,  —  the  only  instance  of  the  kind  in  the 
jurisdiction,  —  No.  1  is  the  third  largest  lodge  in  the  state. 

In  1868  the  Order  in  Wyoming  was  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  and 
care  of « the  Grand  Lodge  of  Colorado,  and  so  remained  until  April  27, 
1874,  when,  there  being  then  seven  lodges  in  the  territory,  under  charter 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Wyoming 
was  instituted,  with  W.  L.  Kuykendall  as  Grand  Master.  The  esteem  in 
which  Brother  Kuykendall  is  held  by  his  brethren  in  the  jurisdiction,  may 
be  judged  from  the  fact  that  with  the  exception  of  seven  out  of  all  the 
years  that  have  since  intervened,  they  have  elected  him  as  their  represen- 
tative in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

We  have  been  unable  to  learn  anything  of  the  unwritten  history  of 
the  Order  in  this  jurisdiction,  but  from  the  journal  of  the  session  of  1894, 
the  latest  at  hand,  we  note  that  to  that  time  the  numbers  of  subordinates 
had  reached  twenty-two,  but  of  these  only  nineteen  were  then  in  active 
operation.  These  lodges  reported  a  total  membership  of  939;  receipts 
for  the  year,  $5324.12;  total  relief,  since  last  report,  $1732.66;  total 
assets,  $45,131.51. 

Utah. — Of  all  the  places,  in  which  there  was  any  considerable  popu- 
lation, where  an  attempt  has  ever  been  made  to  raise  the  standard  of  the 
three-links,  or  to  erect  altars  dedicated  to  the  love  of  God  and  man,  and 
the  elevation  of  human  character,  or  to  found  an  Order  avoiding  affilia- 
tion  with  party  or  sect,  but  inculcating  a  veneration  for  religion  and  sub- 
ordination to  civil  government  and  its  laws,  the  territory  of  Utah  was 
the  most  unpropitious.  Founded  and  settled  almost  exclusively  by  igno- 
rant religious  fanatics,  most  of  whom  were  aliens,  and  whose  most  sacred 
religious  tenet  runs  in  direct  conflict  with  the  laws  of  the  land ;  ruled,  as 
with  a  rod  of  iron,  by  a  man  withcgat  education  or  moral  perception,  but 
gifted  by  nature  with  marvellous  executive  ability,  who  for  generations 
kept  his  followers  in  almost  abject  slavery  and  poverty,  that  he  might 
with  the  fruits  of  their  toil  enrich  his  polygamous  church,  and  through 
his  chosen  agents  proselyte  among  the  ignorant  of  all  lands  for  converts 
to  his  faith,  and  immigrants  to  the  land  over  which  he  ruled  with  despotic 
power, — defying  the  laws  of  the  nation  of  which  his  domain  was  a  part, 
— by  the  aid  of  his  Danites  cutting  off  at  pleasure  all  other  immigration, 
even  destroying  whole  caravans  attempting  to  cross  his  territory  to  the 
plains  of  the  farther  West,  it  was  many  years  before  any  kind  of  fra- 


416  THE  THREE  LINK  FRATERNITY. 

• 

ternal  organization  other  than  the  Mormon  church  could  gain  a  foothold 
within  what  is  now  the  state  of  Utah. 

However,  on  the  17th  of  January,  1865,  an  association  of  Odd  Fellows 
was  formed  at  Salt  Lake  City,  by  brethren  who  had  migrated  from  Cali- 
fornia, out  of  which  Utah  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  July  29, 1865,  by 
Past  Grand  James  Ellis,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  with  nine  charter  members.  For  nearly  seven  years  this  lodge 
stood  alone  in  that  wilderness  of  immorality,  fighting  "  against  vice  in  all 
its  forms,"  and  working  manfully  in  the  propagation  of  the  principles  of 
our  Order.  » 

Salt  Lake  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted  April  26, 1872 ;  Jordan  Lodge, 
No.  3,  November  17, 1873,  and  Corinne  Lodge,  No.  4  (the  first  outside  of 
Salt  Lake  City),  at  Corinne,  January  23,  1874.  From  the  date  of  the 
institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Nevada,  January  21, 1867,  to  June  29, 
1874,  the  lodges  in  this  territory  were  under  the  care  and  supervision  of 
that  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Utah  was  instituted  June  29,  1874,  by  J.  A. 
Hemmingray,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  with  fourteen  past  grands 
present.  F.  H.  Auerbaugh  was  elected  Grand  Master.  The  Salt  Lake 
lodges  were  the  only  ones  represented  at  the  session ;  and,  although  the 
business  of  the  Grand  Lodge  occupied  the  attention  of  the  members  for 
five  days,  they  were  not  consecutive,  —  the  last  day  of  the  session  being 
August  22nd.  Before  the  close  of  the  session,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master 
and  Grand  Secretary  resigned  (probably  to  effect  a  more  equitable  distri- 
bution of  the  offices,  but,  possibly,  because  of  contemplated  absence,  for 
in  those  days  "  gentiles  "  were  exceedingly  migratory),  and  Brother  E.  M. 
Wilson  and  William  Samson  were  elected  and  installed  into  those  chairs, 
respectively. 

The  latest  reports  received  from  the  jurisdiction  are  of  the  session  of 
1895.  They  show  that,  at  the  close  of  1894,  there  were  twenty-one  lodges, 
with  a  membership  of  1254 ;  revenue  for  the  year,  $22,046.56 ;  expendi- 
tures for  current  expenses,  $9502.87;  for  relief,  $6033.78;  invested  funds 
of  subordinates,  $67,549.33;  also  seven  Eebekah  lodges  with  a  member- 
ship of  279  sisters  and  228  brothers,  -;-  total,  507. 

Thus  a  foothold  has  been  gained,  and  our  brethren,  though  few  in  num- 
bers, through  long  and  arduous  efforts  have  made  the  Order  an  important 
factor  in  bringing  about  a  new  era,  which  has  enabled  the  territory  to  be 
admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  state,  with  a  constitution  prohibiting  the 
great  crime  against  nature,  for  the  propagation  of  which  the  original  settle- 
ment at  Salt  Lake  City  was  founded ;  and  there,  at  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful sites  for  a  great  city  extant  in  the  Union,  the  Order  has  erected  a 
magnificent  temple  of  its  own,  dedicated  to  a  constant  war  against  all  the 
vices  of  the  fanatics  by  whom  it  is  surrounded,  to  the  education  and  eleva- 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  JURISDICTIONS.  417 

tion  of  the  race,  and  the  propagation  of  the  principles  of  Friendship,  Love, 
and  Truth. 

Arizona.  —  This,  like  Wyoming,  is  a  country  of  "magnificent  dis- 
tances." In  the  early  history  of  the  Order,  in  the  territory,  each  lodge  was 
as  much  alone,  as  far  as  association  was  concerned,  as  if  in  another  country. 
Even  yet,  they  are  few  in  number,  widely  separated,  and  facilities  for 
visitation  or  communication  with  one  another  most  difficult. 

Arizona  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  at  Prescott,  Yavapai  county,  July 
13, 1868,  by  E.  J.  Cook,  acting  as  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  with  six 
charter  members,  who  thus  became  pioneers  of  the  Order  in  the  territory. 
For  more  than  eleven  years  this  lodge  was  the  sole  representative  of  the 
Order  in  the  territory.  Phoenix  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted  at  Phoenix, 
now  the  capital  of  the  territory,  July  27, 1879,  with  seven  charter  members. 
Pima  Lodge,  No.  3,  was  instituted  at  Tucson,  February  23,  1881,  with 
twenty-one  charter  members ;  Pinal,  No.  4,  and  Cochise,  No.  6,  were  in- 
stituted in  the  same  year,  the  former  with  eleven  and  the  latter  with  six 
charter  members ;  Globe,  No.  6,  was  instituted  August  10, 1882,  with  six 
charter  members,  and  these  were  all  the  lodges  instituted  in  the  territory 
prior  to  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Arizona,  which  event  was 
mainly  consummated  by  the  efforts  of  Phoenix  Lodge,  No.  2,  which  bore 
almost  the  entire  expenses  of  the  organization.  This  Grand  Lodge  was 
organized  April  26, 1884,  at  Phoenix,  by  Brother  Clark  Churchijl,  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire,  assisted  by  Past  Grand  Sire  John  B.  Harmon,  and  a 
number  of  visiting  brothers  who  had  accompanied  him  from  California  for 
the  purpose.  The  Grand  Lodge  degree  wus  conferred  upon  fourteen  past 
grands.  William  Wilkerson  was  elected  Grand  Master,  and  N.  A.  Morford 
Grand  Secretary.  The  occasion  was  one  of  the  marked  incidents  in  the 
history  of  Arizona. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  growth  of  the  Order 
has  been  slow,  but  sure,  and  it  is  now  beyond  question  upon  a  permanent 
footing  in  "  Apache-land."  The  latest  reports  at  hand  are  those  of  1895, 
and  show  that  at  the  close  of  the  preceding  year  the  number  of  subordi- 
nates was  fourteen,  with  a  membership  of  639  (a  slight  decrease  during 
the  year  1894) ;  total  receipts,  $12,573.37 ;  current  expenses,  $6827.61 ; 
paid  for  relief,  $2912.60. 

New  Mexico.  —  So  far  as  relates  to  the  Order,  the  land  of  the  ancient 
Aztecs  is  a  terra  incognita  to  the  brethren  on  the  Pacific  coast.  The 
writer,  although  he  has  made  strenuous  efforts  to  do  so,  through  corre- 
spondence and  otherwise,  has  been  unable  to  procure  the  satisfactory  daia 
or  narrative  giving  the  early  organization  or  growth  of  the  Order  in  this 
jurisdiction.  He  has  learned,  however,  that  as  far  back  as  1868,  and  per- 
haps earlier,  Paradise  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  in  existence  at  Santa  F^.  If  this 
was  preceded  by  a  lodge  numbered  "  1,"  it  had  evidently  ceased  to  exist 


418  THE  THREE- LINK  FRATERNITY. 

prior  to  1868.  The  present  "No.  1 "  is  located  at  North  Albuquerque,  and 
was  instituted  May  5,  1882 ;  but,  prior  to  that  time,  Los  Vegas,  No.  4, 
had  been  organized  October  29, 1879 ;  San  Vicinte,  No.  5,  August  9, 1881 ; 
and,  subsequently,  June  4, 1883,  Atlas,  No.  3,  was  instituted.  Prior  to 
September  7, 1887,  ten  lodges  had  been  organized  in  the  territory,  and 
on  that  day  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Mexico  was  instituted.  Its  reports 
to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  for  1895  show  eighteen  subordinates,  with 
a  membership  of  931;  recejipts  for  the  preceding  year,  $10,805.29;  cur- 
rent expenses,  $6093.20;  expended  for  relief,  $3162.85. 

Alaska.  *-  Up  to  this  writing  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  is 
without  a  chartered  organization  in  "far-off"  Alaska,  but  the  scattered 
people  of  that  vast  region  are  not  without  knowledge  of  the  existence  and 
character  of  such  an  organization.  As  long  ago  as  1886,  a  comparative 
stranger  at  Janeau  was  injured  by  a  blast,  and  for  a  time  "  given  up  "  to 
die.  Among  those  in  the  place  at  the  time  was  Past  Grand  Arthui*  S. 
Ward,  of  Oakland,  California,  a  true  Samaritan,  who,  hearing  the  cry  of 
distress,  visited  the  stranger,  and  at  once  made  provision  to  care  for  him. 
Remaining  with  and  tenderly  nursing  the  stranger  until  he  had  recovered 
consciousness,  he  found  that  the  afflicted  man  was  an  Odd  Fellow  from 
Nevada.  From  this  circumstance  Brother  Ward  began  to  think  that  there 
might  be  other  Odd  Fellows  around,  and  he  commenced  to  look  for  them. 
In  the  course  of  a  few  days  he  no  longer  stood  alone  by  the  bedside  of  the 
afflicted  brother,  but  had  gathered  around  him  twenty  members  of  the 
Order ;  no  two  of  whom  were,  prior  to  that  time,  known  to  one  another ; 
and  no  two  of  whom  came  from  the  same  jurisdiction.  These  brothers 
organized  themselves  for  relief,  and  stood  faithfully  by  their  afflicted 
brother  for  many  weeks,  until  he  had  fully  recovered.  From  that  time  a 
sort  of  affiliation  has  been  kept  up  between  the  brethren  in  the  territory, 
looking  after  each  other,  and  ministering  to  the  afflicted ;  and,  about  1890, 
it  again  became  their  duty  to  minister  to,  and  finally  to  bury,  the  same 
brother  whose  misfortunes  had  first  called  them  together.  Now,  if  mis- 
fortune befalls  a  brother  in  any  of  the  habitable  portions  of  that  vast 
country,  he  is  not  left  to  suffer  or  to  die  alone.  From  reports  which  have 
been  read  in  California  lodges,  where  the  writer  has  visited  during  the  cur- 
rent year,  the  brethren  on  the  Youkon  have  been  very  active  during  the 
past  few  months  in  ministering  to  the  wants  of  the  sick  and  the  desti- 
tute who  have  become  stranded  there,  thousands  of  miles  from  home  and 
friends,  in  their  search  for  gold  in  those  hitherto  unexplored  fields ;  and 
there,  as  elsewhere,  the  spirit  of  Odd  Fellowship  is  beginning  to  be  felt. 


DIVISION  VL 

BRITISH  NORTE  AMERICA. 

INTKODUCTION  OF  AMERICAN  ODD  FELLOWSHIP  INTO  THE  BRITISH 
POSSESSIONS  OF  NORTH  AMERICA;  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  CAN- 
ADA ;  THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  BRITISH  NORTH  AMERICA ;  THE 
GRAND  LODGES  IN  ONTARIO,  THE  MARITIME  PROVINCES  (INCLUD- 
ING LODGES  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND),  QUEBEC,  MANITOBA,  BRITISH 
COLUMBIA,  AND  LODGES  IN  THE  NORTHWEST  TERRITORIES  OF 
CANADA;  TOGETHER  WITH  A  DISCUSSION  OF  THE  PRINCIPLES 
UNDERLYING  THE  INDEPENDENT  SOVEREIGNTIES  CREATED  BY 
THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE ;  THE  CHANGE  IN  NAME  OF  THE 
SUPREME  LEGISLATURE  OF  THE  ORDER;  THE  ENCAMPMENT, 
PATRIARCHS  MILITANT,  AND  REBEKAH  BRANCHES  IN  THE 
DOMINION  OF  CANADA. 

By  Cl.  T.  Campbell,  Past  Grand  Sire, 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  GRAND  LODGES  OF  CANADA,  AND  OF  BRITISH  NORTH  AMERICA. 

Introdactory. — The  geographical  terms,  "British  North  America" 
and  "  Canada,"  are  now  practically  synonymous ;  for,  though  originally 
consisting  of  separate  colonies,  to-day  the  entire  British  possessions  in 
North  America,  with  the  exception  of  Newfoundland,  are  under  one 
government;  and  the  Dominion  of  Canada  has  jurisdiction  over  all  the 
provinces  and  districts,  covering  an  area  of  over  3,300,000  square  miles, 
—  a  territory  equal  to  that  of  the  United  States.  But  prior  to  1867, 
Canada  meant  only  the  provinces  of  Upper  and  Lower  Canada,  after- 
ward called  Canada  West  and  Canada  East,  and  now  known  as  Ontario 
and  Quebec. 

In  the  present  work  it  is  thought  advisable  to  sketch  the  condition 
of  Odd  Fellowship,  in  the  entire  Northern  Dominion,  as  a  distinct 
Division ;  not  because  Odd  Fellowship  is  different  there  from  what  it  is 

419 


420  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

elsewhere,  —  in  all  lands  it  is  the  same, — but  because  local  conditions, 
differing  from  those  in  neighboring  countries,  may  and  do  affect  the 
condition  of  any  association  of  men;  and  may  either  retard,  advance, 
or  modify  its  growth  and  development. 

The  Prehistoric  Lodges.  —  Odd  Fellowship  being  a  British  institution, 
it  would  naturally  be  expected  that  in  "spreading  out"  from  the  British 
Islands,  among  the  first  of  the  countries  which  it  would  reach  would 
be  the  British  possessions  beyond  the  seas;  and  this  seems  to  have 
been  the  case.  The  records  of  the  Manchester  Unity  and  other  orders 
of  Odd  Fellows,  in  the  early  days,  are  in  an  imperfect  state :  some  were 
never  properly  kept,  many  were  destroyed,  and  little  reliable  information 
can  be  obtained  from  these  sources  as  to  the  origin  of  the  first  lodges. 
The  date  of  the  institution  of  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1,  in  Baltimore, 
has  been  preserved,  because  circumstances  made  that  lodge  the  parent 
of  a  large  body,  with  a  continuous  history ;  but  there  were  other  lodges 
before  Washington  Lodge,  and  among  them  some  were  in  the  British 
provinces  of  North  America. 

The  precise  date  of  the  introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship  into  British 
America  cannot  be  given ;  but  this  much  is  known :  that  two  lodges,  — 
Royal  Wellington,  No.  1,  and  Loyal  Bon  Accorde,  No.  2, — existed  in 
Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  as  early  as  1815.  How  long  before  that  date  either 
one  or  both  of  them  may  have  been  organized  is  uncertain ;  but  of  their 
existence  the  local  press  of  the  time  gives  ample  proof.  In  the  Acadian 
BecordeVf  of  Halifax,  January  14,  1815,  the  following  advertisement 
appears :  — 

"H.  H.  H.  — The  Royal  Wellington  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  meets  on  Monday  next  at 
Mr.  Webb's  large  room,  near  Messrs.  Cunard  and  Sons*  wharf." 

This  notice  is  repeated,  almost  weekly,  during  the  greater  part  of  the 
year,  with  occasional  variations  as  to  special  business;  as,  for  instance, 
on  August  15th,  the  words  are  added:  "And  on  Thursday  following 
at  Mr.  Geo.  Leggett's,  adjoining  the  lodge,  on  a  visiting  occasion."  In 
September  the  lodge  appears  to  have  changed  its  place  of  meeting, — 
the  advertisement  announcing  that  it  would  meet  "at  Odd  Fellow's 
hall,  near  Mr.  Samuel  Brown's  navy  tavern,  on  Water  street."  The 
only  emblem  attached  to  this  advertisement  at  any  time  was  a  small 
cut  of  two  hearts,  side  by  side. 

On  March  11th,  of  the  same  year,  and  every  week  thereafter  until 
October  20th,  this  advertisement  appears:  — 

"S.  S.  S.  — Loyal  Benevolent  Bon  Accorde  Lodge,  No.  2,  meets  on  Tharsday  next  at 
Mr.  Webb's  large  room,  near  the  Messrs.  Canard's  wharf." 

In  September  the  notice  is  changed,  and  the  place  of  meeting  given 
is  "near  Mr.  Samuel  Brown's  navy  tavern.  Water  street."     That  these 


EARLT  ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  CANADA.  421 

primitive  Odd  Fellows  made  social  enjoyment  a  part  of  their  programme 
is  evident  from  the  advertisement  appearing  April  29th :  — 

"  The  Bon  Accorde  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  inform  their  brethren  that  the  ball  which  was 
to  have  taken  place  on  the  25th  of  April,  is  farther  postponed  to  Tuesday  evening,  2nd  of 
May  next.    Tickets  to  be  had  of  C.  Boss,  tin  and  iron  plate  worker,  near  Cunard's  wharf." 

What  the  mystical  letters  "H.H.H."  and  "S.S.  S."  might  have 
signified,  the  modern  ritual  gives  us  no  hint.  It  would  seem  as  though 
the  two  lodges  were  working  together,  as  their  places  of  meeting  were  the 
same ;  and  both  removed  at  the  same  time,  and  went  to  the  same  place. 
It  is  possible  that  the  soldiers  of  the  British  regiments,  stationed  at 
Halifax,  may  have  had  some  connection  with  these  lodges.  We  know 
that  was  the  case  a  few  years  later.  The  lodges  could  not  have  been 
exclusively  military,  however,  as  the  only  name  that  is  attached  to  any  of 
the  advertisements  as  being  directly  interested  in  the  lodge  is  that  of 
C.  Boss,  a  civilian,  who,  in  the  Secordery  is  advertised  as  being  a  '^  tin  and 
iron  worker  from  London."  Besides,  a  purely  military  lodge  would  not 
have  been  likely  to  advertise  its  meetings  in  the  public  press.  The  proba- 
bilities are  that  the  lodge  was  organized  by  some  one  who  had  been  a 
member  of  a  lodge  in  England. 

It  was  in  London,  in  1804,  that  Wildey  became  an  Odd  Fellow;  and 
there  his  entire  knowledge  of  Odd  Fellowship  was  gained.  He  left 
London  for  the  United  States  in  1817.  The  Unity  founded  in  Manches- 
ter, a  few  years  before,  was  a  provincial  organization,  and  was  scarcely,  if 
at  all,  known  in  the  capital  at  the  time  Wildey  left  the  country ;  and  he 
knew  nothing  about  it.  It  is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  C.  Boss, 
"tin  and  iron  worker  from  London,"  who  was  connected  with  Odd  Fellow- 
ship in  Halifax,  in  1815,  and  Thomas  Wildey,  "  coach-spring  maker,  of 
London,"  who  was  an  Odd  Fellow  in  the  British  capital,  from  1804  to  1817, 
may  have  belonged  to  the  same  lodge,  or  at  all  events  to  the  same  Order; 
and  that  Royal  Wellington  Lodge,  No.  1,  and  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1, 
may  have  had  a  common  parentage,  though  the  long  miles  that  stretched 
between  Halifax  and  Baltimore,  kept  them  in  ignorance  of  each  other's 
existence. 

The  history  of  the  two  lodges  in  Halifax  cannot  be  recovered  at  this 
date ;  nor  can  we  obtain  any  definite  information  as  to  the  other  lodges, 
that  we  know  existed  in  the  same  city  some  years  later.  In  a  Halifax 
paper  of  March,  1847,  it  is  stated  that  the  warrant  of  the  Lodge  of  1815, 
as  well  as  that  of  a  military  lodge  of  1832,  were  then  in  the  possession  of  a 
resident  of  that  city,  one  of  the  surviving  members.  No  effort  ever  seems 
to  have  been  made,  by  any  of  our  lodges,  to  recover  these  documents;  and 
now  that  three-quarters  of  a  century  have  passed,  it  is  not  likely  that 
they  are  in  existence.  Nor  does  it  matter  much,  save  for  the  gratification 
of  curiosity.     The  prehistoric  lodges  have  long  since  disappeared;  and 


1 


422  TEE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

the  Odd  Fellowship  of  to-day,  both  in  Canada  and  the  United  States, 
traces  its  descent  from  Wildey's  lodge  in  Baltimore. 

The  American  Order  in  Canada. — American  Odd  Fellowship  was  planted 
in  British  North  America  in  1843.  At  that  time  the  total  membership  of 
the  society  was  30,000,  To-day  there  are  in  Canada  35,000  Odd  Fellows, 
—  5000  in  excess  of  the  total  membership  of  1843.  The  comparative 
growth  of  the  last  half  century  is  interesting.  In  1845  the  Odd  Fellows  of 
Canada  numbered  666;  in  all  other  countries  they  numbered  61,187. 
In  the  fifty  years  following,  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Canada  have  multiplied 
fifty-two  times;  in  the  United  States  and  all  other  countries  less  than 
thirteen  times.  In  other  words,  the  growth  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Canada 
has  been  four  times  greater  than  in  all  other  countries,  and  this  notwith- 
standing the  fact  that  the  increase  in  population  has  been  much  greater  in 
the  United  States  than  in  Canada  during  the  same  period.  This  statistical 
synopsis  is  given  simply  to  show  that  Canada  has  been  a  fruitful  field  for 
practical  benevolence,  as  exemplified  in  an  institution  like  ours. 

The  Hardie  Family.  —  In  connection  with  the  early  history  of  our  Order 
in  Canada  the  names  of  three  brothers  stand  out  prominently,  viz. :  John 
H.,  William,  and  Thomas  Hardie.  They  were  of  Scotch  and  English 
parentage,  natives  of  Montreal.  John  was  born  in  1811,  William  in  1815, 
and  Thomas  in  1820.  On  the  death  of  their  father,  in  1831  (the  mother 
had  died  previously),  the  boys  became  widely  separated.  John  went  to 
the  Southern  states,  but  afterward  settled  in  New  York;  William 
remained  in  Montreal ;  Thomas  went  first  to  Kingston,  in  Canada  West, 
and  subsequently  to  the  United  States.  During  his  residence  in  New 
York,  John  Hardie  first  learned  about  Odd  Fellowship.  His  brother 
Thomas,  who  had  joined  the  Order  "  out  West,"  called  his  attention  to 
the  excellences  of  the  society,  and,  as  a  consequence,  he  was  initiated  in  a 
lodge  in  New  York,  in  1842.  Meantime,  his  brother  William  had  estab- 
lished a  business  in  Montreal  in  paints  and  oils,  and,  at  his  solicitation, 
John  returned  to  Montreal.  Here  he  commenced  at  once  an  anxious 
search  for  brethren  with  whom  he  could  exchange  the  familiar  grip.  He 
was  so  far  successful  that  he  found  a  past  grand  of  a  Brooklyn,  New 
York,  lodge,  George  Matthews,  an  engraver  and  lithographer,  one  of  the 
first  to  introduce  that  art  into  Montreal. 

These  two  brethren  deserve  all  the  honor  that  can  be  accorded  them  as 
the  fathers  of  Canadian  Odd  Fellowship.  As  far  as  can  be  learned,  they 
were  the  only  Odd  Fellows  in  Montreal,  and  it  required  a  vast  amount  of 
zeal  and  patience  to  accomplish  the  work  they  undertook,  that  of  intro- 
ducing the  Order  into  Canada.  Unable  to  find  other  members  of  the 
Order,  whose  aid  they  could  secure  in  petitioning  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  for  a  charter,  they  were  not  discouraged.  Pursuing  their 
researches  in  another  direction,  they  were  able  to  interest  in  their  enter- 


EARLY  ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  CANADA.  423 

prise  three  citizenfl  of  Montreal,  —  Wetherill  Taylor,  Joseph  Kirkup,  and 
William  Rodden,  —  who  agreed  to  join  a  lodge  in  New  York  state  for 
the  purpose  of  becoming  qualified  as  applicants  for  the  Canadian  charter. 
The  preliminary  arrangements  occupied  some  time.  Hardie  and  Mat- 
thews had  not  only  to  find  charter  members,  but  also  to  secure  rooms  and 
paraphernalia,  and  look  for  a  sufficient  number  of  camdidates,  of  proper 
moral  and  social  standing.  So  that  months  passed;  and  the  application 
was  not  sent  to  Baltimore  until  the  26th  of  May,  1843. 

The  petition  was  not,  however,  granted  as  promptly  as  had  been 
expected.  The  authorities  were  for  a  time  in  doubt  as  to  the  proper 
course  to  be  pursued.  Grand  Sire  Kennedy  felt  satisfied  that  it  was 
within  his  discretion  to  issue  the  dispensation.  It  was  quite  true  that 
the  charter  granted  Washington  Lodge,  by  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge, 
Preston,  and  subsequently  confirmed  by  the  Annual  Movable  Commit- 
tee, of  the  Manchester  Unity,  in  1826,  made  that  body  the  source  and 
controlling  power  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  the  United  States  alone ;  and  it 
might  reasonably  be  held  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
the  legitimate  inheritor  of  the  powers  vested  in  Washington  Lodge,  was 
limited  in  its  functions  by  the  terms  of  that  charter.  But  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  had  long  since  assumed  powers  in  excess  of 
those  originally  granted.  In  1831  it  adopted  a  resolution,  offered  by 
Grand  Secretary  Ridgely,  declaring  itself  "the  only  legitimate  deposi- 
tary for  granting  charters  to  open  lodges  and  encampments  in  foreign 
states";  which  was  incorporated  in  the  constitution  of  1833,  with  the 
omission  of  the  word  "  only."  This  had  been  followed  by  the  institution 
of  a  lodge  in  the  republic  of  Texas.  It  cannot  be  said  that  this  was  in 
strict  harmony  with  the  relations  then  existing  between  the  Manchester 
Unity  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  However,  no  excep- 
tion had  been  taken  by  the  former  body;  and,  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances, there  would  have  been  no  hesitancy  in  acting  on  the  application 
from  Canada.  But  the  situation  at  present  was  exceptional;  and  the 
Grand  Sire  thought  a  consultation  with  his  colleagues  advisable.  The 
first  result  of  this  consultation  was  unfavorable  to  the  applicants.  All 
of  the  Grand  Sire's  associates  advised  against  an  immediate  issue  of  the 
dispensation.  A  resolution  had  passed  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  at  its  previous  session,  expressive  of  the  inexpediency  of  insti- 
tuting new  lodges  in  Britain  and  other  European  countries,  so  long  as 
the  Manchester  Unity  should  not  invade  the  United  States ;  and  it  was 
thought  that  Canada,  as  a  part  of  the  British  Empire,  might  come  within 
the  scope  of  this  resolution.  But  the  Grand  Sire  remained  firm  in  the 
opinion  that  the  resolution  should  be  taken  literally;  and  that  even  if 
it  were  possible  by  a  simple  resolution  to  prohibit  that  which  the  constitu- 
tion allowed;  at  all  events  there  was  nothing  to  hinder  action  being  taken 


424  THE  THBEE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

on  applications  from  foreign  countries,  outside  of  Europe.^  This  view  he 
finally  succeeded  in  impressing  on  some  of  his  colleagues,  and,  a  majority 
of  the  grand  officers  being  favorable,  the  dispensation  was  finally  issued 
on  the  29th  of  July. 

The  petitioners  had  asked  that  their  lodge  should  be  "No.  1,  of 
British  North  America,"  and  that  it  should  have  "  Grand  Lodge  powers  " ; 
but,  of  course,  this  was  not  granted,  —  the  pro^'ince  being  made  a  sub- 
ordinate jurisdiction,  similar  to  any  one  of  the  United  States.  Brother 
Alfred  Moore,  P.D.D.G.M.,  of  Troy,  New  York,  was  appointed  by  the 
Grand  Sire  as  special  deputy  to  introduce  the  Order  into  Canada.  Pro- 
ceeding to  Montreal,  accompanied  by  Past  Grands  Ferin  and  Burton,  and 
Brother  Taylor,  one  of  the  petitioners,  he  found  the  Canadian  brethren 
fully  prepared  for  his  visit.  A  comfortable  lodge-room  had  been  pro- 
vided and  suitably  furnished  in  the  garret  over  the  hardware  store  of  Mr. 
William  Rodden,  on  St.  Paul  street;  and  here,  at  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  10th  of  August,  1843,  the  pioneer  Canadian  lodge,  Prince 
of  Wales,  No.  1,  was  instituted.  The  brethren  began  to  work  energetically 
for  the  success  of  the  Order.  The  preliminary  arrangements  they  had  so 
quietly  and  prudently  made,  speedily  bore  fruit.  Within  the  first  week 
eighteen  gentlemen  of  influence  and  good  standing  in  the  community, 
were  admitted,  and  the  new  society  rapidly  grew  in  strength,  and  in 
favor  with  the  public. 

Soon  after  its  organization  the  lodge  received  a  valuable  addition  in 
the  person  of  Brother  Thomas  Hardie,  P.G.,  a  member  of  Sangamon 
Lodge,  No.  6,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  a  brother  of  John  Hardie,  the 
Vice  Grand  of  Lodge  No  1.  Sangamon  Lodge  had  been  instituted  in 
1840,  and  Brother  Thomas  Hardie  was  one  of  the  first  initiates.  Pleased 
with  the  Order,  and  deeply  impressed  with  its  evident  power  as  an  influ- 
ence for  good,  he  at  once  became  an  active  and  enthusiastic  member,  and 
passed  rapidly  through  the  chairs,  —  entering  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois 
in  March,  1843.  It  was  owing  to  his  recommendation  that  his  brother 
John  joined  the  Order ;  and  for  this  reason  he,  doubtless,  felt  that,  indi- 
rectly, he  had  considerable  to  do  with  the  introduction  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship into  Canada.  Removing  to  Montreal,  in  the  summer  of  1843,  he 
united  with  the  new  lodge  soon  after  its  institution,  and  by  his  practi- 
cal knowledge  of  the  work  of  the  Order,  as  well  as  by  his  zeal  and  energy, 
he  was  enabled  to  render  valuable  assistance  to  the  young  society. 

Prince  of  Wales  Lodge  prospered  so  well,  that  in  a  few  months  a 
second  lodge  was  instituted  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Master  Matthews, 
Q-ieen's,  No.  2,  on  the  4th  of  December,  1843. 

The  New  Year  opened  with  an  application  for  another  lodge,  —  this 
time  in  the  adjoining  village  of  St.  Johns ;  and  Prince  Albert,  No.  3,  was 

1  Journal  of  tho  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.    Vol.  I.,  p.  580. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  CANADA.  425 

instituted  on  the  4th  of  March,  1844.  About  the  same  time,  application  for 
an  encampment  charter  was  made  by  Brothers  Thomas  Hardie,  John  H. 
Hardie,  and  six  associates.  Of  these  brethren,  three  already  possessed 
the  degrees.  In  order  that  the  other  brethren  might  be  qualified  as  peti- 
tioners, the  Grand  Sire  had  previously  deputed  Past  Chief  Patriarch, 
A.  Heyer  Brown,  of  Albany,  New  York,  to  visit  Montreal,  and  confer 
upon  them  the  patriarchal  degrees,  which  duty  was  performed  by  him  on 
March  2nd.  The  application  was  granted,  and  Special  Deputy  Brown, 
being  unable  to  attend,  authorized  Past  Chief  Patriarch  Thomas  Hardie 
to  institute  the  new  encampment.  In  accordance  with  his  instructions. 
Brother  Hardie  opened  Hochelaga  Encampment,  No.  1,  in  Montreal,  on 
Tuesday  afternoon,  April  2, 1844. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada.  —  The  Canadian  Odd  Fellows  now  thought 
it  time  to  have  their  affairs  brought  under  the  control  of  a  local  Grand 
Lodge.  Three  lodges,  the  senior  not  more  than  a  year  old,  may  seem  to 
our  eyes  a  small  constituency  for  a  Grand  Lodge ;  but  fifty  years  ago 
Odd  Fellows,  both  in  Canada  and  the  United  States,  were  very  preco- 
cious; and,  as  soon  as  the  Order  was  introduced  into  a  state  or  prov- 
ince, they  began  to  talk  about  having  a  Grand  Lodge.  In  Canada, 
however,  the  society  had  grown  so  rapidly  that  the  brethren  might  be 
excused  if  they  felt  somewhat  ambitious.  Introduced  first  on  the  10th 
of  August,  1843,  by  the  following  summer  the  membership  had  reached 
about  350,  —  embracing  some  of  the  leading  men  of  Montreal,  —  men 
whose  names  have  since  obtained  a  prominent  place  in  Canadian  history. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  September, 
1844,  the  petition  for  a  Canadian  Grand  Lodge  charter  Was  granted,  and 
the  dispensation  intrusted  to  the  Eev.  Albert  Case,  P.G.M.,  of  South 
Carolina,  who  summoned  the  lodges  to  meet  him  in  Montreal  on  the  16th 
of  November.  At  that  date  representatives  of  three  lodges  were  present, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  duly  instituted. 

The  Order  in  Canada  had  now  fairly  started  under  local  management. 
The  officers,  to  whose  control  the  affairs  of  the  society  were  intrusted, 
were  well-fitted  for  their  posts.  Grand  Master  W.  M.  B.  Hartley  was  a 
native  of  Montreal,  born  in  1821 ;  a  young  man  of  well-developed  talent, 
and  a  barrister  of  repute.  In  August,  1843,  during  a  visit  to  New  Haven, 
Connecticut,  he  was  initiated  in  Quinnipiac  Lodge,  and  received  the 
degrees.  On  his  return  to  Montreal  he  at  once  joined  Prince  of  Wales 
Lodge,  but  soon  withdrew  to  become  one  of  the  charter  members  of 
Queen's  Lodge.  His  services  in  Odd  Fellowship  were  not  confined  to 
his  own  lodge.  The  anti-secret  society  agitation,  which  had  commenced 
in  the  United  States,  in  1826,  had  reached  Canada  as  well ;  and  a  bill  had 
been  introduced  in  the  Provincial  Parliament  with  a  view  to  suppress 
all  such  organizations.      The  Odd   Fellows   endeavored   to  secure  the 


426  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

exemption  of  their  Order  from  the  provisions  of  the  bill ;  and  Mr.  Hartley 
was  sent  as  the  delegate,  of  both  the  Manchester  Unity  and  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Eellows,  to  petition  the  Governor  and  the  Parliament  in 
their  behalf.  The  bill,  however,  passed,  but  was  disallowed  by  the  British 
Government. 

The  other  officers  were  equally  efficient.  Deputy  Grand  Master  George 
Matthews  had  been  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Order;  Grand  Warden 
Thomas  Hardie  was,  probably,  the  most  experienced  member  in  the  juris- 
diction ;  Grand  Treasurer  S.  C.  Sewell  was  a  leading  physician ;  William 
Rodden  a  prominent  hardware  merchant. 

John  Hardie  had  removed  to  Quebec  City  before  the  institution  of  the 
Grand  Lodge ;  and  he  commenced  work  in  the  interest  of  the  Order  at 
once,  and  with  such  success  that  Albion  Lodge,  No.  4,  was  opened  about 
the  20th  of  November,  1844 

The  Grand  Lodge  held  several  sessions  during  the  first  year  of  its 
existence,  —  the  main  work  being  the  devising  of  a  constitution.  On  the 
5th  of  December  it  granted  a  charter  for  another  lodge  in  Montreal, — 
Commercial,  No.  5,  —  which  became  one  of  the  largest  and  most  influen- 
tial lodges  in  the  jurisdiction. 

On  March  21, 1845,  Victoria  Degree  Lodge  was  organized  in  Montreal 
with  a  view  of  creating  greater  interest  in  the  degree  work.  In  this  it 
appears  to  have  been  successful ;  for  they  undertook  to  relieve  any  monot- 
ony in  the  ceremonies  by  introducing  various  performances  not  laid  down 
in  the  books;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  compelled  to  admonish  the 
officers  to  conduct  the  work  with  more  solemnity. 

In  Canada  West.  —  In  the  summer  of  1845  the  Order  was  introduced 
into  Canada  West  by  Mr.  Edmund  Mumey,  of  Belleville.  He  was  a 
gentleman  of  high  standing  in  the  community,  and  a  member  of  the 
Canadian  Parliament.  He  had  been  initiated  in  Queen's  Lodge,  while 
attending  to  his  legislative  duties,  in  Montreal ;  and  became  an  enthusi- 
astic Odd  Fellow.  Brother  Murney  had  two  associates  in  his  own  town, 
and  these,  with  two  other  citizens,  went  to  Montreal  and  were 'initiated 
in  Queen's  Lodge;  and  the  five  then  petitioned  for  a  charter.  It  was 
promptly  granted,  and  Victoria  Lodge,  No.  6,  the  pioneer  lodge  of  the 
Western  province,  was  instituted  on  the  17th  of  June,  by  Special  Deputy 
David  Milligan.  Shortly  afterward,  July  24th,  Oriental  Lodge,  No.  7, 
was  opened  in  Stanstead,  Canada  East. 

The  reports  of  the  Grand  Officers  at  the  annual  session,  on  the  6th  of 
August,  1845,  indicated  cheering  progress,  —  the  statistics  for  the  June 
term  showing  five  lodges,  with  666  contributing  members,  and  a  revenue 
for  the  year  of  $8455.  Past  Grand  Master  Hartley  was  elected  Grand 
Representative. 

The  Odd  Fellows'  Record.  —  At  a  special  session,  this  year,  the  Grand 


TES  GBAND  LODGE  OF  CANADA.  427 

Lodge  took  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  starting  an  Odd  Fellows' 
magazine ;  and,  after  some  discussion,  the  scheme  materialized.  On  the 
first  of  the  year  following,  the  initial  number  of  the  Odd  FeUows^  Record 
appeared.  It  was  a  neat  octavo  monthly,  of  24  pages,  published  by 
Brother  John  Potts  as  a  private  venture,  but  with  the  cordial  coopera- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  exercised  editorial  control  through  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Brothers  Hartley,  Hamilton,  and  Robinson.  It  was 
a  well-conducted  periodical,  with  selections  carefully  made,  as  well  as  a 
good  supply  of  original  matter,  making  it  a  very  readable  family  magazine. 
It  lasted  two  years,  and  then  suddenly  stopped,  —  reasons  not  stated. 

The  Odd  Fellows'  Hall.  —  The  rapid  increase  of  membership,  and  the 
growing  importance  of  the  Order,  had  made  it  apparent  at  an  early  date 
that  increased  accommodations  would  be  required;  and,  in  1844,  an 
arrangement  was  made  with  Brother  G.  Bourne  for  the  purpose.  This 
brother  undertook  to  erect  a  building  on  Great  St.  James  street,  giving 
the  Order  a  practically  perpetual  lease.  It  was  built  with  an  express 
view  to  the  accommodation  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  was  arranged  to  suit 
their  wants.  It  was  a  very  handsome  three-story  building,  with  a  front 
of  sixty-five  feet,  and  a  depth  of  forty-eight  feet.  The  hall  was  at  the 
top;  the  second  floor  forming  an  assembly-room  for  concerts  and  balls; 
while  the  ground  floor  was  divided  into  stores.  The  main  lodge-room 
,  was  twenty-four  by  forty-three  feet,  being  finished  in  white  and  gold,  with 
a  circular  ribbed  ceiling,  handsomely  carpeted  and  furnished.  In  addition 
there  were  a  large  number  of  ante-rooms  and  other  apartments.  From 
the  description  given  in  the  records  of  the  time,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the 
entire  suite  of  apartments  were  possessed  of  a  beauty  and  style  that  have 
never  since  been  surpassed  in  Canada.  They  formed,  in  fact,  a  complete 
club-house.  This  seems  to  have  been  required ;  for  the  Order  in  Montreal, 
m  those  days,  appears  to  have  been  eminently  aristocratic.  At  lodge  meet- 
ings the  members  always  appeared  in  full  evening  dress.  Though  this 
might  seem  ip.  our  days  to  be  "  putting  on  airs,"  yet  it  was  not  out  of 
place  under  the  circumstances;  for  the  members  were  all  more  or  less 
wealthy ;  and  the  wearing  of  full  dress  was  a  custom  familiar  to  them  in 
their  social  relations,  which  entailed  neither  extra  expense  nor  trouble. 

The  Odd  Fellows'  hall  was  occupied  by  the  Grand  Lodge  on  November 
26, 1845,  —  but  was  not  formally  dedicated  until  the  2nd  of  December. 
It  remained  the  home  of  the  Montreal  Odd  Fellows  and  the  headquarters 
of  the  Order  in  Canada  until  the  collapse  of  the  society,  in  1852,  when  it 
reverted  to  the  possession  of  private  parties,  and  was  subsequently  known 
as  "Nordheimer  Hall."  Several  fires  resulted  in  material  alterations; 
and  it  was  finally  completely  destroyed  by  a  fire,  in  1889 ;  and  the  present 
Nordheimer  Hall  was  erected  on  its  site. 

Bfissionary  Work. — A  very  important  matter  which  came  up  for  consider- 


428  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

ation  at  the  quarterly  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  February,  1846,  was 
that  of  the  extension  of  the  Order,  especially  in  the  Western  province. 
Scattered  throughout  Upper  Canada  were  a  number  of  influential  persons 
who  were  members  of  the  Montreal  lodges.  Montreal  was  now  the  capital 
of  Canada,  —  commercial,  social,  and  political.  Here  the  merchants  came 
to  purchase  goods ;  here  the  legislators  came  to  attend  Parliament ;  here 
the  "  aristocracy  "  came  for  the  balls  and  festivities  at  Government  House. 
The  Odd  Fellows'  society  was  one  of  the  chief  social  clubs  of  the  city,  to 
which  it  was  fashionable  to  belong.  A  visitor  had  failed  to  see  the  lions 
of  Montreal  who  had  not  entered  the  Odd  Fellows'  lodge;  and  many 
people,  whose  residences  were  in  the  Western  province,  especially  mem- 
bers of  Parliament,  had  become  connected  with  the  Order.  Some  of  these 
were  anxious  to  have  lodges  organized  at  their  own  homes;  and  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  equally  as  anxious  to  extend  the  number  of  its  subor- 
dinates. 

After  carefully  considering  this  matter,  at  the  meeting  on  the  7th  of 
February,  the  Grand  Lodge  decided  to  send  a  deputation  westward,  on 
what  might  be  considered  a  "  missionary  tour."  The  brethren  chosen  for 
this  duty  were  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Thomas  Hardie,  and  Past 
Grands  George  P.  Dickson  and  Edmund  Murney.  All  three  were  well 
qualified  for  their  work;  but  the  principal  members  of  the  deputation 
were  Brothers  Hardie  and  Dickson,  —  Brother  Murney's  assistance  being 
rendered  chiefly  in  the  Bay  of  Quints  district. 

In  order  to  the  successful  accomplishment  of  their  mission,  the  depu- 
tation was  invested  with  the  most  complete  powers.  The  subordinate 
lodges  in  Montreal  gave  them  a  list  of  all  their  members  residing  in 
Upper  Canada,  with  a  stock  of  blank  withdrawal  cards,  which  they  were 
authorized  to  fill  and  issue  to  those  who  were  willing  to  become  petitioners 
for  lodges ;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  empowered  them  to  make  Odd  Fellows 
"at  sight";  receive  petitions ;  grant  dispensations ;  institute  lodges ;  and, 
in  the  words  of  their  commission,  ''do  and  perform  all  other  acts  and 
things  which  might  be,  or  become,  necessary  for  the  due  and  proper  fulfil- 
ment of  the  objects  and  purposes  "  had  in  view.  If  ever  Odd  Fellowship 
was  divested  of  red-tape,  it  was  during  the  operations  of  these  pioneer 
"  missionaries  "  in  Canada. 

The  deputation  left  home  on  Wednesday,  the  4th  of  March,  for  a  trip 
of  some  eight  hundred  miles  by  coach,  over  a  road  which,  while  pleasant 
enough  in  summer,  was  the  very  reverse  during  the  cold  rainy  weather 
of  a  Canadian  spring.  They  were  absent,  in  all,  exactly  a  month,  reach- 
ing home  on  the  3d  of  April.  As  a  result  of  their  labors  they  were  able 
to  report  ten  lodges  organized,  viz. :  Brock,  No.  9,  Brockville ;  Cata- 
raqui.  No.  10,  Kingston;  Prince  Edward,  No.  11,  Picton;  Ontario,  No. 
12,  Cobourg;   Otonabee,  No.  13,  Peterboro;   Hope,  No.  14,  Port  Hope; 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  CANADA.  429 

Tecumseh,  No.  15,  Toronto ;  Union,  No.  16,  St.  Catharines ;  Burlington, 
No.  17,  Hamilton;  St.  Francis,  No.  18,  Cornwall. 

This  was  certainly  a  very  successful  tour,  as  far  as  the  amount  of  work 
accomplished  was  concerned.  It  is  true  that  of  the  ten  lodges  then  organ- 
ized, only  two  have  survived  to  the  present  day ;  but  it  is  equally  true 
that  these  two  were  the  only  lodges  in  the  whole  of  British  North  Amer- 
ica that  did  survive  through  the  subsequent  decline  of  the  Order;  so  that 
the  offshoots  were  more  prosperous  than  the  parent-stem.  While  all  other 
lodges  ceased  to  work,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  became  defunct,  Brock  and 
Union  are  still  alive  and  prosperous. 

About  the  same  time  a  second  lodge,  Mercantile,  was  organized  in 
Quebec;  and  some  months  later,  Ottawa,  No.  20,  in  By  town,  now  called 
Ottawa,  the  capital  of  the  Dominion. 

Sectarian  Opposition. — The  condition  of  the  Order  at  this  time  was 
very  satisfactory,  —  the  returns  for  June,  1846,  showing  nineteen  lodges, 
with  1721  members.  Of  course  it  did  not  spread  so  rapidly  without  meet- 
ing opposition ;  and  this  very  largely  from  sectarian  sources. 

The  first  blast  came  from  the  Montreal  Witness,  in  June,  1846,  which, 
in  a  general  denunciation  of  all  secret  societies,  included  Odd  Fellows' 
lodges  and  temperance  organizations.  This  was  more  efficiently  echoed 
in  the  month  following  by  the  Roman  Catholic  Bishop  of  Montreal,  who 
issued  a  mandement  against  those  secret  societies  which  professed  char- 
ity, but  were  bound  by  oaths,  and  sought  only  wicked  ends.  He  did 
not  expressly  name  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  members  of  that  Order 
attempted  to  make  it  appear  that  he  could  not  have  referred  to  them,  as 
they  were  not  "  oath  bound."  Quite  a  number  of  Roman  Catholics  had 
joined  the  lodges  in  Lower  Canada,  and  the  friends  of  the  Order  were  of 
course  anxious  to  avoid  any  collision  with  the  church.  But  the  Bishop's 
mandement  was  only  the  first  indication  that  the  clergy  had  changed  their 
tactics  from  a  tacit  countenance  to  an  active  and  virulent  opposition. 

In  the  September  following,  another  valuable  ally  came  to  the  help  of 
the  Montreal  Witness  and  the  Roman  Catholic  Bishop  of  Montreal,  in  the 
shape  of  the  Toronto  Examiner,  which  devoted  four  columns  to  an  attack 
upon  the  Order.  Very  bombastically  did  the  editor  of  the  Examiner  com- 
pare himself  in  his  attack  on  Odd  Fellowship  to  the  sturdy  John  Knox 
waging  war  to  the  knife  against  a  powerful  church.  As  the  entire  mem- 
bership of  the  lodge  in  Toronto  at  that  date  did  not  much  exceed  seventy, 
the  Examiner  would  not  seem  to  have  been  endangering  itself  to  any 
appreciable  extent  by  fighting  the  Odd  Fellows.  For  some  time  the 
Examiner  was  the  only  opponent  of  Odd  Fellowship  among  the  Upper 
Canadian  papers.  The  London  (Ontario)  Times  followed  in  its  footsteps 
during  the  next  year.  But  the  Examiner  and  the  Times  have  passed 
away,  and  their  names  are  scarcely  remembered ;  Odd  Fellowship  still  lives. 


430  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Independence.  -^  The  Grand  Lodge  met  in  its  second  annual  session  on 
the  5th  of  August,  1846.  There  was  a  full  representation  of  the  lodges  in. 
Montreal  and  Quebec;  but  only  one  western  lodge  was  represented, — 
Brock,  1^0.  9.  In  selecting  officers,  R.  H.  Hamilton,  the  Grand  Seci^tarj^ 
who  was  an  officer  in  the  Imperial  civil-service  (Surveyor  of  Customs  in. 
Montreal),  was  chosen  Grand  Master;  E.  L.  Montizambert,  —  a  distin- 
guished member  of  the  legal  profession,  —  who  was  the  chief  law  officer 
of  the  Upper  House  of  Parliament  for  many  years  afterward,  became 
Deputy  Grand  Master. 

Probably  the  most  important  matter  ever  considered  by  the  Canadian 
fraternity  came  up  on  the  third  day  of  this  session;  and  that  was  the 
question  of  "independence."  This  had  been  first  suggested  by  Grand 
Secretary  Ridgely  in  his  annual  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  in  1844.  Referring  to  the  condition  of  the  Order  in  the  Republic 
of  Texas  and  in  British  America,  he  said:  *— 

"  It  is  suggested ,  very  respectfully,  that  upon  the  formation  of  new  lodges  in  foreign 
countries,  whether  (.he  interests  of  Odd  Fellowship  would  not  be  much  promoted  by  recog* 
nizing  such  organizations  as  distinct  sovereigntiet  in  ib»  Order,  exercising  independent 
powers.  It  will  doubtless  be  a]n[«rent,  that  in  matters  of  local  regulation,  and  many  details 
of  form,  the  constituencies  of  our  Order  in  foreign  countries  are  not  free  from  the  natural 
influences  and  predilections  for  the  laws  and  systems  of  the  government  under  which 
they  live.  This  common  feeling,  superadded  to  the  general  distrustfulness  of  associations 
Buch  as  ours,  may  not  so  easily  be  combated  when  they  are  known  to  preserve  a  close 
affiliation  with  a  parent-lodge  established  under  political  institutions  so  widely  different 
from  their  own." 

This  idea  was  strongly  endorsed  by  the  special  committee  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  to  whom  it  was  referred.  The  report  presented 
by  Representative  Delia  Torre,  of  South  Carolina,  concurred  in  the  sugges- 
tion  of  the  Grand  Secretary,  and  submitted  a  resolution  creating  Grand 
Lodges  in  foreign  countries  distinct  sovereignties,  with  independent  powers, 
as  soon  as  they  were  organized.  Presented  late  on  the  last  day  of  the 
session,  there  was  not  time  for  the  proper  discussion  of  this  question,  and 
it  was  laid  on  the  table.  Subsequent  events,  however,  showed  that  the 
idea  conceived  was  considered  then  the  true  principle  for  cases  of  this 
kind. 

The  suggestion  was  favorably  received  in  British  America.  The  lead- 
ing Odd  Fellows  were  enthusiastic  and  loyal  Canadians,  —  many  of  them 
members  of  Parliament ;  others  in  the  civil  service ;  and  the  idea  of  com- 
plete independence  of  the  United  States  was  certain  to  be  popular.  The 
matter  had  been  discussed  in  many  of  the  lodges,  and  an  opportunity  had 
been  given  the  brethren,  in  the  different  towns,  to  consider  it  carefully. 
On  the  third  day  of  the  session,  August  7th,  on  motion  of  Representative 
Christopher  Dunkin,  of  No.  5,  seconded  by  Representative  Luther  H. 

1  Journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.    Vol.  I.,  p.  622. 


!^iH§l!^^^Jr^T:^^:g^^^f*|RniSH  north  America. 

^^rfib^Slp'<^^^«af^a^.     See  Division  VI. 
-  -^.  -5^.  .j(.  -f-  -Jj.  .5^.  •■*■-  .jj. 


TBE  OBAND  ENCAMPMENT  OF  CANADA.  431 

/Holton,'Of  Ko.  8  (two  names  well  known  in  Canadian  history),  the  subject 

^  was  referred  to  a  special  committee,  eonsisting  of  the  mover  and  seconder, 

...and  Eepresentatives  Whitney,  Holland,  andllontizambert. 

This  was  the  first  appearance  in  Grand  Lodge  of  a  brother  who  for 

■  several  years  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  alEairs  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
Christopher  Dunkin,  of  Coriimercial  Lodge,  No.  5,  One  of  the  rising 
lawyers  and  prominent  citiseDs  of  Montreal,  he  had  attained  a  public 
reputation  and  a  social  position  that  rendered  him  o£  great  sei*vice  to  the 
Order.  He  gave  his  time  and  talents,  as  well  as  his  name,  to  the  cause  of 
Odd  Fellowship ;  and  from  his  first  appearance  in  Grand  Lodge,  in  1846, 
until  he  finally  severed  his  connection  with  the  Order,  he  was  one  of  its 
leading  spirits,  and  left  the  impress  of  his  intellect  upon  all  its  transac- 
tions.   At  the  same  time  the  Order  in  Caiia;dia  lost  one  of  its  most  experi- 

.  enced  and  intelligent  members.  Brother  Thomas  Hardie,  who  returned  to 
the  United  States.  He  had  brought  to  the  assistance  of  his  brethren  an 
acquaintance  with  the  general  l^^w  and  secret  work  greater  than  that  pos- 

:  sessed  by  any  other  member  throughout  the  jurisdiction;  and  his  loss 
was  severely  felt.  His  brethren  fully  realized  his  worth,  and  showed 
their  appreciation  by  some  tangible  marks  of  esteem.  Prinee  of  Wales 
Lodge  presented  him  with  a  gold  watch  and  cihain ;  while  the  Grand  Lodge 
voted  him  an  address,  a  silver  snuff-box,  and  4^60.  He  is  now  about  the 
only  Canadian  pioneer  living,  and  is  still  an  active  mmnber  of  the  Order 
in  Iowa. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  on  the  9th  of  September,  the  special 
committee  on  independence,  through  its  chairman.  Brother  Dunkin,  pre- 
sented its  report.  It  was  an  extended  and  able  document.^  It  gave 
reasons  for  the  proposed  change,  and  provided  full  details  for  the  merge- 
ment  of  the  old  Order  in  the  new.  It  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  for- 
warded to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

The  Grand  Encampment  of  Canada.  —  Meanwhile  the  encampment  branch 
had  not  been  idle.  Reference  has  been  made  to  the  institution  of  Hoche- 
laga  Encampment  in  Montreal.  Others  followed.  Stadacona,  No.  2,  was 
instituted  in  Quebec  on  the  12th  of  November,  1845.  Then  came  Eoyal 
Mount,  No.  3,  in  Montreal,  on  March  21, 1846,  and  St.  Louis  in  Quebec, 
on  the  9th  of  June,  of  the  same  year.  With  four  subordinates,  the  patri- 
archs were  not  likely  to  wait  long  before  petitioning  for  a  charter  for  a 
Grand  Encampment.  In  addition,  however,  when  the  subject  of  <4nde- 
pendence  "  was  under  consideration,  it  was  thought  that  the  application 
for  an  independent  sovereignty  would  come  witii  greater  force,  if  backed 
by  a  Grand  Enoampment. 

Grand  Sire  Bheriock  readily  gvanted  the  paction;  and  District  Deputy 

.r  Grand  Sire  Sewell,  of  Quebec,  organized  the  Grand  Encampment  on  the 

1  jMnal,  «Mnd.Loiit«  of  the  Unkod  Btttes,  18M,  p.  8M. 


432  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

3d  of  September,  1846.  George  Matthews  was  elected  Grand  Patriarch, 
and  Christopher  Dunkin,  Grand  Representative. 

The  new  Grand  body  provided  for  the  advancement  of  its  own  branch 
of  the  Order,  by  authorizing  the  Grand  Patriarch  to  instruct  brothers  in 
the  degrees,  and  institute  subordinates  during  the  recess.  This  bore  fruit 
in  the  organization  of  Wellington  Encampment,  No.  5,  in  Toronto,  in 
September,  and  Mount  Hebron,  Ko.  6,  in  Peterboro,  in  October.  Of  course 
the  petition  for  independence  was,  also,  adopted. 

The  application  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment,  of  Can- 
ada, was  didy  presented,  at  the  ensuing  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  and  referred  to  a  special  committee,  whose  report  was 
favorable;  indeed,  it  restated  the  argument  for  local  independence  in 
terms  stronger  than  the  petition  from  Canada.  After  some  debate,  in 
which  the  Canadian  Representatives,  —  Dunkin  and  Whitney,  —  effectively 
answered  all  objections,  it  was  adopted  by  the  pronounced  vote  of  forty- 
seven  to  nine.  The  only  point  in  the  petition  "  not  agreed  to,"  was  the 
suggestion  to  call  the  newly  erected  sovereignty  by  the  title  of  "  Grand 
Chapter."  In  order  to  arrange  for  the  future  amicable  relations  of  the 
two  countries,  the  proposal  of  the  Canadian  Representatives  was  adopted, 
and  an  amendment  proposed  to  the  constitution  providing  for  an  inter- 
change of  special  representatives. 

Independent  Sovereignties.  — The  new  charter,  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
British  North  America,  was  issued  on  the  24th  of  September,  1846.  As 
it  was  the  first  document  of  the  kind,  it  is  here  given  in  full :  — 

I.  O.  O.  P. 
Wb,  the  Most  Worthy  GRA2n>  Sire,  Right  Worthy  Deputy  Graitd  Snts, 

OFFICERS  AND  MEMBERS  OF  THE  GRAND  LODOE  OF  THE  INDEPENDENT 

Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

AND  THE  jurisdictions  THEREUNTO  BBLONGINO  .' 

To  all  tofiom  it  may  concemf  in  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,  send  greeting  :  — 

Know  ye,  that  by  virtue  of  the  power  and  authority  in  us  vested,  we  do  hereby  author- 
ize the  union  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Province  of  Canada,  and  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
the  Province  of  Canada,  and  the  erection  of  the  same  into  a  distinct  and  independent  sov- 
ereignty, to  be  known  by  the  name,  style,  and  title  of  The  Grand  Lodge  of  British 
North  America  ;  and  with  full  power  to  conduct  and  control  the  business  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship and  all  matters  and  things  relating  thereto  in  British  North  America,  without  the 
interference  of  any  other  country,  so  long  as  the  same  be  administered  according  to  the 
principles  and  purity  of  Odd  Fellowship.  Provided  nevertheless,  that  the  said  The  Grand 
Lodge  of  British  North  America  shall  be  subject  to  the  following  restrictions,  namely :  — 

Firstly,  That  the  said  The  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America  shall  not  at 
any  time  hereafter  in  anywise  alter  or  repudiate  any  of  the  signs,  grips,  tokens,  passwords, 
lectures,  or  charges,  or  any  other  part  or  portion  of  the  written  or  unwritten  work  of  the 
Order,  as  known  and  practised  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Secondly,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  reserves  to  itself  the  right  to  give  to  the  said  The  Grand  Lodge  of  British 


©iiri5£f  jyoBrff  amebica. 


;B  bj^  olBM^f  B^a7i>^^'^rship  In  the  Bn1>ordlnat«  lodges  wtthln  th« 

>9PQ9Vnll^SS-ISpMIBRmBK>'uitTH  AHEHiCABbiiU  be  JdeDticBl 

Si^nk-^iJU&a^^lBiBfftnlinate  lodges  within  the  Jurlsdlctioii  of  the 

^iideot  Order  or  Odd  Felloiva. 

^  ^  ^^  -.Jlio  baud  of  the  Most  Worthy  Grand  Sire,  and 

.?»4B  H^m^''^'''  ^'^  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  Stales 

*^)tSI  H^IShendent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  this  twenty- 

■T '■!■'■  S  '  j»   W   Mi'flQil'le'i'^  hundred  and  tort;-«ix. 
!w:tS^f?l||  STJ^'^m'^VV^KI'  *^^^^'  l^'^S'  SHERLOCK, 

.  *S''^BiS'^''«l^$aS>   I^P' (^[^d  Sire.  Graud  Sire. 

3  »'?EW3  that  its  f  ramers  did  not  contem- 
"a^  the  Canadians  had  in  view.     The 
1  the  following  terms :  — 

^Sn  tor  the  reasons  above  set  forth,  this  Grand 
*^hodf  in  which  alter  the  isane  of  sncb  charter 
i«^ltig  the  several  lodges  of  the  Order  In  Canada, 
liSi^Ko  adhere  to  Che 
|)i%U,*  icifA  the  Blgbt 
„!t«f^  and  such  other 
jptUDto  time  may  be 
JS^ilS^t  all  times  ihe 
!^3<^^ral  branches  ol 
;Eat  and  until  mch 

f~~  i!^SI^ed  indepetident 
mXU!  comprthenaim 
ttDQiasive  the  aunoal 
~"-"^Jul  Grand  Lodge 

"■"°""""»"'°"  T»l  SHU,. 

Wives;  to  receive 
'^^  Represe  Ota  live,  < 
iW^  States,  may  in  reCi 
i^ents  and  records." 

Joe  independence ;  but  for  purposes  of 

!CiF^pro  tempore  supremacy  of  the  Grand 

;t("iiK»f  ritual,  until  arrangements  could  be 

ltE» independence  granted,  however,  was 

n^endence  enjoyed  by  all  subordinate 

^Srand  Lodge  of  British  North  Amer- 

■^*rn  jurisdiction.     To  obtain  this,  the 

tation  in  the  Grand  Lo^e  of  the 

Component  part  of  that  body. 

tsh  North  America  was  concerned,  it 
|jj^«harter  had  anything  to  do  with  its 

§<  evils  became  apparent,  later,  in  the 
■■ 


434  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

In  1859  the  Grand  Sire  was  authorized,  under  certain  conditions,  to 
charter  as  an  independent  body  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  Australia,* 
but  it  was  not  till  1868  that  the  arrangement  was  fully  consummated  and 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Australia  chartered.  In  1872  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  German  Empire,  also,  received  its  charter.  In  both  cases  the  charters 
contained  exactly  the  same  terms  as  did  that  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British 
North  America,  and  were  couched  in  almost  the  same  language.  In  1880 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  changed  the  ritual ;  and  then  trouble  began. 
Germany  objected  strongly  to  the  dramatic  character  of  the  new  work ;  Aus- 
tralia objected  more  particularly  to  the  law  requiring  all  work  to  be  done 
in  the  Third  degree.  Correspondence  continued  for  some  time ;  the  pro- 
tests from  the  foreign  jurisdictions  were  emphatic ;  and  finally,  in  1883, 
a  special  committee  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  consisting  of  Past 
Grand  Sires  Nicholson,  Sanders,  and  Stokes,  and  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Garey, 
reported  in  favor  of  a  very  radical  remedy,  as  expressed  in  the  following 
language :  — 

"  There  appears  to  be  but  one  solution  to  nearly  all  the  questions  that  have  arisen ;  and 
that  will,  also,  prevent  thousands  of  questions  from  arising  in  the  future  to  disturb  our  har- 
mony and  eventually  create  disruption.  It  is  one  from  which  we  are  inclined  at  first  to 
shrink,  but  it  is  the  stern  logic  of  facts,  and  experience,  that  asserts  it,  and  makes  it  irre- 
sistible. If  it  is  desirable  that  Odd  Fellowship  should  encircle  the  globe,  it  can  only  be 
done  by  the  acknowledgment  and  assertion  of  the  principle  of  independence,  —  in  making 
the  Order  in  fact,  as  well  as  in  name,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  by  conceding  to 
all  foreign  Grand  jurisdictions  almost  complete  independence  of  this  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 
binding  them  only  to  the  preservation  and  maintenance  of  the  three  great  essentials,  as  the 
common  inheritance  of  Odd  Fellows  in  every  land  and  every  tongue :  — Firsts  the  preserva- 
tion and  assertion  of  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship;  Second,  The  achievement  of  the 
objects  and  purposes  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows ;  Thirds  The  adherence  to 
the  unwritten  work  of  the  Order  as  it  emanates  from  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  —  the 
latter  proposition  embodying  with  it,  as  a  matter  of  course,  the  use  of  the  A.  T.  P.  W.  and 
explanation."  2 

This  was  adopted ;  and  the  executive  officers  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  were  authorized  to  amplify  the  idea  and  communicate  the  same 
to  the  foreign  jurisdictions.  But  it  cannot  be  said  that  they  followed 
instructions  very  closely.  In  defining  the  reservations  of  authority,  by 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  they  included  the  "unwritten  work,"  cere- 
monies and  forms  of  all  kinds, — forms  of  cards,  titles,  and  duties  of 
officers,  qualifications  for  membership,  etc.,  but  allowing  the  foreign 
jurisdictions  to  alter  the  verbiage  of  the  ritual,  so  long  as  they  retained 
the  sentiments  and  ideas  of  the  degrees,  together  with  the  unwritten 
work  adopted  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  However,  the  action  of 
the  executive  received  the  tacit  approval  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
at  its  next  session,  and  formed  the  basis  of  an  amended  charter  granted 
to  Germany  that  year,  and  to  Australasia  in  1889.   ' 

1  Jonrnftl,  Grand  Lodire  of  the  United  States,  pp.  8129,  8187. 
s  Journal,  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  1SS4,  Tf.  Md8. 


THE  GBAND  LODGE  OF  BRITISH  NORTH  AMERICA.         435 

The  effect  of  the  report  of  the  special  committee,  in  1883,  very  natu- 
rally gave  rise  in  foreign  lands  to  the  idea  that  a  charter  of  quasirinde' 
pendence  would  mean  an  effectual  separation  from  the  parent  body,  and 
a  comparatively  unlimited  local  sovereignty.  This,  evidently,  was  not  the 
intention  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  as  shown  in  the  terms  of  the 
amended  charters  to  Germany,  and  to  Australasia.  In  order  to  prevent 
any  misunderstanding,  when  similar  powers  were  granted  to  Denmark 
and  Switzerland,  in  1891,  the  Acting  Grand  Sire  took  occasion  to  insert 
a  clause  in  the  charters  requiring  them,  to  "  at  all  times  pay  due  respect 
to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  as  the  supreme  authority  in  Odd  Fellow- 
ship '*  ]  while  a  clause  in  the  agreement,  signed  by  the  executive  officers 
of  the  contracting  bodies,  further  amplifies  the  stipulation:  — 

*'  Seventh,  That  it  is  nndentood  and  agreed,  that  the  grant  of  this  independent  charter 
does  not  now,  nor  shall  ever,  work  or  involve  any  separation  of  the  Order,  nor  the  entire  sur- 
render of  authority,  on  the  part  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  On  the  contrary,  the  unity 
of  the  Order  must  and  shall  always  be  preserved ;  and  Odd  Fellowship,  wherever  the  Order 
may  be  planted,  and  whatever  form  of  government  has  been  granted  or  may  be  granted  to 
any  jurisdiction,  shall  remain  one  body  in  all  jurisdictions,  with  one  head,  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge." 

It  may  be  doubted,  however,  if  a  final  solution  of  the  relations  of 
foreign  jurisdictions  with  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  has  yet  been 
reached.  The  former  are  separated  to  a  great  extent  from  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge,  and  largely  withdrawn  from  under  its  control;  and 
yet  they  are  not  really  independent.  Absolute  independence,  and  the 
unity  of  the  Order,  are  incompatible.  If  there  was  a  written  or  unwritten 
law,  by  which  the  secret  work  of  Odd  Fellowship  should  be  forever 
unchanged,  and  the  landmarks  never  removed,  complete  independence 
of  the  Order  in  different  countries  would  then  be  possible.  But  this  is 
not,  nor  is  it  probable  that  it  ever  will  be,  the  case.  Odd  Fellowship 
is  not  immutable  and  unchangeable ;  it  is  a  practical  organization,  ever 
adapting  itself  to  the  circumstances,  and  conditions,  of  the  age  in  which 
it  exists.  Changes  are  certain  to  be  made ;  both  in  ritual,  law,  and  prac- 
tice. These  changes,  effected  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  will  not 
always,  in  the  future  any  more  than  in  the  past,  be  acceptable  to  the 
fraternity  in  foreign  countries;  and  disturbances  may  be  expected  to 
arise.  It  does  seem  as  though  the  only  satisfactory  condition  would  be 
that  suggested  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada,  in  1846,  which,  while 
accepting  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  as  the  pro  tempore  authority 
in  matters  of  ritual  and  the  general  law,  as  at  present,  looked  toward 
concerted  action  by  all  the  independent  Grand  bodies  (including  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge),  as  to  the  final  controlling  power  on  all  ques- 
tions necessarily  affecting  the  entire  fraternity. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America. — The  new  Grand  Lodge 
of  British  Korth  America  met  for  the  first  time,  at  the  call  of  its 


436  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

executive,  in  Montreal,  on  the  19tli  of  January,  1847.  The  resolutions 
adopted  by  the  old  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  of  Canada 
provided  for  the  change  without  friction.  The  officers  and  membership 
were  the  same  as  in  the  old  Grand  Lodge,  except  that  the  Grand  Master 
and  Deputy  Grand  Master  became  Grand  Sire  and  Deputy  Grand  Sire; 
and  the  Grand  Warden  dropped  out;  though  at  a  subsequent  session  this 
officer  was  legislated  into  existence.  The  Grand  Sire's  address  referred 
to  the  happy  changes  effected;  noted  the  reception  of  petitions  for 
encampments  at  Belleville,  Canada  West,  and  Stanstead,  Canada  East; 
and,  generally,  indicated  prosperity.  The  committee  on  laws  of  sub- 
ordinates presented  a  series  of  resolutions,  prepared  by  Brother  Dunkin, 
which  formed  the  basis  of  the  constitution  subsequently  adopted. 

The  session  was  devoted  to  legislation  for  the  new  order  of  affairs. 
Four  districts  were  constructed,  each  of  which  would  be  entitled  to  a 
provincial  Grand  Lodge,  viz. :  Montreal,  Quebec,  Toronto,  and  Kingston. 
All  Canada  formed  one  encampment  constituency.  Each  subordinate 
Grand  body  was  to  be  entitled  to  ten  representatives  in  the  supreme 
legislature;  and  where  no  Grand  body  existed,  the  subordinates  in  the 
district  might  elect  the  representatives.  During  the  year,  two  encamp- 
ments and  two  lodges  were  organized.  On  the  22nd  of  July,  the  new 
Grand  Encampment  was  organized. 

The  regular  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North 
America  opened  on  the  17th  of  August,  1847,  with  representatives  pres- 
ent from  the  four  districts  and  the  Grand  Encampment.  The  Grand 
Sire's  address  was  a  lengthy  document,  reviewing  the  situation,  and 
speaking  most  hopefully  of  the  prospects  of  the  Order.  The  member- 
ship, in  the  June  returns,  was  2233,  in  twenty  of  the  lodges, — two  of 
them  (at  St.  Johns  and  Bytown)  not  reporting.  S.  B.  Campbell  was 
elected  Special  Grand  Representative. 

The  closing  months  of  the  year  left  the  Order  in  good  condition.  The 
first  provincial  Grand  Lodge  had  been  organized  at  Quebec,  Novem- 
ber 15th.  Another  subordinate,  Wellington  Lodge,  No.  23,  was  instituted 
at  Wellington,  Canada  West,  on  the  28th  of  December ;  and  correspon- 
dence was  opened  with  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  and  St.  John,  New  Bruns- 
wick, looking  to  the  introduction  of  the  Order  into  the  Lower  Provinces. 

1848-49. — The  biennial  term  of  1848-49  opened  with  the  Order  at 
the  highest  point  of  its  prosperous  career,  and  closed  with  evident  indica- 
tions of  decline.  One  new  lodge  was  instituted  in  the  Toronto  district, 
Beaver,  No.  24,  at  Lloydtown,  on  March  1, 1848.  The  provincial  Grand 
Lodge  of  Montreal  was  organized  on  the  29th  of  April  of  the  same  year. 
The  membership  in  Canada,  June,  1848,  was  2326,  the  largest  number 
ever  reported,  —  only  one  lodge  had  become  defunct.  No.  17,  at  Hamilton, 
Canada  West     In  May,  1849,  the  provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Toronto  was 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  BRITISH  NORTH  AMERICA.         437 

organized,  and  Oxford  Lodge,  No.  25,  was  instituted  by  its  authority  in 
Woodstock;  then  the  Grand  Lodge  collapsed;  and  the  Toronto  lodges 
soon  died. 

The  most  pleasing  feature  of  the  term  was  the  visit  of  Grand  Secretary 
Ridgely  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America,  at  its  1848  ses- 
sion, as  the  special  representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
accompanied  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Kennedy.  This  was  a  return  visit ;  the 
special  representative  of  British  North  America,  Brother  Campbell,  hav- 
ing been  in  attendance  at  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  the  year 
previous.  Complimentary  addresses  passed  between  the  Grand  bodies, 
and  kind  words  from  the  representatives.  And  this  seems  to  have  closed 
the  interchange  of  views  between  the  respective  bodies. 

1850-51.  —  The  Order  was  now  beginning  its  rapid  decline.  In  1848 
its  prosperity  culminated ;  in  little  more  than  a  year,  the  lodges  in  Hamil- 
ton, Toronto,  Port  Hope,  Lloydtown,  Woodstock,  and  Oshawa,  in  the 
Western  province,  were  defunct ;  together  with  No.  8,  in  Montreal.  Not 
long  afterward,  followed  the  lodges  in  St.  Johns,  and  Stanstead  in  the 
East,  and  in  Kingston,  Picton,  Peterboro,  and  Cornwall,  in  the  West. 

In  the  Kingston  district  the  past  grands  made  an  effort  to  stave  off 
the  evil  day ;  and  a  provincial  Grand  Lodge  was  organized  on  the  1st  of 
February,  1850 ;  but  it  soon  ceased  operations,  if,  indeed,  it  ever  did  any- 
thing beyond  organizing  itself.  A  lodge  was  opened  at  Haldimand, 
Canada  West,  to  which  the  number  twenty-five,  was  given,  the  original 
No.  25,  at  Woodstock,  having  become  defunct. 

At  the  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  1850,  Brother  Dunkin 
resigned  the  office  of  Grand  Sire,  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Whitney  taking  his 
place. 

The  only  part  of  British  America  showing  any  life  was  Halifax,  Nova 
Scotia.  Here  Acadia  Lodge,  No.  26,  had  been  instituted  January  18, 1851, 
and  ^Mamberton  Encampment,  No.  9,  about  a  year  afterward.  The  lodge 
added  some  fifty  members  during  its  first  six  months;  and  when  the 
Grand  Lodge  met,  in  August,  1851,  a  representative  journeyed  all  the  way 
from  Halifax  to  Montreal  to  be  in  attendance. 

The  Grand  Lodge  session,  in  1851,  extended  several  days,  not  because 
there  was  so  much  to  do,  but  because  a  quorum  could  not  be  obtained. 
The  final  meeting  was  on  the  1st  of  September,  and  there  were  enough  to 
elect  officers ;  at  least,  they  thought  so ;  and  six  constituted  the  staff,  — 
though  all  were  not  present  to  be  installed.  Then  the  Grand  Lodge 
adjourned,  sine  dte,  and  met  no  more. 

The  close  of  the  Old  Regime.  —  The  operations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
*  British  North  America,  in  1852,  were  confined  to  the  institution  of  Vic- 
toria Lodge,  No.  27,  at  Caledonia,  Canada  West,  but  the  lodge  really 
organized  itself,  without  help  from  any  one  outside  the  village ;  and  the 


438  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Grand  Sire's  labors  for  the  year  were,  evidently,  limited  to  signing  the  dis* 
pensation  for  the  new  lodge.  By  the  end  of  the  year,  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment and  all  the  Grand  Lodges  had  ceased  to  work;  and  what  little 
life  existed  was  confined  to  the  following  :  Mamberton  Encampment,  Hali- 
fax, Nova  Scotia ;  Albion  Lodge,  No.  4,  Quebec ;  the  lodges  in  Belleville, 
Brockville,  St.  Catharines,  Haldimand,  and  Caledonia  in  the  Western  prov- 
ince; and  Acadia  Lodge  in  Nova  Scotia. 

It  will  not  be  presumptuous  to  consider  the  causes  that  led  to  this  sad 
condition  of  affairs.  Upon  its  introduction  into  Canada,  Odd  Fellowship 
became  very  popular.  In  Montreal  it  occupied  the  position  of  the  lead- 
ing social  club  of  the  time,  in  which  many  of  the  principal  men  of  the 
provinces  held  membership.  A  glance  at  a  list  of  a  few  of  the  members, 
giving  some  of  them  the  titles  by  which  they  are  better  known  to  the  pres- 
ent generation,  will  show  the  social  standing  of  the  early  Odd  Fellows  of 
Canada.  There  were :  Sir  Dominick  Daly,  Sir  W.  B.  Eobinson,  Sir  Allan 
McNab,  Sir  Hugh  Allan,  Sir  John  A.  Maodonald,  Hon.  G.  Dunkin,  Chief 
Justice  Draper,  Hon.  J.  Sandfield  Macdonald,  Hon.  L.  H.  Holton,  Hon. 
G.  Sherwood,  Rev.  Doctor  Mathieson,  Rev.  Doctor  Cordner,  Hon.  P. 
McGill,  Hon.  J.  Pangman,  Hon.  John  Young,  Hon.  Edmund  Mumey,  R.  F. 
Hamilton,  Ogle  R.  Gowan,  J.  Moir  Ferres,  T.  D.  Harrington,  Thomas 
Keefer,  J.  Molson,  E.  L.  Montizambert,  J.  Torrance,  William  Workman, 
W.  H.  Boulton,  Greorge  B.  Hall,  Colonel  Dyde,  J.  C.  Becket,  William 
Ewan,  etc.  These  were  leading  statesmen,  members  of  Parliament,  promi- 
nent merchants  and  manufacturers,  —  the  very  4lite  of  Canadian  society. 

The  Hon.  C.  Dunkin,  who  was  well  qualified  to  give  an  opinion  on 
the  matter,  told  me  that  he  thought  one  of  the  causes  of  the  popularity 
of  the  Order  in  those  days  arose  from  the  fact  that  large  numbers  of 
people,  who  might  otherwise  have  been  quite  indifferent,  were  drawn 
toward  Odd  Fellowship  under  the  influence  of  a  recoil  against  the  anti- 
secret-society  cry,  which,  commencing  with  the  "  Morgan  affair,"  in  1826, 
had  grown  until  it  became  a  power  in  the  United  States,  and  was  heard 
even  in  Canada.  In  the  latter  country,  however,  the  cry  in  so  far  as  it 
affected  politics  was  chiefly  against  Orangeism.  After  a  time  people 
wearied  of  it,  and  many  whose  sympathies  were  not  at  all  in  the  direction 
of  Orangeism,  and  who  did  not  at  that  time  care  to  go  to  the  extreme 
length  of  Masonry,  were  rather  pleased  with  the  idea  of  joining  a  body 
which  had  just  a  flavor  of  the  much-abused  element  of  secrecy,  and  which 
at  all  events  was  decidedly  non-political.  Many  of  them  found  these 
associations  so  agreeable  that  in  a  year  or  two  they  were  quite  prepared 
to  enter  the  Masonic  and  Orange  societies ;  and,  as  the  novelty  of  Odd 
Fellowship  wore  off,  Masonry  appealing  more  especially  to  the  social  and 
fraternal  elements  and  disregarding  the  mutual  assurance  system^  became 
with  these  people  the  fashionable  institution. 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  BRITISH  NORTH  AMERICA.         439 

la  the  verj  character  of  the  membership  of  the  pioneer  Odd  Fellows' 
lodges  may  be  found  an  important  element  in  the  decline  of  the  Order. 
The  early  Odd  Fellows  belonged,  generally^  to  the  wealthier  classes  of 
society,  and  were  mostly  young  men.  Odd  Fellowship  was  not  so  much, 
with  them  a  great  practical  system  of  mutual  relief  as  a  social  institu- 
tion. They  were  prepared  to  be  charitable ;  as  witness  the  fact  that  four 
lodges  alone  sent  over  $1300  to  the  Highlands  of  Scotland  during  the  famine 
in  that  country,  in  1846,  and  their  regular  benefits  were^  generally,  greater 
than  their  dues  would  have  justified ;  but  it  was  as  a  social  institution,, 
mainly,  that  the  Order  was  utilized  in  Montreal;  and  as  the  members 
grew  older,  and  became  more  deeply  interested  in  their  private  business, 
and  involved  in  public  life,  they  lost  interest  in  the  society,  could  find  no 
time  to  devote  to  its  affairs,  and  finally  withdrew. 

Many  of  the  early  Odd  Fellows  did  not  understand  Odd  Fellowship. 
As  already  stated  it  was  to  them  a  social  club,  for  pleasure  and  amusement. 
The  initiation  of  a  member,  instead  of  being  an  enforcement  of  solemn 
lessons,  was  regarded  as  an  opportunity  for  a  burlesque  entertainment. 
The  style  in  which  the  work  was  sometimes  rendered  may  be  gathered 
from  the  following  extract  from  a  commimication  ordered  by  Brock  Lodge^ 
No.  9,  to  be  sent  to  the  Grand  Lodge  in  April,  1846.  The  communica/> 
tion  after  expressing  the  regret  felt  by  the  lodge  at  the  reports  current  of 
irregularities  in  the  initiation  ceremcmy  of  which  Gataraqui  Lodge,  of 
Kingston,  was  guilty,  says :  — 

"  The  substance  of  the  reports  above  alluded  to  Is  that  at  the  initiation  of  one  of  th& 
members  of  Cataraqoi  Lodge,  the  candidate  was  suspended  in  the  air  by  means  of  a  crane, 
and  was,  also,  lowered  down  in  chairs  throngh  an  opening  in  the  floor  to  a  room  below,  where 
a  cask  containing  ignited  sulphur  was  placed  opposite  tlie  opening;  that  they  are  in  the 
habit  of  leading  the  candidates  over  platforms,  under  trestles,  etc.,  etc." 

Dr.  Barker,  an  old  member  of  the  lodge,  told  me  that  these  reports 
were  not  true ;  but,  apart  from  this  case,  there  is  abundant  evidence  to 
show  that  many  of  these  Odd  Fellows  had  failed  to  understand  the  true 
intent  and  meaning  of  the  society.  Regarding  it  only  as  a  source  of 
amusement  and  pleasure,  we  can  easily  see  how,  when  the  novelty  of  this 
sort  of  thing  had  passed  away,  such  people  would  ''  drop  out "  of  the  lodges. 

But  not  only  did  they  fail  to  catch  the  true  spirit  of  the  Odd  Fellow- 
ship as  a  moral  teacher;  they  also  failed  to  understand  the  importance 
of  its  benefit  system.  Benefits  were  allowed  on  a  scale  out  of  all  propor- 
tion to  dues,  for  they  were  willing  to  be  exceedingly  generous  with  lodge 
funds.  Many  of  course  never  intended  to  draw  benefits  themselves,  and 
were  quite  indifferent  as  to  the  matter.  The  funds,  instead  of  being  pre- 
served to  meet  the  claims  of  beneficiaries,  were  squandered  for  entertain- 
ments, and  in  the  extravagant  furnishing  of  lodge-rooms.  After  a  time, 
when  money  was  needed  for  the  sick,  there  was  no  money  to  be  founds  the 


r. 


440  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

members  would  not  submit  to  assessments,  and  the  lodges  of  course 
became  insolvent. 

Of  opposition  from  the  public,  the  Order  had  but  little.  There  were 
some  slight  tokens  of  jealousy  on  the  part  of  the  Manchester  Unity,  but 
nothing  of  any  consequence.  The  chief  antagonist  was  the  Eoman  Catho- 
lic church.  When  the  Order  was  introduced  into  Montreal,  the  clergy  of 
that  church  seemed  indifferent,  and  many  of  their  adherents  united  with 
it.  But  after  a  few  years  the  Hierarchy  changed  its  views ;  and  all  Eoman 
Catholics,  who  desired  to  keep  in  good  standing  in  the  church,  had  to  leave 
the  Order. 

Another  disadvantage  to  Odd  Fellowship,  in  these  early  days,  was  its 
practically  centralized  government.  Montreal  was  the  head  and  centre  of 
the  organization.  The  Grand  Lodge  was  located  there,  and  met  nowhere 
else.  Communication  with  distant  lodges  was  inconvenient.  As  a  con- 
sequence, when  the  Order  died  in  Montreal,  there  was  little  life  possible 
outside. 

Then  the  scheme  of  an  independent  Grand  Lodge  for  British  America, 
whether  sound  or  not  in  theory,  was  certainly  premature.  Young  and 
inexperienced  as  Odd  Fellows,  by  no  means  well-trained  in  the  principles 
and  practice  of  the  Order,  the  members  were  not  in  a  condition  to  stand 
alone,  without  the  supervision  of  the  supreme  legislature.  But  the  sug- 
gestion of  independence  had  come  to  them  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  itself;  and  it  chimed  well  with  their  own  views.  They 
hoped  by  this  means  to  overcome  the  argument  advanced  against  them  of 
being  a  society  controlled  by  a  foreign  country ;  but  in  trying  to  cure  one 
evil,  they  attempted  more  than  their  circumstances  authorized  and  failed. 

The  return  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  —  In  March,  1853, 
the  Montreal  lodges  formally  disbanded;  and  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
British  North  America  depended  for  its  officers  and  members  on  the 
city  lodges,  that  body,  also,  wound  up  its  affairs.  As  previously  indi- 
cated, both  the  Grand  Lodge  and  its  city  subordinates  had  been  dead 
for  some  time;  but  now  the  few  members  remaining  thought  it  time 
to  bury  the  remains.  There  had  been  a  little  talk  among  several  of 
the  brethren  about  joining  another  Order  of  Odd  Fellows;  but  it  did 
not  amount  to  anything.  There  was  not  life  enough  left  for  either 
secession,  rebellion,  or  annexation  to  any  other  institution.  The  Order 
was  emphatically  dead  in  Montreal.  The  city  lodges  paid  the  debts 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  out  of  their  own  funds,  and  divided  up  the  bal- 
ance among  the  members.  And  so  ended  the  career  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  British  North  America. 

Outside  of  the  city  the  few  existing  subordinates,  ignorant  of  the  death 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  continued  to  work  and  to  send  in  their  reports  and 
their  dues,  only  to  have  them  returned  by  the  last  Grand  Secretary, 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  BRITISH  NORTH  AMERICA.         441 

William  Ewan,  with  the  intimation  that  there  was  no  longer  any  Grand 
Lodge,  and  that  in  their  orphaned  state  it  would  be  well  for  them  to  look 
elsewhere  for  a  parent.     , 

At  this  time,  however,  there  were  two  members  of  the  Order  in  Can- 
ada who  were  determined  to  keep  it  alive  i£  possible,  —  Doctor  Thomas 
Reynolds,  of  Brockville,  and  James  McLaren,  of  Quebec.  They  corre- 
sponded with  each  other,  with  the  late  Grand  Secretary  of  Canada,  and 
with  such  of  the  lodges  as  were  still  in  existence.  In  this  matter  Doctor 
Eeynolds  was  especially  active.  The  replies  he  received  from  William 
Hilton,  last  Grand  Sire,  and  William  Ewan,  last  Grand  Secretary,  showed 
clearly  that  nothing  could  be  gained  by  looking  to  Montreal.  He  then 
proposed  a  convention  of  past  grands  to  consider  the  situation.  This  was 
agreeable  to  most  of  the  lodges;  and  the  convention  met,  as  proposed, 
in  Brockville,  Canada  West,  on  July  8, 1853.  Past  Grand  Master  James 
McLaren  represented  the  two  lodges  in  Quebec;  and  Brother  C.  E. 
Ewing  the  lodge  in  Haldimand,  Canada  West.  The  Brockville  lodge  sent 
Brothers  Reynolds,  Fitzsimmons,  Wright,  and  McLean.  The  result  of 
their  deliberations  was  to  formulate  a  request  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  to  resume  jurisdiction  over  the  Canadian  lodges  ^' until  such 
time  as  a  grand  jurisdiction  for. British  North  America  can  be  reestab- 
lished." Union  Lodge  at  St.  Catharines,  Canada  West,  agreed  to  the  pro- 
posal ;  it  was  endorsed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Quebec,  —  the  only  Grand 
body  not  absolutely  defunct ;  and  no  serious  objection  seems  to  have  been 
raised  anywhere.  In  Nova  Scotia  similar  action  was  taken;  for  it  was 
evident  to  all  who  desired  the  continuance  of  the  Order  in  British 
America  that  no  other  course  was  open. 

When  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  met  in  Philadelphia,  in 
September,  1853,  one  of  the  most  important  subjects  it  had  to  consider 
was  the  state  of  the  Order  in  British  North  America.  It  had  dwindled 
down  now  to  one  encampment  and  six  lodges  with  a  membership  of  about 
four  hundred.  The  Grand  Officers  reported  the  state  of  affairs ;  the  peti- 
tions from  Canada  and  Nova  Scotia  were  presented ;  a  special  committee 
reviewed  the  situation;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  decided  that  the  Grand 
Sire  in  person,  or  by  deputy,  should  visit  Montreal,  endeavor  to  revive 
the  defunct  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America,  and,  if  that  was 
found  impossible,  to  resume  jurisdiction  over  the  British  provinces. 

Following  his  instructions,  Grand  Sire  DeSaussure  visited  Montreal, 
on  the  14th  of  October.  His  efforts  to  make  the  local  brethren  return  to 
their  duties  being  unavailing,  he  received  from  the  late  Grand  Officers  a 
foimal  surrender  of  their  charter,  and,  on  behalf  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  resumed  jurisdiction  over  British  North  America.  In 
view  of  the  large  extent  of  territory  embraced  in  the  British  dominions, 
the  Grand  Sire  thought  it  advisable  to  establish  three  districts,   viz. : 


442  THE  THREE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

the  Lower  Provinces^  Canada  East,  and  Canada  West.  He  did  not  deem 
it  a  fitting  occasion  to  visit  the  different  subordinate  lodges ;  but  he  gave 
thorough  instruction  and  sound  advice  to  the  brethren  in  whose  charge 
he  had  placed  the  interests  of  the  Order.  His  action,  in  the  premises,  was 
approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  at  the  following  ses- 
sion ;  and  thenceforward  the  history  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  British  North 
America  is  the  history  of  the  several  provincial  jurisdictions. 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE  ORDER  IN  ONTARIO :  CHANGE  OF  NAME  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE 

OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Early  Odd  Fellowship.  —  The  Order  in  the  old  province  of  Canada  West 
(now  Ontario),  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America,  had 
been  subordinate  to  Montreal.  It  is  true  that  two  provincial  Grand 
Lodges  had  been  established,  —  Toronto  and  Kingston  j  but  they  were 
both  short-lived.  The  lodges  in  this  province,  with  but  few  exceptions, 
had  been  instituted  by  authority  from  Montreal ;  the  only  life  they  had 
was  in  connection  with  Montreal.  Their  ideas  of  Odd  Fellowship  were, 
mainly,  those  of  Montreal,  —  that  of  a  social  and  charitable  club,  —  and 
their  decay,  naturally,  kept  pace  with  the  decay  at  headquarters.  Only 
four  lodges  remained  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  resumed 
jurisdiction,  —  in  Brock ville,  St.  Catharines,  Haldimand,  and  Caledonia. 
The  outlook  was,  certainly,  not  bright. 

The  Western  Movement. — At  this  critical  period  a  new  element  was 
introduced  into  the  Order,  and  a  new  revival  of  its  interests  took  place, 
altogether  independent  of  any  past  transactions  or  its  present  position. 
The  history  of  Canadian  Odd  Fellowship,  at  the  close  of  1853  and  the  be- 
ginning of  1854,  centres  'round  the  extreme  west.  At  this  date  there  were 
no  lodges  of  our  Order  in  the  western  part  of  the  province ;  but  the  Man- 
chester Unity  was  comparatively  strong.  The  manner  in  which  the  busi- 
ness of  that  society  was  conducted,  however,  gave  rise  to  considerable 
dissatisfaction.  There  was  an  extravagant  expenditure  of  funds,  and  no 
trustworthy  audit  of  financial  affairs  could  be  obtained.  The  dissatisfac- 
tion appeared  to  culminate  at  a  meeting  of  the  society  held  in  Chatham, 
in  1853.  It  was  in  the  days  before  railroads,  at  a  time  when  it  was  not 
unusual  for  travellers  to  alight  from  their  coaches,  walk  a  few  miles,  and 
then  "sit  down  to  rest"  until  their  slow-moving  conveyance  arrived. 
Returning  home  from  the  Chatham  meeting,  disheartened  with  the  pros- 
pects of  the  society,  two  representatives  of  the  London  lodges,  — William 


THE  OBBER  IN  ONTARIO.  443 

Bissell  and  William  Smith,  —  "  sat  down "  on  a  wayside  bank  to  discuss 
the  situation.  They  loved  Odd  Fellowship,  but  within  their  own  ranks 
they  did  not  find  its  principles  practised;  and  their  thoughts  naturally 
turned  to  the  American  Order,  of  which  they  had  all  heard.  Probably 
Brother  BisselPs  personal  acquaintance  with  Doctor  Reynolds,  D.D.G.S., 
may  have  had  something  to  do  in  pointing  the  brethren  to  this  direction. 
The  result  of  their  deliberations,  however,  was  to  open  communication 
with  the  authorities  of  our  institution;  and,  finally,  a  number  of  the 
lodges  of  the  Manchester  Unity  decided  to  afl&liate  with  the  American 
Order. 

But  the  western  applicants  for  admission  to  the  Order  did  not  have 
the  path  smoothed  before  them,  as  it  had  been  for  the  lodges  instituted 
eight  years  before.  In  the  case  of  the  earlier  lodges,  the  Grand  Lodge 
sent  out  its  officials,  and  conferred  the  degrees  on  the  applicants  at  their 
own  homes.  Those  who  wanted  to  be  Odd  Fellows  were  put  to  no  trouble 
nor  expense;  all  red-tape  knots  were  untied  for  their  accommodation; 
laws  and  rules  were  but  slightly  regarded.  But  the  western  applicants 
had  a  different  experience.  Everything  was  done  in  strict  accordance  with 
the  letter  of  the  law.  The  authorities  were  pleased  to  welcome  them; 
but  relaxed  no  rules  in  their  behalf.  They  had  to  go  and  receive  their 
degrees  from  the  nearest  lodge,  make  their  application  in  regular  form, 
and  be  instituted  in  accordance  with  the  general  laws.  From  London. 
Ontario,  the  applicants  took  a  stage-coach  ride  of  over  one  hundred  miles, 
in  the  early  winter,  to  St.  Catharines,  to  become  qualified  as  applicants 
for  a  dispensation ;  from  Chatham  and  Amherstburg,  they  went  to  Detroit, 
Michigan;  later,  from  Brantford  a  deputation  went  to  Buffalo,  New  York, 
for  the  same  purpose. 

The  immediate  results  of  the  "western  movement"  were  applica- 
tions for  dispensations  by  Chatham,  Amherstburg,  London,  and  Morpeth ; 
all  of  which  were  granted  during  the  last  week  of  December,  1853,  and 
the  institution  of  the  lodges  followed  in  due  course.  Doctor  Isaac  Smith, 
of  Detroit,  Michigan,  assisted  by  Grand  Secretary  Lane,  of  that  jurisdic- 
tion, opened  Rose  Lodge,  Na  28,  at  Amherstburg,  on  the  23d  of  January, 
1854 ;  Morpeth,  No.  31,  on  the  24th ;  and  Chatham,  No.  29,  on  the  25th, 
following.  Eureka  Lodge,  No.  30,  of  London,  was  instituted  on  the  31st 
of  January,  by  Past  Grand  Connor,  of  St.  Catharines.  Others  follow- 
ing during  the  year  were  Elgin  Lodge,  No.  32,  at  St.  Thomas,  on  the  5th 
of  May ;  Erie,  No.  33,  at  Port  Burwell,  on  the  6th  of  October ;  and  Gore, 
No.  34,  at  Brantford,  on  the  27th  of  December. 

Ridgely's  Tisit.  —  When  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  met 
in  Baltimore,  in  1854,  the  reports  indicated  a  satisfactory  progress  in 
Canada  West.  And  for  the  encouragement  and  instruction  of  the  breth- 
ren, so  many  of  whom  were  new  to  the  Order,  it  was  decided  that  the 


444  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Grand  Sire  should  visit  the  British  Provinces,  in  person  or  by  deputy. 
Unable  to  go  himself,  he  sent  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  and  Grand  Sire- 
elect  William  Ellison,  —  the  latter  going  to  the  Lower  Provinces,  the 
former  taking  the  western  section. 

Brother  Ridgely's  mission  was  largely  devoted  to  the  work  of  trying  to 
revitalize  Odd  Fellowship  in  its  old  headquarters  at  Montreal,  as  will  be 
seen  in  the  chapter  relating  to  Quebec.  He  left  Montreal  on  the 
29th  of  January,  1855,  for  Brockville,  the  residence  of  Brother  Reynolds, 
D.D.G.S.  This  brother,  when  notified  of  the  Grand  Secretary's  approach- 
ing visit,  at  once  telegraphed  the  lodges,  asking  them  to  send  repre- 
sentatives to  Brockville,  with  a  view  of  considering  the  propriety  of 
organizing  a  Grand  Lodge.  It  was  too  late,  however,  to  secure  a  full 
representation ;  and,  therefore,  Ridgely  suggested  that  each  lodge  should 
act,  individually,  and  send  the  result  of  its  vote  to  Baltimore.  He  instructed 
the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  in  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Rebekah  degrees, 
and  gave  him  all  necessary  information  as  to  the  opening  and  working  of 
a  Grand  Lodge.  After  spending  some  time  with  the  Brockville  brethren. 
Brother  Ridgely  went  west  to  St.  Catharines  and  London.  In  both 
places  he  found  the  members  anxious  for  a  Grand  Lodge ;  and  left  them 
instructed  and  pleased  with  his  advice  and  encouragement.  In  his 
report  he  speaks  confidently  of  the  future  of  Canada  West ;  believing  that 
in  a  short  time  it  would  be  one  of  the  strongest  jurisdictions  in  the  con- 
federacy, —  a  prediction  he  lived  to  see  fulfilled. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada  West.  —  The  correspondence  with  the  subor- 
dinate lodges  showed  them  unanimously  in  favor  of  the  establishment  of 
a  Grand  Lodge ;  and  the  result  was  that  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
was  able  to  summon  them  to  meet  him,  at  Brockville,  on  the  23d  of 
August,  1855.  Representatives  were  present  from  the  lodges  in  Brock- 
ville, Cobourg,  St.  Catharines,  Haldimand,  London,  St.  Thomas,  Port 
Burwell,  and  Brantford;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  duly  organized, 
.Joctor  Reynolds  being  elected  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Representative. 

In  selecting  Doctor  Reynolds  as  the  first  occupant  of  the  Grand 

i.Iaster's  chair,  the  delegates  showed  their  appreciation  of  his  services  to 

.lie  Order,  as  well  as  his  fitness  for  the  position.     He  was  in  the  prime  of 

ife, — having  been  born  in  Brockville  on  the  17th  of  October,  1820,  — an 

\lacated  gentleman,  standing  high  in  his  profession,  and  exercising  a 

aeat  influence  in  the  community  by  his  ability,  and  not  less  by  his  suave 

.diplomatic  manner,  he  was  eminently  fitted  for  the  office  of  chief  execu- 

ive  of  any  organization;  while  his  energy  and  enthusiasm  as  an  Odd 

j'ellow  marked  him  as  the  proper  man  to  be  the  first  Grand  Master  of  his 

jiiiisdiction,  and  to  represent  it  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.    This 

position  he  held  with  unwavering  zeal  and  faithfulness,  until  the  session 

in  Brantford,  in  August,  1858,  when  the  pressure  of  personal  engagements 


THE  ORDER  IN  ONTARIO,  445 

compelled  him  to  decline  another  reflection,  and  he  gave  up  his  place  to 
Brother  Chauncey  Yale,  of  St.  Catharines.  When  the  Grand  Lodge  met 
next  year  in  Cobourg,  Brother  Reynolds  was  seriously  ill.  The  laborious 
duties  of  an  extensive  country  practice  had  undermined  gradually  a  con- 
stitution never  robust;  and  under  a  severe  cold,  caught  in  a  night  ride 
through  a  rain-storm,  he  at  last  broke  down  and  died  on  the  14th  of 
September,  1869. 

During  the  three  years  of  Brother  Reynolds's  administration  the  Order 
made  good  progress,  —  increasing  from  twelve  lodges  with  512  members 
to  fifteen  lodges  and  738  members.  During  this  period  the  women  were, 
also,  first  brought  into  active  association  with  Odd  Fellowship,  —  the 
Eebekah  degree  being  conferred  on  a  number  of  the  wives  of  members  in 
St.  Thomas  and  London. 

1858-59. — Chauncey  Yale,  of  St.  Catharines,  succeeded  Doctor  Rey- 
nolds as  Grand  Master,  and  held  office  for  two  years.  He  was  one  of  the 
charter  members  of  Union  Lodge,  and  a  prominent  citizen.  He  had  been 
elected  Grand  Representative  in  succession  to  Doctor  Reynolds,  in  1857, 
but  as  he  had  not  received  the  Royal  Purple  degree  was  unable  to  take  his 
seat  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  until  the  Grand  Patriarch 
of  Maryland,  issued  a  dispensation  allowing  a  Baltimore  encampment  to 
receive  him  into  membership.  During  his  term  of  office  the  effects  of  a 
serious  financial  depression  in  the  country,  commencing  a  year  or  two 
previous,  became  apparent  in  the  Order,  and  the  membership  declined  two 
hundred.  However,  the  period  was  not  uneventful.  On  February  15, 
1859,  the  Grand  Master  had  the  pleasure  of  dedicating  the  temple  erected 
by  the  St.  Mary's  Odd  Fellows.  This  was  the  first  dedication  in  the  prov- 
ince of  a  hall  owned  by  the  fraternity.  Lidustry  Lodge,  of  Haldimand, 
had  tried  to  erect  a  building  a  short  time  before ;  but,  owing  to  financial 
embarrassments,  it  never  secured  an  ownership  of  the  premises,  which 
remained  in  the  hands  of  the  party  who  built  it. 

It  was  during  this  period,  also,  that  the  first  movement  toward  the  es- 
tablishment of  an  encampment  in  the  town  of  London  was  made.  Early 
in  1859  Brothers  J.  R.  Peel  and  R.  H.  Morrison,  of  that  place,  made  a 
strong  effort  in  this  direction.  They  secured  the  cooperation  of  five 
other  Odd  Fellows,  and  all  went  to  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  there  received 
the  degrees ;  but  the  enterprise  was  balked  by  the  refusal  of  some  of  the 
number  to  proceed  with  the  application  for  a  charter,  and  the  matter 
"fell  through"  for  the  time. 

1860-62.  —  During  the  two  succeeding  administrations  the  Order 
remained  quiescent,  —  its  membership  being  stationary  at  about  five 
hundred.  From  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada  West,  to 
this  time,  eight  lodges  had  been  opened,  viz. :  in  IngersoU,  St.  Mary^s, 
Burford,   London  (a  second    lodge),   Blenheim,   Stratford,  Simcoe,  and 


446  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Mitchell ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  those  in  Grafton  (to  which  place  the 
lodge  at  Haldimand  had  been  removed),  Caledonia,  Amherstburg,  and 
Morpeth  had  become  defunct. 

An  encampment,  however,  had  been  organized  in  St.  Catharines, — 
Union,  No.  1.  This  was  accomplished  through  the  exertions  of  Past 
Grand  Master  Yale,  who  induced  a  number  of  his  brethren  to  visit 
Buffalo,  New  York,  and  be  "exalted."  The  encampment  was  instituted 
on  the  26th  of  April,  1861. 

1863:  Laws  affecting  the  Manchester  Unity. — The  administration  of 
Grand  Master  James  Woodyatt,  of  Brantford,  was  marked  by  the  opening 
of  a  lodge  in  the  city  of  Hamilton,  and  a  general  increase  of  membership 
in  the  jurisdiction.  It  was  in  this  year,  also,  that  a  change  was  secured 
in  the  laws  affecting  our  relations  with  the  members  of  the  Manchester 
Unity.  From  the  time  of  the  separation  of  the  two  Orders,  it  had  been 
the  invariable  rule  to  refuse  to  initiate  persons  who  held  membership  in  the 
Manchester  Unity ;  and,  also,  to  forbid  our  members  uniting  with  them. 
Absolutely  "no  connection"  was  the  law.  The  exception  to  the  rule 
originated  in  Canada,  under  the  old  rkfime^  where  the  early  Odd  Fellows 
never  allowed  themselves  to  be  hampered  by  any  rule  that  was  inconven- 
ient. Members  of  the  Manchester  Unity  had  been  received  into  the  old 
Canadian  lodges;  a  notable  illustration  having  been  the  institution  of 
Union  Lodge,— the  first  Noble  Grand,  Brother  Stevenson,  being  at  the 
same  time  Noble  Grand  of  a  Manchester  Unity  lodge.  Nevertheless  the 
law  forbade  that  sort  of  thing ;  and  obedience  to  law  was  more  character- 
istic of  the  new  generation  of  Odd  Fellows  than  of  the  old.  As  there 
were  few,  if  any,  lodges  of  the  Manchester  Unity  in  the  United  States, 
the  law  was  of  no  practical  importance  there,  except  as  emphasizing  what 
was  supposed  to  be  a  principle.  In  the  provinces,  however,  the  situation 
was  different.  Here,  there  were  several  lodges  of  the  old  order;  and  why 
good  men,  who  belonged  to  some  other  benevolent  association,  should  be 
refused  admission  to  American  Odd  Fellowship  was  something  incompre- 
hensible to  our  peopla  Instead  of  disregarding  or  evading  the  law,  how- 
ever, the  Canadian  Odd  Fellows  of  this  date  preferred  to  agitate  for  its 
repeal.  Accordingly,  at  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  this  year,  Grand  Bepresentative  H.  C,  Bingham,  of  Canada  West, 
introduced  a  resolution  providing  for  the  abolition  of  the  restrictive  law. 
The  legislative  committee,  with  the  conservatism  that  has  always  char- 
acterized that  body,  reported  that  the  law  was  an  old  one,  and  a  good  one, 
and  there  '^  was  no  reason  for  a  change.''  But  Hepresentative  Bingham 
thought  there  was  good  reason  for  a  change,  and  met  the  report  with  a 
motion  to  recommit,  declaring  tiiat  the  law  "  is  wholly  opposed  to  that 
liberal  and  wholesome  principle  in  Odd  Fellowship  which  studiously 
ignores  all  distinctions  and  affinities  of  societies^  nations,  creeds,  and 


THE  OBDER  IN  ONTABIO.  447 

politics,"  and  instructing  the  committee  to  report  its  abolition.  There 
was  a  fight  over  the  matter,  but  the  motion  was  carried ;  and,  thencefor- 
ward, it  ceased  to  be  necessary  to  ask  a  man  if  he  belonged  to  some  other 
society  before  he  could  be  admitted  to  ours.  There  still  remained,  how- 
ever, a  counter  restriction,  a  regulation  not  very  consistent :  members  of 
the  Manchester  Unity  might  join  our  lodges,  but  none  of  our  members 
could  join  a  Manchester  Unity  lodge.  This  remained  the  law  until  1879, 
when,  on  motion  of  Representative  Fessenden,  of  Massachusetts,  it  was 
repealed;  and  rightly  so,  for,  whatever  the  relations  of  the  two  Orders 
might  have  been  originally,  the  separation  was  complete ;  and  to  us  the 
Manchester  Unity  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  one  of  the  many  fraternal 
and  benevolent  organizations  in  existence, — for  all  of  which  we  entertain 
only  good-will  and  sympathy. 

1864-66.  —  The  subordinate  lodge  membership  the  first  part  of  this 
period  "fell  off"  slightly,  but  the  encampment  branch  gained.  From 
London,  a  sufficient  number  of  brethren  to  make  up  a  full  list  of  peti- 
tioners for  a  charter  went  to  St.  Catharines  for  their  degrees;  while 
Brother  McAfee,  of  Windsor,  with  his  associates,  crossed  the  river  to 
Detroit,  and  there  became  qualified.  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson,  who 
was  visiting  Canada,  was  utilized  as  instituting  officer,  and  Harmony 
Encampment,  No.  3,  was  opened  in  London,  January  17,  1866;  and 
Frontier,  No.  2,  in  Windsor,  the  following  day. 

The  legislature  of  Canada,  at  its  session  in  1866,  in  one  of  those 
spasms  of  folly  to  which  all  legislatures  are  occasionally  subject,  passed 
an  act  forbidding  membership  in  a  secret  society,  of  any  one  connected 
with  the  execution  of  the  civil  law,  in  the  colony.  Richard  Wigmore, 
of  London,  one  of  the  Grand  Masters  of  this  period,  who  was  Chief  of  • 
Police  in  London,  was  compelled  to  resign  office  and  retire  from  member- 
ship for  a  time.  The  law  was  very  obnoxious  to  all  fair-minded  people, 
and  was  soon  repealed. 

1867  '•  'The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ontario.  —  About  this  time  the  Order  in 
the  province  started  on  a  progressive  march,  in  which  it  has  never  since 
halted.  Brother  McAfee,  of  Windsor,  the  Grand  Master  this  term,  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  an  increase  of  membership  greater  than  in  any  previous 
year ;  and  each  term  following,  it  went  forward  by  rapid  bounds.  New 
lodges  and  encampments  were  organized,  and  large  numbers  initiated. 
Improvement  in  business  affairs,  and  a  greater  degree  of  prosperity  in 
the  country,  doubtless,  had  much  to  do  with  this  advance.  The  confed- 
eration of-  the  Canadian  provinces  was  accomplished,  in  1867 ;  and  with 
the  brighter  prospects  foreshadowed  by  the  changed  political  situation, 
a  greater  enthusiasm  became  apparent,  in  all  departments  of  social,  as 
well  as  commercial  life.  The  name  of  this  province  having  been  changed 
by  the  Confederation  Act,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  by 


448  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT, 

request,  also  changed  the  name  of  the  jurisdiction;  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ontario  took  the  place  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Canada  West. 

An  effort  was  made  to  obtain  an  act  of  incorporation  from  the  Ontario 
legislature  this  year;  but  though  the  Premier,  the  Hon.  J.  Sandlield 
Macdonald,  had  been  an  Odd  Fellow  under  the  old  regime,  his  govern- 
ment was  averse  to  granting  charters  to  any  secret  society ;  and  the  bill 
was  withdrawn.  At  the  next  session,  however,  under  an  amended  gen- 
eral act,  provision  was  made  by  which  any  benevolent  society  might 
incorporate. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ontario,  held  in  St.  Catharines, 
a  movement  was  initiated  of  material  interest  to  the  Order  at  large  and 
to  Canadian  Odd  Fellows  in  particular,  when  Representative  Doctor  J. 
W.  Fergusson,  of  IJamilton,  secured  the  adoption  of  the  following  reso- 
lution :  — 

"  That  onr  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  be  instructed  to  sub- 
mit, for  the  consideration  of  that  body,  the  propriety  of  an  alteration  of  its  name  from  that 
of  the  Right  Worthy  Qrand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  to  that  of  the  Bight  Worthy  Grand 
Lodge  of  America." 

•  

x868-^:  The  First  Rebekah  Lodge. — The  growth  of  the  subordinate 
lodges  continued,  —  the  membership  now  exceeding  one  thousand.  The 
Grand  Lodge,  during  two  sessions,  occupied  itself  largely  with  a  careful 
revision  of  the  local  laws,  under  the  guidance  of  a  committee  of  which 
Past  Grand  Master  Bingham  was  chairman. 

For  many  years  the  ladies  in  London,  who  were  in  possession  of 
the  Rebekah  degree,  had  been  in  the  habit  of  holding  meetings,  with 
an  informally  organized  society.  But  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  having,  in  1868,  authorized  the  organization  of  lodges  of  this 
degree,  they  promptly  took  hold  of  the  new  idea,  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
having  approved  their  petition,  Victoria  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  1,  was 
instituted  the  3d  of  December,  1869. 

In  Hamilton  the  membership  showed  considerable  activity.  An  aux- 
iliary relief  association  was  organized  on  the  8th  of  June,  1869,  called 
the  Odd  Fellows'  Provident  Association  of  Ontario.  It  received  the 
endorsement  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  was  operated  several  years, 
when  it  passed  out  of  existence,  —  being  to  some  extent  absorbed  into 
the  more  prosperous  Odd  Fellows'  Relief  Association  of  Canada.  "  A 
journalistic  venture  was,  also,  tried  in  Hamilton,  —  a  monthly  periodical 
being  issued  called  the  Canadian  Star  of  Odd  Fellowship,  It  was  not 
a  ^^  star  "  of  the  first  magnitude,  and  ceased  to  shine  after  a  few  months. 

The  Grand  Encampment.  —  Meanwhile  the  encampment  branch  was, 
also,  growing.  Brant  Encampment,  No.  4,  was  opened  in  Brantford,  on 
the  16th  of  September,  1868;  Charity,  No.  6,  in  Stratford,  November 
17th;  and  Beaver,  No.  6,  in  St.  Mary's,  about  the  same  time.     Having 


THE  ORDER  IN  ONTARIO.  449 

now  six  subordinates,  Brother  James  Woodyatt,  D.D.G.S.,  secured  their 
signatures  to  a  petition  for  a  Grand  Encampment  charter ;  and  on  the  6th 
of  August,  1869,  the  day  before  the  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  he 
instituted  the  Grand  Encampment.  He  was,  himself,  chosen  the  first 
Grand  Patriarch,  and  was  installed  by  Brother  Foster,  of  Michigan. 

When  the  patriarchs  of  Ontario  took  charge  of  their  own  affairs,  they 
were  not  a  very  strong  body,  —  numbering  about  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five,  —  but  they  had  sufficient  energy  to  keep  the  machinery  in 
operation;  and,  with  a  pecuniary  loan  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  subse- 
quently converted  into  a  donation,  they  managed  to  make  a  very  credit- 
able record. 

1869-79. — This  decade  was  characterized  by  a  steady  wave  of  pros- 
perity. It  may  be  said  to  have  been  uneventful ;  for  there  was  no  special 
event  during  that  period  which  a  brief  history  like  this  can  chronicle. 
On  every  hand  there  was  growth.  The  lodges  increased  from  twenty  to 
one  hundred  and  eighty-six;  the  membership  from  1443  to  12,442.  The 
encampments  advanced  from  six  subordinates,  with  175  members,  to  forty- 
three,  with  a  membership  of  1847.^ 

Change  of  Name  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  — The  close  of 
the  decade  witnessed  an  act  by  our  supreme  legislature  of  great  importance 
to  Odd  Fellowship,  but  of  special  importance  to  Canadian  Odd  Fellows, 
it  being  the  culmination  of  many  years'  labor  by  our  Grand  Representa- 
tives. As  previously  mentioned  at  the  session  of  1867,  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Ontario,  a  motion  was  passed  instructing  the  representatives  to 
endeavor  to  secure  a  change  of  the  name  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  the  sectional  character  of  which  was  inconsistent  with  the  world- 
wide sphere  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and,  especially,  distasteful  to  those  mem- 
bers of  the  Order  who  did  not  live  in  the  American  republic.  The 
same  year  Past  Grand  Master  Woodyatt  was  first  elected  Grand  Repre- 
sentative, and  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  work  he  at  once  set  himself 
vigorously.  In  1874  he  was  reinforced  by  Brother  J.  H.  Perry,  from 
the  Grand  Encampment ;  and  to  these  two  brothers,  the  needed  reform 
was  mainly  due.  While  they  were  ably  assisted  by  the  other  Canadian 
Representatives,  as  well  as  by  many  members  from  the  United  States, 
there  is  no  doubt  that  their  energy,  persistence,  and  diplomacy  procured 
the  required  result  much  sooner  than  would  have  been  the  case  under 
ordinary  circumstances.  During  the  thirteen  sessions  that  passed  before 
the  title  "Sovereign  Grand  Lodge"  was  adopted,  no  less  than  twenty- 
three  different  amendments  to  the  constitution  were  proposed,  —  only 
the  last  two  of  which  were  adopted.  Among  them  were:  "Supreme 
Grand  Lodge,''  "Grand  Lodge  of  the  I.O.O.F.,"  "Supreme  Lodge  of  the 

^  NbU  by  th6  Editor-in- Chief.  —  Among  the  Grand  Muters  of  this  period,  in  1877,  wu  Doctor 
01.  T.  Campbell,  the  thirty-aecond  Grand  Sire  of  the  Order. 


v^ 


450  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

I.O.O.F.,"  "  Grand  Lodge  of  America,"  "  Grand  Lodge  of  American  Odd 
Fellowship,"  "Supreme  Grand  Lodge  of  American  Odd  Fellowship," 
"Grand  Lodge  of  Universal  Sovereignty  of  the  LO.O.F.  (American)," 
and,  finally,  "  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge." 

Brother  Woodyatt's  first  step  was  to  introduce  a  simple  resolution, 
expressive  of  the  advisability  of  a  change  of  name  to  "The  Grand 
Lodge  of  America."  This  went  to  the  legislative  committee,  who 
reported  the  proposal  "inexpedient."  Of  course  nothing  else  was 
expected  at  that  stage.  The  old  name  was  too  endeared  to  the  fra- 
ternity by  long  association  to  be  surrendered  hastily.  The  opening 
wedge  had  been  entered,  however,  and  two  amendments  to  the  consti- 
tution were  laid  on  the  table.  Among  the  first  representatives  from  the 
United  States,  who  ranged  themselves  on  the  side  of  cosmopolitan  Odd 
Fellowship,  were  John  Corson  Smith,  of  Illinois;  John  H.  White,  of 
New  York;  C.  D.  Strong,  of  Minnesota;  Fred.  D.  Stuart,  of  the  District 
of  Columbia;  Homes  and  Dunlap,  of  Louisiana;  Dennis,  of  Michigan; 
Doe,  of  New  Hampshire;  Bragg,  of  Arkansas;  Mayes,  of  Mississippi; 
Horn,  of  New  Jersey. 

Thenceforward,  the  agitation  went  on  year  by  year,  —  the  movement 
continually  gaining  in  strength.  The  amendments  at  first  met  the  fate 
of  "  indefinite  postponement " ;  then  they  came  to  a  call  of  yeas  and  nays, 
—  the  first  division  taking  place  in  1872,  with  the  result  of  38  yeas,  and 
86  nays.  Another  division,  in  1874,  showed  a  "  falling  off,"  —  there  being 
only  20  yeas  to  98  nays.  Twice  the  matter  was  sent  to  special  com- 
mittees; one  of  these,  in  1868,  reported  in  favor  of  a  change,  to  take 
place  at  some  time  in  the  future ;  while  a  very  elaborate  report,  in  1871, 
by  Bepresentative  Harmon,  of  California,  discussed  the  subject  at 
length,  and  decided  adversely.  Objections  were  raised,  among  others, 
as  to  the  outlay  involved  in  changing  seals  and  plates,  getting  a  new 
act  of  incorporation,  etc.,  but  Representative  Perry  secured  a  special 
committee,  whose  investigation  showed  that  the  entire  expenses  would 
not  exceed  one  hundred  dollars. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ontario,  in  1875,  it  was  voted 
that  a  circular  letter  should  be  sent  to  all  the  jurisdictions  advocating 
the  change,  which  was  effectively  done  by  Brother  Perry,  who  was  at 
that  time  Grand  Master. 

The  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1876,  was 
in  the  Centennial  year  of  the  Republic,  when  the  representatives  from 
the  United  States  were  overflowing  with  patriotic  enthusiasm ;  and 
the  advocates  of  the  change  abstained  from  bringing  the  question  to  a 
vote.  Instead,  they  devoted  themselves  to  a  still-hunt.  Personally, 
the  Ontario  representatives  were  very  popular ;  and  by  a  quiet  but  dili- 
gent canvass,  assisted  by  their  friends,  they  were  able  to  lay  on  the  table 


THE  ORDER  IN  ONTARIO.  451 

an  amendment  signed  by  not  less  than  one  hundred  representatives. 
Of  course,  these  names  did  not  all  mean  votes ;  because  many  of  those 
signing  were  not  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  the  year 
following,  when  the  question  arose;  but  still,  with  all  the  new  mem- 
bers that  came  in,  the  result  was  not  bad.  For  the  first  time,  in  1877, 
the  amendment  had  a  majority  (though  not  the  necessary  three-fourths), 
—  yeas,  73 ;  nays,  61. 

Another  year  passed ;  and  again,  on  Tuesday,  the  17th  of  September, 
1878,  the  question  was  before  the  body.  Once  more,  the  arguments,  pro 
and  con,  were  presented.  Once  more  the  roll  was  called.  As  the  vote 
progressed  it  was  evident  that  the  yeas  were  stronger  than  ever,  but  did 
they  constitute  three-fourths  ?  Intently  every  one  watched  Grand  Secre- 
tary Ridgely,  as  he  added  up  the  columns  at  the  close  of  the  poll.  Instead 
of  announcing  the  result,  he  counted  over  the  figures  again.  Even  then 
he  did  not  declare  the  vote ;  but,  turning  to  Grand  Sire  Stokes,  who  sat 
on  the  raised  platform  behind  him,  handed  him  the  tally  sheet  with  some 
whispered  words.  What  was  the  difficulty?  The  Grand  Sire  ran  his 
pencil  over  the  columns,  nodded  to  Ridgely  as  he  returned  him  the  sheet, 
and  the  result  was  announced :  "  Yeas,  93 ;  nays,  31 ;  —  the  amendment  is 
adopted."  It  had  received  exactly  three-fourths  of  the  total  vote.  Then 
a  storm  of  applause  broke  forth ;  and  the  members  crowded  around  the 
desks  of  the  Canadian  Representatives,  with  hearty  hand-shakes,  and 
warm  congratulations  on  their  success  in  the  long-fought  fraternal  battle. 
Very  little  more  business  was  done  at  that  sitting,  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
soon  adjourned. 

But  the  contention  was  not  ended ;  the  minority  did  not  give  up  so 
easily.  They  made  a  close  review  of  the  vote,  and  the  next  morning 
were  ready  with  what  had  the  appearance  of  a  carefully  prepared  plan 
of  campaign.  On  the  question  of  the  approval  of  the  minutes,  the  contest 
was  resumed.  Past  Grand  Sire  Durham,  of  Kentucky,  an  earnest  and 
persistent  opponent  of  the  change,  led  the  attack,  while  the  opposite  side 
was  ably  championed  by  another  Kentuckian,  Grand  Representative  John 
C.  Underwood.  They  were  both  skilled  parliamentarians,  and  the  combat 
was  interesting  and  exciting.  It  appeared  that  Representatives  Haskins, 
of  New  York,  and  Davis  and  Douglass,  of  Maine,  were  present  but  did  not 
vote.  Brother  Durham  contended  that  it  required  three-fourths  of  those 
present  to  change  the  constitution ;  not  simply  three-fourths  of  those  who 
voted ;  and  that,  consequently,  the  amendment  had  not  received  the  neces- 
sary majority.  He  moved  to  amend  the  minutes  to  that  effect;  but,  of 
course,  the  supporters  of  the  constitutional  change  were  strong  enough  to 
"  vote  down  "  such  a  motion  as  that,  even  if  there  had  been  any  doubt  of 
the  three-fourths  vote ;  and  "  vote  it  down  "  they  did. 

Representative  Dyer,  of  Maine,  whose  name  did  not  appear  on  the  roll- 


452  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

call,  announced  that  he  was  present,  that  he  had  voted  nay,  and  moved 
that  the  record  be  amended.  The  majority  voted  him  down.  RepresentSr 
tive  Ingersoll,  of  Michigan,  who  was  recorded  as  voting  for  his  absent 
colleague,  declared  that,  though  he  had  voted  for  his  colleague  on  all 
other  constitutional  amendments,  on  this  one  he  had  only  voted  for  him- 
self, and  asked  that  the  record  be  so  amended.  Of  course  this  was 
refused. 

Past  Grand  Sire  Durham  fired  his  last  shot.  Eepresentative  Woodruff, 
of  Georgia,  had  voted  for  his  absent  colleague,  Glenn,  who  was  not  only 
absent  from  the  room,  but  from  the  city  as  well.  The  point  was  raised 
that  the  privilege  of  voting  for  a  colleague  was  limited ;  his  vote  could 
be  cast  if  attending  the  session,  although  out  of  the  room  at  the  time ;  but, 
if  absent  from  the  city,  he  was  not  in  attendance  at  the  session  at  all, 
and  his  vote  could  neither  be  cast  nor  counted.  The  Grand  Sire  ruled 
the  point  of  order  not  well  taken.  A  vote  was  taken  on  the  motion  to 
approve  the  minutes,  —  seventy-three  voting  in  the  aflBrmative,  and  forty- 
eight  in  the  negative.  Nothing  was  then  left  for  the  minority  but  to  sign 
an  extended  protest,  which  was  duly  entered  on  the  journal. 

But,  although  the  name  that  had  been  adopted,  —  "  The  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  I.O.O.r.,'* — while  it  established  a  principle,  was  not  satisfactory, 
even  to  the  friends  of  the  principle  involved.  The  Ontario  Representa- 
tives had  been  anxiously  seeking  for  something  better;  and,  at  last, 
Brother  Perry  proposed  the  name :  "  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge."  In  so 
doing  he  realized  that  for  a  British  subject  to  suggest  a  title  with  the 
word  "  sovereign  "  in  it  might,  possibly,  prejudice  the  proposition  in  the 
minds  of  some  unthinking  people,  —  and  the  vote  had  been  too  close  to 
run  any  risks.  He  therefore  suggested  the  subject  to  his  friend,  Taliaferro 
P.  Shaffner,  of  Kentucky,  who  readily  took  charge  of  the  matter,  —  the 
Canadians  keeping  in  the  background.  The  amendment  was  offered  by 
Representatives  Shaffner  and  Morris,  of  Kentucky;  Busbee,  of  North 
Carolina ;  Herring,  of  Texas ;  Miller,  of  Rhode  Island,  and  Van  Noort, 
of  New  York.  When  it  came  up,  in  1879,  it  went  through  with  very 
little  trouble,  —  being  adopted  by  a  vote  of  one  hundred  and  twelve  to 
twenty-nine.  Whatever  doubt  there  might  have  been  of  the  legality  of 
the  change  made  the  previous  year,  there  was  none  as  to  this ;  and,  to-day, 
all  admit  that  the  present  title  of  the  supreme  body  is  comprehensive,  and 
appropriate  as  none  other  could  be. 

1880:  The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  Ontario. — As  early  as  1869  a 
proposition  was  made  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ontario  to  invite  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  to  meet  in  this  province ;  but  it  was  thought 
that  the  expense  incident  to  the  proper  entertainment  of 'the  body  would 
be  greater  than  the  circumstances  of  the  jurisdiction  would  permit,  and 
the  matter  was  dropped.     But  the  change  of  name,  just  referred  to. 


TEE  ORDER  IN  ONTARIO.  453 

created  an  outburst  of  loyal  devotion  to  the  supreme  body,  which  found 
vent  in  a  cordial  request  to  hold  the  session  of  1880  in  Toronto.  The 
invitation  was  readily  accepted,  despite  the  objection  raised  by  some  of 
the  more  economical  members,  that  it  would  cost  too  much  to  meet  out- 
side the  United  States.  The  Odd  Fellows  of  Ontario,  and  especially  those 
of  Toronto,  upon  whom  the  burden  of  entertainment  fell,  determined  to 
make  the  event  memorable,  and  they  succeeded.  In  order  not  to  interfere 
with  the  work  of  the  session,  the  members  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
were  asked  to  assemble  in  Toronto,  on  the  Friday  preceding  the  opening 
day,  to  take  part  in  a  parade  and  public  reception  by  the  civic  authorities. 
The  lodges,  from  different  parts  of  the  jurisdiction,  attended  in  large 
numbers,  bringing  with  them  not  less  than  forty  of  the  best  military  and 
civilian  bands  in  the  province,  and  swelled  the  parade  to  magnificent  pro- 
portions. An  impartial  observer,  the  Toronto  Globe,  declared  that  "  Never 
before  in  the  history  of  the  Queen  City  has  so  long  a  procession  marched 
through  its  streets ;  and  it  may,  with  equal  truth,  be  said  that  a  larger, 
more  orderly,  and  respectable  crowd  of  people  never  assembled  on  any 
occasion  in  her  midst."  The  procession  ended  at  the  Exhibition  Grounds, 
where  the  Premier  of  the  province  and  his  colleagues,  the  Mayor  and  City 
Council,  and  the  Managers  of  the  Industrial  Exposition  (then  in  progress) 
gave  the  visitors  a  cordial  welcome.  In  the  evening  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  was  entertained  at  lunch  by  the  city  authorities.  Saturday  the 
visitors  were  taken  on  a  trip  to  Penetanguishene.  Monday  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Robinson  entertained  them  at  Government  House.  Tuesday 
they  were  given  a  drive  around  the  city.  In  addition  the  members  of 
the  reception  committee  and  the  Ontario  brethren  generally,  took  advan- 
tage of  every  opportunity  to  extend  courtesies  to  their  visitors. 

Cordial  and  hospitable  as  had  been,  invariably,  the  reception  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  the  towns  where  it  had  met,  the  members  who 
were  present  at  this  session  still  speak  in  unbounded  praise  of  the  hospi- 
tality of  Toronto.  The  opinion  of  the  body  itself  was  expressed  in  the 
resolution  declaring  that  the  reception  was  "characterized  by  a  cordial 
and  assiduous  hospitality  without  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  Order " ; 
and  the  members,  individually,  showed  the  sincerity  of  their  expressions 
by  purchasing  a  magnificent  jewel  for  presentation  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 
Worn  by  the  Grand  Master,  at  each  annual  session,  it  serves  to  keep  fresh 
in  the  memory  of  the  fraternity  in  Ontario  the  happy  associations  formed 
with  the  brethren  from  across  the  line,  in  the  year  1880. 

1880-90 :  The  Uniformed  Patriarchs.  —  During  this  decade  the  Order 
kept  on  the  even  tenor  of  its  way,  prospering  in  both  lodge,  encampment, 
and  Kebekah  branches.  The  subordinate  lodges  increased  from  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-six  in  1879  to  two  hundred  and  twenty-four  in  1889,  and 
the  membership  from  12,441  to  16,940.    The  encampment  department 


454  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATEBNITY. 

meanwhile  increased  from  forty-three  subordinates,  with  1847  members, 
in  1879,  to  sixty,  with  3110  members  in  1889. 

The  uniformed  branch  had,  also,  become  firmly  established.  There 
had  been  some  spasmodic  attempts  at  uniforming  on  the  part  of  indi- 
vidual patriarchs,  and  especially  in  Goderich,  where  Huron  Encampment 
possessed  quite  a  number  of  uniformed  members;  but  the  first  decided 
movement  was  made  in  London  when  some  of  the  members  of  Harmony 
Encampment  decided  to  withdraw,  and  establish  a  new  encampment  which 
should  be  a  uniformed  body.  The  leader  of  the  movement  was  E.  R. 
Robinson,  P.C.P.,  who  freely  gave  time  and  money  to  make  the  enterprise 
a  success.  The  new  body,  Adelphian,  No.  38,  was  instituted  September 
14,  1877,  with  seventeen  charter  menibers.  It  soon  increased  to  about 
forty  members,  adding  very  much  to  the  interest  of  the  encampment  work. 
When  the  law  providing  for  uniformed  degree  camps  was  passed  by  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  in  September,  1882,  the  majority  of  the  members 
of  Adelphian  Encampment  promptly  forwarded  an  application  for  a 
charter;  and  London  Uniformed  Degree  Camp,  No.  1,  was  instituted  in 
February,  1883.  About  the  same  time  camps  were  organized  in  Hamilton, 
St.  Thomas,  and  Kingston ;  and  it  was  not  long  before  similar  bodies  were 
in  existence  in  Windsor,  Toronto,  Newmarket,  and  Barrie. 

In  1886  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  established  the  Patriarchs  Mili- 
tant, and  the  uniformed  degree  camps  were  required  to  merge  in  can- 
tons. London  Uniformed  Degree  Camp  forwarded  its  application  on  the 
1st  of  October,  signed  by  forty-three  uniformed  members;  but,  through 
no  fault  of  the  applicants,  it  was  not  mustered  as  Canton  London,  No.  1, 
until  March  30,  1886.  Its  relative  rank  in  the  Patriarchs  Militant  forces, 
—  No.  15,  —  showed  that  it  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  the  uniform  move- 
ment. Other  uniformed  degree  camps,  in  Ontario,  also,  promptly  merged, 
and  new  cantons  were  mustered ;  so  that,  in  1890,  not  less  than  fourteen 
were  reported  in  the  jurisdiction.  The  patriarchal  circle,  which  created 
so  much  disturbance  in  the  United  States,  never  had  any  foothold  in  Can- 
ada. One  temple  had  been  organized  in  Hamilton,  but  ceased  to  exist 
as  soon  as  the  Patriarchs  Militant  law  was  adopted. 

1890-95:  The  Rebekahs.  —  During  this  five  years  there  was  a  net 
increase,  fully  equal  to  the  additions  of  the  ten  years  preceding.  The 
most  noticeable  feature,  however,  was  the  development  of  the  Rebekah 
branch.  As  before  mentioned,  the  first  Rebekah  lodge  was  instituted  in 
London,  in  1869.  May  10, 1871,  Ruth  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  opened 
in  Stratford,  but  ceased  to  exist  after  a  few  years'  struggle.  Hope, 
No.  3,  came  next  in  Hamilton,  in  1878 ;  then  one  in  Oshawa,  in  1881,  and 
a  second  in  London,  where  the  Rebekahs  were  always  active.  The  pro- 
gress was  slow,  however,  and  it  was  not  until  1890  that  there  seemed  to 
be  a  sufficient  number  of  lodges  to  justify  the  grand  officers  in  reporting 


THE  MARITIME  PROVINCES.  455 

this  department  in  a  satisfactory  condition.  At  this  date  there  appear 
to  have  been  about  ten  lodges  in  a  fair  working  condition.  The  legislation 
of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  having  been  so  directed  as  to  encourage 
the  placing  of  this  department  as  much  as  possible  under  the  control  of 
the  sisters,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ontario  was  well-disposed  to  accede  to  the 
request,  presented  at  its  session  of  1890,  to  call  a  convention  of  Bebekah 
lodges,  and  full  authority  was  given  the  Grand  Master  for  that  purpose. 
In  accordance  with  his  instructions,  the  delegates  from  the  lodges  in  Lon- 
don, Oshawa,  Kingston,  Guelph,  Chatham,  St.  Thomas,  Gananoque,  and 
Toronto,  assembled  in  Stratford  on  the  12th  of  August,  1891.  The  Grand 
Master  had  placed  the  convention  in  charge  of  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Camp- 
bell, pro  tempore,  who  opened  the  meeting,  conducted  the  election,  and 
effected  the  permanent  organization  of  the  Rebekah  Assembly,  with  Mrs. 
Bowden,  of  Windsor,  first  President.  In  1895,  under  a  new  constitution, 
the  Grand  Lodge  gave  the  Assembly  as  full  control  of  the  Rebekah 
department  as  the  laws  of  the  Order  would  permit.  The  growth  of  this 
branch  since  the  organization  of  the  Rebekah  Assembly  has  been  emi- 
nently satisfactory,  there  being  a  general  advance  in  interest,  and  a  large 
increase  in  membership. 

The  progress  of  the  encampment  branch  was  less  marked,  but  there 
was  a  fair  increase.  In  addition,  the  six  encampments  in  Quebec,  at 
their  own  request,  have  remained  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  Ontario.  The  Patriarchs  Militant  had  declined;  and, 
at  the  end  of  1895,  while  there  was  a  nominal  regiment,  the  actual  force 
was  much  below  full  ranks. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  MARITIME  PROVINCES,  AND  NEWFOUNDLAND. 

The  Introduction  of  the  Order.  —  On  the  18th  of  January,  1851,  our 
Order  was  introduced  into  Nova  Scotia,  by  the  institution,  in  Halifax,  of 
Acadia  Lodge,  No.  26,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
British  North  America.  The  lodge  was  opened  in  a  room  in  Temperance 
haJl,  Poplar  Grove,  where  it  held  its  meetings  for  a  time,  subsequently 
removing  to  the  "City  Exchange  building,"  the  seat  of  the  municipal 
offices.  After  a  few  years  it  again  removed ;  this  time  to  Bedford  Kow, 
where  an  exceedingly  handsome  suite  of  rooms  were  fitted  up  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  Order. 

This  was  the  period  of  the  decadence  of  the  Order  in  British  America, 
but  in  Halifax  it  maintained  a  vigorous  growth.     Such  was  its  progress, 


456  THE   THREE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

that  a  petition  was  presented  for  an  encampment  before  the  lodge  was  a 
year  old.  Brother  E.  G.  Fuller,  D.D.G.S.,  received  authority  to  confer 
the  degrees  on  the  petitioners  ;  and  in  January,  1852,  Mamberton  Encamp- 
ment, No.  9,  was  instituted.  The  only  difficulties  with  which  the  Nova 
Scotia  Odd  Fellows  had  to  contend  was  the  moribund  condition  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America.  But  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States  resumed  jurisdiction  over  the  provinces  these  dis- 
appeared, and  the  Halifax  brethren  succeeded,  during  -the  summer  of 
1854,  in  opening  two  new  lodges :  Eastern  Star,  No.  34,  at  Pictou ;  and 
Cobequid,  No.  35,  at  Truro.  At  this  date  the  authorities  in  Baltimore 
appeared  still  to  consider  British  America  as  one  jurisdiction;  and  thus 
the  lodges  instituted  were  numbered  according  to  date  of  dispensation, 
without  regard  to  the  province  in  which  they  might  be  located. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Lower  Provinces.  — In  1855  Past  Grand  Master 
Ellison,  of  Massachusetts,  Grand  Sire-elect,  under  instructions  from 
Grand  Sire  DeSaussure,  visited  Nova  Scotia,  and  was  cordially  welcomed 
by  the  brethren  there.  Acting  upon  his  advice,  representatives  from  the 
three  lodges  met  in  convention  in  Halifax,  and  petitioned  for  a  charter 
for  a  Grand  Lodge ;  which  was  instituted  on  the  26th  of  July,  1855,  by 
Brother  Ellison,  assisted  by  Grand  Secretary  Mudge,  of  Massachusetts. 
The  first  Grand  Master  was  C.  H.  Hamilton;  E.  G.  Fuller,  Grand  Repre- 
sentative. 

In  resuming  control  over  British  America,  in  1853,  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States  had  decided  that 

**  The  district  or  territory,  necessary  for  the  jurisdiction  of  any  Grand  Lodge  hereafter 
to  be  chartered,  shall  be  composed  of  any  province  which  is  under  the  government  of  a 
separate  governor  and  provincial  assembly." 

This  was  and  has  ever  been  the  rule  of  the  supreme  body  in  defining 
the  boundaries  of  a  subordinate  Grand  jurisdiction.  It  was  not,  however, 
"carried  out"  in  the  present  case,  as  the  commission  issued  to  Brother 
Fuller,  the  first  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  gave  him  authority  over  the 
four  provinces  of  Nova  Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  Prince  Edward  Island, 
and  Newfoundland,  although  the  Order  existed  only  in  the  first  named. 
But  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Lower  Provinces,  as  it  was  entitled,  allowed 
its  authority  over  Newfoundland  to  lapse ;  and,  in  the  constitution  which 
it  adopted,  which  was  approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
its  jurisdiction  was  limited  to  the  three  provinces  most  nearly  allied: 
Nova  Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  and  Prince  Edward  Island. 

The  establishment  of  a  Grand  Lodge  by  Brother  Ellison  was  not  a 
task  performed  in  vain.  From  the  introduction  of  the  Order,  in  1851, 
there  had  always  been  some  live  Odd  Fellows  in  the  province.  But  the 
chief  support  of  the  society  in  its  early  days  was  E.  G.  Fuller,  the  first 
Noble  Grand  of  Acadia  Lodge.    He  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and 


THE  MARITIME  PROVINCES.  457 

had  become  an  Odd  Fellow  in  that  state.  He  not  only  introduced  the 
Order  into  Nova  Scotia,  but  he  was  its  most  active  meniber ;  and  was 
always  looked  upon  as  the  representative  man.  A  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America,  and  subsequently 
under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  he  was  chosen  the  first  rep- 
resentative of  his  jurisdiction  in  the  latter  body.  This  position  he  held 
for  several  terms.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Souris,  Prince  Edward 
Island,  where  he  died  in  October,  1870,  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight. 

Dark  Days. — During  the  three  years  succeeding  its  institution,  the 
Grand  Lodge  made  fair  progress.  It  renumbered  its  first  three  lodges 
and  added  three  more,  all  in  the  province  of  Nova  Scotia.  Then  came 
a  period  of  disaster  and  depression.  The  lodge  and  encampment  in 
Halifax  lost  their  effects  in  a  fire,  in  1861,  and  never  fully  recovered 
from  the  blow.  The  encampment  appears  to  have  speedily  become 
defunct;  while  the  lodge  gradually  dwindled,  and  became  inoperative. 
From  1863  to  1866,  no  representative  from  the  Lower  Provinces  was  sent  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  the  reports  reaching  Baltimore 
were  very  discouraging.  In  Halifax,  the  seat  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the 
Order  had  only  a  nominal  existence.  In  Pictou  good  work  was  done. 
Though  the  lodge  was  not  strong,  yet  its  members  were  not  unmindful 
of  their  duties.  This  was  shown  during  the  severe  winter  of  1866,  when 
the  lodge  organized  and  operated  an  extensive  charitable  work  which  pro- 
vided food,  and  clothing,  for  numbers  of  people  not  connected  with  the 
Order.  As  a  result  public  sympathy  was  awakened  for  Odd  Fellowship, 
and  the  Order  became  firmly  established  in  the  community. 

In  Albion  Mines  (now  called  Stellarton)  Fuller  Lodge,  No.  5,  built  a 
substantial  hall,  and  prospered.  New  Glasgow  was,  also,  in  fair  condition. 
Outside  of  these  three  places.  Odd  Fellowship  was  practically  non-existent. 
With  the  decline  of  Acadia  Lodge,  the  Grand  Lodge  became  inoperative. 
No  session  was  held  from  1862  till  1865 ;  and  it  was  judged  necessary  to 
remove  its  headquarters.  At  a  meeting  held  in  Halifax,  in  February,  1866, 
an  agreement  was  reached  by  which  all  the  officers  were  selected  from  the 
lodges  in  Pictou,  New  Glasgow,  and  Albion  Mines ;  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
was  removed  to  the  latter  town.    Acadia  Lodge  then  surrendered  its  charter. 

Commissioner  Fred.  D.  Stuart.  —  Meantime  it  became  apparent  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  that  something  must  be  done,  by  that 
body,  if  the  Order  was  to  be  preserved  in  the  provinces ;  and,  in  1866, 
Grand  Sire  Sanders  was  authorized  to  send  a  special  commissioner,  not 
only  to  the  Lower  Provinces,  but  also  to  Canada  East.  For  this  purpose, 
the  Grand  Sire  appointed  Brother  Fred.  D.  Stuart,  of  the  District  of 
Columbia,  with  instructions 

"  To  use  all  honorable  means  to  place  the  Order  in  Canada  East  and  the  Lower  Provinces 
apon  a  sure  foundation,  and,  if  necessary,  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand 


458  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

Lodge  of  the  United  States.  .  .  .  Also,  to  enter  into  correspondence  with  the  oflScers  of  the 
Order,  nnder  the  Manchester  Unity,  wherever  he  could  find  them>  for  the  purpose  of  a  union 
of  the  entire  Order  in  North  America  under  our  authority." 

Brother  Stuart  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties  with,  as  might 
have  been  expected,  very  little  knowledge  of  the  condition  of  affairs  in 
the  country  he  was  to  visit.  He  went  first  to  St.  John,  New  Brunswick, 
and  to  his  astonishment  ^  ^^  Failed  to  meet  a  single  individual  who  had  the 
slightest  knowledge  of  the  Order  having  existed,  or  of  any  person  who  had 
been  connected  with  it."  But  there  was  really  no  ground  for  his  astonish- 
ment, as  the  Order  had  never  been  introduced  into  that  province.  Turning 
to  Nova  Scotia  he  was  more  successful.  He  gained  the  necessary  informa- 
tion in  Halifax  as  to  the  situation,  visited  the  three  existing  lodges,  and 
by  all  was  gladly  received.  A  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  held  at 
Albion  Mines,  on  the  5th  of  August,  1867,  and  ample  instruction  given  in 
the  law  and  the  rituaL  It  did  not  appear  that  a  single  member  of  the 
three  lodges  was  in  possession  of  the  patriarchal  degrees ;  and  the  com- 
missioner, therefore,  conferred  them  upon  a  sufficient  number  to  enable 
him  to  institute  Stuart  Encampment,  No.  10,  at  Pictou.  At  its  session, 
in  1867,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  confirmed  all  the  acts  of  its 
commissioner,  remitted  all  the  arrears  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  gave 
Stuart  Encampment  its  charter  and  books  without  charge. 

Nothing  was  done  by  Brother  Stuart  in  connection  with  the  Man- 
chester Unity.  He  only  found  one  lodge  in  Halifax ;  and  the  members  to 
whom  he  spoke,  —  military  men,  —  had  no  use  for  the  American  Order. 

The  Period  of  Progress.  —  The  visit  of  Commissioner  Stuart  effectually 
revived  the  Order  in  the  Lower  Provinces,  and  it  entered  upon  a  career  of 
continued  progress.  For  the  first  few  years  the  increase  was  confined  to 
the  three  existing  lodges ;  but,  in  the  autumn  of  1869,  the  number  was 
doubled.  A  lodge  was  organized  in  Truro,  Nova  Scotia;  and  for  the 
first  time  the  Order  went  out  of  Nova  Scotia,  and  established  itself  in 
Prince  Edward  Island  and  New  Brunswick,  by  the  institution  of  St 
Lawrence  Lodge,  No.  8,  at  Charlottetown,  on  October  13th;  and  Pioneer, 
No.  9,  at  St.  John,  August  28tlL  In  1871  Halifax  was  reoccupied  by 
Orient  Lodge,  No.  10. 

From  this  time,  onward,  the  Order  has  made  a  continual  advance. 
Scarcely  a  year  has  passed  that  has  not  seen  a  substantial  increase.  Occa- 
sional disasters  have  occurred,  but  only  such  as  were  common  to  the 
locality.  Thus,  in  St  John,  in  1877,  on  the  occasion  of  a  fire  which 
swept  over  that  city  the  20th  of  June,  destroying  nearly  one-third  of  the 
city,  not  only  did  the  lodge  and  encampment  lose  their  property,  but 
of  the  four  hundred  and  forty-three  members  not  less  than  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty-two  were  individual  sufferers,  —  their  losses  being  esti- 

1  Jonnul  of  the  Graad  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  ld6T,  p.  4108. 


THE  MARITIME  PROVINCES.  459 

mated  at  9417,000.  The  distress  incident  to  this  calamity,  however,  only 
served  to  bring  into  clearer  light  the  practical  beauties  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship. The  Order  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  came  promptly  to 
the  relief  of  the  needy,  with  contributions  aggregating  about  $6000; 
and  this  genuine  sympathy  so  encouraged  and  stimulated  the  fraternity  in 
St.  John,  that  by  the  year  following  they  were  enabled  to  lay  the  comer- 
stone  of  a  beautiful  four-story  building.  The  costly  Odd  Fellows'  temple, 
of  St.  John,  is  the  Pho&nix  that  arose  from  the  ashes  of  the  fire  of  1877. 

In  1874  a  petition  was  presented  for  a  Rebekah  lodge  in  Pugwash, 
Nova  Scotia ;  and  the  institution  of  Silver  Spray  Lodge,  No.  1,  gave  the 
women  of  the  Lower  Provinces  an  opportunity  to  participate  in  the  work 
of  the  Order.  This  lodge  did  not,  however,  have  a  very  prosperous  career. 
The  town  was  small ;  and  the  subordinate  lodge  exercised  its  right  to  con- 
fer the  degree, — thus  weakening  the  Bebekah  lodge.  It  soon  ceased  to 
exist;  and  it  was  not  imtil  1885,  when  Golden  Link  Rebekah  Lodge 
was  instituted  in  New  Glasgow,  that  this  department  of  the  Order 
seemed  to  take  fair  root  in  the  jurisdiction. 

The  Patriarchal  Branch.  —  Meanwhile  the  patriarchal  branch  was  keep- 
ing step  with  the  subordinate  lodge.  Stuart  Encampment,  instituted 
by  Brother  Stuart  during  his  visit,  in  1867,  after  flourishing  for  a  time, 
practically  became  defunct,  and  had  to  be  reorganized  in  1875.  But  tents 
were  erected  in  other  towns ;  and,  by  1884,  there  was  a  sufficient  number 
of  encampments  in  the  jurisdiction  to  apply  for  a  charter  for  a  Grand 
Encampment.  They  were  not,  however,  very  large  or  very  wealthy,  and 
for  several  years  the  patriarchs  hesitated  to  assume  the  responsibility  of 
home  government.  But  at  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  Yarmouth, 
Nova  Scotia,  in  1891,  Brother  Bremner,  G.R.,  D.D.G.S.,  of  Charlotte- 
town,  Prince  Edward  Island,  secured  a  conference  of  the  patriarchs  who 
were  attending  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  which  the  consensus  of  opinion  was 
decidedly  favorable  to  the  organization  of  a  Grand  Encampment.  As  the 
general  law  at  that  time  required  a  special  meeting  of  delegates  to  petition 
for  a  charter,  in  order  to  avoid  the  expense  of  such  a  meeting  Brother 
Bremner  prepared  an  amendment  to  by-law  five,  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  by  which  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  would  be  authorized 
to  conduct  a  vote  of  his  subordinates  by  correspondence,  and  thus  enable 
them  to  petition  for  a  charter  without  the  necessity  of  holding  a  meeting. 
This  was  introduced  at  the  next  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  by 
Representative  Macdonald,  and  was  carried. 

The  process  of  petitioning  thus  having  been  facilitated.  Brother  Brem- 
ner readily  secured  the  necessary  number  of  signatures,  and  Grand  Sire 
Busbee  duly  granted  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners.  When  the  Grand 
Lodge  met  at  Summerside,  Prince  Edward  Island,  in  1892,  he  had  the 
satisfaction  of  organizing  the  Grand  Encampment  of  the  Maritime  Prov- 


460  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

inces  on  the  9tli  of  August.  Authority  was,  also,  given  the  Grand  Lodge 
to  change  its  name  to  that  of  "  Maritime  Provinces,'*  at  the  1892  session  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  The  subordinates  coming  under  the  control 
of  the  Grand  Encampment  were  the  following :  Stuart,  No.  10,  Pictou, 
Nova  Scotia;  Milicete,  No.  11,  St.  John,  New  Brunswick;  Halifax,  No. 
12,  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia;  Port  La  Joie,  No.  13,  Charlottetown,  Prince 
Edward  Island;  Belvidere,  No.  14,  Windsor,  Nova  Scotia;  Mount  Carmel, 
No.  15,  Moncton,  New  Brunswick ;  Yarmouth,  No.  16,  Yarmouth,  Nova 
Scotia;  Meductic,  No.  17,  Woodstock,  New  Brunswick, — the  numbers 
following  the  register  of  the  old  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America, 
Mamberton,  No.  9,  of  Halifax,  now  defunct,  being  the  first  in  the  juris- 
diction. At  this  session  these  were  renumbered,  —  Stuart  becoming  No.  1. 
Since  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Encampment  it  has  chartered  a  number 
of  subordinates,  and  the  membership  has  materially  increased. 

The  Patriarchs  Militant  branch  has  not  done  much  in  the  Maritime 
Provinces.  Canton  Latour,  No.  1,  was  mustered  at  St.  John,  New  Bruns- 
wick, on  January  19,  1887,  but  subsequently  ceased  operations.^ 

Newfoundland.  —  Though  not  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Maritime 
Provinces,  nor  even  (at  the  present  writing)  a  part  of  Canada,  yet  the 
British  colony  of  Newfoundland  is  more  closely  allied  to  the  easternmost 
jurisdiction  of  the  Dominion  than  to  any  other.  Originally  it  was  part 
of  that  jurisdiction,  as  already  intimated;  but  as  it  was  unoccupied 
territory,  with  little  prospect  of  occupation,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
Lower  Provinces  dropped  it ;  and  when  there  came  an  application  for  a 
charter,  the  Grand  Sire  had  to  rule  that  it  was  under  the  direct  authority 
of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  It  is  difficult  to  say  why  it  should  have 
remained  so  long  unoccupied,  but  the  fact  remains ;  it  was  not  till  1894 
that  any  successful  effort  was  made  to  plant  the  Order  in  the  colony. 
Brother  William  Browii^,  of  Amherst,  Nova  Scotia,  came  to  St.  John,  in 
1888,  and  was  anxious  to  «tart  a  lodge;  but  it  was  not  until  the  arrival 
of  Brother  William  Bannister,  P.G.,  P.D.D.G.M.,  of  the  Maritime  Prov- 
inces, that  the  two  were  able  to  secure  enough  applicants  for  a  charter. 
But,  at  last,  five  were  found,  all  members  from  the  Maritime  Provinces ; 
and  Atlantic  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  on  the  20th  of  August,  1894 
Since  that  date  the  island  has  suffered  from  the  most  disastrous  business 
depression  with  which  any  country  has  had  to  contend  in  modem  times. 
Notwithstanding,  the  lodge  has  done  remarkably  well;  and,  though  it 
lost  ten  members  on  account  of  the  troubled  state  of  affairs  in  the  colony, 
it  numbered,  at  the  close  of  1895,  over  fifty,  with  its  finances  in  good 
condition.  As  the  condition  of  the  colony  improves,  the  Order  will  doubt- 
less have  its  full  share  of  prosperity. 

>  We  are  indebted  to  Orand  Secretary  Frazee,  for  his  carefiil  reaearobes  Into  the  early  history  of  Odd 
Fellowship  in  Nova  Scotia, 


THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  QUEBEC.  461 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  GRAND  LODGE  OF  QUEBEC:  THE  VERMONT  CONTROVERSY. 

The  Interregnum.  — When  Grand  Sire  DeSaussure  issued  his  proclama- 
tion, taking  charge  of  the  Order  in  the  British  Provinces,  on  the  14th  of 
October,  1853,  there  was  one  lodge  in  Canada  East,  —  Albion,  No.  4,  in 
the  city  of  Quebec,  numbering  about  seventy  members,  —  in  charge  of 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  James  McLaren.  This  was  all  that  was  left  of 
the  once  flourishing  Order  in  this  province.  At  the  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1854,  the  Grand  Sire  was  authorized  to 
visit  Canada  again,  in  person  or  by  deputy,  and  see  that  the  few  lodges 
left  were  properly  instructed.  Twice  he  made  the  attempt,  but  was  pre- 
vented, —  first  by  the  outbreak  of  an  epidemic  in  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,  his  place  of  residence,  —  and,  later,  by  grave  domestic  afflic- 
tions. Under  the  circumstances  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  his 
Canadian  trip,  and  sent  Grand  Secretary  Kidgely  in  his  place. 

Brother  Eidgely  reached  Montreal  June  21,  1855,  and,  after  some 
fruitless  searching  for  lost  Odd  Fellows,  proceeded  to  Quebec  City. 
Here  he  was  cordially  received.  The  condition  of  the  Order  there  can 
best  be  learned  from  his  description:  — 

"  It  was,  however,  in  some  degree  dispiriting  to  learn  the  narrative  of  the  trials  and 
difficulties  to  which  the  Order  had  been  subjected,  and  which  had  driven  the  membership 
from  the  lodge-room.  The  Order,  although  in  feeble  health,  numbered  a  band  of  gallant 
spirits,  who  were  pledged  to  preserve  it  against  all  odds.  It  had  been  abandoned  by  an 
unnatural  parent,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America,  at  a  moment  when  it  most 
required  its  fostering  care ;  it  had  been  assailed  by  a  two-fold  antagonism :  an  enemy  from 
within  its  own  fold,  viz.:  apathy  and  indifference;  and  an  enemy  from  without,  viz.: 
intolerance  and  a  bitter  religious  proscription.  These  had  reduced  the  lodges  in  the  entire 
province  to  but  one,  and  the  membership  of  this  one  to  but  sixty  or  seventy  in  number. 
But  this  indomitable  band,  partaking  of  the  nature  and  character  of  their  own  impregnable 
city,  had  successfully  resisted  the  combined  enemy,  and  had  preserved  for  Odd  Fellowship 
a  firm  foothold  and  existence,  and  had  solemnly  pledged  themselves  to  its  maintenance. 
This  lodge,  —  Albion,  No.  1, — continued  to  assemble,  although  barely  sufficient  members 
could  sometimes  be  got  together  to  work  the  lodge.  The  entire  membership  which  sur- 
vived, about  sixty,  nevertheless  discharged  all  other  duties  as  Odd  Fellows,  with  strict 
fidelity;  every  claim  upon  the  body  for  the  sick  or  distressed,  the  widow  or  orphan,  and 
every  appeal  to  the  charity  of  the  lodge^  were  promptly  and  effectively  met,  —  the  treasury 
being  most  ample  at  aU  times,  and  now  reaching  some  five  hundred  pounds." 

The  Grand  Secretary  authorized  the  Deputy  District  Grand  Sire  to 
reorganize  Mercantile  Lodge,  giving  it  the  number  two,  —  Albion  taking 
number  one,  —  and  then  went  to  Montreal.  Here  he  found  Past  Grand 
Sire  Whitney,  and  several  of  the  older  members,  many  of  whom  agreed 
to  resume  active  operations.     It  was  decided  to  charter  a  new  lodge,  — 


462  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Phoenix,  No.  3,  —  instead  of  resuscitating  any  of  the  old  ones.  But  as 
soon  as  the  Grand  Secretary  left  the  city,  all  enthusiasm  left  the  mem- 
bers ;  Phoenix,  No.  3,  proved  a  still-born  Phoenix ;  Mercantile,  No.  2,  was 
never  reopened ;  Albion,  No.  1,  lingered  for  a  brief  period,  and  then  it 
also  passed  out  of  existence. 

Brother  McLaren  had  been  one  of  the  most  efficient  laborers  in  Odd 
Fellowship  in  the  city  of  Quebec.  When  the  Order  was  prosperous, 
there  were  many  willing  to  bear  honors,  and  occupy  prominent  places 
in  its  councils ;  but  when  the  day  of  adversity  came,  its  sole  dependence 
was  on  the  zeal  and  fidelity  of  men  like  James  McLaren.  His  efforts 
might  have  been  successful,  in  spite  of  all  discouragements ;  but  on  the 
26th  of  June,  1857,  —  a  passenger  on  board  the  ill-fated  steamer  Montreal^ 
which  was  burned  during  its  trip  up  the  river  from  Quebec,  —  he  lost 
his  life,  and  with  him  the  Order  in  the  province  lost  its  sole  support. 
Albion  Lodge  divided  its  funds  among  its  members,  and  then  disbanded 
forever. 

Fred.  Stuart  in  Quebec.  —  Nothing  further  was  done  in  connection  with 
Odd  Fellowship  in  this  province  until  1867,  when  Grand  Representative 
Fred.  D.  Stuart,  subsequently  Grand  Sire,  visited  the  province  under 
commission  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  In  Quebec 
City,  after  some  advertising,  he  found  four  brothers  who  expressed  a 
willingness  to  try  and  organize  a  lodge.  In  Montreal,  he  met  Brothers 
Ewan,  Beckett,  Dyde,  and  some  others  of  the  former  officers  of  the 
Order,  but  was  unable  to  inaugurate  any  immediate  action.  The 
excitement  in  Canada  over  the  Fenian  invasion  did  not  tend  to  popu- 
larize American  institutions,  and  it  was  deemed  best  by  the  local 
brothers  to  wait  for  a  more  auspicious  time.  His  instructions  author- 
ized him  to  open  communication  with  the  Manchester  Unity,  but  he 
found  that  nothing  could  be  done  with  that  body.  Its  members  refused 
to  have  anything  to  do'  with  Brother  Stuart's  society,  and  their  loyalty 
to  their  own  institution,  and  the  home  authorities,  rather  surprised  him. 
With  all  Brother  Stuart's  knowledge  of  human  nature,  he  seemed  to  have 
been  unable  to  understand  how  the  people  of  other  countries  could  be 
as  loyal  to  their  own  institutions  as  the  people  of  the  United  States  are 
to  theirs. 

Mount  Royal,  No,  i.  —  Brother  Stuart  did  not  lose  sight  of  his  friends 
in  Montreal,  and  made  frequent  efforts  to  get  them  into  working  order. 
He  did  not  succeed,  however,  until  1870,  during  his  term  as  Grand  Sire. 
In  November,  of  that  year,  he  received  through  Grand  Secretary  King, 
of  Ontario,  letters  from  Past  Grand  George  Varey,  a  charter  member  of 
Gore  Lodge,  Brantford,  Ontario,  then  resident  in  Montreal,  and  from 
Brother  Max.  Boehm,  informing  him  that  a  sufficient  number  of 
brothers  in  that  city  were  anxious  to  receive  a  charter.    He  at  once 


# 


THB  GRAND  LODGE  OF  QUEBEC.  463 

w^ent  to  Montreal^  and  being  satisfied  that  the  prospects  were  suffi- 
ciently encouraging^  on  the  13th  of  December,  he  instituted  Mount 
Eoyal  Lodge,  No.  1.  Brother  Varey  was  appointed  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire,  a  position  he  held  until  1877. 

The  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  had  considerable  difficulty  with  his 
charge.  The  material  in  the  lodge  was  of  a  mixed  character,  —  good, 
and  not  so  good;  and  the  latter  soon  began  to  give  trouble.  The  Noble 
Grand  and  the  Vice  Grand  commenced  a  quarrel ;  and,  in  order  to  settle 
it  to  his  own  satisfaction,  the  Noble  Grand  tried  to  kill  the  lodge.  He 
sent  the  •  charter  and  books  back  to  the  Grand  Sire.  Brother  Yarey, 
however,  secured  their  immediate  return,  and  had  the  Noble  Grand  tried 
for  misconduct,  and  expeUed.  It  took  some  time  to  harmonize  the  dis- 
cordant elements,  and  weed  out  bad  material  \  but  he  was  finally  success- 
ful, and  the  Order  commenced  to  grow.  St.  Lawrence  Lodge,  No.  2,  and 
Mizpah,  No.  3,  were  organized  during  the  next  few  years;  and  on  the 
6th  of  November,  1874,  Brother  Varey  had  the  pleasure  of  instituting 
Montreal  Encampment,  No.  1. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Quebec.  — The  steady  increase  in  membership,  dur- 
ing the  next  few  years,  resulted  in  giving  the  Order  sufficient  strength  to 
justify  the  application  for  a  Grand  Lodge  charter,  which  was  granted  at 
the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1878 ;  and,  on 
the  30th  of  October  following.  Past  Grand  Master  CI.  T.  Campbell,  of 
Ontario,  as  special  deputy,  assisted  by  Brothers  John  F.  Wood  and 
George  F.  Fulford,  of  Brockville,  Ontario,  and  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  Beckett,  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Quebec,  in  the  hall  of 
Mount  Royal  Lodge.  The  petition  had  been  signed  by  representatives 
of  lodges  No.  1,  No.  2,  No.  4,  No.  5,  No.  6,  and  No.  8.  Wales  L.  Lee 
was  installed  Grand  Master,  and  A.  Allen  Murphy  was  elected  Grand 
Representative.  Before  the  next  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 
Quebec  had  the  ten  subordinates  necessary  to  entitle  its  representative 
to  mileage  and  per  dieniy  as  well  as  his  seat  in  the  body. 

The  progress  of  the  Order  in  Quebec  since  the  establishment  of  its 
Grand  Lodge  has  been  very  satisfactory,  when  the  disadvantages  under 
which  the  brethren  labor  are  considered.  While  the  province  has  a  popu- 
lation of  nearly  1,500,000,  probably  six-sevenths  are  Roman  Catholics,  who 
control  almost  every  municipality.  The  Odd  Fellows  are,  therefore,  sur- 
rounded by  a  population  adverse  to  all  secret  societies  not  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  Hierarchy  of  that  church.  Yet  during  the  last  seventeen  years, 
they  have  grown  from  eight  lodges,  with  about  500  members,  to  twenty- 
seven  lodges,  with  2150  members. 

The  Vermont  Dispute.  —  In  1892  was  finally  settled  a  dispute  arising 
from  the  anomalous  position  of  Oriental  Lodge,  No.  36,  of  Vermont.  This 
lodge  was  nominally  located  in  the  town  of  Derby  Line,  on  the  frontier; 


464  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

but,  as  it  could  not  find  suitable  rooms,  it  had  always  met  in  a  ball  in 
Kock  Island,  on  the  Quebec  side  of  the  line.  When  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Quebec  was  instituted,  the  attention  of  Grand  Sire  Harmon  was  called  to 
the  situation ;  and  he  decided  that,  as  a  Vermont  lodge,  it  had  no  right 
to  meet  in  Canada  or  initiate  Canadians,  without  the  joint  consent  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  and  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Quebec  and  Vermont. 
As  both  Oriental  Lodge  and  its  own  Grand  Lodge  desired  .that  it  should 
have  this  privilege,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Quebec,  at  its  session  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1880,  consented  to  an  arrangement  by  which  Oriental  Lodge  should 
remain  on  Canadian  soil,  and  be  allowed  to  initiate  residents  of  Quebec 
within  seven  miles  of  the  lodge, — this  agreement  to  be  operative  when 
approved  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ver- 
mont; but  while  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Vermont  approved  it,  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge  did  not  do  so ;  and,  consequently,  at  its  next  session 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Quebec  formally  withdrew  its  sanction. 

Meanwhile,  the  situation  remained  unchanged ;  although,  without  the 
sanction  of  law,  Oriental  Lodge  continued  to  meet  in  Quebec,  and  to 
initiate  Canadians.  For  a  few  years  this  did  no  harm,  and  no  one  com- 
plained ;  but,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Quebec  began  to  charter  lodges  in 
the  vicinity,  it  became  necessary  in  their  interest  to  "  call  a  halt."  Orien- 
tal Lodge,  however,  declined  to  halt,  —  claiming  that  it  was  acting  only 
within  its  rights.  Correspondence  followed,  and  contentions,  year  after 
year,  without  avail,  —  the  authorities  of  Vermont  apparently  sanctioning 
their  subordinate  in  its  course.  Finally,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  which  ordered  Oriental  Lodge  to  obey  the  law, 
reserve  its  energies  for  the  benefit  of  Vermont,  and  arrange  with  Quebec 
for  the  fees  of  members  illegally  initiated.  This  settled  the  difficulty.  A 
meeting  of  commissioners  was  held  in  Derby  Line  on  the  20th  of  April, 
1892,  when  the  sum  of  $102  was  accepted  by  Quebec  in  payment  of  all 
claims;  the  Canadian  field  was  left  clear  to  the  Canadian  lodges,  and 
peace  and  harmony  restored. 

Large  Accessions.  —  During  1893  the  Order  received  some  extensive 
additions  from  members  of  the  Manchester  Unity,  who  felt  that  our  asso- 
ciation would  meet  their  views  and  requirements  better  than  the  one  with 
which  they  had  been  connected.  This  was  the  voluntary  act  of  the  mem- 
bers themselves,  and  was  not  encouraged  through  any  proselyting  efforts 
on  our  part.  Lansdowne  Lodge,  No.  9,  instituted  June  8th,  with  one  hun- 
dred members ;  Concordia,  No.  15,  on  June  28th ;  and  Excelsior,  No.  12, 
on  September  29th,  with  one  himdred  seventy-five  members,  was  the 
result  of  this  movement. 

The  Kebekah  branch  was  introduced  into  the  province,  this  year,  by 
the  institution  of  Pioneer  Kebekah  Lodge,  No.  1,  in  Huntington,  June 
16th;  and  Flora  Lodge,  at  St.  Johns,  July  29th.     Within  a  year  four 


ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  MANITOBA.  465 

more  were  opened,  and  the  Eebekahs  had  taken  firm  hold  of  the  jurisdic- 
tion. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  this  year,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  encourage  the  formation  of  a  French  Canadian  lodge ;  and 
the  work  was  successfully  accomplished  on  June  8, 1894,  by  the  institu- 
tion of  Lafayette  Lodge,  the  only  lodge  in  Canada  using  the  French 
ritual. 

The  Quebec  Patriarchs.  —  The  encampment  branch  of  the  Order  has 
kept  pace  with  the  subordinate  lodge.  Following  the  institution  of  Mont- 
real Encampment,  No.  1,  we  find  Moshassuck,  No.  2,  also  at  Montreal ; 
then  Union,  No.  3,  at  Sherbrooke;  Farnham,  No.  4,  at  Farnham;  St. 
Johns,  No.  5,  at  St.  Johns ;  and,  finally,  one  in  Quebec  City.  These  have, 
generally,  been  attached  as  soon  as  instituted  to  the  jurisdiction  of 
Ontario ;  and  though  sufficient  in  numbers  to  constitute  a  Grand  Encamp- 
ment for  their  own  province,  have  preferred  to  retain  their  connection 
with  the  western  patriarchs.  That  they  are  accorded  the  full  privileges 
of  membership  was  shown  by  the  election,  in  1895,  of  a  Past  Chief 
Patriarch  of  Montreal,  —  Grand  Representative  John  J.  Reed,  —  as 
Grand  Patriarch  of  Ontario. 

When  the  militant  branch  was  organized,  the  patriarchs  in  Montreal 
readily  fell  into  line ;  and,  on  January  22, 1886,  just  a  few  months  after 
the  adoption  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant  law,  the  petition  for  a  warrant  for 
Canton  Mount  Royal  was  forwarded  to  headquarters;  and,  on  the  14th 
of  April,  1886,  Colonel  H.  A.  Jackson,  who  had  been  especially  active  in 
encouraging  this  branch,  mustered  the  eanton,  with  Captain  John  J.  Head 
in  command. 


CHAPTER  V. 

ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  MANITOBA. 

The  Prairie  Pioneers.  —  The  first  movement  for  the  introduction  of 
Odd  Fellowship  into  Manitoba  appears  to  have  originated  with  Brother 
James  Henderson,  a  member  of  Mount  Royal  Lodge,  Montreal,  who,  being 
in  Winnipeg,  came  in  contact  with  a  number  of  Scarlet  degree  members 
who  were  anxious  to  open  a  lodge.  He  wrote  Grand  Sire  Stuart  in  Sep- 
tember, 1871,  but  nothing  definite  seems  to  have  resulted. 

More  successful  was  the  effort  of  Brother  R.  D.  Patterson,  of  Kingston, 
Ontario.  Being  a  Past  District  Deputy  Grand  Master  of  his  own  juris- 
diction, he  was  familiar  with  the  methods  preliminary  to  the  institution 
of  a  lodge,  and  had  a  petition  prepared  in  regular  form,  which,  with  cards 
and  fees,  he  sent  in  May,  1873,  to  Grand  Representative  John  Gibson,  of 


466  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Stratford,  Ontaxio,  who  forwarded  it  to  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely.  The 
dispensation  was  duly  issued,  with  a  commission  to  Brother  Patterson  to 
institute  the  lodge.  It  was  found,  however,  that  the  express  company  in 
Baltimore  could  not  carry  the  parcel  to  Winnipeg,  and  it  was  sent  to 
Brother  Gibson,  who  xmdertook  its  safe  delivery.  The  result  was  the 
institution,  on  August  18,  1873,  of  Manitoba  Lodge,  No.  1,  by  Brother 
Patterson.  The  lodge  prospered  and  an  encampment  soon  followed. 
Harmony  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  instituted  by  Special  Deputy  James 
H.  Emslie,  May  25,  1874.  A  fair  measure  of  prosperity  attended  the 
lodge  and  encampment ;  but  with  a  view  to  add  interest,  by  securing  a 
certain  amount  of  emulation,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  '^  swarm  ^'; 
and  North  Star  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  instituted  June  9,  1875.  The  condi- 
tions, however,  were  not  very  favorable.  There  had  been  poor  crops  for 
some  years;  and,  consequently,  business  depression.  Winnipeg,  though 
a  rapidly  growing  town,  was  at  a  disadvantage  in  having  no  railway 
communication  with  the  outside  world,  and  being  ice-bound  for  six 
months  in  the  year.  Yet  the  Order  met  all  expenses,  and  these  were 
not  few.  It  had  a  handsome  lodge-room ;  and,  with  dues  at  $12  a  year, 
it  was  able  to  meet  all  demands  for  benefits  and  relief.  North  Star 
Lodge,  however,  grew  dim;  and  in  about  three  years  sank  below  the 
horizon.    It  would  have  been  better  had  it  not  been  instituted. 

As  the  population  increased  in  Manitoba,  other  openings  appeared 
for  the  institution  of  lodges.  The  greatest  difficulty  was  to  find  places 
in  which  to  meet,  even  where  the  towns  were  large  enough;  building 
material  was  so  costly,  that  societies  found  small  accommodations.  Among 
the  experienced  members  of  the  Order,  from  other  jurisdictions,  who 
settled  in  the  province,  was  Past  Grand  High  Priest  James  P.  Young, 
of  Chatham,  Ontario,  who  located  in  Portage  La  Prairie,  and  succeeded  in 
having  Portage  Lodge  instituted  April  22,  1880.  Gateway,  No.  4,  at 
Emerson,  on  the  Dakota  frontier,  was  opened  April  16th,  of  the  same 
year. 

With  the  increasing  prosperity  of  the  province  the  Order  kept  pace. 
Brother  Young  was  appointed  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  in  1882,  and 
his  first  official  act  was  to  insert  a  notice  in  all  the  papers,  outside  of 
Winnipeg,  inviting  correspondence  from  members  of  the  Order,  with 
a  view  of  opening  new  lodges.  The  result  was  that  within  a  year  four 
lodges  were  instituted :  at  Gladstone,  Brandon,  Crystal  City,  and  Winni- 
peg ;  while  No.  2  was  resuscitated,  and  La  Prairie  Encampment  organized 
at  Portage  La  Prairie. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Manitoba.  —  Growing  so  rapidly  it  was  not  to  be 
supposed  that  the  Manitoba  lodges  would  remain  contented  under  the 
direct  jurisdiction  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  Realizing  the  senti- 
ment of  the  fraternity,  Brother  Young  called  a  convention  of  delegates 


ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  MANITOBA,  467 

to  meet  in  Portage  La  Prairie,  on  Wednesday,  August  1, 1883,  to  consider 
the  situation ;  and  there  it  was,  unanimously,  resolved  to  ask  for  a  charter 
for  a  Grand  Lodge.  At  the  session  of  the  supreme  body  following,  the 
Manitoba  petition  was  granted,  subject  to  the  usual  provision  that  no 
mileage  and  per  diem  should  be  paid  the  Manitoba  representative  until 
the  provincial  Grand  Lodge  controlled  ton  subordinates. 

On  Wednesday  afternoon,  October  24,  1883,  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  Young  met  the  petitioners  for  a  charter  in  the  Odd  FeUows'  hall, 
in  Winnipeg,  —  all  but  No.  5,  of  the  seven  lodges,  being  represented; 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  was  then  formally  instituted.  C.  D.  Anderson 
was  elected  Grand  Master,  and  there  were  present  a  large  number  of 
past  grands,  chiefly  from  the  Winnipeg  lodges. 

The  new  Grand  Lodge  was  composed  very  lai^ely  of  old  Ontario 
Odd  Fellows,  some  of  whom,  like  Brothers  Young  and  Harper  Wilson, 
had  held  high  office  in  their  former  jurisdictions.  The  only  notable 
exception  was  the  new  Grand  Master.  Brother  Anderson  was  a  native 
of  Sweden,  had  come  from  the  United  States  to  Winnipeg,  and  was  one 
of  the  earliest  initiates  in  Manitoba  Lodge.  He  had  prospered  finan- 
cially, and  willingly  spent  time  and  money  to  advance  the  interests 
of  the  Order.  Under  the  control  and  guidance  of  these  active  brethren, 
general  prosperity  continued.  The  necessary  ten  lodges  were  reported 
in  a  few  months;  and  when  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  met,  in  1884^ 
Grand  Representative  Anderson  was  in  attendance.  Three  years  later, 
the  jurisdiction  was  able  to  send  two  representatives,  —  its  member- 
ship, in  1887,  being  in  excess  of  one  thousand.  In  the  city  of  Winni- 
peg especially,  the  Order  became  strong  and  efficient,  and  Manitoba 
Lodge  felt  itself  in  condition  to  undertake  the  erection  of  a  hall.  This 
building,  one  of  the  finest  in  the  city  at  the  time,  was  formally  dedicated, 
at  a  special  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  May  23, 1884. 

More  Zeal  than  Law. — It  became  evident,  a  year  or  two  after  the 
institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  that,  in  their  desire  to  advance,  the  offi- 
cials in  Manitoba  had  not  always  kept  within  the  limits  of  law ;  and,  as 
a  consequence,  grave  doubts  existed  as  to  the  validity  of  the  acts  of  sev- 
eral of  the  subordinates,  and  even  of  the  Grand  Lodge  itself.  Some  of  the 
lodges  had  been  instituted  without  the  full  number  of  charter  members 
being  in  attendance.  Of  course,  this  was  illegal ;  at  the  same  time,  when 
a  number  of  Odd  Fellows  had  travelled  a  long  distance  to  reach  some 
prairie  village,  where  they  were  going  to  open  a  lodge,  and  then  found 
only  four  out  of  the  five  charter  members  present,  it  could  scarcely  be 
expected  that  they  should  remount  their  buckboards,  and  ride  quietly 
home.  They  did  what  most  people  would  have  done,  under  the  circum- 
stances, —  went  to  work  and  instituted  the  lodge,  and  said  nothing  about 
the  irregularity.     Somebody,  however,  could  not  keep  quiet  when  a  viola- 


468  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

tion  of  law  was  noted ;  and  the  subject  was  introduced  at  the  session  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  in  1885.  It  was  then  found,  on  investigation,  that  no 
less  than  three  lodges  had  been  instituted,  and  one  reinstated,  with  only 
four  out  of  the  necessary  five  charter  members  present,  viz.:  Numbers 
2,  7,  8,  and  9.  Full  explanations  were  sent  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
at  its  session  following,  with  a  request  to  straighten  out  the  tangle.  That 
was  not  a  hard  matter.  The  lodges  were  instructed  to  erase  from  their 
charters  the  names  of  the  members  absent  at  institution,  and  then  receive 
their  cards  by  formal  resolution  spread  on  the  minutes  (though  the  consti- 
tution of  the  Manitoba  lodges  required  a  ballot) ;  and,  finally,  all  the  acts 
of  the  lodges  irregularly  instituted  were,  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 
duly  validated. 

In  the  encampment  branch  some  progress  was  made.  Eureka  Encamp- 
ment, No.  3,  was  instituted  in  Winnipeg,  August  11, 1884 ;  and,  from  the 
two  encampments  in  that  city,  a  sufficient  number  of  patriarchs  were 
found  to  buy  uniforms,  and  secure  the  organization  of  a  uniformed  degree 
camp.  It  was  instituted  August  20, 1884.  The  membership  of  the  two 
encampments  in  Winnipeg,  however,  was  not  large;  and  the  relation 
between  the  two  bodies,  for  a  time,  was  not  harmonious.  But  peace 
was  finally  established  and  slow  progress  was  made. 

1885-95.  —  The  early  part  of  this  decade  was  characterized  by  a  gen- 
eral depression,  and  considerable  political  disturbance,  in  the  province. 
The  Winnipeg  "  boom  "  in  real  estate  had  reached  its  limit,  with  the 
usual  reaction.  At  the  same  time,  the  second  rebellion  of  Louis  Beil,  in 
1885,  added  to  the  general  confusion  and  unrest.  Through  it  all,  how- 
ever, the  Odd  Fellows  held  their  own,  and  more;  membership  slowly  but 
steadily  increased ;  new  lodges  were  instituted ;  while  the  work  of  relief 
was  faithfully  performed.  A  Rebekah  lodge  (Olive  Branch,  No.  1),  was 
instituted  at  Winnipeg,  March  12, 1889,  with  forty-six  charter  members, 
and  became  a  strong  organization.  The  only  other  place  attempting  to 
support  this  department  was  Brandon;  but  the  lodge  opened  there,  in 
1892,  had  only  a  brief  existence. 

During  the  last  two  or  three  years  the  progress,  throughout  the  prov- 
ince, has  been  well-marked.  Lodges  Numbers  4  and  5,  .which  had  been 
defunct  for  a  time,  were  resuscitated ;  and  the  end  of  the  decade  saw  a 
full  list  of  twenty-nine  lodges  in  Manitoba,  with  seven  in  the  Northwest 
Territories,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Some  attempt  has  been  made  toward  the  establishment  of  an  Odd 
Fellows'  home.  The  Grand  Lodge  approved  the  idea,  in  1893;  and,  in 
1894,  on  the  report  of  a  special  committee,  recommended  each  subordi- 
nate to  contribute  five  cents  per  capita  toward  a  general  fund  for  this  pur- 
pose. Contributions  to  the  home  fund  are  coming  slowly,  but  steadily, 
and  several  towns  are  ready  to  assist,  with  offers  of  a  free  site. 


THE  NOHTRWEST  TERBIT0RIE8.  469 

The  Grand  Encampment. —  In  addition  to  the  three  encampments  previ- 
ously mentioned,  Excelsior,  No.  4,  was  instituted  at  Morden,  July  31, 
1888 ;  and  Union,  No.  5,  at  Brandon,  January  20,  1890.  Though  not  a 
strong  body  the  patriarchs  felt  capable  of  managing  their  own  affairs, 
—  an  opinion  in  which  they  were  encouraged  by  Past  Grand  Patriarch 
Harper  Wilson,  formerly  of  St.  Catharines,  Ontario,  who  had  been  very 
active  in  stimulating  as  well  as  advising  the  fraternity  in  Manitoba. 
As  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  for  the  jurisdiction,  he  was  enabled  to 
institute  the  Grand  Encampment,  on  the  29th  of  October,  1890. 

The  membership  of  the  encampment  branch  at  the  time  of  the  insti- 
tution of  the  Grand  Encampment  was,  according  to  the  returns,  for  the 
end  of  that  term,  two  hundred  and  twenty-four.  Since  then  it  has  not 
grown  very  much,  though  there  has  been  some  progress.  One  other 
subordinate  has  been  organized,  Norton,  No.  6,  at  Boisevain;  and  the 
membership  at  the  close  of  1895  was  three  hundred  and  twenty-one. 

The  Patriarchs  Militant.  —  In  1885  Past  Grand  Master  B.  D.  Deering 
went  to  Ontario,  to  receive  the  Patriarchs  Militant  degree,  and  was 
enabled  to  secure  the  mustering  of  Canton  Winnipeg,  April  19,  1886. 
The  canton  uniformed  at  once,  but  was  not  a  success,  and  only  existed 
a  year.  In  May,  1893,  however,  the  Patriarchs  Militant  had  a  revival, 
through  the  influence  largely  of  Grand  Representative  Boss,  who  mustered 
a  new  canton  with  the  old  name,  J.  W.  Baker  being  first  commandant. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  LODGES  OF  THE  NORTHWEST  TERRITORIES. 

Assiniboia. — The  introduction  of  the  Order  into  the  various  districts, 
comprising  the  Northwest  Territories  of  Canada  has  been,  largely, 
through  the  influence  of  Manitoba  Odd  Fellows,  though  not  exclusively 
so.  The  first  point  occupied  was  in  Assiniboia,  at  a  village  some  three 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  west  of  Winnipeg.  It  is  said  that  the  proper 
name  of  the  village  is  "The-creek-where-the-white-man-mended-the-cart- 
with-a-moose- jaw-bone  " ;  but  the  name  is  never  used  in  full  for  working 
purposes ;  it  is  simply  called  Moose-jaw.  Here  Valley  Lodge,  No.  1,  was 
instituted  by  Brother  Eobert  Allison,  December  28, 1883.  Naturally  the 
lodge  desired  to  be  associated  with  Manitoba,  its  nearest  neighbor,  and 
the  Grand  Lodge  consented  to  receive  it  on  terms  fair  to  both  parties. 
All  per  capita  taxes  paid  by  it  were  to  be  appropriated  toward  paying  the 
expenses  of  its  representative  when  attending  the  Grand  Lodge  session;  and 
this  rule  has  been  applied,  by  Manitoba,  to  all  outside  lodges  placed  under 


470  THE  THBEE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

its  charge.  Valley  Lodge  prospered  for  a  time,  —  then  became  feeble, — 
practically  died, — was  reyived, — and  is  now  in  good  condition.  Mooso- 
min  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  organized  at  Moosomin,  May  6,  1886,  by  J.  P. 
Young,  of  Manitoba;  and  Ko.  3,  at  Medicine  Hat,  June  5,  1889,  by 
George  Murdoch,  of  Alberta,  —  the  former  being  attached  to  Manitoba, 
the  latter  remaining  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 
No  further  advance  was  made  for  four  years.  In  1893  three  new  lodges 
were  instituted,  and  another^  in  1894,  largely  through  the  exertions  of 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  John  Tucker.  Of  the  seven  lodges  in  the 
district,  all  are  now  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Manitoba,  except  those  in 
Maple  Creek  and  Medicine  Hat. 

Alberta.  —  Li  this  district  the  pioneer  Odd  Fellow  was  Brother  G^rge 
Murdoch,  who  had  been  a  prominent  member  of  the  Order  in  the  Mari- 
time Provinces,  and  who  succeeded  not  only  in  getting  a  lodge  started 
in  Calgarry,  the  principal  town  in  Alberta,  but  has  taken  a  very  active 
part  in  spreading  our  principles  throughout  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
Dominion.  On  the  26th  of  December,  1884,  he  instituted  Alberta  Lodge, 
No.  1,  at  Calgarry.  For  some  years  no  more  lodges  were  opened  in  the 
district.  Brother  Murdoch  was  commissioned  to  instruct  a  sufficient 
number  of  the  brethren  in  the  Boyal  Purple  degree,  and  was  thus 
enabled  to  open  Alberta  Encampment,  in  Calgarry,  on  the  11th  of  Janu- 
ary ^  1887.  This  encampment  has  made  slow  progress,  and  has  never 
been  strong.  Six  lodges,  additional,  have  since  been  instituted ;  and  one 
Eebekah  lodge,  —  two  of  them  (at  McLeod  and  Innisfail),  have  been 
placed  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Manitoba ;  the  others  report  direct  to 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

Saskatchewan.  —  In  this  district  of  Canada,  Odd  Fellowship  has 
reached  its  most  northerly  location, — a  lodge  having  been  planted  in 
Battlef ord,  53°  North  latitude.  The  organization  of  this  lodge  was  largely 
due  to  Brother  Hartley  Gisbome,  who  became  an  Odd  Fellow  in  British 
Columbia,  in  1882.  The  town  was  three  hundred  and  twelve  miles 
distant  from  the  nearest  lodge;  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles  from  the 
nearest  settlement;  and  two  hundred  miles  away  from  a  railroad, — 
pretty  much  out  of  civilization;  but  not  out  of  reach  of  Odd  Fellowship. 
Brother  Murdoch,  D.D.G.S.,  of  Alberta,  was  commissioned  to  confer  the 
degrees  on  some  of  the  applicants ;  and  the  lodge,  —  Saskatchewan,  No.  1, 
—  was  instituted  by  him,  May  2, 1888.  Battlef  ord  is  a  small  town,  and 
the  lodge  has  not  been  able  to  make  a  large  growth ;  its  membership,  at 
the  end  of  1895,  being  thirty-seven,  —  it  is  vigorous  for  its  size. 


IN  BRITISH  COLUMBIA,  471 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  ORDER  W  BRITISH  COLUlffBIA. 

The  Gold  Hunters.  — The  proyince  of  British  Golaidbiay  on  the  Pacific 
coast  of  Canada,  consists  of  what  was  formerly  two  colonies,  —  Yancouver 
Island  and  British  Columbia,  or  ''New  Caledonia,''  —  which  were  united 
under  the  name  of  British  Columbia,  in  1866,  and  became  part  of  the 
Dominion  of  Canada,  in  1871.  Originally  occupied  by  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company  for  hunting  and  trading  purposes,  the  first  immigration  of  any 
importance  was  in  connection  with  the  rush  of  gold-seekers,  in  1857 ;  and^ 
again,  in  1862.  On  both  occasions  the  ''boom"  dropped  suddenly,  but 
left  behind  a  number  of  sturdy  settlers  of  all  nationalities,  who  formed 
the  nucleus  of  a  more  steadily  growing  population.  Among  these  were 
some  Odd  Fellows  from  California^  who,  as  soon  as  they  felt  themselves 
permanent  residents,  were  naturally  desirous  of  organizing  a  lodge.  That 
the  Order,  in  the  jurisdiction  from  which  they  hailed,  realized  the  situa- 
tion and  was  anxious  to  forward  their  wishes,  was  shown  in  the  fact  that 
at  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1863,  a  resolu- 
tion was  submitted,  by  the  California  Representatives,  asking  that  the 
colony  of  British  Columbia  be  attached  to  the  jurisdiction  of  California, 
pro  tempore;  and,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  of  that 
state  be  authorized  to  institute  subordinate  bodies  in  the  colony,  on  the 
receipt  of  proper  applications.  This  resolution  met  with  the  approval  of 
Eepresentative  Hovey,  of  Oregon,  the  nearest  jurisdiction,  and  of  Repre- 
sentative Bingham,  of  Canada  West,  the  leading  British  American  juris- 
diction, and  was  adopted. 

The  Introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship. — The  dispensation  for  the  first 
lodge  in  British  Columbia  was  issued,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California, 
on  the  27th  of  February,  1864,  and  was  sent  to  Brother  J.  S.  Drummond, 
who  had  been  the  leading  spirit  among  the  local  Odd  Fellows,  and  who 
was  appointed  District  Deputy  Grand  Master.  The  lodge,  however, 
Victoria,  No.  1,  was  instituted  by  Brother  A.  H.  Guild,  special  deputy, 
on  the  10th  of  March,  1864.  It  is  believed  that  this  was  the  first  benefit 
society  organized  in  the  province. 

Victoria  Lodge  made  fair  progress,  but  was  rather  too  conservative  in 
its  ideas  to  suit  its  more  enthusiastic  members ;  and,  after  a  few  years, 
some  of  them  "swarmed"  from  the  old  hive.  On  February  15,  1870, 
Brother  Drummond  instituted  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  2,  with  eight  charter 
members.  It  commenced  with  twelve  initiates  the  first  night,  and 
advanced  rapidly. 


472  TEE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT, 

The  Victorian  pioneers  found  difficulties  in  their  way,  but  were  not 
discouraged.  They  did  not  believe  in  cheap  Odd  Fellowship;  so  they 
charged  $55  admission  fees,  and  $12  annual  dues,  and  paid  benefits  in 
proportion.  When  money  was  low  in  the  treasury  they  advanced  what 
was  necessary ;  and  Victoria  Lodge  had  to  issue  scrip  for  a  time,  which 
was  taken  up  by  the  members,  and  redeemed  in  dues.  As  the  lodge  has 
since  then  been  able  to  expend  about  $60,000  in  benefits,  and  owns  real 
estate  assessed  at  $42,500,  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  the  '^ hard  times" 
were  tided  over.  Columbia  Lodge  has,  also,  prospered,  having  now  as 
assets,  in  cash  and  real  estate,  about  $60,000. 

As  soon  as  they  had  a  second  lodge,  some  of  the  brothers  began  to 
think  of  an  encampment ;  and  four  patriarchs  sent  a  petition  to  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  California  for  a  charter.  That  body  granted  the  petition, 
and  authorized  Grand  Patriarch  Bartlett  to  institute  the  encampment. 
Circumstances  preventing  the  Grand  Patriarch  from  visiting  Victoria,  he 
sent  a  blank  commission  to  Past  Grand  Master  Ezra  St.  John,  of  Port- 
land, Oregon,  who  filled  the  blank  with  the  name  of  Past  Chief  Patriarch 
Miller,  of  that  city,  and  sent  him  to  British  Columbia.  Under  the  plenary 
powers  with  which  he  had  been  vested,  Brother  Miller  conferred  the 
patriarchal  degrees  on  six  brethren,  and  these,  with  Patriarch  Drum- 
mond,  constituted  the  charter  members  of  Vancouver  Encampment,  No.  1, 
which  was  instituted  on  the  24th  of  January,  1871. 

It  is  a  notable  fact  that  among  the  charter  members  the  name  of  only 
one  of  the  original  petitioners  appears,  —  J.  S.  Drummond,  —  the  others 
having  been  dropped,  —  for  what  reason  was  never  satisfactorily  explained. 
Two  of  them,  —  Brothers  J.  P.  Davies  and  his  son,  Joshua  Davies, — 
memorialized  the  Grand  Encampment  of  California,  that  their  names  had 
been  omitted  in  the  list  of  charter  members,  without  their  knowledge 
or  consent,  and  protested  strongly  against  the  treatment  received.  It 
was  proposed  in  the  Grand  Encampment  to  place  their  names  on  the 
charter;  but,  instead,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate,  —  the 
charter,  in  the  meantime,  to  be  withheld.  This  committee  reported  at 
the  next  session  that  the  Grand  Patriarch,  Lewis  Korn,  having  announced 
the  amicable  adjustment  of  the  difficulty,  no  further  action  was  necessary, 
and  the  charter  was  accordingly  confirmed.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  however, 
the  difficulty  was  not  settled,  so  far  as  the  Brothers  Davies  were  concerned. 
They  always  maintained  that  they  had  been  unjustly  treated;  and  it  does 
not  appear  that  they  ever  completely  forgave  Brother  Drummond,  to 
whom  they  attributed  the  offence,  or  the  authorities  who,  in  their  opinion, 
failed  to  give  them  satisfaction.  The  occurrence  was  much  to  be  regretted, 
as  it  undoubtedly  had  an  injurious  effect  upon  the  Order  for  several  years. 

About  the  time  that  Vancouver  Encampment  was  organized,  the  Order 
stepped  from  Vancouver  Island,  and  gained  a  foothold  on  the  mainland. 


IN  BRITISH  COLUMBIA.  473 

—  New  Westminster  Lodge,  No.  3,  being  instituted,  at  New  Westminster, 
March  22, 1871,  by  Brother  J.  S.  Drummond. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  British  Columbia. —  For  some  time  no  more  lodges 
were  organized  in  British  Columbia,  and  the  brethren  felt  that  if  the  Order 
was  to  make  any  progress  it  should  have  home  rule.  California  was  too 
far  away.  Of  course,  the  law  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
required  ten  subordinates  to  constitute  a  Grand  Lodge,  but  it  seemed  to 
the  British  Columbia  Odd  Fellows  that  their  special  circumstances  called 
for  exceptional  treatment.  They,  therefore,  sent  an  urgent  memorial  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  at  its  session,  in  1871,  defining  the 
situation,  asking  for  a  charter,  and  offering  to  pay  the  expenses* of  their 
representative  until  such  time  as  they  had  the  requisite  ten  subordinates. 
The  supreme  body,  however,  with  its  usual  conservatism,  refused  to  grant 
the  petition ;  though  Representative  Woodyatt,  of  Ontario,  ever  watchful 
of  the  interests  of  Odd  Fellowship,  in  all  parts  of  Canada,  offered  a  reso- 
lution authorizing  the  granting  of  the  charter,  but  failed  to  secure  its 
adoption. 

At  the  next  session,  Brother  Woodyatt  again  presented  a  petition  to  the 
same  effect,  but  an  investigation  showed  that  Columbia  Lodge  did  not  join 
in  the  movement,  and  was,  apparently,  opposed  to  the  organization  of  a 
Grand  Lodge.  The  truth  was  that  the  disputes  arising  about  the  charter- 
ing of  Vancouver  Encampment  were  interfering  sadly  with  the  harmony  of 
the  British  Columbia  brethren ;  and,  of  course,  under  these  circumstances, 
and  with. the  small  membership  (some  three  hundred  in  all),  a  Grand 
Lodge  might  have  been  of  doubtful  utility ;  but  by  the  next  year  matters 
were  in  better  shape,  —  a  fourth  lodge  had  been  instituted,  Dominion,  at 
Victoria,  and  the  petition  for  the  Grand  Lodge  charter  bore  the  signatures 
of  a  majority  of  the  members,  —  two  hundred  and  eight  out  of  the  three 
hundred  and  sixty,  —  so  that  while  there  was  still  a  noticeable  lack  of 
unanimity,  there  could  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  wishes  of  a  decided  majority. 
Under  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  jurisdiction  it  was  thought  best 
to  grant  the  charter. 

It  became  necessary  at  this  time  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  to  settle  a  question  of  jurisdiction  which  had  given  rise  to  some 
confusion.  British  Columbia  had  been  attached  to  California,  before  the 
lodges  were  instituted;  and,  of  course,  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand 
Encampment  of  California  proceeded  to  institute  subordinates  as  though 
the  colony  was  a  part  of  their  own  state.  In  Utah,  when  the  first  lodge 
was  instituted,  it  was  placed  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Nevada,  and  that 
body  at  once  assumed  the  authority  to  institute  further  lodges  in  the 
territory.  In  the  same  way,  Oregon  had  possession  of  Idaho  and  Wash- 
ington ;  Colorado  had  control  over  Wyoming,  and  so  on.  This  condition 
of  affairs,  though  under  the  circumstances  of  great  benefit  to  the  Order, 


474  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

was  clearly  in  contravention  of  the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  which  secured  to  that  body  the  right  of  jurisdiction 
over  all  states  and  countries  where  no  Grand  bodies  existed.  Accord- 
ingly, at  the  session  of  1873,  the  legislative  committee  defined  the 
rights  and  powers  of  the  respective  bodies,  establishing  the  law  and 
the  practice  to  be  thereafter  followed,  that  in  all  countries  where  no 
Grand  Lodge  existed,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  alone,  could 
charter  a  subordinate;  but  that,  after  being  chartered,  such  subordinate 
might,  at  its  own  request,  be  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  nearest 
Grand  Lodge.  This  was  adopted,  and  all  subordinates  chartered  by 
Grand  bodies  outside  of  their  own  boundaries  received  new  charters,  in 
lieu  of  those  previously  held.  The  four  lodges  in  British  Columbia  thus 
received  new  charters  direct  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
—  a  fifth,  Black  Diamond,  at  Nanaimo,  was  instituted  April  7, 1874 ;  and 
on  the  25th  of  the  same  month,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  instituted  by  Past 
Grand  Representative  A.  Noltner,  of  Oregon.  Brother  J.  S.  Drummond 
was  the  first  Grand  Master ;  and  the  Order,  under  the  new  Grand  Lodge, 
started  with  about  three  hundred  and  eighty  members,  steadily  advanced 
for  the  next  few  years,  and  reached  five  hundred  in  1878.  But  business 
depression  then  intervened,  and  it  gradually  declined  until  it  touched  low- 
water  mark,  in  1882,  with  four  hundred  and  sixty-six  members, — then 
the  tide  turned.  In  Victoria,  however,  the  local  brethren  held  their  own, 
despite  the  hard  times,  and  rather  strengthened  their  position  by  the 
erection  of  a  large  and  commodious  temple.  —  Lodges  Numbers  1,  2,  and 
4,  formed  an  Odd  Fellows'  Union  for  the  purpose;  and,  as  a  result  of 
their  work,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  April  28,  1879,  The  dedication 
took  place  on  the  11th  of  March,  the  following  year. 

In  1893  the  Grand  Lodge  organized  its  first  subordinate,  —  Harmony, 
No.  6,  at  Wellington.  On  April  11,  1884,  an  auxiliary  endowment  asso- 
ciation was  organized.  In  1887  two  new  lodges  were  instituted ;  and  also 
the  first  Rebekah  lodge,  Colfax,  No.  1,  at  Victoria,  which  was  opened  on 
the  15th  of  December,  of  that  year.  Thenceforward  the  progress  of  the 
Order  has  been  continuous.  It  was  especially  noticeable,  in  1887  and 
1888,  under  the  administration  of  Grand  Master  Davies;  and  again,  in 
1893,  when  a  large  number  of  Manchester  Unity  Odd  Fellows  joined  our 
lodges.  In  1895  a  movement  was  initiated,  looking  towards  the  establish- 
ment of  an  Odd  Fellows'  home,  and  the  nv4deus  of  a  fund  for  that  purpose 
has  already  been  obtained. 

The  Encampments.  —  Reference  has  already  been  made  to  the  institu- 
tion of  Vancouver  Encampment.  At  its  own  request,  it  was  transferred 
to  the  jurisdiction  of  Oregon,  January  1,  1876.  On  the  24th  of  July, 
1877,  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  instituted  Harmony  Encampment,  No. 
2,  at  New  Westminster,  and  the  year  following  placed  it  also  under 


475 


igjiellingtoa,  and  Nanaimo,  No.  4,  at 

^4^^t  first  placed  undec  the  jnrisdic- 

..ransferred  to  WasMngton,  and  the 

>De  changed  fiom  Oregon  to  Wash- 

^yeieigu  Grand  Lodgq  to  a  sense  of 

^^^l^ing  the  subordinates  under  the 


'■^HuM^^.gj  decided  that  if  they  went  any- 
ITPl'HSi^t'tt'^'''?^  ^^  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  they 


Washington,  —  and  they  ^ 
instituted  at  Vancouver,  July  15, 


:or  a  charter  for  a  Grand  Encamp- 

iif^isking  for  the  dispensation,  which 

VSftie  28th  of  March,  District  Deputy 

i^l^Trand   Encampment.      Under  the 

—  _    _  i^^"''  '^^  patriarchal  branch  made 

;^^^i^t^iiUiSr£S!tak^^flundred  and  eighty-three  members 

^1il^>|il^^^^ff^  in  December,  1894.    So  new  sub- 

'■-'~^*^^^^Hii^;$^&^:time,  but  a  canton  was  mustered  in 


DIVISION  VII. 

ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  EUROPE. 

INTRODUCTION  OF  THE  AMERICAN  ORDER  INTO  CONTINENTAL  EUROPE  ; 
DIPLOMATIC  NEGOTIATIONS  ;  THE  QUASI-INDEPENDENT  SOVER- 
EIGNTIES ;  COMPACT  OF  1884  ;  THE  ORDER  IN  THE  GERMAN  EMPIRE, 
WITH  ITS  DISTRICT  GRAND  LODGES  OF  SILESLA.-POSEN,  BRANDEN- 
BURG, SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN-HAMBURG,  HANNOVER,  AND  WUR- 
TEMBERG;  THE  RITUAL  AND  CUSTOMS  PECULIAR  TO  EUROPE; 
FESTIVAL  LODGES;  ODD  FELLOWS'  DAY;  THE  GRAND  LODGES 
OF  SWITZERLAND,  DENMARK,  AND  SWEDEN;  KINGDOM  OF  THE 
NETHERLANDS;  THE  ORDER  IN  FRANCE  AND  ITALY;  PROMISE 
OF  OTHER  COUNTRIES. 

By  Hebman  Block,  Special  Deputy  Orand  Sire. 


CHAPTER  I, 

THE  ORDER  IN  EUROPE. 

Introduction.  —  Westward  had  been  the  course  of  Odd  Fellowship. 
Westward,  ho,  its  parole.  From  England  it  had  gone  West  to  the  United 
States  of  America  and  to  the  Dominion  of  Canada.  It  had  there  unfurled 
its  banners;  marshalled  its  champions  and  armies;  sown  its  seed;  had 
multiplied  the  principles  it  declared  and  maintained ;  had  been  recognized, 
adopted,  and  disseminated  until  the  Order,  in  its  dominion  of  peace  and 
good-will,  held  the  enormous  expanse  of  soil  between  the  Atlantic  and  the 
Pacific.  But  Odd  Fellowship  did  not  recognize  an  ocean  as  bounding  and 
binding  it.  It  proudly  declared  its  mission  to  bind  all  the  globe  by  one 
chain,  without  end,  a  chain  of  affection,  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth. 
Arriving  at  the  Pacific  ocean,  under  the  watchword  of  "  westward,  ho ! " 
it  speedily  changed  the  parole.  FltiB  vUray  ever  beyond,  was  adopted, 
and  henceforth  guided  its  course  of  empire. 

By  a  complete  change  of  front  it  directed  its  march  across  the  broad 
Atlantic  to  lay  the  chain  toward  the  East,  in  the  end  thus  to  join  again 

476 


THB  ORDER  IN  EUROPE.  477 

the  links  in  the  West^  where^  in  the  Mikado's  empire,  our  outposts  now 
await  our  columns  from  Inowrazlaw,  our  last  post  in  Prussia.  Only 
Russia  lies  between  the  two,  —  only  Kussia;  yes,  the  mighty  domain  of 
Russia,  as  yet  walling  in  its  land  and  people ;  vain  attempt  against  the 
ijifluence  of  surroundings.  We  shall  conquer  Russia;  our  efforts  will 
triumph.  Our  own  eyes  may  not  see  the  day,  although  each  one  of  us 
would  gladly  stand  on  the  Ural  and  watch  our  Order's  Eastward  line  of 
march.  God's  ways,  so  mysterious,  are  sure ;  are  swift,  seeming  slow :  we 
must  abide  his  time.  Such  waiting,  such  abiding,  knowing  what  the  result 
must  be,  is  glorious. 

Preliminary  Steps.  —  When  James  P.  Sanders  held  the  rudder  of  our 
Order's  bark,  searching  eyes  were  directed  toward  Prance  to  see  if  it  would 
not  be  soil  fit  to  receive  our  seed.  Saxon  hearts,  however,  received  it  before 
Celt  and  Frank,  in  continental  Europe.  From  the  extreme  west  coast  of 
America  came  the  order  to  ^'  About-face,  Eastward  march,  and  strive."  On 
Monday,  the  29th  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  Christ  1869,  when  E.  D. 
Famsworth  was  Grand  Sire,  and  James  L.  Ridgely  wielded  the  Order's 
pen, — in  truth  mightier  than  a  warrior's  sword, — in  regular  annual  ses- 
sion of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  for  the  first  time  held  near 
the  Pacific  ocean,  in  the  good  city  of  San  Francisco,  Grand  Representative 
E.  L.  Bristow  of  the  jurisdiction  of  Oregon  presented  a  memorial  of  the 
Grand  body  he  represented,  praying  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  to  cause  Odd  Fellowship  to  be  introduced  into  the  European  coun- 
tries of  Germany  and  Switzerland,  and  moved  its  reference  to  a  special 
committee,  which  was  '^  agreed  to."  The  presiding  of^cer  named  Repre- 
sentatives Bristow,  of  Oregon;  Fox,  of  California;  Past  Grand  Sires 
Race,  Nicholson,  and  Ellison,  as  such  committee.  The  very  brief  and 
concise  report  of  said  committee,  recommending  that  the  prayer  of  the 
memorial  be  granted,  was  submitted  and  adopted  at  the  same  session ; 
with  a  proviso  offered  by  James  P.  Sanders,  Past  Grand  Sire,  to  the  effect 
that  "the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  should  not  be  held  responsible 
for  any  part  of  the  costs  of  such  introduction."  This  was  singular  legislar 
tion.  A  measure  is  approved,  "  ordered  carried  out,"  but  it  is  not  to  cost 
anything !  At  the  end  of  the  session  Grand  Sire  Famsworth  did  not  find 
himself  in  an  enviable  position.  He  stood  charged  with  the  introduction 
of  the  Order  into  Europe,  and  not  only  had  no  funds  to  defray  expenses, 
but  was  told  the  work  must  be  done  without  expense  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 
What  was  he  to  do  ?  What  could  he  do  ?  He  came  very  near  abandon- 
ing all  hope  of  ever  succeeding  in  accomplishing  the  task  laid  upon  him. 
What  hope  could  he  have  in  the  face  of  the  fact  that  the  Grand  Lodge, 
although  approving  of  the  introduction,  refused  to  expend  a  comparatively 
small  sum  of  money  to  bring  about,  or  many  steps  nearer  to  it,  the  fulfil- 
ment of  its  promise  to  "  bind  the  globe  "  in  Odd  Fellowship  ? 


478  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Grand  Sire  Famsworth,  in  answer  to  questions  and  inquiries,  freely 
aud  unhesitatingly  stated  the  difficulties  of  his  position.  He  did  so  during 
a  meeting  of  Templar  Lodge,  No.  17,  of  California,  being  deeply  interested 
in,  and  anxious  to  "  carry  out,"  the  measure  committed  to  his  care,  which, 
perhaps,  never  would  have  been  attempted  had  it  not  won  his  earnest  and 
zealous  support,  as  well  as  that  of  his  successor  in  office.  Grand  Sire  Stuart. 
Grand  Sire  Farnsworth  himself  tells  us  how  deeply  he  was  surprised; 
nay,  how  he  was  almost  hurt  by  the  consequences  of  his  remarks  in  said 
lodge,  —  consequences,  it  is  due  to  him  to  say,  he  had  not  dreamed.  Tem- 
plar Lodge,  No.  17,  of  California,  having  heard  the  Grand  Sire,  forthwith 
drew  from  its  treasury  the  sum  of  $1200,  and  placed  it  in  his  hands  to 
enable  him  to  execute  the  order  of  his  Grand  Lodge.  Perhaps  Templar 
Lodge,  a  subordinate  lodge  of  the  Order,  whose  funds  were  trust  funds  to 
be  used  only  for  certain  fixed  and  well-defined  purposes  and  ends,  had  not 
the  right  to  make  this  appropriation,  and  Grand  Sire  Famsworth  remon- 
strated, hesitated  to  receive  the  gift.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  however,  clearly  had  the  right  to  appropriate  these  funds ;  having 
power  to  establish  the  Order  in  foreign  or  domestic  countries,  where  it  had 
not  yet  been  introduced,  —  the  law  which  gives  the  right  to  do  the  act,  of 
necessity  gives  the  authority  to  raise  the  means  required  for  its  execution. 
The  historian,  however,  records  with  pride  these  single  acts  of  good-will 
and  liberality,  even  when  they  break  down  barriers,  which  as  a  rule  are 
right,  in  a  great  and  good  cause.  There  are  moments  in  the  life  of  a  man 
when  the  divine  spark  within  him  alone  speaks  and  acts,  regardless  of  all 
else,  and  mankind  sees  such  acts,  feels  their  source  and  hows.  Grand  Sire 
Farnsworth  acquiesced.  Odd  Fellows  think  with  pride  of  the  acts  of 
Templar  Lodge,  whose  name  and  fame  as  a  true  lodge  of  our  Order  is 
known  and  beloved  in  its  remotest  jurisdiction.  There  is  no  act  of  record 
that  has  done  more  to  prove  the  unity,  as  well  as  universality  of  our  Order, 
than  this  vote  of  Templar  Lodge.  We  shall  hereafter  speak  of  other 
lodges  following  its  example. 

Diplomatic  Negotiations.  —  Having  obtained  the  means,  in  part  at  least. 
Grand  Sire  Famsworth  commenced  in  earnest,  and  his  next  step  was  to 
select  a  proper  person,  to  commission  as  a  special  deputy,  to  introduce  the 
Order  into  the  European  countries  designated.  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely, 
to  whom  the  mission  was  first  tendered,  felt  compelled  and  did  decline  it, 
on  account  of  his  health  and  his  official  duties.  Doctor  J.  F.  Morse,  then 
in  Europe,  Brother  B.  F.  Austin,  both  of  California,  and  Brother  Heddaeus, 
of  Ohio,  were  earnestly  recommended  for  the  position.  The  Grand  Sire, 
however,  had  a  very  important  question  to  settle  before  he  finally  selected 
fiis  commissioner ;  it  was  whether  the  political  governments  of  Germany 
and  Switzerland  would  consent  to  the  introduction  of  our  Order.  The 
consent  of  the  republic  of  Switzerland  was  presumed,  but  how  did  the 


THE  ORDER  IN  EUROPE.  479 

matter  stand  as  to  Germany  ?  Brother  Schuyler  Colfax  was  the  nation's 
Vice-President  at  that  time,  occupant  of  the  seat  of  the  President  of  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  and  could  give  powerful  aid,  therefore,  to 
Grand  Sire  Farnsworth.  Baron  F.  von  Gerolt  was  then  the  minister  at 
Washington  of  the  North  German  Union,  and  being  considted  by  the 
Grand  Sire,  the  Vice-President,  and  Senator  Fowler  of  Tennessee,  he  was 
furnished  a  full  statement  of  our  Order,  its  objects  and  undertaking 
(endeavor),  and  requested  to  submit  the  matter  of  its  introduction  into 
Germany  to  his  government.  This  step  of  Grand  Sire  Farnsworth  has 
proved  most  wise,  and  our  brethren  in  Germany  are  grateful  to  him  to  this 
day  for  his  cavef ul  proceedings  and  forethought. 

The  German  minister  agreed  to  make  proper  representations  to  his 
government,  and  to  the  representations  of  Baron  F.  von  Gerolt,  in  conse- 
quence made,  we  owe  the  permission  received  for  the  introduction  of  our 
Order  into  Germany.  It  seems  his  influence  at  Berlin  was  very  powerful, 
and  the  permission  obtained  through  him  is  even  now  a  useful  basis  of 
proceeding  for  the  German  lodges.  Having  left  said  matter  in  the  min- 
ister's hands.  Brothers  Farnsworth  and  Austin  took  passage  to  Europe, 
there  to  meet  Brothers  Morse  and  Heddaeus,  who  were  on  the  continent, 
and  to  devise  plans  of  action  and  settle  the  commissionership  \  it  having 
been  determined  that  it  would  be  best  for  Grand  Sire  Farnsworth  himself 
to  view  the  field,  before  making  his  selection. 

All  looked  hopeful  for  a  speedy  and  successful  beginning,  to  the  little 
party  on  board  of  the  Atlantic  liner ;  but  "  man  proposes,  God  disposes." 
Perhaps  the  best  and  most  effective  action  is  that  which  began  and  was 
consummated  amid  great  obstacles.  A  pilot  boat  boarding  the  steamer, 
off  the  coast  of  England,  conveyed  to  our  party  the  first  news  of  the  last 
great  war  between  France  and  Germany.  The  German  land  was  disturbed 
from  North  to  South ;  the  army  held  aJl  posts  and  railways,  private  enter- 
prise was  prostrate;  the  public  calamity,  the  great  war  just  declared, 
absorbed  the  nation's  attention.  Useless  appeared  the  trip  of  the  Grand 
Sire;  useless,  for  the  time  being,  all  his  carefully  prepared  steps.  The 
Grand  Sire  proved  himself  an  American,  —  ready  for  any  emergency. 
Landing  in  England,  a  continuance  of  his  journey  to  Germany  being 
scarcely  possible,  he  requested  Doctor  Morse  to  come  to  London  and 
advise  with  him. 

The  Special  Deputy.  — > Doctor  J.  F.  Morse,  of  California,  was  by  the 
Grand  Sire  commissioned  special  deputy  grand  sire  for  Germany  and 
Switzerland,  and  intrusted  with  the  introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship  into 
the  two  states.  The  special  deputy  was  provided  with  an  elaborate  essay 
upon  Odd  Fellowship  from  the  pen  of  Grand  Secretary  Eidgely,  a  master 
of  that  subject,  which  proved  very  useful.  He  was  furnished,  also,  with 
a  written  statement,  signed  by  several  senators  and  representatives,  in 


480  THE  THBJBJE-LIKK  FRATBRNITT. 

the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America,  attesting  the  worth  and 
value  of  our  Order,  its  usefulness  to  individuals  as  well  as  to  states,  and 
mankind,  generally.  In  this  account  we  must  now  leave  our  departed 
Grand  Sire,  the  lamented  Famsworth,  and  take  up  the  work  of  his  deputy, 
who  has  also  gone  from  among  us  much  beloved,  and  whose  memory  is 
still  revered. 

Brother  Morse  commenced  work  in  good  earnest,  war  and  troubles  of 
war,  notwithstanding.  Among  the  greatest  obstacles  encountered  by  him 
was  the  old  rule,  then  followed  and  in  force,  of  creating  new  lodges 
with  persons  only  who  are  members  of  the  Order.  That  rule  may  be 
reasonable  enough  in  a  land  wherein  the  Order  has  already  a  foothold, 
but  it  proves  a  great  hindrance,  nay,  a  very  great  detriment,  in  a  foreign 
land  where  the  Order,  a  stranger,  is  to  be  first  introduced,  especially 
because  it  does  not  put  the  Order  into  the  hands  of  the  people  of  the  land, 
but  into  the  hands  of  strangers.  We  have  learned  to  our  cost  that  our 
Order  in  ^^  strangers'  hands  "  will  remain  a  stranger  to  the  people  of  any 
land.  Grand  Sire  C.  A.  Logan,  establishing  the  Order  in  South  America, 
abrogated  this  rule,  and  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  approved  his  pro- 
ceedings. Grand  Sire  CI.  T.  Campbell  in  his  report  stated  the  present 
rule  to  be,  that  the  Order  should  be  introduced  only  into  a  foreign  country, 
if  the  people  thereof  are  ready  and  offer  to  receive  it,  and  to  them  it 
should  be  given.  Recently  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Block,  introducing 
the  Order  into  Italy,  followed  the  precedent  established  by  Grand  Sire 
Logan,  first  making  Odd  Fellows  of  the  citizens  of  the  country,  and  then 
receiving  their  petition  for  a  warrant.  The  history  of  our  Order  in  Germany, 
Denmark,  and  Switzerland  proves  how  detrimental  was  the  operation  of  the 
old  rule ;  that  of  Sweden  how  salutary  is  the  one  at  present  followed. 

Searching  for  Odd  Fellows.  —  It  is  of  great  interest  to  follow  Brother 
Morse  in  his  search  for  Odd  Fellows.  He  could  find  none.  In  his  search 
for  them,  seeking  aid  as  to  his  mission  generally,  he  called  upon  the 
American  ambassador  at  the  court  of  Berlin,  the  Hon.  George  Bancroft 
He  found  that  our  great  historian  '<  did  not  know  what  Odd  Fellowship 
was.''  The  statement,  in  Brother  Morse's  possession,  explaining  what  it 
was,  and  bearing  the  names  of  Senators  Morrill,  Sherman,  Schurz,  Conk- 
ling,  Morton,  and  many  others  of  world-wide  fame,  doubtless  made  as  great 
an  impression  upon  him,  and  opened  his  eyes  as  wide,  as  did  Grand  Secre- 
tary Kidgely's  able  exposition,  which  he  praised  as  an  unusually  able 
document.  His  excellency  thought,  perhaps,  the  consul-general  at  Berlin 
might  know  something  about  Odd  Fellowship,  and  Brother  Morse  directed 
his  steps  to  Mr.  Consul-General's  office  at  Berlin  and  inquired  if  he  knew 
any  Odd  Fellows  in  and  about  the  great  capital.  Listen  to  the  answer 
and  marvel :  "  Oh,  no,  my  acquaintances  are  all  from  New  York,  and  there 
are  no  Odd  Fellows  in  Kew  York ! "    How  Brothers  Sanders,  Dilks,  Steb- 


THE  ORDER  liV^  EUROPE.  481 

bins,  and  the  great  jurisdiction  of  New  York  will  enjoy  this  "  choice  bit "  of 
evidence  of  Brother  Morse's  search !  But  worse  obstacles  were  in  store  for 
our  patient  deputy.  September  2, 1870,  Minister  Bancroft,  who  had  applied 
for  Brother  Morse  to  the  Prussian  foreign  office  for  permission  to  introduce 
the  Order,  communicated  to  him  a  letter  of  Privy  Counsellor  Lothar  Bucher, 
Bismarck's  famous  "  right  hand,"  resurrecting  and  applying  an  old  law  of 
the  kingdom  of  Prussia^  passed  in  1798,  making  it  a  penal  offence 

"  To  belong  to  any  society  demanding  silence  as  to  secrets  revealed,  or  having  a  secret 
purpose,  or  using  secret  means  to  obtain  something,  or  using  occult  mystic  or  hieroglyphic 


means." 


It  is  passing  strange  that  it  did  not  occur  to  Bancroft  or  Morse  that 
our  Order  does  not  violate  any  of  these  provisions.  Meeting  obstacles  in 
every  direction,  Morse  turned  his  back  upon  Prussia,  and  with  true  American 
energy  and  persistence  directed  his  attention  to  other  parts  of  Germany ; 
especially  to  the  kingdom  of  Wtlrtemberg,  and  to  the  republic  of  Switzer- 
land. Addressing  our  minister  at  Berne,  capital  of  the  republic,  the  Hon. 
Horace  Kublee,  he  was  advised  that  under  the  liberal  Swiss  form  of  gov- 
ernment no  special  permission  from  the  Federal  council  was  needed  for 
the  introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship  into  the  republic.  A  change  now 
seemed  to  arise  in  the  affairs  of  our  Order  abroad, — no  longer  had  Morse 
to  work  in  the  shade  of  adversity;  success  began  to  dawn.  With  the 
reply  of  Minister  Eublee  came  a  batch  of  letters  conveying  good  news 
and  hope.  Moritz  Bemheim  of  Stuttgart,  now  an  honored  Past  Grand 
Sire  of  Germany,  residing  in  Switzerland,  to  whom  Brother  Morse  had 
been  recommended  by  Grand  Representative  Porter,  of  California,  advised 
him  that  by  "  advertising  in  the  daily  papers  "  he  had  found  four  Ameri- 
can Odd  Fellows:  Brothers  Schaettle  and  Kohlhaas,  of  Pennsylvania, 
Klauprecht,  of  Ohio,  and  H.  Womle.  Brother  Morse's  treasury  had  been 
well-nigh  emptied ;  it  was  now  replenished.  Aurora  Lodge  of  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  sent  ^100,  and  Harmony,  Germania,  and  Hermann  lodges  of  San 
Francisco  sent  the  large  sum  of  $900.  Money  had  been  sadly  needed  in 
the  enterprise,  and  again  San  Francisco  furnished  the  larger  part.  But 
glad  tidings  were  in  store  for  Brother  Morse,  news  that  eventually  assured 
success. 

Governmental  Concessions.  —  Grand  Sire  Stuart  communicated  a  note 
received  from  Baron  von  Grerolt,  at  Washington,  saying 

''That  he  had  commonicated  with  his  home  goyernment,  and  had  heen  instructed  to 
say  that  there  was  no  objection  to  the  introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship  into  Germany." 

Of  course  Brother  Morse  called  upon  Minister  Bancroft  with  this  let- 
ter, whereat  the  diplomat  was  most  astonished,  and  took  a  copy  to  show 
Counsellor  Bucher.    Morse,  calling  a  second  time,  was  not  received.    Later, 


482  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY, 

he  being  then  at  Dresden,  the  embassy  sent  him  a  copy  of  Bucher's  reply 
saying :  — 

"  There  is  no  legal  impediment  to  the  introduction  of  the  American  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lowship aa  far  as  the  same  is  in  exact  correspondence  with  the  regulations,  respecting  its 
organization,  etc.,  transmitted  hy  Baron  von  G^rolt." 

The  last-named  able  diplomat,  whose  correspondence  shows  a  kindly 
disposition  toward  our  Order,  it  seems,  had  known  how  to  convince  his 
government  that  our  Order's  beneficial,  humanitarian  influence  is  useful  to 
any  government.  Tradition  states  that  the  order  in  question  was  made 
in  camp  before  Paris,  during  the  bombardment  of  the  beleaguered  city, 
by  the  hand  of  Wilhelm  I.,  Germany's  beloved  emperor,  upon  the  relation 
of  his  chancellor,  "  the  man  of  iron,"  Bismarck.  Yet  the  Order  still  meets 
at  times  with  police  opposition  in  Germany.  When  Teutonia  Lodge, 
No.  3,  of  Brandenburg,  was  instituted  at  Lychen,  the  police  of  that  small 
town  proposed  to  take  it  under  control  as  a  "  secret  society,"  but  the  Prus- 
sian interior  department  overruled  the  Order,  holding  that  whatever  secrets 
the  lodge  possessed  related  to  some  ceremonies,  indifferent  to  the  state. 
Within  the  last  year  the  Grand  Master  of  Silesia-Posen  has,  again,  had 
to  overcome  police  opposition  and  efforts  to  place  lodges  under  police 
supervision. 

Speaking  of  the  difficulties  attending  the  introduction  of  our  Order  into 
Prussia,  Brother  Morse  said 

**  That  nothing  could  surpass  the  inexplicable  and  ubiquitous  antagonisms  he  had  to 
overcome  by  a  determined  and  deathless  endurance ;  that  even  the  grandest  success  did  not 
solve  the  problem  of  an  opposition  whose  mystic  presence  and  power  would  have  crushed 
any  element  of  perseverance,  which  had  not  been  given  an  electro-magnetic  life." 

We  do  not  fully  understand  the  meaning  of  the  sentence,  but  can  form 
a  very  good  opinion  as  to  the  direction  whence  the  opposition  came. 

The  First  Lodges.  —  The  first  German  lodge  was  instituted  within  the 
kingdom  of  Wtlrtemberg.  On  the  1st  of  December,  1870,  the  special 
deputy  instituted  Wtlrtemberg  Lodge,  "No.  1,  at  Stuttgart ;  on  the  2nd  of 
April,  1871,  Germania  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Berlin,  Prussia ;  and  on  the  22nd 
of  March,  the  same  year,  the  first  encampment,  Farnsworth,  No.  1,  was 
called  into  life  at  Berlin.  Into  Switzerland  the  Order  was  introduced  by 
the  institution  of  Helvetia  Lodge,  No.  1,  in  the  city  of  Zurich,  in  the 
canton  or  state  of  the  same  name.  These  four  pioneer  bodies  in  Europe 
still  carry  proudly  aloft  the  banner  of  our  Order  first  intrusted  to  them. 
Welcoming  the  writer  during  his  first  visit  to  Wtlrtemberg  Lodge,  No.  1, 
the  Noble  Grand  feelingly  alluded  to  the  fact  of  this  lodge  being  the  one 
first  instituted  in  Germany ;  and  added  that  it  would  continue  to  carry  in 
advance  the  Order's  spotless  banner,  as  in  olden  times,  the  Suabian  duke, 
their  lord,  had  always  been  selected  in  war  to  bear  the  martial  banner 
of  the  empire. 


THE  OBBER  IN  EUROPE.  488 

The  work  assigned  to  the  special  deputy,  to  wit,  the  introduction  of 
our  Oyder  into  Germany  and  Switzerland,  having  been  thus  completed, 
he  continued  for  a  time  his  labors  in  the  two  states.  With  the  help  of 
efficient  aids  found  in  B.  F.  Austin,  of  California ;  Brother  Samuel  Yorke 
At-Lee,  editor  of  the  New  Age,  then  in  Europe ;  Moritz  Bemheim,  Hugo 
Wollheim;  Past  Grand  Eepresentative  F.  S.  Ostheim,  of  Oregon,  and 
Otto  Schaettle,  he  organized  several  other  lodges.  The  space  allotted  to 
us  dpes  not  permit  us  to  dwell  longer  upon  his  work ;  labor  so  well  and 
so  carefully  performed,  —  although  he  was  a  stranger  to  the  land  and  its 
language, — that  even  now  it  is  praised  whenever  reference  is  had  to  the 
Order's  birth  in  Europe.  Our  illustrious  brother  returned  to  America  in 
the  summer  of  1871,  blessed  by  the  brothers  he  left  behind  him,  blessed 
as  well  by  those  to  whom  he  returned,  who  received  him  with  a  brother's 
welcome,  loading  him  with  well-deserved  honors.  His  death  occuired 
soon  afterward,  in  1875. 

The  Order's  Progress. — After  the  departure  of  Brother  Morse,  the 
Order  continued  to  grow  in  Germany  and  Switzerland.  It  was  under  the 
immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica, of  course,  which  afterward  became  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  and 
Hugo  Wollheim  executed  its  authority  as  Morse's  successor. 

An  Independent  Sovereignty.  —  In  1872  a  Grand  Lodge  was  chartered, 
of  which  more  will  be  said  hereafter.  It  had  a  very  comprehensive, 
almost  independent,  charter,  excepting  only  the  secret  work,  which  it  was 
still  bound  in  form  as  well  as  substance  to  receive  from  America.  Under 
this,  its  first  gwowMudependent  charter,  it  called  into  life  both  Grand  and 
subordinate  bodies,  and  administered  the  law  of  the  Order  in  its  jurisdic- 
tion without  serious  or  lengthy  disturbances  in  harmony  and  peace ;  but 
in  the  course  of  time  it  became  manifest  that  while  our  German  brethren 
were  in  full  accord  with  us  as  to  the  spirit  of  our  Order  and  a  part  of  our 
ritual,  some  of  our  forms,  modes  of  procedure,  rulings  and  decisions,  had 
become  objectionable  to  them.  Petition  after  petition  was  sent  to  Amer- 
ica from  Germany  demanding  changes  of  forms  and  ritual.  That  we 
could  not  change  the  ritual  so  satisfactory  in  our  own  domain,  to  accept 
one  that  would  suit  Germany,  seemed  clear.  Perhaps  no  ritual  "  made 
by  us  "  would  have  pleased  them.  The  spirit  of  independence  began  to 
assert  itself  in  the  German  mind.  Politically  an  independent  nation, 
though  but  just  become  such,  —  perhaps  because  of  that  circumstance, — 
it  proposed  to  be  independent  in  all  things,  in  the  matters  also  of  the 
Order.  Such  a  spirit  of  independence  is  natural,  right,  and  proper,  and 
must  be  recognized ;  but  regard  should  be  shown  to  the  unity  of  our  Order 
as  well.  We  could  not  grant  nor  consent  to  an  independence  that  would 
be  absolute,  and  destroy  our  unity.  We  did  not,  nor  do  we,  desire  several 
orders;  but  one  harmonious  organization  to  cover  the  world.     In  unity 


484  T^E  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

there  is  strength.  How  were  the  two  apparently  conflicting  elements  to 
be  united,  harmonized  ?  How^f ar  might  we  go  in  the  direction  of  grant- 
ing the  claimed  independence,  without  erring  as  to  the  maintenance  of 
our  Order's  unity  ?  After  full  consideration  of  the  subject-matter  of  Ger- 
many's petition,  and  upon  the  very  elaborate  and  comprehensive  report  of 
its  now  famous  sub-committee  on  revision, — composed  of  Past  Grand  Sires 
Nicholson,  Sanders,  Stokes,  and  Garey,  —  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  held 
and  decided  as  follows  upon  the  points  and  matters  involved :  — 

Statement. — "Our  work  gives  satisfaction,  general  satisfaction,  in  America,  we  can- 
not alter  it  to  please  another,  a  foreign  people;  the  use  of  two  kinds  of  work  in  this  country 
is  a  manifest  absurdity;  on  the  other  hand  we  cannot  exp&ct  that  another  people,  politically 
independent,  speaking  another  tongue,  with  a  literature  of  their  own,  with  poets,  artists, 
scientists,  historians,  and  statesmen  of  world-wide  reputation,  should  long  receive  and 
acquiesce  in  our  forms  of  expression  and  modes  of  conveying  our  thoughts,  which  have  to 
be  by  verbal  translation  put  from  our  tongue  into  theirs.  The  questions  that  have  arisen 
and  those  that  unquestionably  would  arise,  unless  prevented  on  our  part,  might  disturb  our 
harmony,  might  even  create  disruption.  There  is  but  one  solution  of  the  questions  under 
discussion.  If  Odd  Fellowship  is  to  encircle  the  globe,  it  can  only  be  done  by  a  fnU 
acknowledgement  of  the  principle  of  *  Independence,'  and  to  each  foreign  jurisdiction  there 
must  be  conceded  almost  complete  independence ;  as  complete  as  the  unity  of  the  order,  to 
be  preserved  at  aU  hazards,  wiU  permit,  and  binding  it  only  to  the  preservation  and  main- 
tenance as  a  common  inheritance  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  every  land  and  every  tongue,  of 
three  great  essentials :  — ^ir<r.  The  preservation  and  assertion  of  the  principles  of  Odd 
Fellowship.  Second^  The  achievement  of  the  objects  and  purposes  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  Third,  The  adherence  to  the  unwritten  work,  as  it  emanates  from 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  including  the  A.T.P.W.  and  explanation." 

We  well  remember  with  what  admiration  the  able  report,  in  part 
quoted  above,  was  received ;  how  it  was  adopted  with  scarcely  a  dissenting 
voice.  Its  author  should  forever  aflRx  "Nestor"  to  his  name.  But  man,  by 
nature  eloquent,  becomes  doubly  so  when  speaking  in  favor  of,  and  about, 
great  issues.  Words  coming  from  the  profoundest  depth  of  the  heart  will 
move  responsive  hearts,  and  thereby  rule  and  govern.  It  is  patent  how 
difficult  it  was  to  secure  at  this  critical  time  the  proper  legislation.  One 
mistake  would  have  been  ruin ;  yet  we  who  were  present  can  testify  how 
easily  it  all  was  adjusted.  Man  seeing  a  great  right  in  jeopardy  can  and 
will  surely  act  judicially,  for  man  is  the  image  of  his  Creator. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  above  report  and  the  action  taken  never 
intended  to  give,  nor  did  it  give,  "  complete  "  independence.  That  would 
have  been  suicidal,  an  act  of  disruption,  and  is  expressly  negatived.  The 
unity  of  the  Order  was  to  be  preserved  at  all  times. 

The  Agreement. — This  basis  of  action  having  been  settled,  it  was 
ordered  that  the  officers  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  should  embody 
said  "  three  cardinal  points  reserved  "  into  the  form  of  an  agreement,  set- 
ting forth,  in  detail,  just  what  was  understood  thereby ;  that  such  agree- 
ment, containing  a  promise  to  abide  by  the  same,  should  be  signed  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire  and  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge ; 


THE  OBBER  IN  EUROPE.  486 

and  that,  such  agreement  being  signed  and  delivered,  a  new  charter  should 
be  made  and  attested  and  delivered  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German 
Empire,  conveying  all  the  full  and  exhaustive  powers  ceded  to  the  same 
by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

Said  agreement  was  made,  signed,  delivered,  and  said  charter  made 
accordingly.^  This  charter  has  been,  with  accompanying  agreement,  the 
basis  of  similar  charters  thereafter  granted  to  Australasia,  to  Switzerland, 
to  Denmark,  and  to  Sweden.  We  shall  not,  therefore,  here  recur  to  the 
details  of  it,  the  manner  of  its  grant  and  its  provisions,  referring  again 
to  it  in  the  history  of  Switzerland  and  Denmark. 

Progress  under  the  Quasi-Independent  Charter. — This  charter,  and  its 
extended  powers,  having  been  granted,  affairs  moved  smoothly  in  our 
trans-Atlantic  jurisdiction.  Germany  seemed  to  enjoy  its  newly  acquired, 
soK^alled  independence,  and  considered  and  disposed  finally  of  a  number 
of  questions  that  had  been  vexatious  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge ;  for 
he  who  sits  in  judgment,  sits  there  to  mete  out  justice;  and  he  cannot  be 
just  to  his  own  satisfaction  unless  he  understands  and  grasps  the  full 
import  of  the  question  before  him.  Questions  coming  from  Europe  were 
rarely  in  shape  to  be  understood  in  all  their  bearings.  The  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  had  no  more  questions  from  Germany.  It  had  emancipated 
its  daughter,  a  daughter  young  in  years ;  it  had  sent  her  into  the  world  to 
fight  her  own  battles ;  sent  her  alone  and  unaided.  The  daughter  did  not 
ask  for  her  mother's  counsel  and  advice.  Estrangement  was  the  natural 
consequence.  Estrangement  is  the  precursor  of  disunion  and  disruption. 
The  daughter  forgot  that  she  gave  a  sealed  bond  to  the  mother;  the 
mother  forgot  she  held  the  bond,  and  did  not  act  as  a  mother  should,  did 
not  watch  over  her  child. 

The  great  sovereign  head  of  the  Order  forgot  that  it  was  bound  to  pre- 
serve the  Order's  unity ;  to  see  that  nothing  occurred  having  a  tendency 
to  loosen  our  connection,  to  injure  our  working  capacity.  Our  unity  is  a 
precious  treasure.  "You  have  a  world's  organization  in  your  charity," 
we  were  told  in  Italy,  "therefore  we  come  to  you."  In  union  there  is 
strength.  The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  was  losing  connection  with  its 
foreign  jurisdictions,  of  which  it  had  no  outward  bond  to  show  the  inner 
union  of  ideas ;  it  began  to  forget  them ;  it  no  longer  knew  its  members ; 
not  knowing  them,  how  could  it  love  them  ?  Members  of  the  Order  in 
Germany  boldly  claimed  that  jurisdiction's  complete  independence;  "that 
they  had  nothing  more  to  do  with  us."  At  the  same  time  other  jurisdic- 
tions, established  in  Europe,  contended  earnestly  for  a  position  of  qaasi- 
independence  like  that  granted  to  Germany.  Intercourse  with  Germany 
ran  down  to  a  few  letters;  letters  with  vexing  and  annoying  questions 
came  from  other  jurisdictions  in  Europe  by  the  score.    No  one  knew  the 

^  JouniAl,  p.  M66,  SMslon  of  1884. 


486  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY, 

writers,  nor  what  weight  to  give  to  their  statements.  It  was  feared  that 
if  more  gucm-independent  charters  were  granted,  a  complete  disunion 
would  follow.  There  was  no  one  to  hold  together  and  unite,  in  them- 
selves, the  various  European  jurisdictions,  all  of  which  had  opposing 
tendencies,  —  the  one  against  the  other. 

This  unfortunate  condition  of  things  was  felt  most,  seen  clearest,  in 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge's  committee  on  foreign  relations ;  but  where 
was  the  remedy,  and  was  the  evil  one  so  generally  felt  that  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  would  promulgate  the  remedial  basic  principle  ? 

Present  Oversight.  —  Past  Grand  Master  Herman  Block,  of  Iowa,  long 
the  chairman  of  said  committee,  being  about  to  go  to  Europe,  offered 
Grand  Sire  Underwood,  through  Grand  Representative  Powers,  to  make 
the  tour  of  our  European  jurisdictions,  visit  our  lodges,  commune  with 
them,  and  report  to  him  the  result.  "  All  of  which  was  to  be  done  with- 
out cost  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge."  Grand  Sire  Underwood  issued 
to  him,  accordingly,  a  commission  as  special  deputy.  Brother  Block 
complied  with  his  undertaking,  visited  many  lodges,  and  reported  what 
he  foimd  and  saw.  Upon  the  consideration  of  his  report,  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  approved  it,  and  the  Grand  Sire's  act,  and  reappointed 
Brother  Block  its  commissioner  to  Europe.  He  paid  all  of  his  expenses 
until,  —  having  paid  several  thousands  of  dollars  out  of  his  own  means, 
and  feeling  unable  to  do  so  alone  any  longer,  —  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
agreed  to  allow  a  sum  of  money  which  pays  about  one-half  of  his  expenses, 
with  which,  loving  his  work,  he  is  content.  He  still  holds  that  position, 
and,  in  writing  this  article,  is  prohibited  from  enlarging  upon  his  own 
action  except  as  it  appears  of  record.  He  transformed  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Denmark  into  a  gucm-independent  body  under  great  difficulties ;  also 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Switzerland ;  organized  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden; 
introduced  Odd  Fellowship  into  Italy ;  and  he  conscientiously  believes  he 
is  doing  some  good  in  his  official  position.  Viewed  with  considerable  sus- 
picion when  he  first  came,  he  believes  he  is  the  now  recognized  friend  and 
helper  of  the  Order  in  Europe.* 

The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  is  everywhere  acknowledged  as  the  head 
of  the  Order,  and  through  him  is  in  full  connection  with,  and  has  exhaus- 
tive reports  from,  all  European  jurisdictions.  We  pass  now  from  this 
general  history,  and  common  introduction,  to  a  more  detailed  narrative  of 
the  creation  and  growth  of  Odd  Pellowship  in  each  European  land  wherein 
it  has  gained  a  foothold  or  home,  beginning,  as  is  proper,  with  that  coun- 
try into  which  it  was  introduced  first  of  all,  the  empire  of  Germany. 

^  NoU  by  Ihs  JSdiior'in-Chi^. —The  advantage  to  the  Order  of  haying  sach  an  official,  resident  in 
Europe,  is  apparent  to  anyone  who  reads  the  letters  written,  annually,  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  from 
foreign  Jurisdictions.  Especially  is  this  true  when  legislation  Is  the  topic  of  consideration.  Some  phases 
of  the  translations  would  become  amusing  if  not  too  serious  for  Jesting,  and  Brother  Block  being  Inmiediately 
at  hand  to  properly  interpret  is  a  ftct  of  supreme  importance. 


THE  GERMAN  EMPIRE.  487 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  ORDER  IN  THE  GERMAN  EMPIRE. 

Geography  and  Government. — The  empire  of  Germany  —  bounded  on 
the  south  by  Switzerland ;  on  the  west  by  France,  Belgium,  and  Holland ; 
on  the  north  by  the  German  ocean,  Denmark,  and  the  Baltic  sea ;  and  on 
the  east  by  Bussia  and  Austria  —  is  composed  of  four  kingdoms :  Prussia, 
Saxony,  Bavaria,  and  Wtlrtemberg ;  six  grand  duchies,  five  duchies,  seven 
principalities,  and  three  free  cities, — the  remnant  of  the  once  famous 
confederation  of  imperial  towns  called  the  "Hansa,"  to  wit,  Hamburg, 
Lubeck,  and  Bremen,  —  comprising  in  all  (censxis  of  1890)  a  population 
of  49,422,928,  more  than  three-fifths  parts  thereof  being  Protestants,  while 
less  than  two-fifths  are  of  the  Boman  Catholic  faith. 

It  is  surrounded  by  powerful  countries,  some  of  them  its  declared 
enemies,  and  hence  supports  a  very  large  standing  army.  Its  government 
is  decidedly  monarchical,  if  in  some  things  limited,  and  a  very  large 
majority  of  the  people  are  content  with  this  form  of  government,  desiring 
none  other.  At  the  head  of  its  government  stands  the  emperor,  Wilhelm, 
second  of  his  name.  The  imperial  power  is  so  firmly  and  well  settled 
that  to  assail  it  from  within  is  almost  hopeless ;  yet  the  country  has  and 
does  suffer  from  socialistic  troubles,  it  is  disturbed  by  anti-Semitic  questions 
and  has  been  by  clerical  issues. 

For. national  purposes  the  states  of  Grermany  —  always,  when  under 
one  government,  an  elective  monarchy  —  are  firmly  united  into  a  confed- 
eracy governed,  under  the  emperor,  by  a  Federal  council  and  a  Diet 
(Beichstag  =  realms-day).  Laws,  to  be  valid,  must  be  passed  by  an 
absolute  majority  of  both  bodies  and  have  the  imperial  assent.  Members 
of  the  Diet  are  elected  by  the  people,  those  of  the  Federal  council  are 
appointed  by  the  various  governments.  Under  this  government  there  is 
very  great  security  of  person  and  property. 

People  and  Language. — The  people  are  industrious,  thriving,  prosper- 
ous ;  in  character  they  are  frugal,  earnest,  truthful,  brave,  and  intelligent. 
The  prevailing  language  of  the  land  is  the  "  High  German '' ;  the  fate  of 
the  "  Low  German,"  yet  spoken  to  some  extent  in  the  northern  provinces 
and  districts,  as  a  language  was  practically  decided  by  Luther's  translation 
of  the  Bible  into  the  High  German.  That  Germany  —  home  of  the  Minne- 
singers, of  Hutten,  Zwinglius,  Luther,  Melanchthon,  of  Klopstock,  Less- 
ing,  Schiller,  and  Goethe  —  has  for  many  centuries  been  a  home  of 
literature  and  culture  requires  no  proof.  At  present  the  German  mind 
is  tending  in  scientific  directions,  rather  than  in  those  of  fiction. 

Lodges  and  Encampments.  —  Such  is,  in  brief,  a  description  of  the  land 


488  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

into  which  our  Order  was  introduced  by  Brother  Doctor  Morse,  as  hereto- 
fore described,  on  the  22nd  of  May,  1871.  Through  night  to  light,  —  once 
introduced,  after  incredible  obstacles,  —  Odd  Fellowship,  received  by  the 
nation,  was  held  and  became  more  and  more  beloved  and  appreciated  on 
account  of  its  inherent  value.  Closely  upon  the  institution  of  Germania 
Lodge  followed  the  creation  of  many  other  lodges.  During  the  earlier 
years  of  the  life  of  ouj  Order  in  Germany,  the  people's  preference  seemed 
to  be  in  favor  of  lodges ;  lately,  however,  the  encampments  have  multiplied, 
and  they  have  become  very  useful,  reuniting  conflicting  opinions  arising 
in  the  different  lodges. 

Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire. — With  the  year  1872,  the  Order 
in  Germany  had  assumed  such  proportions  that  it  was  given  a  grand 
charter.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Grerman  Empire  was  first  chartered, 
to  be  located  at  Berlin,  Prussia.  The  powers  with  which  it  was  invested 
were  unusual,  —  a  mark  of  the  very  great  confidence  already  reposed  in 
the  German  brotherhood.  The  charter  directed  that  the  body  it  created 
should  be  independent  in  all  things,  except  that  it  should  receive  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  the  cards  and  words,  as  well  as  the 
secret  work,  written  and  unwritten,  which  it  was  not  at  any  time  in  any 
wise  to  alter  or  repudiate,  but  to  retain  it  as  used  and  practised  in  America. 
Said  charter  allowed  the  chartering  of  Grand  as  well  as  subordinate  bodies 
of  the  Order,  and  ceded  jurisdiction  over  the  single  encampment  then 
existing  in  Germany,  —  Farnsworth,  No.  1,  at  Berlin.  Beoommending 
that  a  charter  of  such  comprehensive  nature  be  issued,  the  standing 
committee  on  correspondence,  in  support  of  its  proposition,  suggested :  — 

"  It  is  practically  impoBsible  for  us  to  control  Odd  FeUowship  in  countries  not  on  this 
continent.  Our  institution  must  become,  as  it  were,  indigenous  in  each  separate  nation, 
incorporated  into  its  customs  and  modes  of  thought.  It  most  in  each  country  have  and 
find  its  growth  in  the  mode  peculiar  to  the  people  thereof." 

Li  the  early  grant  of  this  charter  we  also  see  the  origin  of  the  liberal 
policy  of  America  toward  jurisdictions  beyond  its  continent,  —  a  policy  so 
wise  and  generous  that  it  has  enabled  us  to  extend  our  Order  as  rapidly  as 
could  reasonably  be  expected.  Ten  lodges  are  named  in  said  charter,  to 
wit,  Germania,  No.  1 ;  Borussia,  No.  2 ;  Teutonia,  No.  3 ;  Templar,  No.  4 ; 
Concordia,  No.  5;  Humboldt,  No.  6,  of  Prussia;  Wtlrtemberg,  No.  1; 
Donau,  No.  2;  Schiller,  No.  3,  of  WUrtemberg;  and  Saxonia,  No.  1,  of 
Saxony;  and  all  of  said  pioneer  lodges,  save  Donau,  No.  2,  of  Wtlrtem- 
berg, have  continued  uninterruptedly  in  our  Order's  philanthropic  work, 
and  are  still  leading  in  the  same. 

There  was  great  rejoicing  in  Germany  on  the  receipt  of  the  charter. 
In  organizing  the  Grand  body  under  its  privileges,  Hugo  WoUheim, 
successor  of  Morse,  was  elected  first  Grand  Sire ;  Moritz  Bernheim  and 


THE  GEBMAN  EMPIME.  489 

Otto  Schaettle,  e£B[cient  aids  to  Morse,  were  made,  respectively,  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  and  Grand  Secretary.  Brother  Bemheim  lives  at  Zurich,  and 
is  a  Past  Grand  Sire  of  Germany ;  Brother  Schaettle,  Past  Grand  Sec- 
retary of  Germany,  resides  at  Stuttgart,  and  is  a  member  of  Schiller 
Lodge,  No.  3. 

The  uninterrupted  growth  of  the  Order  seems  to  have  been  strength- 
ened by  the  impetus  of  a  separate  organization ;  for  July  1, 1873,  only 
about  two  years  after  the  Order's  first  introduction,  we  read  of  sixteen 
lodges, — seven  at  Berlin;  one  each  at  Hannover,  Hildesheim,  Gorlitz, 
Ulm,  Munich ;  two  each  at  Dresden  and  Stuttgart ;  and  of  five  encamp- 
ments, —  two  at  Berlin,  and  one  each  at  Hannover,  Dresden,  and  Stutt- 
gart, with  a  membership  (two  lodges  not  reporting),  of  869,  and  annual 
receipts  of  over  $7000.  F.  S.  Ostheim,  Past  Grand  Eepresentative,  of 
Oregon,  of  whom  it  is  said  that  he  originated  the  movement  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Oregon  leading  to  the  Order's  introduction  into  Germany,  was 
Grand  Sire;  Wilhelm  Altvater,  Grand  Secretary;  and  Otto  Schaettle, 
Grand  Treasurer.  The  first  subordinate  Grand  Lodge,  that  of  Branden- 
burg, had  been  organized,  and  a  library  of  the  Order  founded  and  created. 
Prosperous  as  we  find  the  Order  in  1873,  we  find  it  greatly  increased  three 
years  later,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire  ruled  over 
three  state  Grand  Lodges,  —  Brandenburg,  WUrtemberg,  and  Hannover, 
—  with  a  membership,  in  the  aggregate,  of  2000. 

*'  Facultative  "  Benefits :  Police  Supervision.  —  Li  1876  we  learned  how 
impossible  it  was  to  govern  the  nations  of  the  earth  by  the  same  form 
of  law,  —  a  fact  our  Grand  Lodge  had  long  since  acknowledged.  By  the 
representations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire,  it  was  made 
to  appear  that  a  controversy  had  arisen  between  our  lodges  at  Berlin  and 
the  police  department  of  that  city.  Said  police  authorities  regarded  an 
imperial  law,  —  putting  certain  societies,  paying  its  members  stipulated 
benefits  in  consideration  of  fixed  dues  received  from  them,  under  police 
control  and  supervision,  —  applicable  to  the  Order,  and  proposed  to  hold 
them  criminally  liable  as  insurance  societies  transacting  insurance  business 
without  government  permission.  Again  our  Grand  Lodge  was  petitioned 
for  help.  Considering  the  appeal  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
requested  its  Grand  Sire,  then  the  Hon.  M.  J.  Durham,  a  representative 
in  Congress  from  the  state  of  Kentucky,  and  Senator  Oliver  P.  Morton 
of  Indiana,  and  Senator  Aaron  A.  Sargent  of  California,  who  then  held 
membership  in  our  Order,  to  use  their  influence  with  the  government  of 
the  United  States  so  as  to  procure  from  the  department  of  state  a  direc* 
tion  to  the  Hon.  J.  Bancroft  Davis,  our  minister  at  Berlin,  to  intercede, 
as  much  as  the  case  would  permit,  with  the  authorities  at  Berlin  in  favor 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire.  An  order  was  made,  accord- 
ingly, by  the  secretary  of  state ;  the  intercession  proved  in  vain.    Can  the 


490  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

benevolent,  unselfish  character  of  our  Order  be  better  illustrated  than  by 
the  fact  that  it  received  from  its  government  what  an  individual,  perhaps, 
never  received, — intervention,  in  the  tribunals  of  a  foreign  country, 
through  its  diplomatic  representative,  in  what,  extensive  as  it  is,  must 
be  termed  nevertheless  a  private  matter? 

Again  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire  appeared,  memorializing 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  submitted  that  it  was  compelled 
to  either  entirely  abolish  the  feature  of  benefits,  or  to  make  them  **  facul- 
tative," a  German  technical  term,  which,  in  substance,  means  "  according 
to  the  circumstances  of  each  case " ;  that  it  had  decided  in  favor  of  the 
latter  alternative,  and  it  now  prayed  for  authority  to  act  accordingly. 

The  record  of  action  upon  this  petition  is  left  in  a  singular  condition. 
The  matter  was  referred  to  a  proper  committee,  which  recommended 
granting  the  authority  asked,  when  Past  Grand  Sire  Sanders  moved  to 
"  strike  out "  of  the  report  all  of  this  matter,  leaving  only  another  rather 
unimportant  one ;  his  motion  prevailed,  and  thereupon  the  report,  with 
this  subject  stricken  therefrom,  was  adopted ;  so  says  the  record.  What 
became  of  Germany's  petition  ?  From  the  reports  and  letters  of  our  able 
and  most  careful  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  ^  we  learn  that  the  motion  to 
*•'  strike  out "  prevailed,  because  Germany,  under  its  charter,  already  had 
the  power  to  bestow  what  it  asked  permission  to  grant.  How  simple  it 
would  have  been  had  the  committee  so  stated  ?  The  record  would  have 
been  in  much  better  shape.  The  conclusion  reached  would  have  been 
better  understood.     Germany's  benefits  are  "  facultative  "  to  this  day. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  state  here,  that  in  the  discussion  of  Australasian 
questions  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  we  learned  that  under  British 
colonial  and  imperial  acts  (the  so-called  Friendly  Societies  Acts)  every  lodge 
must  submit  to  a  government  actuary  (Bureau  of  Statistics)  its  financial 
plan,  and  can  be  chartered  only  after  approval  of  the  plan  by  said  officer. 
Presumably  there  are  many  states  which  control,  or  seek  to  supervise,  the 
insurance  companies  within  their  limits.  The  writer  cannot  see  any  very 
great  danger  in  this  so^jalled  "  police  control,"  nor  does  he  think  it  would 
have  been  for  any  length  of  time, — possibly  only  until  the  character  of  our 
Order,  new  in  the  land,  should  be  better  known.  Would  not  such  knowl- 
edge serve  to  the  advantage  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  avoid  many  difficulties 
now  arising,  because  it  is  not  so  known  ?  What  have  we  to  fear,  what  to 
conceal  from  the  government  ?  But  the  question  is  no  longer  an  open  one. 
Happily  no  other  case  is  on  record  showing  a  departure  from  our  funda- 
mental maxim  of  "fixed  benefits  for  fixed  dues."  In  Australasia  the 
limited  governmental  control,  evidently  just,  has  not  worked  to  the  detri- 
ment of  the  Order. 

Strife  and  Dissension. — With  the  above  difficulty  settled,  clouds  of 

1  Journal  of  the  Onnd  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  p.  7608. 


THE  GERMAN  EMPIRE.  491 

another  nature  obscured  the  horizon  in  Germany.  True,  a  fourth  state 
Grand  Lodge  had  been  chartered,  but  the  membership  did  not  increase, 
though  it  did  not  decline.  We  heard  of  great  depression  in  business,  of 
stringent  measures  of  retrenchment,  among  them  a  petition  to  be  allowed 
to  do  their  own  printing  of  official  documents,  cards,  etc.,  a  condition  which 
it  seems  lasted  imtil  1881.  It  existed  during  the  entire  period  of  the 
administration  of  Grand  Sire  Albert  Roth,  an  administration  signalized  by 
internal  strife  and  dissension.  This  officer  informed  us  he  had  suspended 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Brandenburg,  saving  one  of  its  lodges ;  that  he  had 
taken  all  its  lodges  under  his  control  until  the  next  session;  that  the 
Berlin  lodges  had  seceded;  and  that  about  six  months  afterward  he 
revoked  his  own  order.  An  entire  Grand  Lodge  suspended ;  all  the  Berlin 
lodges  seceding  but  one ;  that  one  retained  under  the  Supreme  Lodge's  pro- 
tection, so  to  say,  after  the  difficulty  seems  to  have  been  settled,  is  a  strange 
spectacle,  —  we  hope  the  only  one  of  its  kind.  The  documents  at  hand  do 
not  advise  us  as  to  the  basis  of  this  dissension. 

In  1881  we  were  advised  that  the  Order  in  Germany  had  lost  in  mem- 
bership. The  decline  continued  until  1883,  when  the  membership  had 
fallen  to  1566.  Several  reasons  were  assigned  for  this  loss,  among  them  a 
difficulty  about  Danish  lodges  (more  fully  stated  in  the  history  of  Den- 
mark), and  dissatisfaction  in  Germany  with  the  secret  work  furnished  by 
America.  Considerable  opposition  was  manifested  against  the  dramatic 
portion  of  the  ritual,  and  it  was  strongly  urged  that  lectures  should  be 
substituted.  Perhaps  there  was  another  reason  for  the  decline  in  mem- 
bership. The  jurisdiction  of  Germany  was  organized  by  American  Odd 
Fellows,  and  with  many  false  ideas  as  to  its  operation  in  behalf  of  native 
members.  Regular  benefits  were  abolished  and  "facultative"  benefits 
substituted.  The  Order  had  not  become  the  property  of  the  German 
people  to  such  an  extent,  for  example,  as  it  now  has ;  it  remained  too  much 
an  American  institution  in  Germany,  —  all  these  matters  helped  in  bring- 
ing about  the  crisis,  which  was  a  necessity.  The  Order  had  to  be  purified 
of  elements  not  properly  its  own. 

The  Second  Charter  of  the  German  Empire.  —  Out  of  the  fires  and 
flames  of  the  crisis  Odd  Fellowship  arose.  Phoenix-like,  girded  with  new 
strength  and  vigor.  As  always,  since  its  existence,  the  head  of  the  Order 
took  great  interest  in  the  welfare  of  this  jurisdiction.  During  the  ses- 
sion held  in  1883,  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  Germany's  petition 
and  grievances  were  at  length  considered.  As  the  result  of  the  delibera- 
tions we  have  the  memorable  charter  to  which  reference  is  made  in  our 
introductory  chapter,^ — the  second  charter  granted  to  Germany.  As  it 
abrogates  the  first,  it  constitutes  under  our  constitution  the  fundamental 
law  of  the  Order  in  Germany.    A  comparison  of  the  two  documents  shows 

1  Jonniftl,  1884,  p.  9656. 


492  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

that  in  one  direction  the  new  charter  contained  an  enlargement,  in  others 
a  reduction  of  the  powers  granted  by  the  first  charter.  The  first  charter 
bound  Germany  to  the  secret  work,  as  from  time  to  time  fixed  by  the 
head  of  the  Order,  and  to  conserve  the  principles  of  the  Order,  as  well  as 
achieve  its  objects ;  otherwise  it  was  free  to  act  as  its  judgment  should 
dictate.  Under  said  charter  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire 
abolished  fixed  benefits,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  with- 
out sanctioning  that  proceeding,  in  substance  held  that  it  had  inherent 
power  so  to  do.  Has  it  still  such  power  ?  The  new  charter  is  made,  in 
connection  with  an  agreement,  specifying  what  shall  be  meant  and  under- 
stood by  the  powers  reserved.  The  agreement  is  signed  and  sealed  by 
the  contracting  parties,  is  a  part  of  the  charter,  which,  in  terms,  refers  to 
it.  The  agreement  provides,  among  other  matters,  that  "  mutual  relief, 
fixed  weekly  dues  and  fixed  weekly  benefits,  visitation  of  the  sick,  relief 
of  the  distressed,  burial  of  the  dead,  and  the  education  of  the  orphan,  are 
objects  and  purposes  of  Odd  Fellowship,"  to  which  Germany  is  to  con- 
form. It  further  states  that  ^he  qualification  for  membership  in  the 
Order  shall  not  be  altered,  nor  shall  the  forms  in  the  book  of  forms  be 
changed.  The  charter  and  agreement  give  Germany  full  power  to  settle, 
give  and  make  its  own  "  written  "  secret  work,  as  long  as  it  retains  therein 
the  principles  established  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

This  charter,  whatever  its  faults  and  omissions  may  have  been,  seemed 
to  be  satisfactory  in  Germany,  and  its  issuance  was  followed  by  gpod 
results.  It  gratified  German  feelings  of  independence,  —  Germany  made 
its  own  secret  work,  so  did  all  other  foreign  nations,  as  soon  as  they  re- 
ceived power  so  to  do.  Each  ritual  is  different,  diverging  widely  from  the 
other.  All  contain  gems  that  we  could  use,  by  the  side  of  very  much 
matter  which  is  infinitely  inferior  to  our  own  ritual ;  but  this  might  have 
been  anticipated.  That  new  life  and  energy  was,  by  the  receipt  of  this 
charter,  put  into  the  jurisdiction,  cannot  be  denied,  —  its  membership  has 
grown,  and  is  steadily  increasing.  The  jurisdiction  of  Germany  is  by 
far  the  strongest  on  the  continent,  of  Europe. 

German  Grand  Sires. — The  following  is  a  list  of  brothers  who  have 
occupied  the  chair  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire,  in  order  of 
seniority,  from  its  institution:  Hugo  Wollheim,  F.  S.  Ostheim,  Moritz 
Bernheim,  Conrad  Setzer,  Mr.  Elsasser,  E.  Praetorius,  Albert  Roth,  Carl 
F.  G.  Lesser  (two  terms),  Ferdinand  Aschersop,  Hector  Dillinger,  and  Paul 
Gerlach  for  three  terms  past. 

Pictures  of  the  Present  Condition  of  our  Beloved  Order.  —  We  have 
lodges  in  all  the  states  of  Germany,  except  some  very  small  principalities ; 
in  the  Roman  Catholic  as  well  as  in  the  Protestant  states.  Odd  Fellows 
battle  as  actively  under  the  banner  of  "  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,"  for 
the  elevation  of  the  human  race  in  Germany  as  they  do  in  America,  but 


THE  GERMAN  EMPIRE.  493 

their  mode  of  working,  the  form  in  which  they  clothe  the  never-varying 
spirit  of  their  work,  is  somewhat  different  from  what  it  is  in  the  United 
States  of  America.  ,0n  the  one  hand  the  Order  does  not  limit  its  benefits 
to  the  membership ;  on  the  other,  it  does  not  pay  fixed  benefits  to  the 
membership,  but  such  as  the  circumstances  of  each  case  require.  Hence 
benefits  are  unequal,  as  we  are  told,  like  those  paid  by  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity. This  feature  no  American  Odd  Fellow,  the  writer  included,  will 
admire ;  but  it  has  some  excellent  features,  and  the  departure  from  the 
time-honored  American  rule  was  compulsory,  as  has  been  stated.  There 
is  not  as  great  need  for  certain  fixed  benefits  in  Grermany  as  there  is  in 
America.  We  are  often  told,  and  not  in  a  pleasant  way,  that  most  of  our 
members  in  America  are  with  us  for  benefits'  sake.  Granting  this,  only 
for  argument,  a  reply  suggests  itself :  They  have  a  right  to  come  to  us 
for  benefits;  they  cannot  get  them  elsewhere,  and,  therefore,  our  noble 
Order, — in  pursuance  of  its  purposes  to  "  carry  out "  its  objects  of  charity 
to  all  men,  but  by  no  means  its  only  or  paramount  purpose,  —  "  invites  " 
all  its  worthy  members  to  receive  them  as  a  right  and  not  a  charity. 
Whether  they  join  our  noble  institution  for  '^  benefits'  sake  "  can  seldom 
be  determined  and  adjudged,  and  is  immaterial;  they  have  a  right  to 
them,  have  paid  for  them,  and  they  can  take  them  without  a  blush  of 
shame,  with  the  serene  calm  composure  of  a  right.  If  Germany's  laws 
were  not  what  they  are.  Odd  Fellows  would  be  derelict  in  duty  without 
fixed  benefits ;  but  under  their  peculiar  laws  they  cannot,  and  need  not, 
give  them. 

Government  Insurance,  Stipends,  or  Weekly  Benefits.  —  By  an  imperial 
statute  it  is  in  Germany  enacted  that  all  laborers  and  employes,  in  short 
all  persons  not  engaged  in  business  on  their  own  account,  shall  be  and  are 
insured  by  the  imperial  government  against  sickness  and  disability,  and  a 
person  arriving  at  the  age  of  seventy  years  is  conclusively  presumed  to  be 
disabled,  in  such  a  way  that  during  sickness  and  disability  the  government 
pays  him  certain  weekly  benefits  or  stipends,  during  the  continuance 
thereof.  All  must  insure  in  the  lowest  class,  but  may,  at  their  option, 
insure  in  one  of  the  higher.  The  employer  is  bound  to  see  that  his 
employ^  is  insured  and  must  pay  a  weekly  premium,  in  stamps  pasted  into 
the  employe's  insurance  book,  to  the  government  for  such  insurance.  One- 
half  of  said  premium  he  may  deduct  from  the  employe's  wages, ''  the  other 
one-half  he  must  himself  pay  alone,"  and  Germans  think  the  last  provision 
is  right.  Whoever  employs  a  day-laborer  on  the  first  day  or  hour  of  the 
week  must  pay  the  premium.  No  employer  need  pay  a  higher  premium 
than  that  of  the  lowest  class  of  insurance.  A  person  insured  under  this 
wise  and  beneficial  law  has  insurance  of  the  most  effective  kind,  at  the 
lowest  cost  possible,  and  need  pay  but  one-half  of  such  costs,  —  his 
employer  paying  the  other  one-half.    He  certainly  will  not  petition  Odd 


494  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Fellowship  in  order  to  obtain  benefits,  nor  can  our  lodge  compete  with  the 
government's  cheap  insurance.  All  societies  offering  faced  benefits  for 
Jixed  dues  fall  under  close  governmental  control.  Here  is  an  explanation 
of  the  fact  that  we  do  not  find  a  day-laborer  among  the  membership  in 
Europe,  or  Germany  at  least.  He  gets  from  the  government  more  than  he 
would  from  the  lodge.  His  pay  is  much  smaller  than  that  of  an  American 
of  his  class  who  is,  as  a  rule,  his  superior  in  intelligence,  and  the  annual 
cost  of  lodge  membership  is  much  higher,  on  an  average,  than  it  is  in 
America.  Here  we  find  two  distinguishing  features:  no  fixed  benefits, 
and  no  day-laborers  in  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Order's  membership. 

Pleasant  Social  and  Family  Relations.  —  In  Germany  no  one  joins  the 
Order  for  the  sake  of  benefits.  He  joins,  not  to  receive,  but  to  give  finan- 
cial aid,  to  help  "carry  out"  our  Order's  great  philanthropic  work.  He 
joins,  to  obtain  the  great  social  privileges  offered  by  membership;  joins, 
to  feel  and  receive,  and  to  help  foster  and  augment  the  benign  influence 
of  our  Order,  spurning  egotism,  preaching  and  acting  altruism.  Relief, 
however,  where  its  need  is  shown,  is  swift  and  adequate,  abundant.  Dur- 
ing our  presence  at  a  lodge  session,  many  hundred  marks  were  collected 
to  enable  a  suffering  member  to  reach  a  mountain  dimaf — men  and  women 
were  assigned  to  care  for,  and  watch  over,  his  family  during  his  absence. 

There  is  very  much  aid,  help,  and  support  furnished  to  a  member  in 
another  direction,  and  in  ways  that  make  life  sweet  and  pleasant.  His 
lodge  is  the  member's  family,  and  he  the  family's  beloved  member.  It 
cares  for  him  when  he  is  abroad,  as  well  as  at  home.  He  writes  and 
receives  letters  of  sympathy  and  friendship.  An  officer  in  the  China  fleet 
will  detail  his  experience,  sure  of  his  brother's  sympathy;  a  brother 
trading  at  or  near  the  pole,  in  his  leisure  hours,  enjoys  his  lodge's  letter 
in  answer  to  his  own.  The  lodge,  the  larger  family,  is  with  its  member 
at  the  important  events  in  his  inner,  closer  family,  is  with  him  at  his 
engagement,  his  nuptials,  the  birth  of  his  children,  as  it  aids  him  in 
rendering  the  last  services  to  his  departed  dear  ones.  This  condition  of 
things  cannot  be  too  highly  praised  nor  over-valued.  We  have  ourselves 
felt  the  influence  for  good  of  this  gentle  brotherly  love  many  times.  Be 
it  in  reverently  pausing  before  the  large  epitaph  found  upon  the  wall  of 
almost  every  lodge's  anteroom,  and  reading  the  touching  tribute  there 
recorded  to  its  dead ;  be  it  descending  from  the  lodge-room  proper  of  our 
Astrsea  Lodge  at  Inowrazlaw,  in  the  Russian  border,  and  on  entering  its 
splendidly  illumined  halls  and  reception  rooms,  being  taken  by  the  hand, 
a  stranger,  with  pleasant  greetings  from  gentle  lips,  and  welcomed  as  one 
well  and  long-known  by  reputation,  —  for  be  it  known  that  this  good  and 
true  lodge,  on  all  lodge  nights,  has  its  members'  families  assemble  below, 
and  when  the  session  closes,  meet  with  the  brethren  as  one  large,  happy 
family ;  or  be  it  on  arriving  at  distant  Rome,  and  finding  that  the  Noble 


THE  GERMAN  EMPIRE.  495 

Grrand  of  our  Bavaria  Lodge  in  Munich,  Germany,  had  placed  parties  in 
that  city  at  our  disposal,  unbeknown  to  us,  to  aid  us,  guard  us,  to  be  good  to 
us.  We  will  at  all  times  willingly  and  to  our  utmost  ability  bear  evidence 
as  to  the  enduring  strength  of  an  Odd  Fellow's  brotherly  love  in  Germany, 
as  well  as  to  the  tenderness  and  gentleness  with  which  it  confers  its 
favors. 

The  social  life  of  the  Order,  for  a  proper  description  thereof,  requires 
a  pen  abler  than  ours,  yet  we  have  enjoyed  it  fully.  There  is  no  great 
gathering  of  the  Order  in  Germany,  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  realm  included,  wherein  the  members'  wives  have  not  a  share. 

Temples  and  Lodge  Homes.  —  Cultivating  as  much  as  it  can  the  social 
relations,  ties,  and  bonds  among  its  members.  Odd  Fellowship  requires  of 
necessity,  and  has  very  cosy  and  very  large,  also,  assembly  and  society 
rooms.  It  has  magnificent  lodge-rooms  and  temples  at  Kiel,  at  Ham- 
burg, at  Altona,  at  Dresden.  By  far  the  largest  majority  of  the  German 
lodges  live  in  their  own  homes.  One  of  the  finest  lodge  buildings  in  Ger- 
many is  that  of  the  Kaiser  Friedrich  Lodge,  in  Charlottenburg,  adjoining 
Berlin ;  three  stories  high ;  its  lodge-rooms  proper  are  fitted  in  the  purest, 
strictest  Gothic  style.  Lodge-rooms  in  Germany,  generally,  are  without 
windows ;  are  rarely  shown  to  outsiders,  and  scarcely  ever  rented  to  other 
associations.  The  brotherhood  wishes  to  hold  its  temples  undefiled,  as 
they  say.  At  Berlin  twelve  bodies  of  the  Order  hold  their  weekly  meet- 
ings in  the  great  temple  on  old  Jacobs  street,  erected  on  grounds  owned 
by  the  Order.  On  the  ground  floor  is  a  restaurant,  fitted  up  in  mediaeval 
style.  Broad,  easy  stairs  lead  to  the  next  story,  the  home  of  the  lodges, 
with  two  fine  lodge-rooms.  The  lodge  that  initiates  has  the  larger  one, 
in  order  to  use  the  splendid  organ,  the  gift  of  the  sisters  of  Berlin. 
There  are  a  number  of  committee  and  other  rooms.  The  third  story  is 
occupied  by  the  large  banqueting  hall,  seating  five  hundred  persons.  Ele- 
gant driveways  lead  through  an  arch  to  the  building,  which  is  sufficiently 
removed  from  the  street  so  that  its  noise  may  not  disturb  the  brethren. 

As  a  man's  surroundings  influence  him,  so  will  and  must  the  associa- 
tions of  our  Order  have  their  influence  upon  it.  Although  we  do  not  allow 
political  questions,  we  cannot  exclude  all  topics  of  a  social  or  political 
nature,  hence  the  wisdom  of  acknowledging  that  our  organization  must, 
as  it  were,  "  be  born  again  "  in  each  foreign  country ;  led  by  the  proper 
spirit  of  Odd  Fellowship,  it  is  immaterial  under  what  form  it  does  its 
good  work. 

Beneficial  Institations.  —  We  have  already  shown  that  our  financial 
benefits  are  withheld  from  a  large  class  of  citizens,  because  of  the  sur- 
rounding laws ;  that,  for  the  same  reason,  others  recei\  e  them  in  a  far 
different  shape  than  we  do.  We  will  now  briefly  show  what  beneficial 
institutions  have  been  called  into  life  by  our  brothers  surrounded  as  they 


496  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

are,  and  under  their  views  accordingly  formed,  —  and  we  can  here  con£< 
dently  ask  you  to  judge  them  by  the  fruit  borne. 

The  Odd  Fellow  mortuary  fund  at  Munich,  with  1100  members,  has 
property  held  for  its  life-insuring  purposes  of  30,000  marks.  (The  pur- 
chasing value  of  a  mark  in  Germany  is  much  greater  than  its  exchange 
value  of  23  cents,  often  equal  to  a  dollar.)  TJie  "  Odd  Fellows'  Stipend," 
a  society  to  award  annuities  to  deserving  students  of  both  sexes,  has 
already  disbursed  over  1300  marks,  '^  mostly  to  outsiders,"  among  them 
American  students,  and  has  21,000  marks  on  hand.  One  lodge  has  raised 
a  fund  for  a  large  funeral  benefit,  another  for  a  large  widows'  and 
orphans'  allowance.  Hassia  Lodge,  at  Hesso-Cassel,  gathers  the  ends  of 
cigars  to  sell,  and  in  one  year  it  thus  raised  1400  marks,  and  uses  the 
proceeds  to  clothe  poor  children  for  confirmation.  Again,  another  lodge 
maintains  a  number  of  free  beds  in  a  hospital. 

The  German  Odd  Fellows'  sanitarium  is  located  upon  beautiful  hills 
near  the  city  of  Greiz,  with  two  noble  mansions  just  completed.  "  The 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  erected  these  buildings  out  of  love  as  a  home  for 
its  members,"  is  the  inscription  above  its  gates.  It  is  to  furnish  all 
members,  and  their  families,  with  a  place  of  refuge  and  resort  in  cases 
of  shattered  health,  or  during  recovery  from  sickness.  Expenses  are  paid 
by  annual,  voluntary  dues  from  brothers  and  lodges,  donations,  and  bills 
of  parties  able  and  willing  to  pay.  The  home  is  the  product  of  Past 
Grand  Eugene  Grimm,  of  Leipsic,  and  Lipsia  Lodge,  but  all  German 
lodges  contribute  toward  its  support.  Another  enterprise,  of  much  char- 
ity and  benevolence,  if  in  a  new  line,  is  the  result  of  the  noble  work  of 
Justitia  Lodge,  at  Berlin.  It  bears  the  name  of  the  Order's  ^^  Vacation 
Colony,"  and  annually  sends  a  large  troop  of  poor,  sick,  and  puny  children 
from  the  crowded  city  into  the  fresh  and  salubrious  country  air,  or  to  the 
invigorating  breezes  of  the  seashore.  Last  year  the  Deputy  Grand  Master 
of  Brandenburg,  a  teacher  of  merit,  was  sent,  with  his  lady,  in  charge  of 
over  fifty  children;  all  returned  ruddy  and  healthy.  Surely,  here  we 
have  an  example  worthy  of  imitation.  Brcmember  the  Master's  words 
regarding  the  little  ones.  A  few  words  must  be  said  about  certain  cus- 
toms of  the  Order  in  Germany,  peculiar  to  the  same. 

"Featival  Lodges." — These  are  held  at  anniversaries,  to  celebrate  the 
coming  of  some  visitor  of  note,  or  an  event  of  interest  to  the  lodge  or  Order, 
during  and  connected  with  a  regular  or  "  called  "  session,  and  surrounded 
with  great  solemnities.  In  1894  Grand  Eepresentative  August  Grass- 
mann,  visiting  lodges  in  Europe,  received,  together  with  the  writer,  an 
invitation  to  visit  Breslau  which  was  accepted.  The  Grand  Master  of 
SilesiarPosen  (the  border  jurisdiction  of  Germany,  adjoining  the  Czar's 
dominion).  Brother  Emanuel  Schweitzer,  had  issued  his  proclamation  for 
a  festival  lodge  in  their  honor.     This  jurisdiction,  one  of  the  best  in  Grer- 


THE  GERMAN  EMPIRE.  497 

many,  responded,  and  met  in  the  hall  of  Morse  Lodge,  No.  2,  and  Moltke 
Lodge,  No.  5.  The  Noble  Grand  of  the  former  presided,  the  Noble  Grand 
of  the  latter  occupying  the  vice  grand's  chair,  the  Grand  Master  being 
seated  in  the  chaplain's  place.  We  were  introduced  with  grand  honors. 
Brother  Grassmann  was  seated  on  the  right  of  the  chair,  and  the  special 
deputy  was  given  the  past  grand's  seat.  There  was  a  very  large  attend- 
ance, and  all  the  brothers  were  in  full  evening  dress.  The  hall,  unusually 
large  and  roomy,  was  brilliantly  lighted.  An  "  introduction  "  was  played 
upon  their  fine  organ.  Then  the  chaplain  ofEered  prayer.  The  Grand 
Master  arose  and  gave  a  choice  speech  of  welcome ;  then  lodge  after  lodge 
followed,  through  its  delegation,  signifying  their  regard  for  us,  the  pleasure 
they  felt  in  having  us  in  their  midst  Brother  Grassmann  and  ourself 
delivered  orations.  Then  followed  informal  intercourse  between  guest 
and  members  imtil  the  formal  closing  of  the  meeting.  In  the  evening  a 
banquet  was  given  in  our  honor,  a  huge  floral  tribute  standing  before  each 
plate.  The  members  seemed  to  enjoy  our  presence,  and  neither  Brother 
Grassmann  nor  ourself  will  ever  forget  the  event,  with  its  many  lasting 
impressions.  We  partook  of  a  feast  of  love,  for  the  brothers  "  called  us," 
treated  us  as  they  did,  to  demonstrate  their  love  for  our  Order ;  and  we 
enjoyed  being  where  we  were  because  we  knew  that  but  a  short  distance 
east  a  high  waU  and  a  Cossack's  gun  would  refuse  us  fellowship,  even 
admission. 

**Odd  Fellows'  Day."  —  It  is  held  biennially,  in  the  year  wherein  no 
session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  realm  is  held,  at  some  city  selected  for 
its  central  location,  or  the  sights  it  offers;  the  meeting  usually  beginning 
with  Whitsunday,  and  lasting  for  several  days.  It  is  a  sort  of  general 
parliament  of  the  membership,  without  a  sergeant-at-arms,  but  the  Grand 
Master  of  the  state  and  the  Grand  Sire  attend,  and  watch  the  proceedings 
to  prevent  the  introduction  of  improper  matters.  The  members  come  from 
the  four  quarters  of  the  land,  and  bring  their  families.  Members  only 
attend  the  business  meeting,  whereat  orations  are  made,  essays  and  lec- 
tures delivered,  and  laws  explained  Whosoever  wishes  to  discuss  a  point 
must  give  previous  notice ;  and  that  being  given,  the  matter  is  subject  to 
debate.  Members  of  high  or  low  standing  in  the  Order  have  equal  privi- 
leges. The  great  usefulness  of  Odd  Fellows'  day  lies  in  the  fact  that  it 
brings  together  the  people  of  the  Order,  whose  erroneous  opinions  are 
corrected  by  the  highest  officers  present ;  whose  just  demands  are  more 
readily  heard  and  asserted  than  in  the  regular  way.  At  first  opposed  to 
the  holding  of  these  meetings,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  realm  now  encour- 
ages them,  and  in  so  doing,  in  the  writer's  opinion,  it  acts  wisely.  At  the 
close  of  the  business  meeting  the  members  and  their  families  join  in  a 
general  excursion.  Much  that  we  have  related  applies  equally  to  other 
countries  on  the  European  continent. 


498  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

General  Summary. — The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire  has 
under  its  jurisdiction  six  district  Grand  Lodges:  Silesia-Posen,  Bran- 
denburg, Schleswig-Holstein-Hamburg,  Hannover,  and  WUrtemberg,  with 
sixty-three  lodges ;  and  six  more  lodges  and  nine  encampments  under  its 
immediate  jurisdiction.  There  has  not  been,  and  probably  never  will  be, 
a  Grand  Encampment  in  Germany ;  representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge  is 
denied  to  encampments.  The  membership  in  Germany  has  risen  to  4024. 
During  the  last  four  years,  under  its  limited  system  of  relief,  the  sum  of 
60,330.90  marks  was,  nevertheless,  paid  for  relief.  The  receipts  during 
said  four  years,  —  two  terms  of  the  Grand  Lodge, — amounted  to  409,324.19 
marks.  Initiations  during  that  time  amounted  to  945,  about  twenty-five 
per  centum  of  the  entire  membership,  and  this  fact  speaks  strongly  of  the 
prosperous  condition  of  the  Order  in  Germany.  There  were  426  dis- 
missed by  card  (many  being  taken  to  start  new  lodges) ;  169  members 
were  suspended;  94  died;  and  only  19  were  expelled,  during  the  four 
years.     Germany's  prospects  for  increase  in  membership  are  good. 

Honors  awarded.  —  Much  of  the  prosperity  of  this  Grand  jurisdiction 
is  due  to  the  efficient  work  of  the  able  men  who  stand  at  its  head,  who 
lead  in  its  affairs.  Paul  Gerlach,  at  present  the  Grand  Sire  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Germany,  has  been  reelected  to  that  important  position  full 
three  times.  He  is  careful  and  cool,  a  noble  pattern  of  a  presiding  officer; 
hence  he  commands  very  general  respect,  is  supported  by  all  sections  of 
the  land.  As  Grand  Sire  he  has  large  representative  duties  to  perform, 
and  in  his  unbounded  hospitality  is  fully  seconded  by  his  excellent  wife. 
Government  Secretary  Meyendorff  has,  as  Grand  Secretary,  been  his  able 
aid,  and  has  wielded  the  Order's  pen  almost  from  the  time  of  its  insti- 
tution, and  is  one  of  the  most  genial  of  men.  Among  the  prominent 
brethren  moulding  and  shaping  the  Order's  course  and  work,  we  name : 
Ferdinand  Ascherson,  Past  Grand  Sire,  Grand  Master,  of  Brandenburg; 
Herrman  Seelmeyer,  Past  Grand  Master,  and  Ludwig  Brandt,  Past  Grand 
Representative,  of  Brandenburg ;  Gust.  Goldschmidt,  Past  Grand  Master, 
Grand  Treasurer,  and  Emanuel  Schweitzer,  Grand  Master,  of  Silesia- 
Posen;  Eugene  Grimm,  Grand  Representative,  of  Leipsic.  There  are 
others  just  as  able,  but  we  have  not  space  to  record  their  names. 


CHAPTER  IIL 

ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  SWITZERLAND. 

« 

Geographical  and  other  Features.  —  The  republic  of  Switzerland  adjoins 
Germany  on  the  north,  Italy  on  the  south,  France  on  the  west,  and 
Austria  on  the  east.     It  contains  about  15,721  English  square  miles,  with 


CONTINENTAL  EUROPE.  499 

a  population  of  2,918,179.  It  is  divided  into  twenty-two  cantons  or  states, 
and  is  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles  wide  from  east  to  west,  and 
one  hundred  and  thirty  miles  from  north  to  south.  The  land  in  the  north- 
ern and  western  cantons  is  comparatively  flat,  serving  for  agricultural, 
dairy,  and  grape-raising  purposes;  the  remainder  is  mountainous,  with 
many  fertile  valleys,  and  eyeryfoot  of  ground,  fit  for  cultivation,  is  used. 
Wood-cutting  and  carving  is  one  of  the  chief  employments  of  the  people 
in  the  mountainous  parts;  in  the  cities  there  are  many  factories.  The 
fact  that  the  commerce  of  this  inland  country  has,  in  proportion  to  popu- 
lation, exceeded  that  of  any  other  European  continental  country  shows 
its  importance. 

The  cantons  of  Switzerland  are  either  absolute  or  representative  democ- 
racies. In  the  cantons  of  Uri,  Appenzell,  and  Unterwalden,  of  the  former, 
you  may  still  see  the  Landgemeinde  (Lands-congregation)  meet  and  make 
laws  in  the  open  air.  The  Landamman  presides  with  the  "swords  of 
justice  "  driven  into  the  ground  before  him,  as  an  evidence  of  his  author- 
ity. The  decision  is  by  a  "  show  of  hands,"  counted  by  the  "  Waibels," 
in  ancient  costume,  and  as  they,  also,  announce  the  result,  they  are  impor- 
tant persons  in  these  assemblies  of  the  people.  The  latter  class  of  cantons 
are  governed  by  one  house  called  the  "Grand  council."  The  central 
authority  of  the  republic,  as  a  body,  is  held  by  a  double  house,  a  "  Coun- 
cil of  estates "  (classes)  composed  of  forty-four  members,  two  from  each 
canton,  and  a  "National  council "  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  members, 
elected  by  the  cantons  in  the  proportion  of  one  for  every  20,000  of  its 
inhabitants.  The  executive  authority  is  delegated  by  these  two  bodies 
to  a  "  Federal  council "  of  seven  members  holding  office  for  three  years, 
and  electing  one  of  their  number  its  president.  The  judicial  power  is 
vested  in  a  high  court  of  appeals,  elected  by  the  two  houses. 

In  the  western  portion  of  Switzerland  the  people  speak  French;  in 
the  southern,  in  the  mountain  defiles  of  the  Grisons,  the  Romanesque  or 
Romaunsh — a  remnant  of  Latin  with  a  large  admixture  of  French  — 
is  spoken ;  in  the  other  southern  cantons,  especially  in  Ticino,  the  Italian 
is  the  language  of  the  people;  in  the  remaining  cantons  the  German 
language  prevails.  Seven  of  the  cantons,  to  wit.  Lucerne,  Zug,  Schwyz, 
Uri,  Unterwalden,  Valais,  and  Ticino,  are  Roman  Catholic  as  to  religion ; 
the  remaining  are  mostly  Protestant.  In  no  land  is  education,  general  edu- 
cation, more  widely  diffused  than  in  Switzerland,  which,  small  as  it  is, 
supports  five  universities.  Questions  of  state  application,  as  to  laws  and 
measures,  are  often  submitted  to  popular  vote,  —  a  soKjalled  referendum. 
The  Swiss  people  are  frugal,  industrious,  brave,  but  tenacious  of  their 
civil  rights.  The  soKjalled  "cantonal  spirit"  prevails  to  a  great  extent, 
arraying  one  canton  against  the  other.  All  "  stand  by  "  one  another,  how- 
ever, when  the  country  is  assailed  by  foreign  enemies,  to  maintain  a  liberty 


500  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

and  an  independence  gained  and  guarded  at  the  cost  of  much  blood,  and 
proudly  held  intact  for  six  hundred  years. 

Odd  Fellowship  introduced —  Into  the  German-speaking,  Protestant  por- 
tion of  Switzerland  only  did  Brother  Doctor  Morse  succeed  in  introducing 
our  Order.  Success,  in  a  limited  way,  seems  to  have  followed  his  efforts 
in  the  republic  from  the  beginning.  He  had  at  the  commencement  of  his 
work  the  efficient  aid,  willingly  granted,  of  our  minister  to  Switzerland, 
the  Hon.  Horace  Rublee.^  The  Swiss  government  not  only  did  not  inter- 
pose any  objection  to  the  Order's  introduction,  but,  on  the  contrary,  the 
largest  Swiss  canton,  that  of  Berne,  through  its  legal  authorities,  gave 
Doctor  Morse  a  direct  invitation  to  plant  Odd  Fellowship  in  that  state, 
welcoming  him  to  his  task,  a  fact  without  parallel  in  the  annals  of  our 
Order.  On  the  19th  of  June,  1871,  as  stated.  Brother  Doctor  Morse, 
accompanied  by  Brothers  Schaettle  and  Bemheim,  —  who  rendered  great 
service  on  the  occasion,  —  instituted  Helvetia  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Zurich, 
in  the  canton  of  like  name.  As  to  the  early  history  of  the  Order  in 
Switzerland  we  have  few  facts  and  authorities,  especially  after  Brother 
Morse's  departure,  in  the  summer  of  1871.  It  appears,  however,  that  on 
the  29th  of  October,  1872,  Pestalozzi  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  founded  at  Baden; 
followed  by  the  institution  of  Fellenberg  Lodge,  No.  3,  at  Berne,  the  capi- 
tal of  the  republic,  on  the  20th  of  January,  1873.  These  three  lodges 
never  abandoned  work,  they  still  exist  and  are  model  lodges. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Switzerland On  the  22nd  of  April,  1874,  a  char- 
ter was  granted  to  these  three  lodges,  and  a  Grand  Lodge  was  instituted  in 
Switzerland,  by  F.  S.  Ostheim,  Past  Grand  Sire,  of  Germany.*  John 
Emanuel  Grob,  an  orator  of  much  merit,  and  yet  an  active  member  of  the 
Order,  was  the  first  Grand  Master.  His  Grand  Lodge  was  subordinate 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

In  1875  the  number  of  lodges  had  increased  to  five.  In  1877  Budolph 
Aschmann,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  of  Switzerland,  reported  as  many 
as  seven,  and  that  two  more  were  in  progress.  The  Order  in  Switzerland 
owes  much  to  Brother  Aschmann,  who  was  a  secretary  in  the  minister's 
office  at  Berne.  In  course  of  time  he  became  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 
He  was  highly  esteemed  on  account  of  his  pure  character,  and  under  his 
administration  the  Order  grew  in  the  republic ;  unfortunately  he  died  in 
March,  1878,  having  just  received  notice  of  his  appointment  as  United 
States  consul  at  Berne. 

Grand  Secretary  Vogel  was  appointed  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  in 
Brother  Aschmann's  place.     Under  his  administration  we  read  of  a  Grand 


>  N6U  by  the  Editor-in-Chi^.  —  }l^  we  read  proof  on  this  pafipe,  Mr.  Rnblee,  who  was  Editor-in-Chief 
of  the  Milwaukee  SwUnO.  (WlBoonaln),  pMMd  away.  He  died  October  19, 1886,  and  waa  born  In  Berk- 
shire, Vermont,  August  19, 1829. 

*  Jouraal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  1874,  p.  6106. 


CONTINENTAL  EUROPE.  601 

Lodge  session  at  St.  Gallen,  Gottlieb  Maeder  in  the  chair.  In  the  records 
of  this  meeting  we  find  for  the  first  time  the  name  of  Carl  Imfeld  Ronca, 
who  was  elected  Deputy  Grand  Master.  Reports  of  unexampled  stagna- 
tion as  to  business  are  noted ;  one  lodge,  Rousseau,  No.  4,  at  Biel,  was 
dissolved,  and  yet  efforts  were  made  to  extend  the  Order. 

Quasi-Independence.  —  Soon  after  the  session  the  jurisdiction  was  again 
visited  by  Brother  F.  S.  Ostheim,  a  zealous  worker  in  the  Order,  and  he 
held  a  "school  of  instruction"  at  Zurich.  Brother  Ostheim,  to  whose 
reports  we  are  indebted  for  a  history  of  this  period,  found  many  objections 
made  to  encampments,  but  a  strong  desire  prevailed  for  a  gtmsi-indepen- 
dent  charter,  similar  to  the  one  granted  to  Germany.  Upon  his  advice, 
however,  a  petition  for  an  encampment  was  circulated,  and  soon  after- 
ward, at  an  extra  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  held  at  Lucerne,  a  petition 
was  ordered  sent  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  for  a  quasi- 
independent  charter.  It  was  signed  by  eight  lodges:  Helvetia,  No.  1; 
Pestalozzi,  No.  2 ;  Fellenberg,  No.  3 ;  Zschokke,  No.  5 ;  St.  Jacob,  No.  6 ; 
Sentis,  No.  7 ;  Waldstaette,  No.  8 ;  and  Rheinf all,  No.  9.  The  petition 
was  not  received  in  America  until  Sept.  28, 1878,  after  the  Grand  Lodge 
had  adjourned.  At  the  next  session  thereof,  it  was  referred  to  the  stand- 
ing committee  on  petitions,  who  reported  adversely  however,  submitting 
that  the  extraordinary  powers  asked  should  not  be  granted  to  ordy  eight 
lodges;  and  its  report  was  confirmed. 

This  action  proved  as  detrimental  to  the  jurisdiction  as  it  was  disap- 
pointing to  our  Swiss  brethren.  Self-government  had  been  granted  to  the 
monarchical  German ;  but  was  refused  to  the  republican  Switzer,  because — 
in  a  very  small  though  independent  state  —  he  had  but  a  small  member- 
ship and  few  lodges.  Lodges  began  to  surrender  their  charters,  and  the 
membership  decreased.  Misfortunes  seldom  come  singly;  this  unfortu- 
nate action  was  followed  by  a  disastrous  loss.  Again,  the  Order  was 
bereaved  by  the  death  of  a  beloved,  zealous  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
Brother  Vogel,  Aschmann's  worthy  successor,  who  lost  his  life  about  the 
19th  of  May,  1880,  by  falling  over  two  thousand  feet  while  climbing  the 
mountams,  in  the  canton  of  Glarus. 

In  1880  the  membership  was  reduced  to  273,  in  1881  to  only  241.  In 
1882  Lodge,  No.  o,  was  dissolved,  and  the  Order  shown  to  be  in  a  very 
unsatisfactory  condition.  The  Grand  Master  complained  that  many  of 
the  members  objected  to  the  abolition  of  their  mortuary  fund,  others  to 
the  new  ritual,  which  he  said  they  did  not  want;  that  their  national  rights 
should  be  considered  (by  the  grant  of  independence) ;  that  their  amended 
constitution  should  be  approved.  The  last  complaint  was  met  by  an 
approval  of  the  document  in  question,  in  1882,  many  erroneous  sections 
having  been  "  stricken  out,"  the  errors  showing  how  widely  on  the  same 
subject  our  views  differ  from  those  held  in  Switzerland.     The  Grand 


502  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Lodge  of  the  republic  was  required  to  comply  with  the  new  law  ordering 
work  to  be  done  in  the  Third  degree. 

In  1885  new  appeals  for  independence  were  made,  and  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  was  informed  that  the  membership  had  fallen  to  one  hundred 
and  eighty-eight  in  seven  lodges,  two  of  which,  with  about  forty-eight  mem- 
bers, were  about  to  suspend  work  for  want  of  proper  meeting-rooms.  Two 
did  surrender.  Lucerne  and  St.  Galles ;  and,  in  1885,  but  five  lodges  were 
left,  —  those  at  Basle,  Berne,  Baden,  Schaffhausen,  and  Zurich,  —  but  the 
membership  of  the  lodges  surrendering  was  transferred  to  the  remaining 
bodies.  A  better  and  more  courageous  spirit  now  made  itself  felt.  The 
new  year  showed  a  small  gain  in  membership,  followed  by.  a  like  small 
gain  in  1888.  An  encampment  was  instituted,  the  only  one  in  Switzerland. 
Brother  Rudolf  Weber,  until  then  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  resigned, 
and  Past  Grand  Master  Carl  Imfeld  Ronca  was  appointed  in  his  stead. 
This  able  and  beloved  brother  saw  the  darkest  day^  of  Swiss  Odd  Fellow- 
ship. He  was  also  to  see  its  redemption  and  rise  to  prosperity.  His 
admirable  government  did  much  to  bring  about  this  era.  Gains  in  mem- 
bership were  shown  during  the  next  succeeding  years.  Still  the  member- 
ship was  restless  and  displeased  "for  want  of  their  independence,"  as 
they  called  it. 

Visit  of  the  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire. — In  1890  the  jurisdiction  was 
visited  by  the  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 
Brother  Herman  Block,  who  examined  fully  into  the  condition  of  the  Order 
therein,  and  had  a  long  and  earnest  consultation  with  its  members  as  to 
its  welfare  and  the  best  method  of  bringing  about  a  new  order  of  affairs. 
He  recommendfed  that  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  grant  Switzerland's 
persistent  prayer  for  a  giwwi-independent  charter.  His  report  waa  re- 
ceived, considered,  and  action  as  to  Switzerland  was  deferred  for  one 
year. 

In  1891,  its  membership  having  risen  to  two  hundred  and  forty,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Switzerland  formally  renewed  its  petition  to  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge  for  gwcwi-independence,  making  a  strong  showing  a^ 
to  its  right  to  the  same.  Grand  Sire  Campbell  had  indorsed  the  petition. 
The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  referred  it  to  the  standing  committee  on 
foreign  relations,  and,  upon  the  favorable  report  of  that  committee,  it 
was  ordered  that  Switzerland's  prayer  be  granted;  that  it  have  and  receive 
an  amended  charter,  with  like  powers  and  limitations  as  are  contained  in 
the  second  charter  to  Germany ;  holding  that  "  the  Republic  of  Switzer- 
land, being  politically  an  independent  government,  was,  although  small 
in  membership,  entitled  to  self-government  in  the  Order  as  well."  An 
amended  grand  charter  was  accordingly  made. 

ProsfresB  under  an  Independent  Charter.  —  The  13th  of  February,  1892, 
was,  by  the  Order  in  Switzerland,  set  apart  to  rejoicing  and  festivity.     On 


CONTINENTAL  EUROPE.  603 

that  day,  in  the  hall  of  Helvetia  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Zurich,  the  Grand  Lodge 
assembled  in  extra  session,  Grand  Master  Arnold  Ernst  presiding,  with 
a  large  attendance  of  all  its  representative  members  and  past  grands 
of  th«  Order.  The  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  Europe,  accompanied 
by  Past  Grand  Sire  Bernheim,  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Schaettle,  and  Past 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Eberbach  of  Germany,  appeared  with  the  new  charter. 
An  agreement  to  receive  and  abide  by  the  same  having  been  signed,  he 
affixed  his  high  commission  to  the  chair,  took  it,  under  authority  of  the 
august  head  of  the  Order  by  him  represented,  and  transformed  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Switzerland  into  a  gwcwt-independent  Grand  Lodge.  Brother 
Arnold  Ernst  was  elected  first  Grand  Sire. 

In  the  afternoon  the  special  deputy  publicly  installed  the  officers-elect, 
many  members  being  present,  amid  great  solemnities,  a  Catholic  priest,  our 
brother  the  Rev.  Doctor  Wrubel,  of  the  Old  Catholic  persuasion,  officiat- 
ing at  the  organ.  The  special  deputy  held  a  "  school  of  instruction,"  and 
translated  the  charter  and  contract  into  German  while  in  the  republic. 

Thus  Switzerland  was  finally  made  independent, — as  independent  as 
the  imity  of  the  Order  would  permit,  and  as  independent  as  any  jurisdic- 
tion in  Europe.  The  correctness  and  wisdom  of  the  action  of  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge,  in  placing  the  jurisdiction  upon  this  standing,  has 
been  proved  by  the  progress  of  the  succeeding  years.  Our  territory, 
Protestant  German-speaJdng  Switzerland  only,  is  very  small;  but  the 
membership  therein  has  risen  from  two  hundred  and  forty  to  three  hun- 
dred and  fifteen,  and  is  constantly  increasing.     This  gain  is  satisfactory. 

Official  Standing. — At  the  head  of  the  jurisdiction  stands  Grand  Sire 
Kurt  Demme,  grand  councillor  of  the  canton  of  Berne,  a  man  excelling  in 
philanthropic  enterprises  in  a  philanthropic  country.  He  is  ably  sup- 
ported by  Brother  Fritz  Kimz  of  Berne,  as  Grand  Secretary.  In  the 
membership  there  are  many  Italians,  notably  Ercole  Bernasconi,  an 
assistant  postmaster-general.  Switzerland  is  fortunate  in  possessing  so 
much  talent  among  its  members;  it  has  soldiers,  poets,  preachers,  and 
statesmen  in  the  Order's  ranks.  Entitled  to  lasting  credit  for  unceasing, 
effective  work  in  the  Order  is  our  Brother  Carl  Imfeld  Ronca,  colonel  of 
infantry,  instructing  officer  at  Zttrich,  Past  Grand  Master,  and  for  many 
years  our  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  in  the  republic. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  ORDER  IN  DENMARK. 

OoTemment  and  People. — The  kingdom  of  Denmark  is  composed  of 
the  province  of  Jutland,  on  terra  firma,  and  a  number  of  islands  in  the 


504  THE  THRES^LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Baltic  sea,  on  one  of  which,  Sjelland,  Kopenha^en  the  capital  is  situated. 
The  Faroe  islands  and  Iceland  and  Greenland,  also  belonging  to  it,  have 
no  interest  to  us,  and  are  not  taken  into  consideration.  On  the  north  it 
is  bounded  by  the  stormy  Skagerrack,  and  on  the  east  by  the  Cattegat,  the 
Sund,  and  the  Baltic;  on  the  south  by  the  Crerman  Empire,  and  on  the 
west  by  the  German  ocecm,  or  North  sea,  called  by  the  Danes  the  "  West- 
em  sea."  Denmark  proper,  as  bounded  above,  in  1890  had  an  area  of 
14,533  English  square  miles,  with  a  population  of  2,172,205.  It  has  but 
six  cities  with  a  population  above  16,000.  Denmark  is  a  liberal  constitu- 
tional monarchy,  governed  by  a  king  and  two  houses,  —  Landthing  and 
Folkething.  The  royal  family  is  deservedly  much  beloved;  the  king 
and  queen  take  great  interest  in  our  Order.  The  Danes  —  plain  and 
frugal,  as  are  all  the  people  of  the  North — possess  high  culture,  much 
acumen,  and  great  politeness.  Kopenhagen,  their  capital,  is  often  called 
"the  Paris  of  the  North."    In  character  they  are  persevering  and  brave. 

Odd  Fellowship  in  the  Kingdom. — Our  Order's  history  in  Denmark 
dates  from  the  year  1878.  On  the  30th  of  April,  of  that  year,  parties  at 
Kopenhagen,  members  of  the  Order,  were  granted  a  warrant  by  Grand 
Sire  John  W.  Stokes,  and  on  the  29th  of  June,  1878,  Brother  E.  Praetorius, 
Grand  Sire  of  the  German  Empire,  who  was  commissioned  to  that  end, 
instituted  the  first  lodge  on  Danish  soil,  Denmark  Lodge,  No.  1,  which,  at 
its  own  request,  was  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Germany.  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  repaid  about  $100  of  the  expenses 
incurred  in  the  creation  of  this  lodge.  Losing  sight  of  the  usages  of  our 
Order,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  liie  German  Empire  erroneously  inferred  (from 
the  fact  that  Denmark  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  placed  under  its  jurisdiction) 
that  all  the  jurisdiction  of  Denmark  had  been  ceded  to  it, — which  was 
contrary  to  the  usage  and  subversive  of  the  principles  to  which  Germany 
owed  its  own  gucwi-independence,  to  wit,  that  politically  independent 
states,  wherein  the  Order  has  found  a  home,  should  have  as  much  as 
possible  independent  government  in  the  Order,  —  and  proceeded  to  insti- 
tute subordinate  lodges  in  Denmark  on  its  own  motion  and  authority, 
without  regard  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  Several  bodies 
of  our  Order  were  thus  instituted. 

Controversy  with  Germany. — In  1882  Grand  Sire  Glenn  reported  to 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  that,  notwithstanding  protest,  Germany  had 
continued  to  fonn  lodges  in  Denmark,  until  he  had  felt  constrained 
to  protest  against  such  action  to  Grand  Sire  Lesser  of  the  Grerman 
Grand  Lodge.  That  astute  officer  and  able  statesman  referred  the  protest 
as  to  what  had  been  done  to  his  Grand  Lodge,  but  instantly  sent  to  Grand 
Sire  Glenn  the  application  and  papers  in  his  hands  praying  for  the  insti- 
tution of  Fyen  Lodge,  No.  5,  to  be  located  at  Odensee,  Denmark.  Grand 
Sire  Glenn  reported  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire  could 


CONTINENTAL  EUSOPE.  605 

not  legally  charter  lodges  in  Denmark  (simply  because  a  lodge  therein 
had  been  put  under  its  jurisdiction)^  and  quoted  an  American  decision  on 
the  point,  made  in  1873/  against  California  and  Oregon,  which  had  char- 
tered lodges  in  Washington,  Kevada,  and  Idaho;  single  lodges  in  said 
last-named  territories  having  been  put  under  their  jurisdiction.  The 
question  involved  was  considered  by  the  committee  on  foreign  relations 
and  all  the  Danish  bodies :  Denmark  Lodge,  No.  1 ;  Scandinavian,  No.  2 ; 
Nordstem,  No.  3 ;  Progress,  No.  4 ;  Waldemar  Encampment,  No.  1 ;  and 
Caroline  Amalia  Rebekah  Lodge,  having  petitioned  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  to  be  taken  under  its  immediate  jurisdiction,  the  request  was  also 
considered  by  the  standing  committee  on  petitions. 

It  was  decided  that  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  should  be  granted, 
new  confirmatory  charters  issued,  and  said  bodies  be  taken  under  the 
immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  excepting  only 
Denmark  Lodge,  No.  1,  which  was  directed  to  first  procure  the  assent  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire,  having  been  placed  under  that 
Grand  Lodge's  jurisdiction  on  its  own  motion.  The  other  lodges,  etc., 
were  granted  immediate  relief,  because  they  had  been  chartered  under  a 
power  erroneously  assumed  by  Germany.  Denmark  Lodge,  No.  1,  after- 
ward secured  said  consent.  This  important  question  being  settled  and 
adjudicated,  the  Order  grew  steadily  in  Denmark. 

The  Order's  Progress. — In  the  year  1883  Lodges  Nos.  6,  7,  8,  and  9, 
and  Excelsior  Uniformed  Degree  Camp,  No.  1,  were  chartered.  A  peti- 
tion of  Waldemar  camp  that  no  other  encampment  be  chartered  in  the 
jurisdiction  without  its  consent  was  denied.  A  petition  was  presented 
this  year  by  six  Danish  lodges  praying  for  a  Grand  Lodge  charter  to 
cover  Denmark,  Sweden,  Norway, — three  independent  kingdoms.  Under 
the  ruling  in  the  case  of  Germany,  above  quoted,  it  could  not  be  granted 
as  to  Sweden  and  Norway ;  and  there  not  being  the  necessaiy  number  of 
lodges  in  Denmark  entitling  it  to  a  grand  charter,  the  petition  was  "  laid 
over  "  until  the  session  of  1884. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Denmark. — The  necessary  number  of  lodges  hav- 
ing been  reached,  soon  after  the  close  of  the  session  of  1883,  the  Grand 
Sire  in  the  interregnum  issued  a  charter  for  a  subordinate  Grand  Lodge 
in  Denmark ;  and  on  the  21st  of  April,  1884,  it  was  instituted  at  Kopen- 
hagen  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Andreas  Hoick,  under  the  name 
and  title  of  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Kingdom  of  Denmark."  The  Sov- 
ereign Grand  Lodge  confirmed  the  charter.*  It  nins  to  the  first  ten  lodges 
chartered,  and  is  in  the  usual  form,  except  that  it  provides  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Denmark  shall  not  be  liable  for  representative  tax,  nor  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  liable  to  pay  its  representative:  "Conditions 
prescribed  for  Grand  bodies  not  on  the  American  continent."    Said  Grand 

1  Journal  of  the  Oraad  Lodsre  of  the  United  States,  1S78,  p.  5S37.        *  Joarnal,  iaS4,  pp.  9521,  9522. 


506  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Lodge's  constitution  was.  approved  in  1885,  and  it  was  given  jurisdiction 
over  Scania  Lodge,  No.  1,  instituted  at  Malmo,  Sweden ;  and  in  1888  over 
Veritas  Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Trelleborg,  Sweden.  At  the  institution  of  its 
Grand  Lodge  Denmark  had  1500  members ;  in  1887  its  membership  had 
grown  to  1923. 

In  1888  a  petition  praying  for  a  gt£<m-independent  charter,  similar 
to  Germany's  new  charter,  was  received  from  Denmark;  said  charter  to 
include  Denmark,  Sweden,  and  Norway,  There  were  no  lodges  in  the 
kingdom  of  Norway,  but  there  were  three  in  the  kingdom  of  Sweden, 
—  two  under  Danish,  and  one  under  our  own  immediate  jurisdiction 
(Amicitia,  No.  3,  of  Malmo).  The  consent  of  the  last  lodge  to  the  plan 
was  not  produced,  and  action  had  to  be  postponed.  In  1889  the  same 
application  was  renewed ;  but  the  Swedish  lodges  objecting,  it  was  indefi- 
nitely postponed.  Desirable  as  the  project  of  uniting  the  three  Scandina- 
vian kingdoms  in  one  Grand  body  may  seem,  it  cannot  be  accomplished 
for  a  long  time,  if  ever,  on  account  of  national  disputes  and  difficulties 
between  Norway  and  Sweden ;  these,  apparently,  becoming  more  intense 
every  year.  Our  Order  may  be  planted  in  Norway  by  Denmark,  the  two 
countries  speaking  the  same  language;  but  once  established,  there  is  no 
prospect  of  its  ever  uniting  with  Sweden;  the  two  countries,  although 
united  in  the  person  of  one  and  the  same  king,  having  different  laws, 
flags,  ministries,  language,  and  views,  and  hot  disputes.  Sweden  has 
quite  an  aristocracy,  for  example,  while  Norway  abolished  all  degrees  of 
nobility  long  ago.  Even  a  customs  line  divides  the  two  kingdoms.  We 
have  often  held  we  ought  not  to  join  two  nations  in  one  Grand  body. 

In  1889  a  question  was  submitted  by  Denmark,  which  unfortunately 
was  poorly  translated,  and  hence  perhaps  not  fully  understood  by  the 
committee  on  foreign  relations,  to  whom  it  was  referred.  The  committee 
understood  the  question  ^  to  be :  "  Whether  a  grand  lodge  could  order  or 
permit  its  subordinates  to  form  a  mutual  insurance  association  against 
sickness,  or  assess  their  members  for  the  payment  of  benefits,"  and 
answered  it  in  the  negative,  and  quoted  Digest,  §§  404-408,  New  Digest, 
499.  As  we  understand  it,  the  question  was  simply  if  all  the  lodges  of 
the  jurisdiction  might  not  imite  and  proportionally  pay  the  benefits  paid 
by  each  lodge,  thus  saving  weak  lodges  from  surrender  on  account  of 
temporary  inability  to  pay  a  benefit  burden,  thus  materially  strengthening 
the  members'  assurance  of  the  receipt  of  his  benefits  by  pledging  the 
jurisdiction  for  their  payment. 

An  Independent  Jurisdiction.  —  In  1889  the  membership  in  Denmark 
had  increased  to  two  thousand.  The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  upon  the 
report  of  its  foreign  commissioner,  expressed  its  willingness  to  grant 
a  git<m-independent  charter,  for  Denmark  only,  whenever  the  jurisdiction 

^  Joornal,  1888,  p.  11,22«. 


CONTINENTAL  EUROPE.  507 

should  formally  apply  for  the  same.  Application  in  due  form  was  made 
at  the  succeeding  session  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Denmark,  showing  it  had 
twenty-six  lodges,  one  Eebekah  lodge,  one  hundred  past  grands,  three 
encampments,  and  over  two  thousand  members,  claiming  its  right  to  such 
a  charter  according  to  the  usage  and  practice  of  the  Order  and  the  estab- 
lished precedents  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  The  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  granted  the  application ;  and  on  the  19th  of  June,  1892,  its  special 
deputy  for  Europe,  Brother  Herman  Block,  appeared  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Denmark  with  said  charter,  for  the  purpose  of  transforming  it  into 
a  gwa«t-independent  body.  A  contract  was  submitted  containing  a  prom- 
ise to  abide  by,  and  comply  with,  the  terms  of  said  charter,  and  it  was 
unanimously  adopted.  Thereupon  the  act  of  transformation  took  place, 
and,  the  organization  of  the  body  being  perfected,  the  special  deputy 
surrendered  the  chair  to  the  Grand  Sire-elect,  Doctor  Petrus  Beyer,  and 
delivered  the  amended  Grand  Lodge  charter.  The  receipt  of  the  charter 
and  proceedings  thereunder  gave  great  satisfaction  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Denmark,  which  ordered  a  letter  to  be  written  to  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  thanking  it  earnestly  for  its  liberality  to  the  Danish  jurisdiction. 

Statistical  Particulars. — Denmark  has  ever  been  prosperous  since  the 
receipt  of  its  gwa^Mndependent  charter.  Not  counting  the  Swedish,  it 
has  twenty-two  lodges,  with  two  thousand  members,  and  several  encamp- 
ments. During  the  last  term  it  expended  40,922.77  crowns  (29^)  for 
benefits ;  its  receipts  were  117,318.05  crowns ;  and  its  invested  property 
is  606,116.86  crowns.  On  Norrevold  Boulevard  in  Kopenhagen,  the 
capital,  wherein  a  large  number  of  its  lodges  are  found,  the  Order  has 
erected  a  temple,  —  an  imposing  structure.  Many  country  lodges  own 
their  own  homes.  Benefits  are  paid  in  this  jurisdiction  "  As  "soon  as  a 
member's  sickness  exceeds  a  certain  number  of  weeks." 

Credit  awarded.  —  At  the  Order's  head  in  this  jurisdiction  stands  Grand 
Sire  Doctor  Petrus  Beyer,  several  times  elected  to  that  position.  He  is 
beloved  by  government  and  people.  His  king,  who  loves  the  Order  and 
its  influence  for  good,  to  honor  Odd  Fellowship  as  well  as  the  Grand 
Sire,  dubbed  him  "Knight  of  the  Danebrog."  Brother  E.  D.  Jacobsen 
is  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  He  is  a  man  of  large  heart  and  great  ability, 
a  standing  answer  to  anti-Semitic  charges.  Among  other  leaders  in  the 
Order  we  should  name  Doctor  Eric  Hoist,  medical  inspector  at  Rink- 
jobing,  on  the  west  coast  of  Jutland,  who  is  very  popular.  The  learned 
Doctor  Goos,  professor  of  laws,  long  the  king's  minister  of  culture  and 
education,  is  chairman  of  the  judiciary  committee. 

No  history  of  the  Order  in  Denmark  is  complete,  however,  which 
omits  to  speak  of  Andreas  Hoick,  counsellor  of  justice.  He  has  been 
attached  to  Odd  Fellowship  from  its  first  introduction,  and  is  still  one 
of  its  chief  leaders,  devoting  his  energy  and  a  large  portion  of  his  means 


508  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY, 

as  well  to  the  purposes  of  our  Order.  His  life-sized  portrait  in  oil  graces 
the  temple  in  Kopenhagen.  To  him  the  historian  may  justly  point  as 
one  who  can  and  does  sacrifice  private  advantage  to  public  welfare,  sub- 
ordinating his  own  ambition  to  the  good  of  the  Order.  His  ability  as 
an  orator  is  conceded  even  by  the  Grand  Sire,  himself  an  able  speaker. 
Intending  to  welcome  us  at  the  grand  banquet  in  Kopenhagen,  the  Grand 
Sire  arose,  and  turning  to  him  appealed:  "Here  /  a-m,  Moses;  'Aaron' 
Hoick,  do  thou  do  the  talking." 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE   KINGDOM  OF  SWEDEN. 

Geographical  Position  and  Government.  —  At  an  early  date  the  kingdom 
of  Sweden  opened  its  boundaries  to  our  Order.  Its  reception  was  for 
a  time  confined  to  towns  on  the  Baltic  sea,  opposite  Denmark.  For 
Sweden,  while  it  is  a  country  of  vast  resources,  is,  also,  a  land  of  vast 
distances.  It  is  rich  in  minerals,  rich  in  timber;  its  commerce  is  exten- 
sive, —  but  it  takes  thirteen  hours  on  a  courier  train  to  go  from  Malmo, 
opposite  Denmark,  to  Stockholm,  the  capital.  The  city  of  Sundswall, 
toward  the  north  from  Stockholm,  is  as  distant  from  it  as  it  is  itself  from 
Malmo,  and  Sundswall  is  situated  only  about  in  the  centre  of  Sweden. 
Lulea,  Haparanda,  and  cities  "  up  North  "  can  be  reached  only  by  several 
days  of  steamer  travel. 

Sweden  is  bounded  on  the  north  and  west  by  Norway,  on  the  south- 
west and  south  by  the  Cattegat;  on  the  southeast  and  east  by  the  Baltic 
sea,  the  Gulf  of  Bothnia  and  Russia  toward  the  north.  Its  area  is  170,000 
square  miles;  its  population  in  1881  was  4,572,245;  its  length  is  969 
miles ;  its  width  is  from  150  to  280  miles.  Sweden  is  divided  into  three 
great  provinces:  Norrland,  Svealand,  and  Gotaland.  Our  Order  has 
lodges  in  the  latter  two,  but  we  hope  to  soon  enter  Norrland.  Laws  are 
made  by  the  king  and  two  chambers,  the  latter  elected  by  ballot  on  a 
property  and  age  qualification.  The  Swedes  are  Lutherans.  They  are 
sober,  steady,  industrious,  temperate,  and  brave. 

Sweden  is  an  independent  kingdom ;  but  has  the  same  king  as  Norway. 
It  is  now  a  question  at  issue  between  the  two  lands,  how  far  they  are 
connected  by  this  tie.  The  language  is  Swedish,  reminding  one  of  the 
ancient  Gothic.  The  following  history  of  our  Order  in  this  jurisdiction, 
nearest  the  pole,  is  written  from  data  kindly  furnished  by  Grand  Sec- 
retary Fred  Geijer  of  Sweden.  It  appears  that  Odd  Fellowship  in 
Sweden  first  came  from  Denmark. 


CONTINENTAL  EUROPE.  609 

Introduction  of  the  Order.  —  On  the  11th  of  June,  1884,  an  Odd  Fel- 
lows' club  was  formed  at  Malmo,  in  the  province  of  Schonen  (Scania  in 
Latin),  resulting  in  the  chartering  of  a  lodge,  Scania,  No.  1,  on  the  29th 
of  October,  1884.  E.  A.  Gyllenberg,  with  two  others,  were  the  first  native 
Swede  Odd  Fellows.  Brother  Gyllenberg  is  to-day  an  officer  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Sweden.  On  the  first  day  of  November  of  that  year  the  first 
hall  of  the  Order,  that  of  Scania,  was  dedicated.  Through  the  efforts  of 
Scania  Lodge  Veritas  Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Trelleborg,  in  its  neighborhood, 
and  Amicitia  Lodge,  No.  3,  also  in  the  city  of  Malm5,  were  chartered, 
respectively,  the  4th  of  November,  1887,  and  the  1st  of  August,  1888. 
Scania  and  Veritas  lodges  were  put  under  Danish  jurisdiction;  while 
Amicitia  Lodge,  as  well  as  all  lodges  subsequently  chartered,  remained 
under  immediate  American  jurisdiction.  On  the  12th  of  October, 
1891,  at  Malmo  was  instituted  the  first  Swedish  encampment,  Suecia, 
No.  1.  The  Order  having  thus  secured  a  firm  hold  of  the  southwestern 
portion  of  Sweden,  of  Schonen,  or  Scania,  steps  were  taken,  under  the 
leadership  of  Anders  Krook,  now  Grand  Warden  of  Sweden's  Grand  Lodge, 
to  introduce  it  into  Stockholm,  on  the  east  coast.  A  club  was  soon  organ- 
ized, bearing  the  name  of  Sweden's  famous  son,  John  Ericson;  and  on 
the  20th  of  July,  1892,  it  was  transformed  into  John  Ericson  Lodge, 
No.  4,  by  Sven  B.  Lycell,  an  indefatigable  worker  in  the  field  of  our 
Order. 

In  1893  brothers  of  Malmo,  led  by  N.  A.  Ewald,  Past  Grand,  a  member 
of  the  Swedish  Grand  Lodge,  instituted  Concordia  Lodge,  No.  5,  at  Eslof. 
In  the  succeeding  year  a  second  lodge  was  called  into  life  at  Stockholm ; 
Holmia,  No.  6,  soon  followed  by  the  creation  of  Wasa  Encampment,  No.  2, 
at  the  same  place.  In  October,  1894,  Westmannia  Lodge,  No.  7,  was 
instituted  especially  through  the  effort  of  Brother  Lundin,  of  Stockholm, 
also  at  present  of  Sweden's  Grand  Lodge.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
Order  spread  from  two  points  in  Sweden,  directly  opposite  each  other,  on 
the  west  and  east  coasts;  and  it  took  fourteen  hours  of  railroad  travel 
to  go  from  one  point  to  the  other.  The  Malmo  territory  was  under 
two  jurisdictions,  and  in  that  city  recourse  to  the  visiting  card  became 
necessary  before  visits  could  take  place.  A  part  of  the  jurisdiction 
was  governed  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  the  other  by  Denmark. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden.  — In  this  condition  of  things  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge,  upon  the  relation  of  its  special  deputy  grand  sire,  resolved 
to  use  its  best  efforts  to  form  the  lodges  upon  Swedish  soil  into  a  Grand 
Lodge,  before  the  constitutional  number  of  ten  had  been  reached.  A 
Grand  Lodge  charter  was  ordered  accordingly  to  be  issued  upon  the 
application  of  all  the  Swedish  lodges.  Its  issue  was  requested  before  it 
could  be  executed.  On  the  18th  of  November,  1894,  Linnea  Lodge,  No.  8, 
was  created,  at  Ystad,  near  Malmo,  and  Anders  Krook  had  carried  the 


510  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

Order^s  banner  from  Stockholm  to  Gothenburg  on  the  west  coast,  creating 
there  a  lodge,  bearing  the  name  of  Sweden's  hero  king,  Gustavus  II., 
Adolphus  Lodge,  No.  9. 

On  the  29th  of  October,  Scania  Lodge  celebrated  the  tenth  anniversary 
of  the  Order's  introduction  into  Sweden.  On  Monday,  the  8th  of  July, 
1895,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden  was  instituted  by  Special  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  Block  at  Stockholm,  ably  assisted  by  Doctor  Petrus  Beyer,  Grand 
Sire  of  Denmark.  Having  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge,  an  election 
of  officers  was  held,  and  they  were  duly  installed.  William  Laurentz,  of 
Stockholm,  our  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  in  Sweden,  was  elected  Grand 
Master;  Gustave  Smith,  of  Trelleborg,  Knight  of  the  Danebrog  (until 
now  the  Danish  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire),  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Anders  Krook,  Grand  Warden;  Fred  Geijer,  Grand  Secretary;  and  S.  B. 
Lycell,  Grand  Treasurer.  The  Grand  Lodge  commenced  work  with  nine 
subordinates  and  about  eight  hundred  members.  A  tenth  lodge,  Victor 
Rydberg,  No.  10,  was,  later,  instituted  by  Grand  Master  Laurentz  at  Stock- 
holm. The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  session  in  1896,  gave  Sweden 
a  g'uo^t-independent  charter  similar  in  terms  to  that  of  Denmark,  emphsr 
sizing  the  unity  of  the  Order,  "  one  body  with  one  head." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  THE   NETHERLANDS. 

The  Netherlands.  —  The  exact  reason  why  the  growth  of  our  Order  in 
this  kingdom  has  not  been  rapid,  why  it  has  lingered,  and  at  times  seemed 
about  to  die,  we  are  unable  to  explain.  Perhaps  a  lengthier  residence  at 
Amsterdam  might  disclose  it.  Truth  compels  the  statement  that  its 
progress  in  Holland  had  not  been  satisfactory.  Questions  arose,  dis- 
putes among  the  small  membership  were  frequent,  and  appeals  for  aid 
multiplied,  addressed  both  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  and  to  con- 
tinental European  jurisdictions.  Lately  a  decided  change  for  the  better 
has  taken  place.  Li  the  Netherlands,  commonly  called  Holland,  we  have 
at  present  only  four  lodges,  all  in  the  city  of  Amsterdam ;  in  no  other 
part  of  the  populous,  active  kingdom  have  the  members  of  the  Order  been 
able  to  secure  a  foothold  for  Odd  Fellowship.  The  membership  numbers 
219,  a  very  large  majority  being  Hebrews,  a  fact  which  ought  not  to  be 
decisive,  however,  of  questions,  for  among*  the  most  energetic  pioneers  of 
the  Order  in  Europe  are  brothers  of  the  same  faith,  in  Silesia-Fosen,  than 
whom  no  more  worthy  members  can  be  found.  They  never  ask  for  favors, 
but  prefer  to  give  them. . 

First  Lodges.  —  The  Netherlands  have  a  population  of  4,548,596,  living 


CONTINENTAL  EUROPE.  511 

on  an  area  of  12,630  square  miles,  and  as  the  result  of  eighteen  years' 
work,  since  1877,  we  hare  but  219  Odd  Fellows.  Paradys  Lodge,  No.  1, 
was  started  as  early  as  1877 ;  Mount  Sinai,  No.  2,  in  the  year  following. 
Another  lodge,  Prince  Hendrik,  No.  3,  scarcely  ever  had  an  existence. 
Practically  (until  very  lately,  when  Ware  Bataven  Lodge  was  chartered), 
for  a  long  time  these  two  were  the  only  lodges  in  the  Netherlands.  With 
these  two  lodges  there  were  troubles  from  the  beginning.  Past  Grand 
Sire  Ostheim  had  to  make  three  trips  to  Amsterdam  before  he  could  insti- 
tute them.  In  1879  the  two  lodges  together  reported  about  100  members. 
Their  by-laws  were  not  approved  until  1885,  as  numerous  matters  therein 
were  not  possible  of  approval. 

In  1887  the  membership  was  ninety-two.  In  that  year  Paradys  Lodge, 
having  appealed  for  aid  to  other  lodges  through  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely, 
received  aid  amounting  to  f  734.43  to  "  strengthen  its  widows'  and  orphans' 
fund."  Its  entire  membership  then  must  have  been  about  sixty.  In 
1891  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  J.  Hen  demanded  compensation  for  his 
services.  The  membership  was  ninety-seven,  and  the  demand  was  refused. 
He  finally  resigned,  receiving  the  sum  of  $50.97  in  settlement  of  all  his 
accounts.  Past  Grand  J.  T.  Philips  was  appointed  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  in  his  stead,  and  with  his  appointment  a  change  for  the  better 
ensued.  Under  his  administration,  in  1894,  Ware  Bataven  (true  Batavian) 
Lodge,  No.  4,  and,  lately,  Concordia  Lodge,  No.  5,  were  instituted  at 
Amsterdam.  The  membership  has  nearly  doubled ;  istill  there  is  no  lodge, 
as  yet,  outside  of  Amsterdam. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  ORDER  IN  THE  REPUBLIC  OF  FRANCE. 

Ftance. — We  have  two  lodges  in  the  city  of  Havre  de  Grace,  in  ancient 
Normandy.  The  first  steps  towards  the  introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship 
into  France  were  taken  in  1884  through  La  Concorde  Lodge  of  New  York ; 
but  complications  seemed  to  interfere,  and  not  until  the  2nd  of  March, 
1887,  was  the  first  French  Lodge,  La  Concorde,  No.  1,  instituted,  at  le 
Havre  ("the  haven"  harbor,  as  Havre  de  Grace,  Haven  or  harbor  of 
Grace,  is  commonly  called).  It  was  instituted  by  Past  Grand  L.  Boup- 
donnay,  of  New  York,  who  demanded  f  1000  for  his  services ;  but  it  seems 
he  received  nothing,  as  he  had  agreed  to  do  the  work  without  charge. 
Lodge  No.  1  soon  afterward  claimed  seventy  members.  In  1880  the  second 
lodge,  Fraternity,  No.  2,  was  chartered  at  Havre.  In  1889  the  two  lodges 
received  permission  to  appeal  for  aid  to  build  a  fine  temple,  which,  they 


512  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

claimed,  would  attract  membership,  and  then  they  would  prosper.  In 
1891  they  were  still  waiting  for  funds,  as  only  about  1000  francs,  scarcely 
$200,  had  been  collected.  Odd  Fellowship  does  not  begin  with  the 
building  of  temples.  When  it  has  become  firmly  established,  then  it 
may  construct  temples.  Neither  does  it  care  for  a  membership  attracted 
by  temple  building;  it  would  rather  possess  members  whose  temple  is 
their  own  heart.    The  present  French  membership  is  eighty-two. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

INTRODUCTION  AND  WELCOME  BY  ITALY. 

To  OUT  third  outpost  we  look  with  considerable  hope,  although  it  has 
greater  obstacles  to  overcome  than  had  any  other  of  our  foreign  jurisdic- 
tions. In  the  year  1886  a  Freemason,  Signor  Ferdinando  Bossari,  editor 
of  a  paper  called  Liwe  e  Concordia  (LigJU  and  Concord),  residing  at  Naples, 
Italy,  addressed  letters  of  inquiry  to  our  Grand  Secretary  as  to  the  work 
of  our  Order.  He  published  the  information  received  in  his  paper,  which 
was  extensively  read,  especially  in  Masonic  circles.  Application  from 
Rome  was,  however,  first  made  to  the  Grand  Sire  of  Germany  for  a  lodge, 
and  by  him  referred  to  the  special  deputy  grand  sire  for  Europe,  who 
upon  inquiry  reported  adversely  thereon,  not  finding  the  application  suflS.- 
ciently  supported.  In  1894,  however,  Signori  Alberto  d'Ursi,  Prota  Giur- 
leo  Luigi  Busso,  and  some  twenty  others,  native  Italians,  residents  of 
Naples,  made  application  in  due  form  of  law  that  they  might  be  made 
Odd  Fellows  in  order  to  petition  for  a  lodge.  The  application  was 
referred  to  the  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Block,  who,  after  protracted 
inquiry  and  correspondence,  indorsed  the  application.  The  Grand 
Sire  laid  the  matter  before  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  which  body 
ordered  the  introduction  of  the  Order  into  Italy;  and  on  the  12th  of 
March,  1895,  the  special  deputy  instituted  Colombo  Lodge,  No.  1,  at 
Naples,  Italy,  with  over  twenty  members.  From  that  day  said  lodge  has 
been  steadily  growing  in  membership.  Its  members  are  Italians  by  birth, 
of  good  character  and  station  in  life,  are  educated  men,  are  Freemasons 
and  sons  of  Freemasons.  Freemasonry  has  numerous  lodges  in  Italy. 
Our  brothers  in  Italy  joined  our  Order,  they  say,  because  we  have  a 
world's  organization  in  charity,  and  because  our  practical  system  of 
benefits  would  be  greatly  to  the  advantage  of  the  Italian  people.  We 
are  told  that  the  letters  of  Ferdinando  Bossari  in  Liice  e  Concordia  led 
to  the  Naples  application.  We  all  know  the  obstacles  in  Italy  to  a  rapid 
growth  of  our  Order ;  still  it  is  good  soil,  and  the  seed  planted  being  good, 
we  may  abide  the  results  in  hope. 


CONTINENTAL  EUROPE.  613 


CONCLUDING  RESUM^. 

Congratttlations.  —  Our  description  of  the  Order's  introduction,  growth, 
and  condition  in  Europe  is  concluded.  About  one  hundred  and  twenty 
lodges,  with  a  membership  of  the  best  material,  are  gathered  under  our 
banners.  They  float  from  the  Norrland  of  Sweden,  through  its  Svealand 
and  Gotaland,  across  the  stormy  Skagerrack  in  Jutland,  and  the  Danish 
isles.  Proudly  do  they  wave  as  you  cross  the  Konigsau  and  enter  Ger- 
many ;  in  all  its  broad  provinces,  through  Bavaria  on  the  south,  do  you 
see  them  unfurled,  from  Inowrazlaw,  at  the  borders  of  the  Czar's  domain, 
west  to  the  Rhine.  The  sturdy  Switzer  holds  them  aloft  as,  shading  his 
eyes,  he  already  sees  a  connection  with  his  brother  at  Naples  in  Italy. 
Our  membership  on  the  continent  numbers  about  seven  thousand  five 
hundred.  All  these  jurisdictions  will  grow.  Holland  will  grow  stronger 
in  the  good  work.  Ours  has  become,  as  an  order,  an  institution  of  the 
globe.  Its  exalted  position  imposes  exalted  duties,  —  to  live,  to  work  for 
a  world,  in  truth  and  in  charity.  Different  as  the  forms  may  be  under 
which  various  lands  clothe  their  charitable  work,  its  divine  spirit  is  ever 
the  same.  In  Europe,  as  in  America,  it  abides  in  plain  rooms  and  in 
gorgeous  halls.  It  stands  as  a  great  beneficent  body.  It  makes  good 
men  better  citizens;  and,  again,  the  finest  fibres  and 'roots  of  its  great 
plant  quietly  but  surely  creep  into  remote  places.  There  their  inherent 
strength  produces  finest  blossoms,  choicest  fruit,  among  the  needy,  the  poor, 
the  decrepit,  and  the  children. 

Our  Order  teaches  in  many  tongues  its  beautiful  language  of  symbols, 
the  same  in  all  lands.  We  are  a  world-wide  organization;  our  mission 
comprehends  the  whole  human  family.  We  must  not  permit  a  single 
link  of  our  chain  to  be  broken;  we  must  join  new  ones  to  those  we  already 
hold.  Let  us  strive  to  continue,  to  complete,  our  interwoven  agency  for 
good ;  and  let  us  remember  that  it  was  not  Wildey,  not  Ridgely,  who  laid 
the  foundation  of  our  success,  but  that  it  was  laid  long  before  their  time 
by  Him  who  implanted  the  divine  image  in  man,  that  it  might  purify 
him,  elevate  him;  and  to  Him  be  all  glory  and  gratitude  forever. 


DIVISION  VIII. 

aRAND  LODaES   OF  THE  SOUTHERN  SUN. 

INTRODUCTION  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP  INTO  THE  ISLAND  CONTINENT; 
THE  CHAIN  OF  SUCCESSION;  FIRST  GRAND  LODGES  OF  THE 
ANCIENT  INDEPENDENT  ORDER  OF  ODD  FELLOWS ;  AFFILIATION 
WITH  THE  AMERICAN  ORDER ;  THE  INDEPENDENT  GRAND  LODGE 
OF  AUSTRALASIA,  WITH  ITS  CHARTERED  GRAND  LODGES  OF  VIC- 
TORIA, NEW  ZEALAND,  SOUTH  AUSTRALIA.,  NEW  SOUTH  WALES, 
AND   TASMANIA;   TOGETHER   WITH    A  SPECIAL    SKETCH    OF   ODD 

FELLOWSHIP  IN  NEW  ZEALAND. 

* 

By  John  C.  Smith,  Grand  Secretary  of  Australasia, 
By  William  Eeid,  Grand  Secretary  of  New  Zealand, 


CHAPTER   I. 

ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  AUSTRALASIA. 

Introductory.  —  The  great  island  continent  of  Australia,  divided  into 
the  five  colonies  of  New  South  Wales,  Victoria,  South  Australia,  Queens- 
land, and  West  Australia,  with  the  two  contiguous  island  colonies  of  New 
Zealand  and  Tasmania,  form  the  Australasian  group.  Each  colony  has 
its  own  system  of  constitutional  government,  and  (with  the  exception  of 
having  a  governor  appointed  by  Great  Britain)  is,  in  effect,  an  independent 
state ;  with  all  the  petty  jealousies  continually  arising  which  such  a  system 
is  bound  to  produce  and  foster. 

For  many  years  a  federation  of  the  colonies  has  been  proposed,  but 
there  has  never  been  much  earnestness  in  the  business;  those  who  talked 
the  loudest  and  longest  in  its  favor,  apparently  wanting  only  some  very 
slight  excuse  to  drop  federation  and  take  up  the  next  popular  cry. 

Just  at  the  "present  .time  there  are  indications  that  federation  may  be 
realized  in  the  near  future  j  for  the  various  colonies,  except  New  Zealand, 
are  making  arrangements  for  the  election  of  representatives  to  a  Federal 
Assembly,  for  the  purpose  of  laying  down  the  lines  on  which  the  colonies 
should  unite,  and  to  draw  up  a  constitution  for  the  new  commonwealth 

614 


BENEATH  THE  SOUTHERN  CROSS.  615 

of  Australasia,  which  the  present  century, — now  nearing  its  close, —  may 
yet  see  an  accomplished  fact. 

Absence  of  Records.  —  In  writing  a  history  of  Australasian  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, an  initial  difficulty  presents  itself,  in  the  fact  that  no  reliable  records 
are  obtainable  to  show  when  and  how  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Tel- 
lows  made  a  commencement  in  this  new  southern  land.  It  is  a  true  say- 
ing :  "  For  every  effect  there  must  have  been  a  cause '' ;  but  the  causes 
which  led  to  such  results  as  are  with  us  here  to-day,  if  not  exactly  lost  in 
the  dim  vista  of  the  past,  have  been  so  briefly  and  imperfectly  recorded, 
—  with  frequent  breaks  in  the  chain,  —  that  those  who  are  interested 
will  have  to  be  more  content  with  the  knowledge  that  Odd  Fellowship  is 
an  accomplished  fact  in  Australasia,  than  with  the  abundance  of  the  sev- 
eral links  that  bound  us  first  to  England  and  of  late  years  to  America. 

First  Introduction.  —  That  Odd  Fellowship  became  acclimatized  on  the 
shores  of  Australia  over  sixty  years  ago  is  evidenced  by  a  copy  of  by-laws 
issued  by  the  brethren  of  the  Australian  Grand  Lodge,  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  instituted  at  the  Saracen's  Head  inn.  King  street, 
Sydney,  on  the  24th  of  February,  1836.  This  little  book  of  laws  was 
kindly  lent  to  me  by  a  past  grand  of  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  66,  Melbourne, 
Victoria,  who  had  heard  of  my  quest  for  scraps  of  early  history,  and  was 
delighted  to  assist  me.  There  is  an  introductory  address  appended  to  the 
by-laws,  of  which  I  subjoin  a  portion :  — 

''The  cultivation  of  friendship,  the  pleasures  of  good  company,  the  improvement  of 
morals,  the  advancement  of  benevolence  and  charity,  are  the  primary  objects ;  for  the  attain- 
ment of  which,  a  few  individuals  on  the  24th  of  February,  1836,  formed  themselves  into  a 
lodge  of  the  Order  of  Loyal  and  Independent  Odd  Fellows,  in  the  city  of  Sydney,  in  the  colony 
of  New  South  Wales,  .  .  .  remembering  always  that  the  grand  design  of  Odd  Fellowship  is 
to  link  its  members  together  in  charity,  friendship,  and  brotherly  love ;  also  to  impress  upon 
their  minds  the  dictates  of  truth,  honor,  and  justice.  Among  the  numerous  societies  in  the 
'  mother  country,'  none  rank  higher  than  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  for  amelio- 
rating the  misfortunes  of  its  brethren.  Thus,  there  is  Odd  Fellowship ;  and  as  it  is  an  odd 
name  without  the  lodge,  so  its  manner  is  equally  odd  within.  The  awfulness  of  the  odd  and 
instructive  ceremony ;  the  odd  appearance  of  the  lodge  itself ;  the  odd  appearance  of  the  offi- 
cers in  their  respective  stations;  the  odd  silence  that  prevails;  the  odd  mode  of  honor  paid 
to  the  three  chairs ;  the  three  powerful  links  of  friendship,  charity,  and  harmony,  that  bind 
them  together,  and  the  odd  method  of  adapting  a  rational  pleasure  to  accomplish  one  of  the 
noblest  and  grandest  odd  ends  that  can  possibly  grace  the  human  breast,  fill  the  mind  of 
every  new  brother  with  a  satisfaction  and  surprise  that  far  exceeds  his  most  sanguine  expec- 
tations. The  members  of  the  Order  he  finds  as  a  family  of  brethren,  among  whom  the  wel- 
fare of  the  whole  constitutes  the  happiness  of  the  individual.  Each  conceives  himself  bound 
to  contribute  to  the  general  fund  of  enjoyment ;  good  humor  and  good-will  are  the  charac- 
teristic features  of  the  fraternity ;  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth  is  the  motto.  Truth  ought, 
therefore,  to  reign  on  the  lips.  Love  over  the  affections,  and  Friendship  in  the  heart  of  every 
Independent  Odd  Fellow." 

The  Succession.  — "  In  the  memory  of  the  oldest  inhabitant,"  etc.,  is 
a  phrase  often  used  by  newspaper  reporters,  when  writing  of  a  thunder- 
storm or  flood,  or  harvest  or  famine,  as  the  "  biggest  thing "  of  its  kind 


516  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

known  for  generations ;  and  if  it  should  be  found,  afterward,  that  the  report 
does  not  quite  square  with  the  facts,  the  writer  is  enabled  to  put  the  onus 
upon  the  "  oldest  inhabitant/'  So  right  here  I  am  going  to  introduce  my 
"  oldest  Odd  Fellow,"  in  the  person  of  Brother  Thomas  Walne  Wright, 
Past  Grand  Master,  of  Melbourne,  Victoria,  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for 
much  of  the  valuable  information  which  enables  me  to  put  the  links  of  the 
broken  chain  together,  and  prove,  beyond  a  doubt,  that  the  present  lodges 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  Australasia,  descended  in 
direct  succession  from  the  Australian  Grand  Lodge,  from  whose  by-laws 
I  have  just  quoted. 

Brother  Wright  claims  to  be  the  oldest  member  of  our  organization  in 
Australasia,  and  I  believe  his  claim  is  undisputed.  He  is  now  in  his 
eighty-sixth  year;  and,  although  in  failing  bodily  health,  his  mental 
faculties  are  unimpaired,  and  his  memory  of  events  and  their  proper 
sequence  is  wonderfully  correct.  Brother  Wright  was  initiated  as  an  Odd 
Fellow  in  the  Apollo  and  Hercules  Lodge,  which  he  says  was  opened  under 
a  warrant  from  South  Australia  on  the  20th  of  May,  1849.  There  is  a 
little  uncertainty  as  to  the  Order  to  which  this  lodge  belonged,  but  its 
existence  was  ephemeral,  lasting  only  about  two  years;  when  Brother 
Wright  was  accepted  by  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  No.  1,  on  the  28th  of 
September,  1851.  On  the  second  night  after  joining,  he  took  an  appointed 
office  in  the  lodge,  and  has  never  been  out  of  office  since.  He  has  been 
Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  Grand  Treasurer  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia,  and  is  now  Grand  Chaplain  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Victoria ;  which  position  he  has  held  for  eighteen  years,  and  will 
probably  continue  to  hold  to  the  end  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage.  He  is 
reverenced  by  every  member  of  the  Order  in  Victoria ;  and,  although  we 
are  prepared  to  admit  that  there  are  grand  old  Odd  Fellows  in  other  parts 
of  the  world,  a  better  one  than  our  genial,  generous-hearted  old  friend  and 
brother,  "  Daddy  "  Wright,  we  Australians  think  there  cannot  be. 

After  this  digression  I  must  take  my  readers  back  a  few  years  to  a  time 
when  lodge  matters  were  somewhat  mixed,  and  before  Brother  Wright 
became  a  member.  In  1840  some  residents  of  Victoria,  —  which  was  then 
known  as  Port  Phillip,  —  made  application,  to  the  Australian  Supreme 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  New  South 
Wales,  for  a  dispensation  to  open  a  lodge  in  Melbourne,  which  was  granted 
to  Messrs.  Greeves,  Hayes,  and  Strode,  who  organized  the  Australia-Felix 
Lodge. 

A  curious  circumstance  has  been  related  to  me  in  connection  with  this 
lodge ;  which  is,  that  the  members  who  were  instrumental  in  establishing 
it,  and  the  members  who  afterward  joined,  were  for  some  years  under  the 
impression  that  it  was  a  Manchester  Unity  lodge.  Shortly  after  the  dis- 
covery of  the  error,  the  lodge  "  broke  up,"  when,  it  is  said,  the  members 


BENEATH  THE  SOUTHERN  CItOSa,  517 

divided  the  funds  among  themselves ;  and  the  after  events  go  still  further 
to  substantiate  the  little  story  that  I  have  just  related ;  for  some  of  the 
members  applied  to  the  head  body  of  the  Manchester  Unity  in  England 
for  a  dispensation  to  institute  a  lodge  in  Melbourne,  to  be  called  the 
Australia-Felix  Lodge.  The  request  was  granted,  the  lodge  was  opened, 
and  is  in  existence  to  this  day,  being  one  of  the  foremost  lodges  of  the 
[Manchester  Unity  in  Victoria,  with  a  membership  of  about  three  hundred, 
and  funds  to  the  extent  of  £60  14^.  2d.  per  member. 

The  original  dispensation,  which  was  obtained  from  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  New  South  Wales,  had  been 
returned  and  cancelled,  but  there  appears  to  have  been  a  certain  number 
in  the  disbanded  lodge  who  resolved  to  make  a  fresh  start  for  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows ;  and,  thereupon,  made  application  to  the 
Australian  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  for  a  warrant  to  open  a  lodge  in  Mel- 
bourne, to  be  called  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  No.  1.  This  was  granted, 
and  the  lodge  was  instituted  at  the  Waterman's  Arms  hotel,  on  the  6th  of 
October,  1846,  by  Brother  William  Lock,  Past  Grand,  who  was  the  first 
noble  grand ;  Brother  William  Clarke,  Past  Grand,  was  the  landlord  of 
the  hotel,  and  a  member  of  the  staff  of  the  Morning  Herald.  It  may  be 
assumed  that  all  the  founders  of  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge  have  long  since 
departed  "  to  that  bourne  from  whence  no  traveller  returns  " ;  for,  although 
I  have  made  diligent  inquiry,  I  have  been  unable  to  discover  any  of  them. 
One  pleasant  little  reminiscence  has  come  to  my  knowledge,  which  shows 
that  the  spirit,  with  which  a  true  Odd  Fellow  becomes  imbued  may  be 
hereditary ;  for  Brother  George  T.  Clarke,  a  son  of  William  Clarke,  Past 
Grand,  one  of  the  founders  of  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  is  at  the  present  time 
Grand  Treasurer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  South  Wales,  and  one  of  the 
most  popular  Odd  Fellows  in  that  jurisdiction.  The  new  lodge  met  with 
varying  fortune,  increasing  in  numbers  for  a  while ;  and,  apparently,  get- 
ting into  a  fair  financial  position,  when  the  treasurer  "  levanted  "  with  a  good 
portion  of  the  funds.  This,  no  doubt,  seriously  affected  the  lodge ;  for  some 
time  afterward,  I  find  that  the  members  had  dwindled  down  to  sixteen, 
although  the  capital  amounted  to  £300.  A  majority  of  the  members  were 
in  favor  of  "closing  up"  and  dividing  the  funds  among  themselves;  but 
Brother  Wright,  who  had  just  before  been  elected  treasurer,  proved  con- 
clusively to  them  that  he  was  master  of  the  situation,  and  made  a  short 
but  memorable  speech  in  behalf  of  Odd  Fellowship.  Addressing  the 
lodge,  he  said :  — 

"  You  have  very  wisely  elected  me  treasurer  of  the  lodge ;  the  whole  of  the  funds  are  in 
the  bank  of  Australasia  to  my  credit,  and  rather  than  I  would  sign  a  check  for  the  purpose 
you  desire,  I  would  let  the  money  remain  in  the  bank  until  the  day  of  my  death.'' 

This  determined  stand  brought  about  wiser  counsels,  and  the  proposal 
to  "close"  was  abandoned  when  the  cash  was  not  available.     This  may  be 


518  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

taken  as  an  exemplification  of  the  old  adage,  that  "  small  things  often  pro- 
duce mighty  consequences  " ;  for,  had  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge  disbanded, 
then  a  second  lodge,  called  the  Fitzroy,  which  had  been  lately  instituted, 
would,  no  doubt,  have  followed  suit ;  and  probably  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  would  not  have  been  reestablished  for  years. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria.  — When  and  how  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria 
was  established  is  not  in  evidence  that  can  be  deemed  reliable ;  but  I  find 
that  in  the  year  1850  the  lodges  in  Port  Phillip,  as  Victoria  was  then 
called,  were  constituted  a  district,  and  Brother  Moses  Kintel,  the  Jewish 
rabbi,  was  appointed  Provincial  Grand  Master,  presumably  by  the  Aus- 
tralian Supreme  Grand  Lodge.  A  separation  from  the  Supreme  Grand 
Lodge  must  have  followed  the  suzerainty  just  mentioned,  but  I  have  been 
unable  to  obtain  particulars  concerning  the  "  setting  up  "  of  government 
on  its  own  account  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria. 

The  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  Port  Phillip  seems,  by  some  process  of 
evolution,  to  have  become  changed  into  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria ;  but 
no  change  of  Grand  Master  took  place,  for  Brother  Moses  Eintel  only 
retired  from  office  in  1858,  when  Brother  Robert  Barbour  was  elected 
the  second  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  at  its  fifth  annual 
meeting. 

Very  little  progress  had  been  made;  for,  in  1859,  when  Brother 
Wright  occupied  the  chair  of  Grand  Master,  there  were  only  six  lodges 
with  207  members.  Still  they  held  on  bravely  for  a  year  or  two;  and 
from  the  report  of  Grand  Master  James  McGaw,  which  he  presented  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  eighth  annual  meeting,  held  in  Melbourne  on  the 
9th  of  August,  1861,  I  have  authentic  evidence  that  the  membership 
had  increased  to  490,  and  the  lodges  to  eleven,  thus  making  the  outlook 
decidedly  more  hopeful. 

Often,  in  the  course  of  my  investigations  and  inquiries,  I  have  found 
that  a  lodge  had  **  dropped  out "  of  the  list,  and  no  mention  made  of  it ; 
but  at  this  stage  of  my  work  I  have  become  painfully  aware  of  the  fact 
that  a  whole  Grand  Lodge  had  disappeared,  without  so  much  as  a  scrap 
of  information  left  from  which  can  be  gathered  why  it  vanished  or 
whither  it  went. 

The  Australian  Supreme  Grand  Lodge  and  its  operations,  if  any,  are 
no  more  heard  of,  and  Brother  Wright  tells  me  that  he  knew  of  no  con- 
trol being  exercised  by  any  other  Grand  Lodge  over  the  Order  in  Vic- 
toria, when  he  was  Grand  Master  in  1859-60;  the  then  current  belief 
being  that  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  had  "  died  out "  in 
New  South  Wales. 

In  the  published  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  eighth  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
held  in  1861,  mention  is  made  of  negotiations  by  that  body,  with  the 


BENEATH  THE  SOUTHERN  CROSS.  519 

Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  America  for  aflftliationj  and  this 
appears  to  be  presumptive  evidence  that  the  Australian  Supreme  Grand 
Lodge  had  expired,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria  had  become  the 
ruling  body;  and  taken  the  direction  of  affairs  in  Australasia,  or  intended 
to  do  so. 

From  1861  to  1867  the  records  of  proceedings  are  non  est  inversus; 
but  the  report  of  the  fourteenth  annual  meeting,  over  which  Brother 
Frederick  Batcheldor,  Grand  Master,  presided,  shows  that  something  like 
a  boom  in  Odd  Fellowship  had  been  experienced ;  the  number  of  lodges 
having  increased  to  thirty-eight  and  the  membership  to  1976.  Brother 
Batcheldor,  in  his  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  stated  that  he  had  issued 
dispensations  for  the  opening  of  seven  new  lodges,  one  of  which  was  in 
New  Zealand;  which  colony  had  then  three  lodges,  under  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Victoria,  and  was  known  and  hailed  by  the  title  of  the  "  Otago 
District,"  with,  I  presume,  some  form  of  provincial  self-government. 

Ancient  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  — A  peculiar  change  had  been 
made  in  the  title  of  the  Order,  between  1861  and  1867,  by  prefixing  the 
word  ** Ancient";  and  in  my  researches  I  have  come  across  the  report 
of  a  special  committee  on  the  laws  of  the  Order,  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
at  its  seventeenth  annual  communication  on  the  17th  of  October,  1870.  I 
have  extracted  from  that  report  the  paragraph  referring  to  the  prefix  of 
"Ancient,"  which  is  as  follows :  — 

"  Your  committee  haying  examined  into  the  origin  of  the  prefix  'Ancient  *  to  the  name 
of  the  Order,  find  that,  previous  and  np  to  the  15th  of  December,  1862,  the  word  formed  no 
part  of  the  name  of  the  Order,  it  having  been  on  that  date  prefixed  by  the  registrar  of 
friendly  societies  (the  better  to  distinguish  it  from  other  societies  having  somewhat  similar 
names) ,  without  the  sanction  of,  but  tacitly  acquiesced  in,  by  your  Grand  Lodge.  Your 
committee  cannot  see  that  any  benefit  or  advantage  has  been  derived  from  the  prefix,  and, 
now  that  your  Grand  Lodge  has  affiliated  with  this  Order  in  America,  who  recommend  a 
uniformity  of,  and  return  to,  the  name  by  which  the  Order  was  known  when  proi>osals  for 
affiliation  were  first  made,  your  committee  recommend  that  the  word  'Ancient '  should  in 
future  be  omitted." 

This  appears  to  have  fixed  up  the  matter  satisfactorily,  as  far  as  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria  was  concerned;  but  I  am  much  puzzled  by 
the  discovery  that  Grand  Lodges  of  the  Ancient  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  existed  then,  in  the  colonies  of  Tasmania  and  South  Aus- 
tralia. In  the  case  of  the  former,  I  have  had  ocular  demonstration  of  the 
fact  that  the  charter  came  from  the  same  body  that  the  Victorian  charter 
did,  —  the  Australian  Supreme  Grand  Lodge,  in  New  South  Wales;  and 
information  has  been  given  me  that  the  South  Australian  Grand  Lodge,  of 
the  Ancient  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  obtained  its  charter  from 
the  same  place. 

There  is  little  room  for  doubt  in  the  matter,  because  the  members  who 
took  "clearance  cards"  from  the  lodges  of  one  colony  were  accepted  in  the 


520  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

lodges  of  the  other  colonies  without  demur,  though  I  have  not  been  able 
to  determine  how  they  hit  upon  a  universal  password  after  the  Australian 
Supreme  Grand  Lodge  disappeared.  Both  the  Tasmania  and  South  Aus- 
tralian Grand  Lodges  refused  to  join  with  Victoria  in  the  affiliation 
with  America.  The  former  is  reduced  to  one  lodge,  and  the  latter  has 
amalgamated  with  another  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

The  Affiliation  with  America.  —  And  now  I  come  to  the  time  when  the 
Order  in  Victoria  became  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  in  America.  Here,  I  am  pleased  to  say  that,  at  last,  I  am  on  good 
firm  ground,  with  the  published  records  before  me. 

The  first  overtures  for  affiliation  were  made  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Victoria  in  May,  1858,  when  a  letter  containing  a  bill  of  exchange  for 
£20,  to  defray  the  cost  of  charter,  books,  etc.,  was  dispatched  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States.  The  correspondence  appears  to  have  been 
conducted  with  Brother  T.  Rodgers  Johnson,  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  California ;  who,  being  a  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  submitted  the  correspondence  to  that  august  body. 
The  proposition  was  favorably  received,  but  no  definite  action  was  had  for 
several  reasons ;  among  which  was  the  difficulty  and  expense  (which  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  was  not  willing  to  assume),  of  sending 
a  competent  person  to  instruct  in  the  work,  and  insure  its  complete  adop- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  membership  in  Australasia. 

However,  in  the  following  year  a  blank  commission  as  Special  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  for  that  work,  together  with  a  number  of  blank  dispensations 
for  subordinate  lodges,  encampments,  and  a  Grand  Lodge,  were  placed  in 
the  custody  of  Grand  Secretary  Johnson,  of  California,  with  authority  to 
use  them  whenever  a  competent  person  could  be  found,  who  would  under- 
take the  labor,  without  expense  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 
The  matter  remained  in  abeyance  for  several  years ;  only  a  desultory  cor- 
respondence had  been  kept  up,  and  the  Australians  were  beginning  to  for- 
get all  about  the  application  for  affiliation,  when  Brother  A.  D.  Meacham, 
Past  Grand  Representative,  being  about  to  visit  Australia,  under  the  advice 
of  his  physician,  was  intrusted  with  the  duty  of  instructing  the  lodges 
here,  and  "  carrying  out "  their  affiliation  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  in  the  United  States.  This  was  in  September,  1867,  and  on 
the  16th  of  November,  of  the  same  year,  Grand  Master  William  Stirling 
was  somewhat  startled  by  the  reception  of  the  following  letter :  — 

"I.O.O.F. 

"Office  of  the  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  Australia, 

"  Royal  Mail  Hotel,  Bourke  street,  Melbourne,  November  16, 1867. 

*'  Dear  Sir  and  Brother  :  —  It  may  be  within  your  knowledge  that  a  number  of  years 
since  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  of  which  you  are  now  the  representative  head,  applied  by 
petition  to  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  the  United 


BENEATH  THE  SOUTHEBN  CROSS.  521 

States  of  America  for  recognition  and  a  charter ;  also  for  full  instruction  in  the  work  of  the 
Order  as  practised  by  that  R.  W.  Grand  body. 

"  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  expressed  much  pleasure  in  receiving  the  peti- 
tion, and  at  once  granted  the  application ;  but  in  order  to  render  the  object  of  the  petition 
effective,  it  required  that  a  qualified  member  of  that  R.  W.  Grand  body  should  be  duly  com- 
missioned, with  full  power  and  authority  to  come  to  this  country,  and  reorganize  and  instruct 
your  Grand  Lodge  in  the  entire  work  of  the  Order,  as  understood  and  practised  by  the  R.  W. 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  and  jurisdictions  thereunto  belonging.  Heretofore  that 
Grand  Lodge  has  not  been  able  to  secure  the  services  of  a  brother  for  that  purpose,  who  was 
willing  to  undertake  so  long  and,  apparently,  so  difficult  a  mission. 

"  It  becomes  my  duty,  at  this  time,  to  officially  notify  you  that  I  have  accepted  that  posi- 
tion, and  have  arrived  fully  authorized  and  empowered  by  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  to  carry  out  the  object  of  the  petition  of  your  Grand  Lodge,  In  case  it  is  yet 
the  wish  of  the  brethren  that  it  should  be  done.  I  shall  be  pleased  to  make  the  personal 
acquaintance  of  yourself  and  your  grand  officers  at  your  earliest  convenience,  and  will 
gladly  co6perate  with  yon  in  any  measure  that  may  tend  to  the  general  good  of  the  Order, 
and  be  the  means  of  adding  more  links  to  that  great  chain  of  Universal  Brotherhood  which 
we  believe  is  destined  to  encircle  the  earth. 

*'  I  am,  my  dear  sir  and  brother,  yours  fraternally, 

"  A.  D.  MEACHAM,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 

"  To  William  Stirling,  Esq,,  M.  W.  Grand  Master  of  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria, 
A.I.O.O.F/* 

Grand  Master  Stirling  called  a  special  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors, 
at  which  Brother  Meacham  was  present,  and  submitted  his  credentials  as 
Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  Australia.  It  was  resolviBd  to  call  a  special 
meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  take  final  action  in  the  matter,  and  in  the 
meantime  to  obtain  from  Brother  Meacham  an  exhaustive  statement  of 
the  terms  and  modus  operandi,  under  and  by  which  the  object  sought 
could  be  established. 

The  reply  of  Brother  Meacham  was  exhaustive  enough  to  smooth  away 
all  difficulties,  and  was  as  follows :  — 

"I.O.O.F. 

«*  Office  of  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  Australia. 

"  Melbourne,  December  13, 1867. 

" Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers:  — I  have  much  pleasure  in  acknowledging  the  receipt  of 
your  letter,  dated  Geelong,  the  7th  inst.,  informing  me  of  your  appointment  as  a  special  com- 
mittee on  the  part  of  that  branch  of  Odd  Fellows  in  this  colony  known  as  the  Ancient  Inde. 
pendent  Order,  to  confer  with  me  relative  to  my  mission  to  this  country,  and  inquiring  the 
terms  or  conditions  upon  which  the  object  sought  could  be  accomplished. 

"  In  reference  to  the  first  portion  of  your  letter,  I  would  respectfully  say  that  my  mis- 
sion here  is  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  the  work  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
as  practised  throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada,  and  is  in  consequence  of  the  following 
proceedings  had  in  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  as  appears  from  the  printed 
proceedings  of  that  R.  W.  Grand  body. 

"During  the  year  1859  there  were  received  by  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  certain  papers  purporting  to  come  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  the  following  tenor  and  date :  —  ^ 

" '  On  the  6th  of  June,  1859,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria  held  a  special  meeting,  at  which 
it  was  resolved :  "  That  the  Grand  Secretary  be  directed  to  write  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  applying  to  them  for  affiliation  and  a  charter  for  this  Grand  Lodge,  said  appli- 


522  THE  THRJEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

cation  to  be  signed  by  the  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  five  past  grands ;  and 
that  funds  be  sent  to  pay  for  the  same,  and  for  a  supply  of  Grand  Secretary  and  lodge  certifi- 
cates, and  a  complete  set  of  all  books, — initiation,  lecture  or  degree,  and  charge  books, — 
required  for  the  guidance  of  this  Grand  Lodge."  ' 

"  Accompanying  the  above  resolution  appeared  the  following  petition :  — 

*'  *  2(0  the  M.  W.  Or  and  Sire,  Grand  OjfficerSf  and  members  of  the  R.  W,  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States :  — 

'"In  accordance  with  the  resolution  passed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria  on  the  6th 
of  June,  we,  the  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Grand  Secretary,  and  the  under^ 
sighed  past  grands,  do  hereby  apply  for  affiliation  with  you,  and  that  you  will  grant  to  us 
a  charter  acknowledging  us  as  brethren,  and  constituting  our  Grand  Lodge  in  connection 
with  that  of  yours,  and  giving  to  our  brethren  the  right  of  admission  into  your  lodges,  etc., 
upon  the  same  terms  as  those  issued  to  British  North  America.'  [Signed  by  the  proper 
officers  and  five  past  grands.] 

**  The  above  papers  were  referred  to  a  special  committee,  who  made  an  elaborate 
report,  subsequently  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  of  which  the  follow- 
ing is,  briefly,  the  substance :  — 

" '  That  the  consideration  of  this  matter  imposes  upon  your  committee  and  upon  the 
Grand  Lodge  itself  a  very  grave  responsibility.  In  it  is  involved  the  unlimited  extension  of 
the  principles  and  benefits  of  our  Order  to  nations  other  than  those  which  are  located  con- 
tiguous to  our  own,  and  which  may  radically  differ  from  us  in  both  their  social  and  political 
organization. 

" '  Whatever  we  may  do,  it  becomes  us  to  so  direct  our  actions  that  the  spread  of 
Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth  over  the  world  should  at  least  not  be  retarded  or  kept  back. 

** '  The  small  number  of  brothers,  in  Australia,  who  have  sent  up  this  petition  to  us 
appear  to  be  engaged  in  a  labor  of  love  which  our  ritual  imposes  upon  its  devotees  every- 
where, with  a  sincere  and  earnest  purpose. 

"  '  If  any  course  of  action  can  be  taken  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  which  shall  foster  and  sus- 
tain, or  aid  in  building  up,  a  sister  jurisdiction  in  Australia,  your  committee  feel  sure  that 
every  member  of  this  R.  W.  body  will  cheerfully  and  heartily  join  in  such  action. 

"'On  the  other  hand,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  numerous  difficulties  surround  this 
question,  and  render  a  satisfactory  solution  of  it  almost  impracticable.  As  a  preliminary 
step  to  an  affiliation  with  the  brethren  in  Australia,  it  would  be  necessary  that  their  Grand 
Lodge  should  be  legalized  by  a  charter  emanating  from  this  R.  W.  Grand  body,  and  that 
they  should  be  placed  properly  in  possession  of  the  work  as  used  throughout  our  jurisdic- 
tion. To  do  this  would  require  the  services  of  a  competent  member  of  this  Grand  Lodge, 
who  would  be  obliged  to  proceed  to  Australia,  and  there,  upon  the  spot,  perform  the  duties 
of  his  mission.  This  would  involve  the  expenditure  of  a  considerable  amount  of  money, 
which  would  have  to  be  paid  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  or  her  subordinates,  in 
accordance  with  the  by-laws  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  article  vi.,  which  reads  as  follows:  "  All 
travelling  and  other  expenses  of  the  Grand  Sire,  or  of  the  past  grand  or  patriarch  deputed  by 
him  to  institute  a  Grand  or  subordinate  lodge  or  encampment,  shall  be  paid  by  such  lodge 
or  encampment." 

•* '  It  does  not  appear  at  present  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria  is  either  willing  or 
able  to  defray  the  expenses  which  would  necessarily  be  incurred  by  a  special  agent  to 
Australia,  and  the  matter  must,  therefore,  be  left  in  abeyance  until  something  further  is 
heard  from  them  in  response  to  our  present  action. 

'"In  order,  however,  to  save  time,  and  to  manifest  the  disposition  of  this  Grand  Lodge 
toward  the  Australian  brethren,  your  committee  would  recommend  the  adoption  of  the 
accompanying  resolution :  — 

** '  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  be  instructed  to  notify  the 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
cannot  act  definitely  on  the  application  made  until  indubitable  evidence  of  the  identity  of 
the  work  of  the  Order  in  Victoria  with  that  used  in  this  jurisdiction  has  been  produced,  or 
until  this  Grand  Lodge  shall  be  justified  in  commissioning  a  qualified  brother  to  proceed  to 


BENEATH  THE  SOUTHERN  CROSS.  523 

Anatralia  and  ascertain  the  actual  condition  of  the  Order  there,  and,  if  fonnd  favorable, 
that  he  be  fully  authorized  to  institute  the  Order  in  Australia  as  an  independent  jurisdic- 
tion, subject  only  to  the  limitations  and  conditions  heretofore  required  in  the  establishment 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America.' 

"  In  accordance  with  the  above  resolution  I  have  been  duly  commissioned  and  authorized 
by  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  if  found  favorable,  to  carry  out  the  object 
of  your  petition. 

"  In  reply  to  the  second  portion  of  your  letter  as  to  the  terms  and  conditions  upon  which 
the  object  sought  can  be  accomplished,  I  would  reply  that  they  are :  — 

*'  First,  The  acceptance  of  a  charter  from  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
and  being  legally  instituted  by  a  duly  qualified  officer ;  the  adoption  of  the  entire  ritual  of 
that  R.  W.  Grand  body,  and  the  complete  abrogation  of  your  present  ritual  in  all  respects 
wherein  it  may  conflict  with  that  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

'*  Second,  That  you  shall  not  at  any  time  hereafter  in  anywise  alter  or  repudiate  any  of 
the  signs,  tokens,  passwords,  lectures,  or  charges,  or  any  other  part  or  portion  of  either  the 
written  or  unwritten  work  of  the  Order  as  known  and  practised  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States. 

"  Third,  That  the  Annual  Travelling  Password  shall  be  determined  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  and  that  the  qualifications  for  membership  in  your  subordinate  lodges 
shall  be  the  same  as  those  established  by  the  same  R.  W.  Grand  body,  said  qualifications 
being  at  present  as  follows,  viz. :  *A  free  white  male,  of  good  moral  character,  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  and  who  believes  in  the  existence  of  a  Supreme  Being,  the  Creator  and  Pre- 
server of  the  Universe.' 

"  The  regalia  being  a  portion  of  the  *  written  work '  must  alone  be  used. 

*'  Lodge-rooms  must  be  guarded  by  two  doors,  with  an  anteroom  or  space  between,  and 
so  situated  that  no  knowledge  of  what  is  going  on  within  can  be  obtained  by  any  person  on 
the  outside. 

"  All  matters  pertaining  to  local  government  and  laws  not  inconsistent  with  the  general 
laws  and  usages  of  the  Order ;  as,  also,  the  regulation  of  the  amount  of  dues  and  fees  for 
initiations,  degrees,  penalties,  etc.,  to  be  paid  by  members  of  subordinate  lodges  and  encamp- 
ments, and  amount  of  sick  benefits  and  terms  upon  which  they  shall  be  paid  to  members  of 
such  lodges  and  encampments,  are  subjects  of  local  legislation,  over  which  each  subordinate 
Grand  jurisdiction  has  supreme  control  in  itself,  which  will  in  no  wise  be  interfered  with  by 
the  Graod  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

"  In  the  foregoing  I  have  endeavored  to  be  as  distinct  and  at  the  same  time  as  concise  as 
possible,  so  as  to  leave  no  grounds  of  misapprehension  of  the  entire  subject  in  the  minds  of 
any  of  your  members,  and  I  trust  that  there  will  be  none ;  but  that  all  may  act  intelligently 
on  the  matter  when  the  time  for  action  shall  arrive,  having  in  view  always  what  in  their 
opinion  will  redound  to  the  greatest  good  to  our  beloved  Order,  and  hasten  the  time  when 
'one  law  shall  bind  all  nations,  tongues,  and  kindreds  of  the  earth,' — the  law  of  universal 
brotherhood. 

"  In  consequence  of  the  great  length  of  time  that  has  elapsed  since  the  petition  of  your 
Grand  Lodge  was  presented  to  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  I  find  that  you 
have  deemed  it  expedient  to  present  the  whole  subject-matter  a  second  time  to  the  consid- 
eration of  your  various  subordinate  lodges,  for  an  expression  of  their  present  wishes  In  the 
premises,  and  in  this  connection  I  hope  I  may  be  pardoned  for  quoting  at  some  length  from 
a  letter  written  to  the  Order  in  England  in  1841,  by  the  distinguished  R.  W.  Grand  Corre- 
sponding and  Recording  Secretary  [Ridgely]  of  our  Grand  Lodge,  relative  to  the  extraordinary 
growth  and  prosp)erity  of  our  beloved  Order  in  America,  which  has  continued  to  the  present 
time;  and  to  some  of  the  causes  which  have  produced  such  gratifying  results,  the  more 
especially  as  from  the  limited  observations  I  have  been  able  to  make  respecting  some  of  your 
lodges  here,  I  am  of  opinion  they  may  not  be  inappropriate :  — 

"  '  From  a  beginning  extremely  limited,  it  struggled  in  obscurity  until  the  year  1890, 
when,  rising  above  the  difficulties  which  had  encompassed  its  youth,  it  rapidly  and  aston- 
ishingly worked  out  its  own  way  to  character,  by  the  inherent  influence  of  its  own  moral 
power.    The  greatest  obstacle  which  interposed  itself,  for  many  years,  to  the  spread  of  Odd 


624  THE  THREE' LINE  FRATERNITY. 

Fellowship,  was  the  fact,  that  from  the  place  of  the  assemblage  of  its  lodges,  and  the 
convivial  practices  indulged  at  lodge  meetings,  an  opinion  universally  obtained  in  the  com- 
monity  that  it  was  a  mere  merry-making  concern ;  and  however  it  proclaimed  itself  as  a 
humane,  charitable  institution,  it  was  believed  that  such  a  title  to  public  approbation  was 
hypocritically  put  on,  for  the  purpose  of  cloaking  practices,  which,  if  acknowledged,  would 
be  sternly  rebuked  by  public  opinion.  As  such  an  impression  for  a  long  time  cast  Odd 
Fellowship  in  this  country  into  disrepute  and  opprobrium,  so,  from  the  moment  of  the 
removal  of  the  cause,  was  a  corresponding  opposite  disposition  evinced  toward  it  by  our 
people.  A  spirit  of  inquiry  into  the  principles  of  the  Order  at  once  prevailed,  and,  happily, 
produced  the  conviction  that  it  contained  within  itself  elements  of  great  good,  and  could 
not  fail,  when  disincumbered  of  such  obnoxious  features,  to  attain  to  a  degree  of  moral 
excellence  which  would  crowd  to  its  lodge-rooms  the  best  and  purest  citizens  of  the  repub- 
lic. This,  my  brethren,  so-much-to-be-desired  result  has  been  more  than  realized,  and  the 
proud  satisfaction  is  now  enjoyed  by  us  in  America  of  witnessing,  as  the  fruits  of  our  efforts 
in  this  reform,  a  spectacle  at  once  imposing  and  sublime.  There  scarcely  exists  in  the 
vastly  wide-spreading  territorial  limits  of  America,  a  single  state  or  district  where  the 
votaries  of  Odd  Fellowship  are  not  to  be  found,  —  everywhere  are  the  temples  of  our  Order 
rising  to  the  skies,  dedicated  to  the  cause  of  suffering  humanity.  Such  is  the  picture  of 
Odd  Fellowship  in  the  United  States,  and  under  its  existing  auspices  it  is  destined,  at  no 
distant  day,  we  fondly  anticipate,  to  afford  relief  to  a  greater  amount  of  individual  suffer- 
ing than  any  other  kindred  association  of  equal  resources  in  this  country.  Its  great  moral 
influence  is  felt  and  appreciated  by  the  fraternity  in  the  integrity  of  character  which  it  incul- 
cates, and  the  rigid  adherence  which  it  exacts  in  all  the  relations  of  life  to  the  practice  of 
those  virtues  which  adorn  and  dignify  man.  When  such,  its  highest  and  holiest  motive, 
shall  cease  to  animate  the  Order  in  America,  its  epitaph  will  have  been  written  as  an  insti- 
tution deserving  to  claim  no  public  consideration  or  concern  whatsoever.  No  such  fear, 
however,  alarms  us ;  but  moving  onward  in  silent  and  unobtrusive  zeal  in  the  promotion  of 
its  real  purposes,  with  these  cardinal  principles  ever  in  review,  its  future  greatness  and  influ- 
ence upon  man's  social  and  moral  condition  none  can  pretend  to  portray.  Our  career,  be  it 
with  all  deference  spoken,  affords  an  example  not  unworthy  your  imitation,  and  by  regard- 
ing the  results  accomplished  in  America,  at  the  simple  cost  of  discarding  conviviality  as  a 
feature  in  Odd  Fellowship,  utterly  at  variance  with  the  respectability,  dignity,  and  conse- 
quent usefulness  of  the  institution,  a  lesson  may  be  taught,  we  trust,  not  entirely  unprofit- 
able to  the  brotherhood  in  England.' 

"  It  would  be  useless  for  me  to  attempt  to  add  anything  to  the  above  extract,  which  has 
been  made  in  no  spirit  of  complaint  or  fault-finding,  but  the  views  expressed  are  affection- 
ately submitted  to  your  calm  and  dispassionate  reflection,  in  the  ardent  hope  that  it  may 
lead  to  a  reform  with  you,  if  any  is  necessary,  which  will  tend  to  give  renewed  vigor  to  your 
energies,  enhance  your  weight  of  character,  augment  your  influence,  enlarge  your  sphere 
of  action,,  and  promote,  as  blended  in  one  common  interest,  the  welfare  of  our  beloved 
Order  in  America  and  Australia. 

**  Before  closing  this,  I  fear  too  long,  communication,  brethren,  permit  me  to  extend  to 
you,  and  through  you  to  the  members  of  the  lodges  in  Victoria,  my  grateful  acknowledg-* 
ment  for  the  very  flattering  reception,  and  many  courtesies  extended  to  me  since  my 
arrival  among  you,  —  acts  of  kindness  on  your  part  which  stamp  you  as  Odd  Fellows  indeed, 
in  act  as  well  as  word. 

"  In  the.  hope  that  your  deliberations  on  the  matter  herein  submitted  may  result  in 
the  greatest  good  to  our  beloved  Order,  and  with  sentiments  of  the  highest  consideration 
and  regard  for  the  prosperity  of  pure  Odd  Fellowship  wherever  established,  I  am,  gentlemen 

and  brothers, 

**  Yours  fraternally, 

A.  D.  MEACHAM,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire. 
**To  William  Stirling,  Grand  Master.'* 

Australia :  Australasia  :  Victoria.  —  At  the  special  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Victoria,  held  in  the  town  of  Geelong,  it  was  resolved  to  accept 


BENEATH  THE  SOUTHERN  CROSS.  525 

the  terms  submitted  by  the  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire ;  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  was  instituted,  —  under  the  new  charter,  —  on  the  22nd  of  February, 
1868. 

A  curious  mistake  was  made  by  the  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  in  insti- 
tuting the  new  Grand  Lodge,  which  afterward  was  the  cause  of  much  con- 
fusion. He  had  been  given  power  to  establish  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Australia, 
—  meaning  Australasia,  —  and  the  charter  was  actually  prepared  under 
the  instructions  of  Grand  Sire  Stokes  for  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Australia, 
but  before  Brother  Meacham  received  'it  he  had  instituted  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Victoria.  True,  the  charter  sent  out  was  afterward  adopted,  but 
failed  to  cure  the  error,  as  it  was  only  used  to  apply  to  Victoria  as  a 
subordinate  Grand  Lodge  instead  of  being,  as  intended,  the  Supreme  Grand 
Lodge  of  Australasia. 

New  Zealand.  —  At  the  time  of  the  affiliation,  there  were  in  New  Zealand 
seven  lodges  which  had  been  opened  under  warrants  received  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria ;  and,  on  the  3d  of  September,  1868,  these  lodges 
petitioned  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria  for  the  necessary  warrant  to  estab- 
lish a  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Zealand.  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was 
granted  and  in  due  course  the  Grand  Lodge  was  instituted  by  the  Special 
Deputy  Grand  Sire,  when  on  a  visit  to  that  colony. 

Other  Grand  Lodges.  —  The  Order  did  not  make  much  progress  under  the 
new  state  of  things,  for  a  few  years;  but,  eventually,  began  to  move  ahead; 
lodges  were  established  in  Tasmania,  New  South  Wales,  and  South 
Australia,  under  warrants  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Australia,  and  so  well 
did  the  Order  prosper  in  the  colonies  named,  that  the  establishment  of 
Grand  Lodges  became  only  a  question  of  time. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia.  —  At  the  annual  communication  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  held  at  Baltimore  in  1877,  Grand 
Secretary  Ridgely,  in  his  report,  pointed  out  the  mistakes  made  in  our 
form  of  government  when  first  affiliated  with  the  American  institution, 
and  that  it  was  contrary  to  a  resolution  of  their  Grand  Lodge,  which 
af&rmed :  — 

'*  That  upon  the  formation  of  Grand  Lodges  in  foreign  countries,  the  interests  of  Odd 
Fellowship  would  be  much  promoted  by  recognizing  such  organizations  as  distinct  sovereign- 
ties {quasi),  exercising  independent  powers ;  and  that  under  the  existing  system  the  progress 
and  proper  development  of  the  Order  in  Australia  has  been  seriously  checked." 

The  committee  on  foreign  relations,  to  whom  the  foregoing  report  was 
submitted,  recommended  that  the  Grand  Sire  should  visit  Australia ;  and 
if  he  could  not  go,  then  the  Deputy  Grand  Sire  should  be  requested  to 
visit  this  jurisdiction ;  the  object  of  his  mission  being  to  give  full  powers 
of  self-government  without  the  necessity  of  appealing  to  America  on  every 
disputed  point. 

The  Grand  Sire,  Brother  Stokes,  being  unable  to  come,  the  Deputy 


626  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Grand  Sire^  Brother  John  6.  Harmon,  accepted  the  responsibility,  and  a 
man  better  fitted  for  the  position  could  not  have  been  found.  He  performed 
his  task  with  great  tact  and  judgment.  He  was  authorized  to  create  a 
Supreme  Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia,  which  should  grant  charters  for 
subordinate  Grand  Lodges  in  the  several  colonies,  and  to  which  these  sub- 
ordinates should  appeal  in  cases  of  dispute. 

Deputy  Grand  Sire  Harmon  arrived  in  Melbourne  on  the  9th  of  June, 
1878,  and  on  the  1st  of  July,  following,  he  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Australasia. 

Grand  Lodges  in  Affiliation.  —  The  Grand  Lodges  of  Victoria  and  New 
Zealand  surrendered  their  old,  and  accepted  new  charters  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Australasia.  On  the  4th  of  September,  1878,  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  South  Australia  was  instituted  by  Brother  William  Stirling,  who  had 
been  elected  as  first  Grand  Sire.  On  the  26th  of  October,  1880,  the 
institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  South  Wales  took  place ;  and  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Tasmania  followed,  on  the  4th  of  December,  1882. 

The  progress  made  in  the  three  subordinate  Grand  Lodge  jurisdictions 
of  Victoria,  New  South  Wales,  and  South  Australia,  for  some  years  was 
eminently  satisfactory,  and  the  membership  was  increasing  by  leaps  and 
bounds ;  but  the  severe  commercial  depression  which  has  existed  for  about 
five  years  has  paralyzed  trade,  and  so  materially  lessened  the  revenue  of 
the  wage-earners  that  some  ground  has  been  lost.  Still,  the  position  at 
the  end  of  1895,  as  shown  by  the  reports  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Australasia,  at  its  1896  session,  is  undoubtedly  a  stable  one.  The  total 
membership  was,  at  the  date  above  mentioned,  18,758 ;  the  total  funds  in 
the  jurisdiction  amounted  to  £196,691  7«. ;  and  the  amount  expended  for 
the  relief  of  sickness  and  distress,  during  the  preceding  three  years,  was 
£124,873  45.  7d. 

The  encampment  branch  of  the  Order  does  not  prosper,  and  does  not 
seem  to  commend  itself  to  the  people  on  these  shores. 

During  1895  the  Kebekah  movement  made  a  start,  and  already  ten 
lodges  are  in  existence,  with  fair  prospects  of  a  considerable  increase  in 
the  near  future. 

Up  to  the  present  the  two  other  colonies  of  the  Australasian  group, 
Queensland  and  West  Australia,  have  not  Grand  Lodges  established ;  the 
former,  with  two  lodges,  being  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Victoria,  and  the 
latter  attached  to  South  Australia. 

That  the  affiliation  with  America  was  the  very  best  thing  that  could 
have  happened  to  the  Order  here  has  been  demonstrated ;  and,  although 
some  little  feeling  was  evinced  at  the  time,  the  attachment  to  the  great 
brotherhood  across  the  Pacific  is  now  a  strong  one,  and  intense  pride  is 
felt  in  the  position  the  Order  occupies  throughout  the  world.  We  are 
endeavoring  to  build  on  the  foundations  laid  for  us,  and  to  prove  that  ours 


BENEATH  THE  SOUTHEBN  CR088.  527 

is  a  broad  platform  on  which  all  honest  men  can  stand,  —  with  a  view  of 
inducing  all  classes  to  seek  admission  to  our  ranks,  so  that  in  years  to  come 
the  influence  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  these  sunny  southern  lands,  beneath 
the  "  Southern  Cross,"  will  be  measured  by  the  capacity  of  man  to  do 
good  to  his  fellow-man. 


CHAPTER  II. 

ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  NEW  ZEALAND. 

Odd  Fellowship  introduced. — The  history  of  Kew  Zealand  as  a  colony 
dates  back  only  to  1840,  although  settlements  of  a  more  or  less  perma- 
nent character  had  been  made  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  earlier. 
It  was  not  of  a  very  desirable  type,  being  mainly  composed  of  runaway 
whalers  and  refugee  convicts,  outlawed  from  the  Australian  penal  settle- 
ments. For  such  a  class  of  society,  the  amenities  of  civilization  had  no 
charms;  and  it  was  not  until  three  years  after  the  inauguration  of  the 
colony  that  we  find  the  first  Odd  Fellows'  lodge  was  established.  The 
Manchester  Unity  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  led  the  van;  and, 
in  1843,  opened  Britannia  Lodge,  at  Wellington,  which  was  followed,  in 
1844,  by  Fountain  of  Friendship  Lodge,  at  Auckland,  and  Nelson  Lodge, 
at  Nelson.  Those  lodges  have  all  survived  the  vicissitudes  of  time  and 
fortune,  and  are  still  doing  good  work,  the  Fountain  of  Friendship  Lodge 
being  the  wealthiest  in  the  colony. 

The  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  came  at  a  much  later  date,  — 
had  its  genesis  in  the  Ancient  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  an 
English  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  not  now  represented  in  the  colony,  —  and 
Pioneer  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria, 
Ancient  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  1862,  and  the  first  noble 
grand  was  Brother  William  Luke. 

New  Zealand  at  that  time  was  divided,  politically,  into  provinces; 
and  the  first  intention  of  the  founders  was,  evidently,  to  divide  the  Order, 


528  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

—  as  the  Manchester  Unity  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  For- 
esters had  done,  —  into  districts  corresponding  with  the  geographical 
boundaries  of  the  provinces.  We  find,  therefore,  that  the  first  Grand 
Master,  Brother  Hugh  Gourley,  was  designated  Provincial  Grand  Master, 
the  first  Provincial  Grand  Secretary  being  Brother  Vine.  Brother  Vine 
afterward  went  to  Victoria,  and  his  name  will  be  found  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  the  history  of  the  Order  in  that  colony.  In  1864  a  new  lodge, 
Otago,  No.  2,  was  opened  in  Dunedin.  In  1865  Kaitangata  Lodge,  No.  3, 
was  instituted.  In  1866  the  first -lodge  established  out  of  the  provincial 
boundaries,  —  Wanganui,  No.  4, — was  chartered  and  opened  in  1867. 
During  this  year  Leith  and  Alexandra  lodges  were  also  opened.  In  1868 
Anderson's  Bay  Lodge  and  Alfred  Lodge,  at  Oamaru,  received  charters. 

Those  were  the  last  lodges  chartered  by  the  Ancient  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  this  closes  the  brief  and  uneventful  history 
of  the  Order  under  its  rule. 

Of  the  pioneer  brethren  only  three,  —  Brothers  B.  C.  Haggitt,  Provin- 
cial Grand  Master  in  1865 ;  James  Michie,  Provincial  Grand  Secretary  in 
1868 ;  and  Hugh  Gourley,  —  now  belong  to  the  Order ;  and  of  the  lodges 
only  three  are  still  on  the  roll.  The  Otago  Lodge  did  not  elect  to  go 
over  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  started  as  a  "  mere 
beneficial  society,"  having  no  ritual,  no  regalia,  and  no  connection  with 
any  other  organization.  It  was  to  have  inaugurated  a  new  era  among 
friendly  societies,  but  the  bright  ideals  of  its  founders  were  not  realized. 
There  was  no  bond  of  union  among  its  members,  the  silken  thread  of 
fraternity  was  wanting ;  and,  after  a  brief  and  inglorious  career,  it  van- 
ished from  the  scene.  The  Grand  Lodge's  net  assets  at  that  time  were 
£8  2».  4d. ;  and  the  total  assets  of  subordinates,  £545. 

Overtures  had  been  made  previous  to  this  to  the  Ancient  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Australasia  by  the  Independent  Order ;  and,  in 
1869,  Brother  A.  D.  Meacham  came  to  the  colonies  armed  with  full 
powers  to  deal  with  the  question.  The  result  of  his  mission  to  New 
Zealand  was  that  all  the  lodges,  excepting  Otago,  affiliated,  and  a  new 
constitution  was  formed  under  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

What  the  institution  would  have  become  under  the  Ancient  Indepen- 
dent Order  of  Odd  Fellows'  regime  cannot  now  be  said,  but  under  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  it  has  had  a  career  of  steady  and 
solid,  if  slow,  progress.  Various  causes  have  operated  against  its  rapid 
advancement :  it  was  first  regarded  as  an  alien  institution,  and,  having  no 
connection  with  the  "  mother  country,"  there  were  few  entrants  from  out- 
side sources;  while  every  emigrant  ship  brought  Foresters  and  Man- 
chester Unity  Odd  Fellows  from  Britain,  the  ranks  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  could  only  be  filled  from  within  the  colony.  The 
adoption  of  a  graduated  and  adequate  scale  of  dues,  however,  has  tended 


BENEATH  THE  SOUTHERN  CROSS.  529 

to  give  the  Order  a  financial  preeminence,  but  it  has  operated  adversely 
as  regards  membership.  Brother  B.  C.  Haggitt  was  the  first  Grand  Master 
under  the  new  constitution.  The  original  intention  of  dividing  the  Order 
into  districts  was  abandoned,  and  its  solidarity  as  a  colonial  institution 
established.  To  Brother  John  Boyd's  labors  the  Order  is,  perhaps,  more 
indebted  than  to  any  other  single  individual.  He  instituted  a  simple 
system  of  book-keeping  for  subordinate  lodges,  and  placed  the  revenue 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  a  position  from  which  it  has  never  receded.  The 
board  of  grand  officers  ^  from  1874  to  1877  were  chiefly  instrumental  in 
introducing  the  reform  in  regard  to  the  finances  of  the  Order  which  has 
placed  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  the  proud  position  of 
being  able  to  claim  that  it  is  the  soundest,  financially,  of  any  friendly 
society  existing  in  New  Zealand. 

Prior  to  the  session  of  1877,  a  uniform  scale  of  dues  of  Is.  3d,  per  week 
for  members  at  all  ages  was  in  operation.  It  had  for  some  time  been  rec- 
ognized, by  the  leading  authorities  on  friendly  society  matters,  that  tables  of 
dues  graduated  according  to  age  were  the  only  ones  equitable  to  members ; 
imiform  tables,  if  adequate,  being  manifestly  unfair  to  young  members, 
while  tables  uniform  and  inadequate  must  lead  in  time  to  disaster.  Grad- 
uated tables  prepared  by  Messrs.  Leslie  and  Black  were  submitted  at  the 
session  of  1877 ;  and,  after  a  stormy  debate,  adopted. 

At  various  Grand  Lodge  sessions  since,  members  representing  weak- 
kneed  lodges  have  endeavored  to  "  hark  back,"  but  wiser  counsels  have 
prevailed.  Recurring  valuations  of  societies,  as  provided  by  the  Friendly 
Societies'  Act,  of  New  Zealand,  show  more  clearly  the  ^isdom  of  this  action. 
The  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  each  valuation  discloses  large 
and  increasing  surplusage,  while  other  societies,  based  on  less  solid  founda- 
tion, are  shown  to  be  drifting  into  insolvency. 

Since  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Zealand  by  Brother 
Meacham,  some  differences  have  arisen  between  New  Zealand  and  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Australia  as  to  the  independence  of  the  former. 
Although  the  New  Zealand  charter  had  been  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Australia,  New  Zealand  paid  no  dues  to  that  body,  had  no  representar 
tion  therein,  corresponded  direct  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States;  and,  altogether,  recognized  that  it  was  an  independent  jurisdic- 
tion, owing  allegiance  only  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 
Brother  John  B.  Harmon  was,  in  1878,  sent  down  as  a  special  commis- 
sioner to  place  the  matter  on  a  proper  basis.  He  came  armed  with  two 
charters :  one  direct  to  New  Zealand  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States ;  the  other  creating  New  Zealand  a  dependency  of  a  Grand  Lodge 
of  Australasia,  afterward  instituted  by  Brother  Harmon.     New  Zealand 

^  yote  by  the  Editor-in-Chief.  —The  present  OniDd  Secretary,  and  aathor  of  this  chapter,  was  a  mem- 
ber of  that  board,  and  his  retention  in  official  life  is  In  evidence  that  his  labors  are  appreciated  by  the  brethren. 


530  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

elected  to  become  a  dependency  of  Australasia,  almost  against  the  better 
judgment  of  those  who  took  part  in  the  proceedings  of  the  special  Grand 
Lodge  session,  convened  to  meet  Brother  Harmon.  While  no  friction  has 
arisen  between  Australia  and  Kew  Zealand,  the  advantages  of  the  rela- 
tionship are,  as  far  as  New  Zealand  is  concerned,  of  a  very  negative  char- 
acter ;  and  this  from  no  fault  of  Australasia,  but  from  causes  which  were 
recognized  at  the  date  of  granting  the  charter,  and  which  will  continue  to 
operate  for  all  time. 

First  Decade. — At  the  session  of  1879,  the  new  charter  was  present  for 
the  first  time  in  Grand  Lodge,  and  a  letter  of  congratulation  was  read 
from  Brother  James  L.  Ridgely,  Grand  Secretary. 

During  the  first  decade,  under  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
very  marked  progress  had  been  made ;  there  were,  in  1879,  twenty-two 
lodges  with  a  membership  of  830.  Grand  Lodge  funds  had  increased  from 
£8  28,  4d.  to  £1703  18^.  9d.,  while  the  funds  of  subordinates  standing  in 
1869  at  £545  had  increased  to  £4626.  The  tone  of  Grand  Lodge  meetings 
had,  also,  improved,  the  peripatetic  sessions  had  brought  out  another  order 
of  representatives  with  new  and  enlarged  ideas,  and  better  legislation  was 
a  result.  During  the  years  1880-81,  two  entirely  new  fields  were  occu- 
pied :  the  Auckland  provincial  district  by  the  Star  of  Auckland  Lodge, 
and  that  of  Southland,  by  Pioneer  Lodge,  of  Southland,  thus  uniting 
the  extremes  of  the  colony.  In  1881,  for  the  first  time,  the  Grand  Lodge 
crossed  Cook's  strait  and  met  in  Wellington,  the  capital  city  of  the 
colony,  and  for  the  first  time  the  name  of  Brother  H.  J.  Williams  (who 
became  very  prominent  in  the  history  of  the  Order  in  New  Zealand) 
appears  on  the  roll  of  representatives.  During  the  succeeding  term  the 
revised  ritual  was  issued  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia ;  and,  as  they 
declined  to  forward  it  in  cipher.  Brother  Williams  was  sent  to  receive  it 
orally.  The  dramatized  degree  work  was  characterized  as  "inappropri- 
ate to  the  genius  and  the  constitution  of  our  Order,"  and  by  most  of  the 
lodges  it  was  rendered  in  an  emasculated  form,  until  replaced  by  one 
better  suited  to  our  local  circumstances. 

Governmental  Control.  —  We  next  consider  the  Order  brought  into 
relations  with  the  government  of  the  colony,  under  the  Friendly  Societies' 
Act,  passed  in  1878, — the  Grand  Secretary  reporting  that  "registration 
of  lodges  was  progressing  slowly." 

It  might  be  said,  en  passanty  that  the  act  has  not  quite  fulfilled  the 
hopes  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  other  societies  which 
have  established  themselves  on  a  sound  financial  basis.  While  registra- 
tion gives  a  locus  standi  in  our  courts  of  law,  and  valuable  tables  of 
sickness  and  mortality  are  compiled  in  the  registrar's  office,  the  admi- 
rable reports  and  valuations  sent  out,  annually,  by  the  registrar  have  not 
been  the  educating  medium  they  were  expected  to  be,  and  their  repeated 


BENEATH  THE  SOUTHERN  CROSS,  531 

and  sufficiently  emphasized  warnings  are  disregarded.  More  stringent 
measures  will  be  required,  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellow^ 
with  a  few  other  societies,  are  now  agitating  in  the  direction  of  coercive 
legislation. 

The  question  of  holding  biennial  sessions  was  affirmed  at  Timaru, 
and  the  first  biennial  session  was  held  in  Invercargill,  in  March,  1885. 
Under  the  rule  of  Grand  Master  H.  J.  Williams,  the  Order  had  made 
steady  progress,  the  membership  showing  an  increase  of  259,  while  five 
new  lodges  had  been  opened.  New  Zealand  had  been  represented  for 
the  first  time  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia  by  the  Grand  Master, 
Brother  Williams.  Feeling  reference  was  made,  in  the  Grand  Master's 
report,  to  the  death  of  Past  Grand  Master  John  Boyd;  and  a  well-merited 
tribute  paid  to  his  personal  qualities,  and  to  the  "yeoman  service"  he 
had  rendered  the  Order.  At  the  session  of  1887,  the  Grand  Master 
sounded  the  first  note  of  centralization  by  giving  notice  of  a  motion: 
"  To  amend  and  consolidate  the  various  laws  dealing  with  sick  funds  for 
the  purpose  of  centralization."  The  first  valuation  of  the  society  had 
been  computed,  and  a  total  net  surplus  of  £2183  on  lodge  sick  funds  dis- 
closed, while  the  Grand  Lodge  funeral  fund  showed  a  surplus  of  £1485. 

The  Oamaru  session  of  1889,  was,  perhaps,  the  most  exciting,  if  not  the 
most  eventful,  ever  held.  The  vexed  question  of  the  centralization  of 
the  sick  funds  had  been  of  most  absorbing  interest  during  the  recess,  and 
the  scheme  met  with  a  strongly  organized  opposition.  It  was  not  debated, 
however,  the  fate  of  a  superannuation  proposal,  which  was  lost,  impelling 
the  introducers  of  the  measure  not  to  imperil  it  in  the  then  temper  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  Both  schemes  were  placed  "  on  motion  "  for  the  following 
session.  A  plan  providing  for  district,  in  place  of  lodge,  representation 
was  introduced  and  adopted.  The  second  quinquennial  valuation  was 
submitted,  showing  a  net  surplus  in  lodge  sick  funds  of  £2925 ;  and  a 
surplus  (for  the  quinquennium,  only)  in  funeral  funds  of  £847. 

In  1891  the  membership  had  increased  by  275,  while  there  were  then 
twenty-nine  lodges  on  the  roll. 

The  question  of  the  centralization  of  sick  funds  was  again  introduced 
and  admirably  discussed  by  both  sides,  and  was  lost  by  a  small  majority. 
Some  defects  had  been  found  in  the  scheme  of  district  representation, 
a  certain  amount  of  friction  had  arisen  during  the  election,  but  it  was 
generally  conceded  that,  although  reduced  in  numbers,  the  Grand  Lodge 
had  distinctly  gained  in  tone  and  in  the  calibre  of  its  membership. 

One  of  the  features  of  this  session  was  an  admirable  paper  read  by 
Brother  H.  J.  Williams,  Grand  Sire  of  Australasia,  on  the  centralization 
of  sick  funds. 

In  1893  the  roll  of  lodges  showed  thirty-one,  and  a  membership 
increased  by  295.    Some  friction  had  arisen  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Aus- 


532  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

tralasia  on  the  question  of  expenses  of  representatives,  that  body  having 
passed  a  resolution  that  they  should  be  paid  by  the  respective  jurisdictions 
instead  of,  as  formerly,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia.  As  this 
meant  a  practical  disfranchisement  of  New  Zealand,  a  feeling  of  irritation 
was  created  and  the  question  of  applying  for  an  independent  charter  was 
seriously  entertained.  It  ended,  however,  by  a  protest  being  sent  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia,  as  a  result  of  which  New  Zealand  had  special 
consideration  shown,  and  the  former  amicable  relations  were  resumed. 

In  1895  a  roll  of  thirty-two  lodges  was  reported ;  with  a  membership 
of  1977 ;  while  the  fxmds  of  the  Grand  Lodge  had  increased  to  £8152,  and 
those  of  subordinate  lodges,  to  £16,745,  —  or  £12  lis.  9d.  per  capitUf — a 
financial  record  unsurpassed  by  any  other  society  in  New  Zealand. 

The  third  quinquennial  valuation  of  the  society,  prepared  by  the 
government  valuer  and  registrar  of  friendly  societies,  was  submitted  and 
again  showed  increasing  surplusage ;  that  of  the  funeral  fund  showing  an 
increase  of  £1872;  while  those  of  lodges  showed  a  net  surplus  of  £2504. 

The  Rebekah  Degree.  — The  Rebekah  degree,  which  had  for  twenty-five 
years  lain  dormant,  has,  since  the  session  held  in  Dunedin,  in  1895,  been 
reorganized  on  the  enlarged  basis  of  membership  sanctioned  by  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge,  and  has  entered  on  a  career  of  extended  usefulness. 
"  Juveniles  "  have  been  as  yet  overshadowed  by  the  more  important  "  new 
woman,"  but  it  is  recognized  that  if  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
is  to  compete  successfully  with  its  opponents,  juvenile  lodges  must  be 
opened  as  recruiting  stations  for  the  adult  lodges. 

The  space  at  the  command  of  the  writer  will  not  permit  a  more  extended 
retrospect  of  the  past ;  events  have  been  left  unchronicled,  and  worthy 
names  which  have  shed  lustre  on  our  little  band  have  been  omitted ;  but 
the  ruthless  exigencies  of  space  (already  exceeded)  have  so  willed  it. 

Conclusion.  —  Unlike  most  other  societies,  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  in  New  Zealand,  is  not  a  mere  beneficial  society ;  the  tradi- 
tions and  teachings  of  the  Order  have  not  been  departed  from,  and  the 
fires  of  fraternity  burn  strongly  on  the  altars  of  our  lodge-rooms.  While 
the  material  commands  of  our  law  are  imperative  injunctions  from  which 
there  has  been  no  deflection,  the  higher  aims  of  our  fraternity  are  sedulously 
inculcated.  The  ancient  landmarks  of  the  Order  are  sacredly  preserved, 
and  the  work  and  ritual  so  exemplified  as  to  evoke  commendation  from 
all  sojourning  brethren  capable  of  pronouncing  on  them. 


DIVISION   IX. 

ISLANDS  OF  THE  SEA,  AND    OTHER   COUNTRIES, 

ODD  FELLOWSHIP  IN  THE  WEST  INDIES,  SOUTH  AMERICA,  HAWAIIAN 
ISLANDS,  JAPAN,  MEXICO,  AND  OTHER  COUNTRIES ;  SUBORDINATE 
LODGES  UNDER  THE  IMMEDLA.TE  JURISDICTION  OF  THE  SOVEREIGN 
GRAND  LODGE  ;  ENVIRONMENT  MILITATING  AGAINST  THE  SPREAD 
OF  THE  ORDER  AMONG  PEOPLES  OF  MIXED  BLOOD. 

Br  THE  Editor-in-Chikf. 


CHAPTER   I. 

4 

THE  NATIONS  WELCOME  THE  ORDER. 

Introduction.  —  The  question  of  the  establishment  of  American  Odd 
Fellowship  in  lands  other  than  the  United  States  became  of  vital  import 
soon  after  the  severance  of  fraternal  relations  with  the  Manchester  Unity. 
That  of  British  North  America  and  Continental  Europe,  —  together  with 
the  ultimate  results,  —  is  clearly  discussed  in  another  place,  and  the 
reader  is  referred  to  those  articles ;  but  the  requests  came,  also,  from  the 
"  Islands  of  the  Sea,  and  Other  Countries,"  as  well.  In  1847  the  Grand 
Sire  reported  that  an  application  had  been  received  from  several  petitioners 
residing  in  Honolulu,  Oahu,  Hawaiian  Islands,  requesting  a  charter  for  a 
lodge.  He  said  the  brethren  represented  themselves  as  members  of  Odd 
Fellows'  lodges  in  New  York,  New  Zealand,  Liverpool,  Doncaster,  and 
Hobart  Town,  and  that  none  of  them,  save  one,  hailed  from  lodges  known 
to  the  Order  in  the  United  States.  One  feature  of  the  discussion,  follow- 
ing, is  interesting :  the  Grand  Sire  held  that  it  was  necessary,  in  order  to 
charter  a  lodge,  the  petition  be  signed  by  five  brothers  holding  withdrawal 
cards ;  and  he  suggested  the  plan  (carried  into  practice  forty  years  after- 
ward in  Europe)  of  giving  the  Deputy  Grand  Sire  discretionary  powers, 
in  foreign  countries,  to  receive  petitions  from  those  not  members  of  the 
Order.  The  suggestion  does  not  go  to  the  length  of  "  conferring  degrees 
at  sight,"  but  there  is  no  doubt  this  was  the  practical  solution  he  had  in 
mind ;  for  he  states  that,  if  it  is  desirable  to  extend  the  blessings  of  Odd 
Fellowship  into  foreign  lands,  some  plan  must  be  devised  to  modify  the 

533 


534  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

rule  of  "  five  Odd  Fellows  holding  withdrawal  cards."  Had  the  later  action 
become  the  opportunity  of  the  earlier  date  (succeeding  1847),  how  much 
more  extensive  the  American  Order  would  have  been  disseminated  only 
conjecture  can  determine.  Grand  Sire  Sherlock  plainly  told  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  that,  if  the  "five"  qualified  brethren  only 
could  petition,  "it  is  scarcely  possible  a  sufl&cient  number  can  ever  be 
obtained  at  many  points  which  it  may  be  desirable  to  occupy."  It  is  not 
the  intention  to  state  by  name  all  the  requests  that  have  been  made  to 
have  American  Odd  Fellowship  established  among  foreign  peoples.  There 
are  very  few  countries  from  which  petitions  and  inquiries  have  not  been 
received.    Even  unprogressive  Spain  is  one  of  the  nations  in  the  list. 

In  planting  Odd  Fellowship  abroad  many  circumstances  of  environ- 
ment have  had  to  be  considered.  Not  only  do  the  characteristics  of  the 
nationality  enter  into  the  account,  but  phases  of  government,  and  the 
"color  line,"  as  well.  This  will  readily  be  comprehended  as  the  reader 
peruses  the  pages  following.  We  note  the  localities,  etc.,  with  such  sup- 
plemental comments  as  the  situation  appears  to  warrant. 

Barbadoes,  West  Indies.  —  On  the  SOth  of  November,  1875,  a  communi- 
cation was  received  from  Robert  J.  Clinckett  and  Edmund  Isaac  Baeza, 
addressed  to  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
North  America,"  asking  for  information  relative  to  the  establishment  of 
Odd  Fellowship  in  the  West  Indies.  These  gentlemen  sent  their  letter 
to  the  Grand  Secretary  of  New  York,  who  transmitted  it  to  Baltimore. 
Nothing  further  seems  to  have  resulted  at  that  time,  save  a  correspon- 
dence in  which  the  difficulties  attending  the  proposed  establishment  of 
the  Order,  and  contingent  expenses,  were  discussed.  From  the  reply  of 
Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  we  learn  that  a  similar  request  had  been  made, 
by  citizens  of  Barbadoes,  in  1870,  to  which  a  courteous  reply  was  returned. 
In  both  cases  the  inquiries  had  been  inspired  by  a  perusal  of  documents 
bearing  upon  the  American  Order,  showing  its  superiority,  in  contrast  with 
the  Manchester  Unity  of  which  these  gentlemen  were  members. 

The  correspondence  was  continued,  at  intervals,  through  the  year  1876 ; 
and  one  peculiar  feature  of  the  motives  actuating  the  applicants  seems  to 
have  been  a  desire  to  cultivate  closer  fraternal  relations  between  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Manchester  Unity  and  the  American  Order.  Indeed,  this  is 
the  argument  used  to  induce  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  to 
expend  the  large  sum  necessary  to  enable  a  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  or 
other  officer,  to  institute  a  lodge  in  Barbadoes  in  person,  —  the  essential 
course  of  procedure,  according  to  Brother  Ridgely. 

During  the  year  1877,  the  favorable  impression  of  the  American 
Order  had  so  stimulated  the  members  of  the  Manchester  Unity  in  Bar- 
badoes, that  an  affiliation,  in  a  body,  was  suggested,  and  Brother  Ridgely, 
referring  to  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  Ancient  Indepen- 


OTHER  JURISDICTIONS  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  635 

dent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  1869,  could  see  no  good  reason  wliy  the 
precedent  so  established  should  not  be  followed.  The  publication  of 
these  proceedings  appears  to  have  awakened  the  Manchester  Unity,  and 
the  proposal  to  affiliate,  as  an  organization,  was  abandoned..  The  Unity 
established  new  lodges,  and  the  gentlemen  conducting  the  correspondence 
petitioned  for  a  charter. 

At  the  session  of  1877,  this  petition  was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  petitions ;  and, 
while  the  charter  was  not  granted  to  establish  a  lodge  in  Bridgetown,  Bar- 
badoes,  the  committee  recommended  a  continuance  of  the  correspondence, 
with  a  view  of  instituting  the  Order  in  the  island  when  the  "  laws  shall 
be  fully  complied  with." 

The  correspondence  was  continued  through  1878;  and,  in  1879,  the 
opportunity  occurred  to  organize  the  long-wished-for  lodge  of  the  Ameri- 
can Order.  On  the  7th  of  April,  of  that  year.  Grand  Sire  Harmon 
issued  a  dispensation  to  Archibald  Bayne,  as  Special  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  for  the  island  of  Barbadoes ;  and,  on  the  4th  of  November, 

1879,  Americus  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  at  Bridgetown. 

District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Bayne  made  very  favorable  reports  as  to 
the  character  of  the  membership,  and  the  promise  of  the  rapid  growth  of 
the  Order.  The  lodge  began  with  six  members  November  4, 1879,  and  the 
16th  of  the  following  January,  it  had  increased  to  20.     At  the  session  of 

1880,  a  charter  was  granted,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  constitution 
and  by-laws,  submitted  for  approval,  were  disapproved. 

In  1881  Americus  Lodge,  —  that  had  reported  31  members  at  the  close 
of  the  year  1880,  —  petitioned  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  abolish  the 
"  color  line,"  at  least  to  the  extent  of  admitting  "half-castes  " ;  representing 
that  the  maintenance  of  the  Order  in  the  West  Indies  depended  upon  the 
abolition  of  the  qualification:  "free  white  males,"  and  the  argument  was 
elaborated  at  length. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  foreign  relations  was  made  by  Repre- 
sentative Muckl^,  now  the  treasurer  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  and 
"recommended  that  the  prayer  of  the  said  petition  be  seriously  con- 
sidered by  the  Sovereign  Grand  body."  The  petition  of  Americus  Lodge, 
No.  1,  of  Barbadoes,  to  which  the  committee  referred,  contained  two  sen- 
timents :  (a)  that  of  the  ritual  teachings ;  and  (b)  the  difficulties  attend- 
ing the  introduction  of  American  Odd  Fellowship,  with  its  constitutional 
color  restriction,  into  many  parts  of  the  earth.  The  latter  proved  insur- 
mountable in  Barbadoes,  and  led  to  the  abandonment  of  the  effort  to 
extend  the  Order  there,  —  resulting  in  the  demise  of  the  lodge  in  ques- 
tion, —  and  the  facts  are  here  stated,  because  the  same  conditions  obtain 
in  several  other  localities,  to  which  we  will  not  again  refer.  The  petition 
may  be  summarized :  — 


536  THE  THBEE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

(a)  "  That  the  constitution  of  the  Soverei^  Grand  Lodge  declaring  none  bat  *  free  white 
males '  eligible  for  membership,  is  not  in  keeping  with  the  avowed  principles  of  our  noble 
Order,  as  expressed  in  the  ritual  employed  during  the  solemn  ceremony  of  initiation ;  which 
teaches  us  that  Odd  Fellowship  is  founded  upon  that  eternal  principle  which  recognizes  man 
as  '  a  constituent  of  one  universal  brotherhood ' ;  that '  he  came  from  the  hands  of  a  common 
parent/  and  is,  therefore,  bound  *  to  recognize  each  other,  alike,  as  the  offspring  of  the  same 
(parent ' ;  that  in  the  sublime  teachings  of  our  beloved  Order  we  are  further  reminded  of  the 
sacred  truth  that '  God  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men  to  dwell  on  the  face  of 
the  earth ' ;  and  these  examples  are  held  up  to  us  for  inculcation,  in  our  relations  with  our 
fellow-men ;  while  the  practice  of  restricting  the  membership  in  our  Order  to  persons  of  the 
Caucasian  race  only,  is  in  direct  opposition  to,  and  subversive  of,  the  principles  alleged." 

(6)  "  That  the  conditions  of  West  Indian  society  differ  widely  from  those  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  or  any  European  country ;  as,  owing  to  the  manner  in  which  these  parts 
have  been  populated,  an  admixture  of  the  races  has  been  the  result;  and  we  claim  among 
the  best  members  of  society  '  men  of  color,'  whose  position,  influence,  and  general  bearing, 
in  every  walk  of  life,  have  been  worthy  of  imitation,  and  have  won  for  them  the  admiration, 
esteem,  and  good-will  of  all  persons  in  the  community.  Offices  of  emolument  and  trust  are 
held  by  them,  intermarriages  have  been  of  frequent  occurrence  between  the  races,  and 
society  has  thus  become  so  welded  that  it  is  a  difficult  task  to  discriminate  between  these, 
and  a  delicate  position  to  define,  who  shall  or  shall  not  be  eligible  to  membership." 

At  the  date  of  tliis  memorial  the  lodge  had  a  membership  of  40.  In 
1882-83  little  occurred,  save  now  and  then  a  letter  transmitted,  or  a  reply 
made ;  and,  on  the  20th  of  September,  of  the  latter  year,  the  incident  was 
closed  by  the  recall  of  the  charter,  books,  etc.  Brother  Archibald  Bayne 
was  the  "  undertaker,"  as  he  reported  October  12, 1883. 

The  questions  of  the  admission  of  "half-castes,"  "men  of  color,"  etc., 
are  great  impediments  to  the  spread  of  the  Order  abroad.  Petition  after 
petition  has  come  before  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  asking  for  a  modi- 
fication of  the  "  free  white  "  clause  of  the  constitution,  but  the  invariable 
reply  has  been  given,  and  rightly,  too,  the  writer  thinks :  the  American 
Order  of  Odd  Fellowship  is  suited  to  the  geyiius  of  the  land  that  gave  it 
birth,  and  fostered  its  later  years ;  and,  that  the  peoples  who  ask  for  its 
establishmelit  among  themselves  must  conform  to  the  regulations  of  its 
jurisprudence,  or  this  kind  of  Odd  Fellowship  will  not  bless  them  with 
its  presence. 

Chile.  —  Valparaiso  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Valparaiso,  was  instituted  by 
Doctor  Cornelius  A.  Logan,  Grand  Sire,  April  15, 1874.  Brother  Logan 
was  the  accredited  minister  of  the  United  States  to  Chile  at  the  time,  as 
related  in  another  part  of  this  volume.  This  lodge  began  work  under 
very  promising  circumstances ;  and  its  distinguished  founder,  in  a  letter 
to  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely,  under  date  of  June  25,  1874,  stated  that  it 
had  70  members  at  the  close  of  its  first  nine  weeks'  existence.  These 
brethren  were  of  the  very  best  people  residing  in  the  capital  city,  and 
Grand  Sire  Logan  said :  "  I  shall  not  attempt  to  deny  that  this  great 
success  is  due,  largely,  to  the  prestige  of  its  founder's  position ;  and  the 
fact  of  its  being  the  *  Minister's  lodge '  is  a  complete  estoppel  against 
calumny  and  misrepresentation."     It  seems   unfortunate  that  Brother 


OTHER  JURISDICTIONS  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  537 

Logan's  successors  did  not  retain  the  prestige ;  because,  while  in  the  West 
Indies  the  "color  line"  became  an  impediment,  in  South  America  the 
opposition  of  a  hostile  church  presented  almost  as  complete  a  barrier  to 
the  welfai'e  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

The  first  difficulty  to  be  overcome  was  a  Spanish  ritual,  a  translation 
of  which  came  in  due  time. 

Four  lodges  soon  followed  the  pioneer:  Pacific,  No.  2,  instituted 
August  18,  1874 ;  Teutonic,  No.  3,  instituted  May  6,  1875 ;  Lafayette, 
No.  4,  instituted  May  8,  1876;  Leavenworth,  No.  5,  instituted  July  8, 
1875 ;  and  these  subordinates  were  chartered  at  the  session  of  1875,  — 
all  situated  in  the  city  of  Valparaiso.  At  the  same  session  a  charter 
was  granted  for  the  "Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Republic  of 
Chile,"  on  condition  that  its  institution  should  entail  no  expense  to  the 
Sovereign  Grand  body.  Of  course  Grand  Sire  Logan  was  "  sponsor  "  that 
such  would  be  the  outcome.  The  Grand  Representative  was,  also,  to  pay 
his  own  bills,  if  any  were  contracted  in  attending  the  Supreme  body. 

Grand  Sire  Logan's  message,  in  relation  to  the  Chile  lodges  and  the 
proposed  Grand  Lodge,  under  date  of  August  6, 1875,  was  of  a  cheering 
tenor.  He  reported  the  prospect  of  an  English  lodge  at  Coquimbo,  a 
seaport  town  of  Northern  Chile,  and  said :  — 

"  Give  US  a  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  Spanish  ritual,  and  I  wiU  present  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  at  its  session  of  1876,  with  a  jurisdiction  numbering  twenty-five  lodges." 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Chile  was  instituted  November  18, 1875,  —  the 
sixth  lodge,  Coquimbo,  No.  6,  at  Coquimbo,  having  been  organized  Sep- 
tember 2, 1875,  the  latter  by  William  J.  DeGress,  Special  Deputy  Grand 
Sire. 

While  the  session  of  1876  did  not  find  Brother  Logan's  prediction  ful- 
filled, yet  the  first  report  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Chile  showed  seven  lodges, 
with  388  in  membership ;  in  1877  this  had  been  increased  to  eight  lodges, 
and  467  members. 

The  Order  has  had  a  checkered  career  since  that  time.  In  1879  the 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  Brother  George  S.  Brown,  Grand  Master, 
wrote  of  the  depression;  that  he  had  unwillingly  accepted  the  office  of 
Grand  Master  for  the  third  time,  because  it  appeared  to  be  his  duty  to 
retain  the  executive  chair ;  that  the  native  lodges  appeared  to  be  the  most 
prosperous,  and  that  the  belated  returns  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  for 
two  years,  had  been  forwarded.  Up  to  1885  the  Order's  condition  was 
more  encouraging,  and  twelve  lodges  were  reported  one  year.  The  gain 
in  membership,  in  1886,  was  seven. 

In  1888  the  Order  had  been  reduced  to  three  working  lodges :  Valpa- 
raiso, No.  1 ;  Pacific,  No.  2 ;  Concepcion,  No.  11 ;  and  the  charter  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  had  been  surrendered.     In  1890,  referring  to  the  causes  pro- 


588  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

ducing  this  state  of  affairs,  the  committee  on  foreign  relations,  through  its 
chairman,  Representative  Campbell  (now  Past  Grand  Sire),  reported :  — 

"  Political  and  social  disturbances  in  these  commanities  interfere  very  largely  with  the 
advancement  of  societies  like  ours,  and  while  some  worthy  and  zealous  members  do  all  that 
they  can  in  the  interest  of  Odd  Fellowship,  their  efforts  are  greatly  hampered  by  the 
adverse  circumstances  which  surround  them,  both  within  the  Order  and  without.  It  seems 
a  lamentable  fact  that  in  these  Spanish-American  communities,  there  are  people  who  fail 
to  grasp  the  idea  that  an  essential  prerequisite  to  successful  self-government,  is  loyal 
obedience  to  constituted  authority ;  so  when  such  people  get  into  our  lodges  they  constitute 
a  fruitful  source  of  disturbance." 

These  reasons,  coupled  with  the  domination  of  an  intolerant  religion, 
form  a  very  potent  explanation  why  the  Order  does  not  flourish  in  South 
America. 

In  1895  two  lodges  reported.  There  are,  apparently,  three  lodges  in 
Chile,  with  a  membership  of  138. 

Cuba.  —  In  May,  1883,  a  letter  was  received  from  the  Grand  Secretary 
of  Louisiana,  telling  the  officers  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  that  an 
opportunity  for  establishing  the  Order  in  Cuba  ought  to  be  improved. 
The  question  of  the  hostility  of  the  government  was  canvassed,  and  when 
it  became  known  that  Freemasonry  flourished  in  the  "Queen  of  the 
Antilles,"  a  dispensation  for  a  lodge  was  issued,  and  Porvenir,  No.  1,  at 
Havana,  was  instituted  August  26.  1883,  by  Brother  Evaristo  Valdez 
Galindo,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  Many  rosy  predictions  were  made 
as  to  the  success  of  the  Order  in  Cuba ;  which,  with  the  Barbadoes  inci- 
dent in  mind,  probably  did  not  largely  obtain  with  the  Baltimore  authori- 
ties of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

Other  lodges  were  instituted :  Fraternidad  Universal,  No.  2,  at  Guana- 
bacoa,  July  14, 1885 ;  Cuba,  No.  3,  at  Havana,  November  4, 1885 :  Havana, 
No.  4,  at  Havana,  February  1,  1886 ;  America,  No.  5,  at  Regla,  June  28, 
1886 ;  Kegla,  No.  6,  at  Regla,  August  4,  1886 ;  Hijos  del  Trabajo,  No.  7, 
at  Havana,  April  27,  1887. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1887,  Lodges  Nos.  3  and  6  were  transferred 
to  the  care  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Florida,  but  they  did  not  long  remain 
under  that  jurisdiction.  The  committee  on  foreign  relations,  in  1887, 
made  a  long  and  exhaustive  report  upon  Cuba  and  its  lodges ;  giving  the 
details  of  membership,  and  increase  of  resources,  summing  up  the  whole 
with  the  gratifying  statement :  "  This  is  a  much  more  satisfactory  pro- 
gress, than  that  generally  observed  in  territory  outside  the  American  con- 
tinent." But,  alas,  the  concluding  portion  shows  that  bitter  controversies 
raged,  similar  to  those  that  had  arisen  in  the  Order  in  South  America ; 
and  is  a  probable  reason  why  the  petition  for  a  Grand  Lodge  in  Cuba  was 
not  granted  in  1890. 

In  a  previous  report,  at  the  same  session,  this  committee  had  congratu- 
lated the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  upon  the  fact,  that  the  establishment 


OTHER  JUBISDICTI0N8  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  689 

of  the  Order  in  Cuba  bid  fair  to  lead  to  its  introduction  in  Spain ;  that 
correspondence  had  passed  regarding  the  subject,  but  that  the  laws  of 
Spain  excluded  fraternal  Orders  from  that  country,  although  Freema- 
sonry existed  therein.  It  is  a  notable  fact  that  Poryenir  Lodge,  No.  1,  of 
Havana,  published  an  enterprising  paper,  which  circulated  among  the 
Spanish  people,  and  spread  correct  information  relating  to  Odd  Fellowship. 

The  long,  and  sometimes  vexatious  correspondence,  between  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge  officers  and  the  Cuban  subordinates,  proves  how  slowly 
the  American  ideas,  embalmed  in  the  Order,  are  comprehended  by  a  for- 
eign people,  but  the  Grand  Secretary,  —  patience  and  courtesy  personified, 
—  replies  to  every  question,  and  in  time  this  policy  must  affect  favorably 
our  brethren  in  the  West  Indies,  and  others  under  the  immediate  juris- 
diction of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

Cuba,  in  the  throes  of  an  attempt  to  become  a  republic,  does  nobly  when 
she  sends  reports  from  four  lodges  in  1895, — Nos.  3,  4,  6,  and  7,  with 
an  aggregate  membership  of  239.  The  history  of  the  Order  in  the  "  Queen 
of  the  Antilles  "  should  be  written,  following  the  results  of  the  present 
"  battle  of  freedom."  It  is  then  quite  likely  the  proposal  to  name  Lodge 
No.  8,  after  "Father"  Wildey  will  become  a  certainty  in  the  new 
republic. 

Pern.  —  Lima  Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  at  Lima,  January  3, 1872, 
by  James  Pascoe,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  its  first  report  showed 
19  members.  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  says  the  Order  is  indebted,  for 
this  extension,  to  Brother  Lewis  Sober,  Past  Grand  Patriarch  of  Cali- 
fornia, by  whose  indefatigable  and  untiring  exertions  the  establishment 
of  this  lodge  was  promoted.  At  the  session  of  1873,  Grand  Sire  Logan 
reported  the  granting  of  a  dispensation  to  open  a  lodge  in  Callao,  to  be 
called  Callao,  No.  2;  and  the  charter  was  confirmed  September  19, 1873. 
In  1875  District  Deputy  N.  Hurwitz  reported  for  the  two  lodges  that  the 
"  depressed  times "  impeded  as  much  progress  as  had  been  desired,  evi- 
dently a  portent  of  the  fate  of  the  Order  in  a  country  not  fully  dominated 
by  a  toleration  of  religious  opinion. 

The  sequel  is  soon  told.  Lodges  were  instituted  as  follows:  Fort- 
schritt.  No.  3,  at  Lima,  October  30, 1876 ;  Chalaco,  No.  4,  at  Callao,  Octo- 
ber 31, 1876.  An  encampment  was  instituted, — Atahualpa,  No.  1,  —  at 
Lima,  September  26, 1875.  The  brothers  stated  that  in  Chile  the  Order 
enjoyed  the  presence  and  influence  of  Grand  Sire  Logan,  while  in  Peru, 
"Odd  Fellowship  rested  solely  upon  its  merits,"  —  not  being  patronized 
by  officials  connected  with  the  government,  —  and  its  growth  was,  therefore, 
much  less  promising.  In  1878  the  four  lodges  reported  a  membership  of 
110;  increase,  during  the  year,  31;  receipts,  $3822.16;  paid  for  relief, 
$78.    The  encampment  advanced  from  19  to  26  members. 

The  reports  in  1895  give  Lodges  Nos.  1  and  4  (alone  reporting),  42  mem- 


640  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

bers,  —  21  each.  The  history  of  the  Order  in  Peru,  for  the  past  eighteen 
years,  is  but  a  repetition  of  the  political  experience  of  the  country.  There 
has  been  no  fixity  of  purpose  shown  by  the  lodges ;  continual  complaints 
being  made  as  to  the  want  of  interest  in  the  work,  and  a  state  of  affairs 
promising  little  for  the  permanency  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  that  country. 

Mexico.  —  The  enterprising  Brother  William  J.  DeGress,  Past  Grand 
Secretary,  and  Past  Grand  Representative  of  Chile,  instituted  Ridgely 
Lodge,  No.  1,  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  August  5,  1882.  There  were  five 
charter  members,  twelve  candidates  were  initiated,  and  ten  petitions 
received  the  day  of  the  organization.  This  was  certainly  an  encouraging 
beginning;  but,  as  in  the  case  of  South  America,  Mexico  has  not  yet 
proved  as  fruitful  a  field  for  Odd  Fellowship  as  had  been  promised. 

Lodges  have  been  instituted  as  follows:  Juarez,  No.  2,  at  City  of 
Mexico,  March  16, 1885 ;  Cuanhtemotzin,  No.  3,  at  Zacatecas,  October  18, 
1888;  Hidalgo,  No.  4,  at  Camargo,  November  21,  1889;  Porfirio  Diaz, 
No.  5,  at  Ciudad  Porfirio  Diaz,  October  14, 1891.  Hidalgo  Encampment, 
Na  1,  was  instituted  June  18, 1888,  at  the  City  of  Mexico.  In  all  this 
extension  of  the  Order,  in  the  republic  of  Mexico,  the  moving  cause  has 
been  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  DeGress,  whose  untiring  efforts  are 
deserving  of  greater  success.  In  1895  three  lodges, — Nos.  1,  2,  and  5, — 
showed  a  membership  of  115 ;  No.  2  not  reporting, 

Hawaiian  Islands.  —  In  April,  1846,  a  number  of  gentlemen  sailed  from 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  for  Oregon.  Among  them  was  Brother  Gilbert 
Watson,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  of  Oregon,  and  he  carried  with  him 
a  dispensation  to  open  a  lodge  in  that  territory,  irregularly  issued  by 
Albert  Guild,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  the  Bay  State.  Neverthe- 
less the  defective  charter  proved  the  nucleus  around  which  gathered  the 
first  Odd  Fellows'  lodge  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  instituted  Decem- 
ber 10, 1846,  and  located  in  Honolulu,  "  Sandwich  Islands,"  which  took 
the  title  of  Excelsior,  No.  1,  and  is  in  existence  to-day. 

In  1847  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  reported,  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  these  facts ;  and,  also,  that  a  self-constituted  lodge,  known 
as  "  Pacific  Lodge,''  asked  recognition  of  the  American  ruling  body.  The 
subsequent  history  of  the  Order  in  these  islands  is  a  long  and  interesting 
story.  The  various  errors  of  institution  were,  finally,  legalized ;  and  the 
differences  that  have  often  arisen,  threatening  the  existence  of  the  Order 
in  the  islands,  have  all  been  reconciled.  The  Order,  however,  will  never 
assume  large  proportions  here.  The  environment,  discussed  under  Bar- 
badoes,  is  such  that  membership  must  necessarily  be  confined  to  the 
"  foreign  "  population ;  the  "  color  line"  militating  against  the  natives  and 
those  of  mixed  blood. 

February  10, 1854,  Polynesia  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  instituted,  and 
the  system  of  degrees  at  that  time  was  thus  completed.    Pacific  Lodge, 


OTHER  JUMISDICTIONS  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  641 

No.  2y  at  Lahuini,  was  chartered  in  1854 ;  Harmonyy  No.  3,  at  Honolulu, 
was  instituted  May  12, 1876,  by  Past  Grand  D.  N.  Flitner,  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire.  In  1887,  Lodges  Nos.  1  and  3  reported  190  members ;  paid 
for  relief,  $1749.25 ;  total  receipts,  $2432.85. 

In  1895  these  two  lodges  reported  179  members;  paid  for  relief, 
$2826.26  J  total  receipts,  $3634.75.  Polynesia  Encampment,  No.  1,  is 
still  in  existence,  with  3S  patriarchs  in  membership.  There  is  one 
Eebekah  lodge,  with  50  members. 

Other  Countries.  —  In  the  course  of  time  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  has 
consented  to  establish  the  Order  in  various  countries,  where  it  has  had,  at 
best,  an  ephemeral  existence.  For  examples :  England,  Wales,  Bolivia,  and 
Trinidad  are  here  named.  Even  from  Turkey  have  come  requests  for  the 
Order ;  but,  with  the  Golden  Rule  degree  in  mind  (and  the  knowledge  that 
the  Mohammedan  has  not  changed  his  character,  —  witness  the  Armenian 
massacres  of  these  closing  years  of  the  nineteenth  century),  how  a  pro- 
posal from  the  Turkish  dominions  could  be  seriously  considered  passes 
comprehension.  It  is  safe  to  predict  that  the  American  definition  of 
Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,  is  not  suited  as  yet  to  all  nationalities,  — 
however  fine  may  have  been  the  ritual  sentiments,  quoted  by  the  Barba- 
does  brethren  many  years  ago. 

Japan.  —  Two  lodges  have  been  instituted  in  this  kingdom :  Far  East, 
No.  1,  at  Yokohama,  May  27, 1889,  with  thirteen  charter  members ;  Kobe, 
No.  2,  at  Kobe,  September  16, 1891.  The  reports  for  1895  are  fragmen- 
tary.    District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Thorn  wrote :  — 

**  After  many  months,  daring  whieh  I  hM,we  been  disheartened,  as  we  haye  had  no 
quorum,  I  have  the  pleasure  of  saying  that  I  believe  No.  1  is  safe,  and  that  we  are  on  the 
road  to  success,  for  at  the  next  meeting  I  wiU  get  the  delayed  reports.  We  will  then  have 
an  initiation,  some  applications,  and  a '  boom.'  " 

Conclusion. — The  difficulties  encountered,  outside  of  North  America 
and  Europe,  in  the  establishment  of  the  Order,  should  be  clearly  under- 
stood. These  existed  fifty  years  ago  and  will  be  equally  as  prominent  a 
century  to  come.  The  petitions  received,  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 
from  the  Hawaiian  Islands  for  permission  to  admit  people  of  Polynesian 
blood;  from  the  West  Indies,  South  America,  and  the  Orient,  to  allow 
the  initiation  of  citizens  of  mixed  races,  —  all  indicate  the  impossibility  of 
great  progress  among  the  peoples  of  those  countries,  with  the  present  con- 
stitutional eligibility  clause  in  force.  In  1872  the  committee  on  foreign 
relations  made  a  report,  —  signed  by  Representatives  Edward  H.  Fitzhugh, 
James  Woodyatt,  John  B.  Harmon,  D.  N.  Barrows,  Henry  F.  Garey, 
John  F.  Havenner,  and  Past  Grand  Sire  James  P.  Sanders, — in  which 
the  American  position  on  this  subject  is  clearly  stated,  as  follows :  — 

"The  committee  feel  assured  that  they  express  a  sentiment  entertained  by  this  Qrand 
Lodge,  and  by  the  whole  Order  in  the  United  States,  when  they  declare  the  profound  inter- 


ififfOfK  FRATBBNITT. 


)&\  II  'A'.S.'S'.C'S' 
W  T^B''S'^  wT jPr '  W^  W*  *  "'"'  '"^^'^''  ^tiioBd,  who  ue  engaged  ii 
'i'i?'Vi^8tS0*nFH^    ^  laodB.    [Id  AoBtralasIa,  Soath  Americm 

I "JaM  'fia** »SJ  * fcorlze  other  than 

BA.^?..^B..^B   ■■   BB I.  1 


in  tbe 

Americm,  the 

that  thlt  Orond  Lodge  would  *o 

,  —  .——  w..-.-    _^-  — -l; than  white  persona  to  be  admitted 

iTglKPflB' W  'H  H"  oigxt'c  !&>*•  SVBI  since  the  eatabllEhment  of 

"^.iMUVh^oBlVlon  to  the  white  race.    No  change  in  oar  constt- 

'^2^'^S''fiit^''Vfr'""'^  B'^'o"  ^"'^  acted  npon  at  tbe  next;  ami 

^_  '"Bjl^W ^ta"j£^flt IIW yeaalon,  conieqnentl;  that  subject  cannot  come 

'JICIVliCft'M  tlHin^QPiBeeides  this,  there  are  varions  conBiderations  of 

^nr£&r.|H.  ^ft,BH||Sabretluen  abroad  hare  not  been  informed,  tiiat 

iMfMSav^^iu^^^  tbls  anbject ;  and  as  we  in  this  eonntry,  with 

BrfiARBiB'a^nJB'Oi^sbed  almoat  beyond  a  precedent,  we  rentnre 

y^jyg9liBSUilj9i:'i^Ke  of  success  will  attend  oui  brethren  abroad. 


l^jIfW*-" 


Paet  IY. 


THE  HIGHER   BRANCHES   OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP,   THE  PATRI- 

ARCHAL   ORDER,  THE  UNIFORMED  DEGREE  AND 

PATRIARCHS   MILITANT,  AND   THE 

DEGREE  OF  REBEKAH, 


DIVISION  X. 

THE  ENCAMPMENT  BRANCH. 

THE  EVOLUTION  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP;  THE  ENCAMPMENT  RITUAL, 
SEQUENCE  OF  THE  DEGREES,  AND  THE  TRADITIONS  OF  THE  WORK ; 
HISTORICAL  RJfcSUMfe  OF  THE  "  MERGEMENT  EFFORTS "  ;  THE 
ORGANIZATION  OF  SUBORDINATE  AND  GRAND  ENCAMPMENTS  BY 
JURISDICTIONS  ;  SUBORDINATE  ENCAMPMENTS  UNDER  THE  IMME- 
DLA.TE  JURISDICTION  OF  THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE  ;  AND  OF 
THE  QUASI-INDEPENDENT  GRAND  LODGES. 

By  Genebal  John  Corson  Smith,  Grand  Scribe  of  Illinois. 


INTRODUCTION. 

THE  EVOLUTION  OF  THE  PATRIARCHAL  ORDER. 

The  study  of  the  origin,  growth,  and  influence  of  Odd  Fellowship 
upon  man  is  proving  as  interesting  and  fascinating  to  the  philanthropist 
as  to  the  antiquarian ;  and,  though  of  less  than  a  century's  growth,  the 
author  or  authors  of  the  early  ceremonies  of  induction  into  its  symbolism 
are  nearly  aU  unknown  at  this  early  day.  The  same  is  true  of  those 
to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  enlargement  of  its  beneficent  influence 
and  its  subsequent  degrees. 

548 


544  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

We  know  that  to  Thomas  Wildey,  and  his  early  associates,  we  owe 
the  successful  formation  of  the  present  organization,  and  that  to  James 
L.  Ridgely,  and  his  compatriots,  we  are  indebted  for  the  firm  foundation 
of  brotherly  love  and  advanced  morality  upon  which  the  Order  was  recon- 
structed, even  in  Father  Wildey's  time ;  but  to  whom  to  credit  its  several 
degrees,  and  their  classification,  we  are  in  grave  doubt. 

The  fathers  of  the  Order  in  England  and  America  were  yet  living 
when  the  writer  of  these  lines  was  bom ;  many  of  them  until  long  after 
he-  attained  to  years  of  manhood,  and  several  of  those  in  America  he 
personally  knew  and  met  frequently.  It  is  as  difficult,  however,  to  learn 
the  origin  of  the  series  of  moral  and  instructive  lessons  taught  in  Odd 
Fellowship,  and  the  names  of  the  authors  of  its  degrees,  as  it  is  to  name 
the  founders  of  the  Roman,  Grecian,  or  Egyptian  mysteries. 

The  Order  of  Odd  Fellowship  may  be  said  to  have  been  the  result  of 
evolution,  and  it  is  a  pleasing  study  to  follow  its  growth  from  the 
earliest  record,  at  the  commemcement  of  this  century,  —  consisting  of  one 
degree  only,  and  that  conferred  in  an  ale  house,  —  to  the  close  of  the 
nineteenth  century,  when,  we  find  the  lodges,  encampments,  and  cantons 
of  the  American  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  occupying  palatial  halls  and 
temples,  with  si  dozen  or  more  degrees  to  charm  and  instruet  its  votaries. 

With  these  additional  lessons  and  enlarged  symbolism,  and  with  the 
unparalleled  increase  in  its  membership,  its  moral  growth  has  kept  pace 
until,  from  the  ale  house  for  a  lodge-room,  and  its  keeper  for  the  host,  no 
body  of  the  Order  is  now  permitted  to  meet  in  such  a  place ;  no  intoxi- 
cating liquors  are  allowed  where  its  members  are  congregated,  and  no 
"ale  house-keeper"  is  eligible  to  membership. 

As  we  have  before  spoken  and  written  we  here  repeat:  patriarchal 
Odd  Fellowship  had  its  origin  in  the  desire  so  inherent  in  man  to  surpass 
others  and  reach  a  higher  pinnacle  than  that  attained  by  the  mass  of  his 
f ellowmen.  Be  it  in  wealth,  official  station,  or  social  life,  there  are  always 
a  few  who  aim  to  surpass  all  others.  In  science,  also,  in  literature,  or 
mechanics ;  on  the  farm,  in  the  workshop,  or  the  studio ;  the  philosopher 
is  ever  searching  for  new  truths,  the  sailor  for  safer  and  more  direct 
routes  across  the  trackless  ocean,  and  the  soldier  for  more  effective  weapons 
whereby  to  defend  his  country's  flag.  This  is  as  it  should  be ;  for  with- 
out ambition  to  be  in  the  forefront  of  one's  occupation  or  profession  there 
would  be  no  progress,  and  the  civilization  of  the  nineteenth  century 
would  be  resolved  into  Egyptian  darkness.  The  Bellamy  idea  of  living 
in  such  an  advanced  age  as  described  in  his  work,  ^Looking  Back- 
ward," would  be  destructive  of  all  ambition  and  all  progress.  Such  a  life 
would  socm  degenerate  into  social  anarchy.  There  is  no  symmetry  of 
form  except  that  found  in  contrast  with  deformity ;  no  beauty  except  in 
contrast  with  the  ugly,  and  no  good  except  in  contrast  with  the  bad. 


545 

giving  free  Bcope  to 

desiie  to  attain 

id  the  ambition  to  surpass  the 

the  patriarchal  Odd  Fellowship 

ition  of  Odd  Fellows, 


Btttt  S!"(llMfeWiS?|£&r.  more  properly  speaking  from 
k^^j;&8li|^!I^^Rt  Branch  "  of  Odd  Fellowship,  we 
"^ifl<'||ik(^pjk^^^|pM}nfen«d  in  the  encampment,  and 
ifjg|Aaf>H(<j^l|^^£i'kIl  endeavor  to  trace  each  of  the 
i^SlSiSCS^i'liQipt'  ^^'^  reaene  from  obUrion  some 
ifV  tt'tt'^'V^i^"'?'  ^campments  in  the  many 
y^CSC&^SfV'B'^P  ™^^  t^^*  splendid  legislative 
'ywlrfwdSTi^kwi -Wb  govemii^  power  of  this  great 
4>SKlg!i.fl!v^i^.S|Ils  world. 


SECTION  I. 

ORIGIN  OF  THE  ENCAMPMENT  DEGREES  j  REPUTED  AND  PROBABLE 
AUTHORS  ;  THE  LESSONS  TAUGHT;  THE  EVOLUTION  OF  THE  RITUAL 
AND  SUBSEQUENT  REVISIONS  ;  ORGANIZATION  OF  SUBORDINATE 
AND  GRAND  ENCAMPMENTS;  REPRESENTATION  IN  THE  GRAND 
LODGE  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  (NOW  THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND 
LODGE);  "MERGEMENT"  MOVEMENT  v.  CHARTERED  AND  VESTED 
RIGHTS ;  PENNSYLVANIA'S  UNANSWERABLE  PROTEST ;  THE  PRES- 
ENT ORDER  OF  THE  DEGREES  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP  CONSIDERED. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  RITUAL  AND  THE  EARLY  ENCAMPMENTS. 

Golden  Rule  Degree.  —  As  in  the  early  organization  of  all  societies,  the 
records  of  this  Order  are  very  meagre,  the  founders  knowing  little  of  the 
importance  to  which  the  society  might  grow,  or  of  the  eagerness  of  future 
generations  to  know  about  its  parentage.  The  first  mention  we  have  of 
any  degree,  which  is  in  the  series  of  patriarchal  or  encampment  degrees, 
is  that  now  known  as  the  Grolden  Rule  degree,  there  being  three  in  all 
and  named  as  follows :  "  Patriarchal  degree,"  "  Golden  Rule  degree,"  and 
"Royal  Purple  degree."  They  are  nowhere  known  by  number,  but  are 
in  the  order  above  named.  The  earliest  reference  to  this  degree  is  to  be 
found  in  the  journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United 
States,  February  22,  1821,  the  day  of  its  institution  by  the  past  grands  of 
the  Order.  At  this  formation  the  charter  of  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1, 
of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States  was  surrendered,  and  the  "  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States  "  was  organized,  with  Thomas 
Wildey  as  Grand  Master,  and  a  charter  was  given  to  the  body  surrendering 
all  its  powers  granted  by  the  Order  in  England,  naming  it  "  Washington 
Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Maryland."  In  the  record  of  the  new  Grand  Lodge  we 
find  the  following :  "  Past  Grand  Larkam  having  been  duly  admitted  to 
membership,  the  Golden  Rule  degree  was  then  conferred  on  five  past 
grands." 

In  considering  means  to  provide  for  the  support  of  the  "  Grand  Lodge 

of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States,"  among  the  other  sources  of  reve- 

646 


:^C^r!^C^^*fHE  STEIANGER. 


THE  EVOLUTION  OF  THE  BITUAL.  647 

nue,  was  the  tax  of  seventy-Jive  cents  for  the  Golden  Rule  degree.  Who 
this  Past  Grand  William  Larkam  was,  and  how  he  came  in  possession  of 
the  Golden  Enle  degree,  and  if  he  was  admitted  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
municating it,  the  record  fails  to  tell.  That  Nestor  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
the  lamented  James  L.  Ridgely,  believed  the  degree  to  have  been  of 
English  origin,  but  in  this  conclusion  we  cannot  coincide.  Brother  Ridgely 
said:  — 

"No  records  attest  its  origin  or  history.  It  first  appeared  at  the  organization  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States,  February  22, 1821.  Six  past  grands, 
only,  were  present  on  the  occasion ;  one  of  them  had  the  degree  and  conferred  it  upon  the 
other  five.  Wildey  was  certainly  not  the  instructor,  or  the  faithful  minutes,  which  never 
forgot  him,  would  have  set  it  down.  The  minute  is  suggestive :  '  Past  Grand  Larkham 
having  been  duly  admitted  to  membership,  the  Golden  Rule  degree  was  conferred  on  five 
past  grands.'  lliis  seems  to  settle  the  question  of  an  English  origin,  and  that  Larkham 
brought  it  over  and  gave  it  out.  There  has  been  a  surmise  that  it  was  not  imported,  and 
was  in  fact  Entwisle's  work,  but  there  is  no  foundation  for  the  theory." 

I 

With  this  conclusion  we  beg  to  differ,  as  it  is  our  belief  that  John  P. 
Entwisle,  the  first  Deputy  Grand  Master  and  the  second  Grand  Secretary, 
was  the  author  of  the  Golden  Eule  degree.  The  records  to  which  Brothier 
Ridgely  refers  were  not  in  print  until  1844 ;  and  they  were  then,  with 
the  valuable  assistance  of  Past  Grand  Sire  John  A.  Kennedy,  made  up  of 
bits  of  manuscripts,  a  few  printed  leaves,  and  from  the  memory  or  recol- 
lection of  the  old  members,  collated  and  put  into  the  form  in  which  we 
now  have  them. 

Brother  John  Pawson  Entwisle  was  the  unquestioned  author  of  that 
scenic  and  dramatic  Covenant  degree,  the  best  of  the  subordinate  lodge 
degrees,  as  also  the  degree  of  Remembrance.  We  believe  that  the  Golden 
Rule  degree  vas,  also,  the  work  of  Entwisle,  from  the  fact  that  it  is  in  the 
same  line  of  thought,  teaching  friendship  and  toleration  at  all  times,  and 
under  all  circumstances,  although  surrounded  by  danger.  In  scenic  and 
dramatic  effect  the  Covenant  and  Golden  Rule  degrees  are  on  identical 
lines  and  teach  the  same  lessons  of  undying  friendship,  and  toleration  of 
the  opinions  of  others.  We  do  not  take  Brother  William  Larkam  into 
consideration,  as  nowhere  is  it  shown  that  he  had  recently  come  over  from 
England  with  a  new  degree ;  and  if  he  had,  it  would  as  certainly  have  been 
recorded  as  his  name  and  presence ;  neither  do  we  know  that  he  was  not 
of  Baltimore  and  never  had  crossed  the  great  deep.  We  do  know  that 
when  Past  Grand  McKormick  returned  from  England  with  a  degree,  the 
Patriarchal,  that '  it  was  soon  known,  made  a  matter  of  record,  and  he 
was  paid  for  having  gone  out  of  his  way  to  have  it  conferred  upon  him. 
Brother  Larkam  was  elected  the  first  Grand  Conductor  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  appeared  at  the  quarterly  sessions  several 
times,  and  passed  from  the  record  in  1823,  having  been  expelled  from  the 
Order.    If  further  evidence  be  required  that  the  Golden  Rule  degree  is  of 


548  TBX  THBEB-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Amerioaxi  origin^  we  certainly  have  it  in  James  Spry's  "  History  of  Odd 
Eellowship,  Manchester  Unity/'  published  in  London,  in  1867,  in  which, — 
speaking  of  the  session  of  the  Annual  Movable  Committee  May,  1825 
(four  years  later  than  the  introduction  of  the  Grolden  Rule  degree),  the 
governing  body  corresponding  to  our  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, — Brother 
Spry  said:  — 

*'  Many  improvements  were  suggested  and  adopted  for  the  Unity ;  and  the  Patriarchal 
degree  w<u  imtitiUedf  and  ordered  to  be  printed  and  promulgated  for  the  instroction  of  past 
officers  in  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship,  of  which  the  imly  portion  reeo^mued  by  the 
Order  at  the  prewent  tune  is  ikt  Boyal  Pvarple  degfree.**    (Italics  onra.) 

Nowhere  in  that  recotd^  or  in  Spry's  history,  is  tiiere  any  mention  of 
the  Grolden  Bule  degree  as  any  part  of  tiie  work  of  the  Manchester  Unity, 
—  or  that  it  was  ever  a  part  of  their  work^  —  and  we,  therefore,  conduda 
that  it  must  be  American  and  the  work  of  Brother  Entwisle. 

American  degrees  in  Odd  Fellowship  were  not  in  favor  with  the  Man- 
chester Unity,  which  accounts  for  their  not  adopting  the  Golden  Eule 
degree ;  as  witness  the  following,  —  referring  to  the  Whit-Monday,  1827, 
meeting  of  the  Annual  Movable  Committee,  Spry  said :  — 

**  A  Fart  €^rand*s  degree  was  instltiited  thia  year ;  and  the  Oownant  and  R^mmnbranoe 
degrees  dboiieh€d.  These  degrees  had  been  worked  in  AmeKica  (still  are)  by  the  btotheis 
there,  and  brought  to  this  country  by  Grand  liaster  Thomas  WUdey,  who  was  here  on  hia 
mission  to  obtain  a  grand  charter  for  the  United  States/'    (Italics  ours.) 

It  18  not  a  fair  statement  of  the  visit  of  Brother  Wildey,  thai  Orand 
Sire^  to  say  that  he  was  in.  England  **  on  his  mission  to  obtain  a  grand 
charter  for  the  United  States  " ;  as  he  was  there  of  his  own  motion,  and 
to  learn  what,  if  any,  changes  had  been  made  in  the  work,  and  to  give  the 
Manchester  Unity  t^e  benefit  of  his  exxwrience,  and  present  those  brethren 
with  the  Covenant,  Bemembrance,  and  Grand  Lodge  degrees,  which  were 
abolished  the  next  year  as  above  stated.  Grand  Sire  Wildey  said  of  his 
visit,  that  for  "  six  successive  nights  he  attended  lodges,  sometimes  two," 
and  before  leaving  Manchester  the  brethren  suggested  the  presentation  to 
hJYn  of  a  gold  medal  in  commemoration  of  the  visits  to  which  he  replied :  — 

"  That  if  it  was  their  wish  to  present  him  with  a  token  of  esteem,  he  would  prefer,  to 
anything  else,  a  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  confirming  the  one 
granted  by  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  Preston/* 

This  was  conceded,  and  the  charter  was  presented  with  a  very  compli- 
mentary address  to  the  Grand  Sire. 

Patriarchal  Degree.  7- This  degree,  now  the  first  of  the  encampment 
series,  is  undoubtedly  of  English  parentage,  and  was  adopted  by  the  Man- 
chester Unity  in  session  of  Committee  at  Huddersfield,  May  23, 1825>  as 
the  record  above  proves,  and  we  quote  it  again :  — 


THE  EVOLUTION  OF  THE  BITUAL.  649 

"  Many  improvements  weie  suggested  and  adopted  lor  the  Unity ;  and  the  Patriarchal 
degrea  was  instituted,  and  ordered  to  be  printed  and  promulgated  for  the  instruction  of  past 
officers  in  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship,  of  which  the  only  portion  recognized  by  the 
Order  at  the  present  time  is  the  Royal  Purple  degree." 

The  Patriarchal  degree  was  the  work  of  a  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master 
named  Smith,  a  member  of  the  Duke  of  Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  55,  now  on 
the  roll  as  Wigan  Lodge,  No.  55,  with  a  membership  of  116 ;  and  was 
brought  to  America  by  Past  Grand  McKormick,  of  Maryland,  and  con- 
ferred on  Grand  Sire  Wildey  and  Deputy  Grand  Sire  John  Welch  by 
authority  of  the  Annual  MoTable  Committee  of  Manchester,  England. 
Ten  dollars  was  voted  Brother  McKormick  for  expenses  from  Liverpool 
to  Manchester,  where  lie  went  to  receive  the  degree,  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
charged  one  dollar  to  each  of  the  seven  members  upon  whom  Grand  Sire 
Wildey  conferred  it :  Brothers  Charles  Common,  Maurice  Fennel],  Past 
Deputy  Grand  Master  Thomas  Scotchbum,  John  Boyd,  John  Boaeh, 
Charles  Brice,  and  Grand  Secretary  William  Williams. 

It  will  be  observed  that  in  the  adoption  of  the  Patriarchal  degree  May 
23, 1825,  mention  is  made  of  the  Boyal  Purple  degree  as  follows :  — 

"  Of  which  the  only  portion  reeognized  by  the  Order  at  the  present  time  is  the  Boyal 
Pnrple  degree." 

Rojal  Pvrple  Degree.  —  Bj  whom  this  degree  was  presented,  and  when 
or  where  adopted,  in  Annual  Movable  Committee  or  the  American  Grand 
Lodge,  we  know  not,  as  upon  that  subject  the  records  are  silent.  In 
searching  for  facta  we  turn  from  the  English  record  of  May  23,  1825, 
to  the  record  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States^ — the  title  having 
been  changed  and  the  words  ^  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland "  dropped  in 
1824,  —  and  in  adjourned  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  March  30^  1825,  we 
find  the  following  entry : — 

**  Ordeiwt,  That  the  Grand  Lodges  be  inloffBaBd  thai  these  is  a  color  on  their  charter 
for  a  degree  (the  Soyal  Purple)  which  they  have  not  receiYed^  and  that  it  wiU  be  forwarded 
as  soon  as  possible." 

Of  this  "  order "  Brother  Bidgely  said  that  the  KoyaL  Purple  degree 
was  referred  to  here,  that  'it  had  recently  been  received,  but  owing  tor  it 
being  devoid  of  appropriate  lectures,  it  was  only  known  to  Grand  Master 
Wildey  and  Deputy  Grand  Master  Thomas  Scotchbum.  That  distin- 
guished brother,  also,  said  that  he  believed  the  degree  to*  be  of  American 
origin,  that  it  was  introduced  into  the  Grand  Lodge  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey, 
but  he  did  not  think  it  the  work  of  Wildey.  This  may  be  truCy  but  the 
objections  always  advanced,  and  by  none,  more  than  Kidgely,  against 
crediting  to  Wildey  any  part  in  the  production  of  .these  new  degrees  was : 
"  That  no  one  believed  in  his  ability  to  produce  them."  In  other  words, 
that  Wildey  was  unlettered  and  of  no  literary  ability.  The  critics  of  that 
^^  Grand  Old  Man/'  Thomas  Wildey,  overlooked  the  fact  that  there  are 


650  THE  THBEE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

two  kinds  of  education:  ''book  laming/'  as  expressed  in  the  South; 
''  culcha,"  in  the  East^  and  experience  with  mankind,  as  the  man  of  the 
"Wild  West"  would  say.  Of  the  latter,  Brother  Wildey  had  a  world's 
university  education,  as  his  labors  prove. 

Literary  ability  is  not  to  be  derided,  but  the  most  accomplished 
scholar  is  often  superseded  by  one  of  finer  or  deeper  thought,  as  is 
attested  by  the  several  revisions  of  the  ritual ;  each  thought  in  its  day 
to  be  perfect ;  but  the  sublime  idea  of  one  common  brotherhood  under  the 
One  Father,  —  put  into  practical  every-day  life  as  inculcated  by  that  Abou 
Ben  Adhem,  Thomas  Wildey,  —  can  never  be  improved,  much  less  super- 
seded by  any  man,  no  matter  what  his  accomplishments.  The  man  who 
conceived  the  Eoyal  Purple  degree  was  the  one  who,  beneath  the  groves 
of  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin  [see  "Wisconsin,"  below],  sought  to  impress 
the  patriarchs  of  that  new  territory  with  his  own  ideas  as  to  the  proper 
manner  in  which  to  illustrate  the  "journey  of  life"  as  there  set  forth; 
and  to  do  it  in  nature's  own  halls,  with  the  blue-vaulted  canopy  of 
heaven  over,  and  the  mazy  green  of  nature  all  about  him.  There,  away 
from  all  prying  eyes,  away  from  the  busy  activity  of  the  mining-camp,  — 
with  but  one  All-seeing  Eye,  the  eye  of  the  Great  Father  of  man  to  look 
upon  them,  —  Thomas  Wildey  sought  to  impress  on  the  minds  of  the 
brethren  his  own  conception  of  the  Royal  Purple  degree.  The  thought 
and  germ  of  that  degree  was  Wildey's ;  the  compilation  of  its  text  was 
the  work  of  Entwisle,  John  Boyd,  and  others,  with  whom  the  father 
of  the  Order  consulted.  It  is  in  the  same  line  of  thought,  with  its  drap 
matic  work  and  presentation  of  characters,  as  the  Covenant  and  Golden 
Eule  degrees,  so  much  so,  as  to  bear  upon  its  face  the  stamp  of  the  author 
of  those  works. 

The  fact  that  we  find  mention  made  of  the  Royal  Purple  degree  in  the 
American  records  two  months  earlier  than  in  the  English,  that  several 
months  later  we  have  the  Patriarchal  degree  transmitted  from  the  Man- 
chester Unity,  and  no  further  mention  of  the  Royal  Purple  degree  in 
their  records,  seems  proof  positive  of  its  American  origin.  Not  only  were 
the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United  States  notified  of  this  degree  in  March, 
1825,  but  at  the  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
April  2^j  1826,  the  amendment  to  the  constitution,  previously  submitted, 
was  adopted,  fixing  the  fees  for  the  Golden  Rule  and  Royal  Purple 
degrees,  —  the  two  American  degrees,  —  at  $20.  It  was  not,  however, 
until  the  session  of  September  5,  1831,  that,  on  motion  of  James  L. 
Ridgely,  the  Royal  Purple  degree  became  a  necessary  qualification  for 
Representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

Patriarchal  Hospitality.  —  Having  traced  the  origin  of  the  patriarchal 
degrees,  and  endeavored  to  fix  their  authorship,  we  leave  to  others  the 
pleasure,  or  duty,  just  as  they  may  view  it,  of  speculating  upon  their 


TEE  EVOLUTION  OF  THE  RITUAL.  551 

philosophy,  or  theorizing  upon  their  symbolism.  It  is  our  pleasure  to 
deal  with  the  realism  of  those  degrees,  and  it  requires  no  yivid  imagina- 
tion, or  far-drawn  theory,  to  see  in  the  Patriarchal  degree  the  lesson  of 
hospitality,  —  a  virtue  so  much  neglected  in  this  every-day  age.  Among 
primitive  people  it  is  never  overlooked  nor  forgotten,  and  none  are  more 
mindful  of  that  duty  than  the  Arab,  among  whom  the  ancient  patriarchs 
dwelt.  To  partake  of  a  pinch  of  salt,  eat  a  bit  of  bread,  and  drink  a 
cup  of  sweet  water  with  the  Arab,  is  to  covenant  with  those  people  and 
cement  an  eternal  friendship.  Such  is  the  lesson  of  this  degree,  and 
stupid  must  he  be  who  fails  to  see  and  understand  it. 

The  Golden  Rule.  —  The  Golden  Eule  degree  is  designed  to  teach  a  still 
more  important  lesson,  and  such  a  lesson,  that  if  the  candidate  profits 
thereby,  cannot  fail  to  hasten  the  millennium,  the  dawn  of  that  day  when 
swords  shall  be  beaten  into  plough-shares  and  spears  into  pruning-hooks, 
and  war  shall  be  known  no  more.  Such  will  be  the  effect  of  "  toleration," 
and  such  is  the  lesson  of  this  degree.  All  mankind  assert  the  right  to 
think  each  for  himself,  and  act  as  each  thinks  best.  Why  then  cannot 
the  spirit  of  toleration  be  cultivated  until  every  man  concedes  the  same 
right  to  others  which  he  claims  for  himself  ?  No  monitor  is  needed  to 
point  out  to  the  candidate  that  the  lesson  of  the  Golden  Eule  degree  is 
a  practical  and  universal,  broad  and  philanthropic  application  of  the  true 
spirit  of  toleration ;  that  genuine  tolerance  which  concedes  to  our  fellow- 
man  the  freedom  of  thought  and  freedom  of  action  which  each  one  so 
strenuously  claims  for  himself. 

The  Royal  Purple  Lesson. — We  turn  now  to  a  review  of  our  life's 
labor,  and  the  pilgrimage  of  man.  The  dangers  and  pitfalls  which  encom- 
pass us  are  here  graphically  depicted;  while  the  awards  for  honor, 
probity,  and  perseverance  are  found  in  the  welcome  received  at  the  "  high 
priest's  tent."  How  truthfully  the  journey  of  life  is  presented,  only  those 
who  have  made  it  can  attest  and  appreciate.  If  there  can  be  any  lesson 
or  symbolism  in  all  Odd  Fellowship  to  be  compared  with  the  Golden  Rule 
degree,  that  of  the  Eoyal  Purple  is  the  best;  and,  supported  as  it  is  with 
those  three  pillars  of  strength, — faith,  hope,  and  charity,  —  he  must  be  an 
indifferent  Odd  Fellow  who  is  not  the  better  for  having  been  permitted 
to  enter  its  tent,  officiate  at  its  altar,  and  subscribe  to  its  lessons  of 
universal  toleration  :  there  is  but  one  God,  and  all  mankind  are  brethren. 

There  has  been  much  confusion  in  the  records  as  to  the  proper  name 
for  this  degree.  First,  it  was  called  the  "Fifth  degree,"  because  it 
held  that  place  in  the  series,  and  followed  the  "  Golden  Eule  degree,"  — 
its  present  position ;  second,  it  was  known  as  the  "  Past  Grand  degree  " ; 
third,  it  became  the  "  Mazarine  Blue  degree " ;  fourth,  it  was  called  the 
"Purple  degree";  and  fifth,  the  name  by  which  it  is  now  known,  the 
"  Eoyal  Purple  degree." 


552  THE  THREE-LUrK  FBATEBNITT. 


The  Eyolmtion  of  the  RituaL  — Few  are  the  words  which  can  be  used  in 
this  connection,  for  we  are  trespassing  upon  the  border-land  of  the  known 
and  the  unknown.  As  will  be  readily  surmised,  the  early  patriarchal 
degrees  were  crude  and  fragmentary:  more  signs,  words  and  symbols 
than  lessons,  and  more  easily  forgotten.  By  a  system,  as  it  were,  of 
evolution,  the  work  has  been  brought  to  its  present  literary  standard; 
and  while  we  would  gladly  return  to  that  of  1874,  the  danger  of  getting 
some  other  objectional  matter  introduced  into  an  amended  ritual  is  so 
great  that  we  are  content  to  let  it  remain  as  it  now  is. 

Gathering  together  the  various  papers  extant,  relating  to  these  degrees, 
a  complete  work  was  considered  and  adopted  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States  October  9,  1835,  with  the  following  named  brethren 
present :  *  — 

Jmmee  QeUys,  M.  W.  Gnoid  Sire;  Robert  NeUson,  B.  W.  D^aty  Gnmd  Sire;  Aagnst 
Mathiot,  B.  W.  Grazid  Treasurer;  James  L.Ridgel7,  Bepresentative  of  Maryland;  Gharlee 
Mowatt,  Bepresentatiye  of  New  York ;  HoweU  Hopkins,  Bepresentatiye  of  Pennsylvania ; 
A.  E.  Warner,  Bepresentatiye  of  the  District  of  Ck>lumbia;  H.  S.  Sanderson,  Bepresentatiye 
of  Ohio;  Zenas  B.  Glazier,  Bepreeentatiye  of  Delaware;  John  Pearee,  Bepresentatiye  of 
New  Jersey;  Thomas  WUdey,  Past  Gtand  Sire. 

In  that  work  there  was  a  short  initiation  ceremony  preceding  the 
Patriarchal  degree.  The  forms  and  ceremonies  were  brief,  compared  with 
what  they  are  now ;  but  the  germ  and  substance  upon  which  all  subsequent 
revisions  are  builded  was  there,  and  it  is  a  question  if  the  old  work  would 
not  be  as  effective  now  as  the  later.  The  tendency  of  the  age  is  to  amplify, 
elaborate,  and  extend,  until  sometimes  we  get  too  much,  and  the  mind 
does  not  retain  it  all.  Such  has  been  the  tendency  of  our  revisions,  until, 
at  the  present  tune,  there  has  been  a  desire  to  omit  some  of  the  work. 
We  instance  that  of  the  Patriarchal  degree  wherein  there  is  a  choice  of 
ceremony;  and,  particularly,  the  installation  of  officers,  not  one  encamp- 
ment in  ten  of  which  conforms  to  the  new  oeremonies, — nor  can  they 

do   BO. 

The  first  revision  of  the  lectures  and  charges,  following  the  adoption 
of  the  old  work  in  1835,  was  ten  years  later,  September  15, 1845,  when 
from  a  Grand  Lodge  composed  of  eleven  grand  officers  and  representatives 
there  were  present  ^^-aiaj  grand  officers  and  representatives,  and  Past 
Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey  was  of  that  number.  This  revision  may  be 
said  to  have  been  radical  in  that  it  added  so  much  to  the  work,  and  we 
confess  that  it  was  much  improved,  and  there  it  would  better  have  remained. 
The  revision  of  September  15, 1873,  contained  no  important  modifications ; 
while  that  of  September  22, 1880,  as  we  have  before  said,  is  objectionable, 
and  the  tinkering  which  has  followed  is  pernicious. 

Growth  of  the  Order.  —  The  growth  of  Odd  Fellowship  is  seen  in  the 

1  yote  hy  1h€  Editor-in- Chief.  —  Attention  Is  here  eaUed  to  the  notable  liit  of  names  (p.  102)  of  the 
brethren  who  completed,  in  1845,  what  was  so  aospidoasly  commenced  in  1885. 


EABLT  ENCAMFMENT  OBQANIZATION.  553 

nnmbers  oomposiag  its  fiovereigu  head.  At  the  adoption  of  the  ritual^  in 
1835,  the  Grand  Lodge  had  present,  officers  and  members,  eleven;  while, 
but  forty-five  jears  later,  there  were  present  in  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  in  1880,  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight,  officers  and  representatives  of 
its  constituent  Grand  bodies.  In  numbers  there  is  sometimes  strength, 
but  not  always  wisdom,  as  is  illustrated  in  the  trifling  changes  recently 
made  in  the  work  of  the  patriarchal  degrees  in  1895-96. 

Subordinate  Encampments.  —  The  first  encampment  for  conferring  the 
patriarchal  degrees  was  organized  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and 
was  called  an  ^'encampment  lodge." 

The  petitioners  for  this  new  body  were:  Thomas  Wildey,  John  Boyd, 
Thomas  Scotchbum,  John  Roach,  Ezekiel  Wilson,  John  F.  Exe,  Thomas 
Charters,  and  Richard  Marley.  IVIay  6,  1827,  these  brethren  met  and 
agreed  to  ask  for  a  charter  creating  this  new  organization,  of  which  only 
Scarlet  degree  brethren  could  become  members,  and  in  which  the  patri- 
archal degrees  would  be  conferred.  It  was  intended  to  be  a  select  body, 
embracing  Hie  best  known  Odd  Fellows,  who  had  obtained  the  proper 
qualification  as  to  degrees,  and  that  of  "  being  a  sober  and  steady  man," 
as  required  by  the  Golden  Rule  degree.  May  15, 1827,  the  petition  was 
presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  immediately  considered,  and 
granted  the  same  day,  —  or  night,  for  it  was  at  an  evening  session. 

The  fee  for  this  charter  was  *540,  and  ten  per  centum  of  the  receipts 
of  the  "  encampment  lodge  "  were  to  be  paid  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  In  con- 
sideration of  these  payments  the  Grand  Lodge  surrendered  all  control  of 
the  patriarchal  degrees  and  placed  them  under  the  sole  control  of  the 
encampment  lodge. 

This  "Encampment  Lodge,  No.  1,"  was  duly  instituted,  in  Grand 
Lodge  hall,  July  6, 1827,  with  the  following  officers :  John  Boyd,  Chief 
Patriarch;  Thomas  Wildey,  High  Priest;  Thomas  Scotchburn,  Senior 
Warden;  Richard  Marley,  Scribe;  John  J.  Roach,  Junior  Warden; 
Ezekiel  Wilson,  Guardian.  They  seem  to  have  overlooked  the  election 
of  a  treasurer,  and  probably  intrusted  his  duties  to  their  faithful  scribe, 
Patriarch  Marley. 

There  were,  also,  present  as  members  bX  the  organization  and  installa- 
tion of  officers :  John  Welch,  William  Williams,  Henry  Harris,  Charles 
Brice,  Samuel  Bickley,  George  Freeburger,  David  Ramsey,  Abraham 
Sanders,  and  Patriarchs  Sautmyer,  Pitts,  Clements,  and  Richardson. 

The  fees  for  the  degrees  were  fixed  at  $3  for  the  "Patriarchal,"  ^4 
for  the  "  Golden  Rule,"  and  $5  for  the  "  Purple "  which  from  this  meet- 
ing became  known  as  the  "  Royal  Purple." 

It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  the  first  charter  was  early  lost,  or 
destroyed,  and  no  copy  of  it  has  been  found.  Because  of  some  defect  in 
the  original  charter,  an  application  was  made  January  16,  1829,  to  the 


554  THE  TBBEE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  for  a  new  one,  and  the  following  was  granted. 
It  will  be  observed  that  there  are  some  changes  in  names  from  those 
given  in  the  original  petition,  but  the  best  known  are  on  both:  — 

ORDER  OF  INDEPENDENT  ODD  FELLOWS. 

To  all  vohom  it  may  concern :  — 

Know  ye  that  an  application  being  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  by  the 
following  Past  Grands,  viz. :  Thomas  Wildey,  John  Roach,  Senr.,  John  Boyd,  Thomas 
Charters,  Thomas  Scotchbnm,  and  Richard  Marley,  all  members  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  and  residing  within  the  state  of  Maryland,  to  establish  an  encampment  of 
patriarchs,  we,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  by  the  authority  of  a  charter  granted  us  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  America,  held  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  hereby 
grant  this  charter,  and  we,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  Maryland,  do  empower  the 
aforesaid  encampment  of  patriarchs  to  grant  dispensations  for  opening  an  encampment  to 
all  faithful  Odd  Fellows  throughout  the  globe ;  and  we,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  do 
furthermore  cede  to  the  said  encampment  of  patriarchs  the  exclusive  power  of  conferring 
the  degrees  appertaining  to  the  encampment  of  patriarchs,  viz. :  The  Patriarchal  degree, 
the  Golden  Rule  degree,  and  the  Royal  Purple  degree.  And  we,  the  Grand  Lodge,  also 
privilege  them  to  make  such  laws  as  they  may  think  expedient  for  their  good  government : 
Provided,  at  all  times,  such  laws  be  not  at  variance  with  the  constitution  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  or  that  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  Maryland.  But 
should  the  said  encampment  infringe  or  violate  the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodges,  either 
of  the  state  of  Maryland,  or  of  the  United  States,  or  act  in  any  manner  derogatory  to  the 
principles  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  Grand  Lodge  do  retain  the  power  of  suspending  this 
charter;  but  in  case  of  a  faithful  observance  of  the  above  stipulation,  we  do  further  bind 
ourselves  to  repair  aU  accidental  damage  or  destruction  of  this  charter. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  subscribed  our  names  and 
affixed  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of 
Maryland,  together  with  the  colors  hereby  trans- 
mitted to  the  said  encampment  of  patriarchs,  this 
the  thirtieth  day  of  May,  a.d.  1827. 

THOMAS  SCOTGHBURN,  Grand  Master. 
Black.  CHARLES  BRIGE,  Deputy  Grand  Master. 

Goi,i>.  RICHARD  MARLEY,  Grand  Warden. 

PuBPLB.  EZEKIEL  WILSON,  Grand  Secretary. 

JOHN  ROACH,  Grand  Guardian. 

DAVID  RAMSEY,  Grand  Conductor. 

It  will  be  observed  that  this  was  intended  to  be  a  duplicate  copy  of 
the  original  charter  issued  May  15, 1827,  but  that  there  are  some  changes 
in  names,  and  the  date  differs  in  being  fifteen  days  later.  This  intended 
duplicate  was  really  issued  January  16,  1829,  and  should  have  been  so 
stated. 

It  will  be  readily  seen  that  the  charter  constituted  this  body  a  Grand 
Encampment  for  the  world,  as  it  authorized  the  granting  of  dispensations 
"  for  opening  an  encampment  to  all  faithful  Odd  Fellows  throughout  the 
globe,"  thus  assuming  a  jurisdiction  far  beyond  that  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  and  for  which  it  had  no  such  authority.  This 
encampment  of  patriarchs  proved  a  success,  and  remains  to  this  day  an 
active,  living  organization  under  the  name,  subsequently  adopted,  of 


EARLY  ENCAMPMENT  ORGANIZATION  655 

'*  Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  1/'  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
and  has  a  membership  of  43. 

One  other  encampment  was  instituted  in  Maryland,  and  the  one  in 
Delaware  was  chartered  by  this  Maryland  body ;  but  other  jurisdictions 
took  up  the  patriarchal  work,  established  their  own  encampments,  as  in 
Pennsylvania,  New  York,  and  Massachusetts,  and  it  soon  became  evident 
that  a  Grand  Lodge,  in  which  its  members  were  not  required  to  be  in 
possession  of  the  patriarchal  degrees,  was  not  the  body  to  have  charge 
of  this  new  branch,  or  higher  Order  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

Grand  Encampments.  — The  agitation  of  the  propriety  of  foimding  state 
Grand  Encampments  to  control  the  patriarchal  degrees,  subject  only  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  resulted  in  the  presentation  to  that 
Grand  body  September  5^  1831,  of  a  petition  praying  that  a  charter  be 
granted  for  a  state  Grand  Encampment  to  be  located  in  the  city  of  Balti- 
more, Maryland,  and  the  same  was  granted;  but  the  Grand  body  was  not 
instituted  until  December  31,  1831.  James  L.  Bidgely  was  one  of  the 
petitioners. 

Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  of  Maryland.  —  This,  the  first  Bight 
Worthy  Grand  Encampment  authorized  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  was  duly  constituted,  the  officers  elected  and  installed  in  Balti- 
more December  31, 1831,  and  Thomas  Wildey  was  the  first  Most  Worthy 
Grand  Patriarch.  There  was  some  little  difference  in  the  official  titles 
from  those  in  vogue  to-day,  —  that  of  "Most  Excellent  High  Priest,'' 
*^  Worthy  Grand  Janitor,"  and  "  Worthy  Grand  Assistant  Janitor,"  —  and 
also  in  the  number  of  its  officers. 

The  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1829,  when  it 
authorized  the  formation  of  a  Grand  Encampment  undoubtedly  paved  the 
way  for  the  subsequent  organization  of  state  Grand  Encampments,  to  take 
control  of  the  encampment  degrees,  and  it  certainly  was  a  wise  move- 
ment. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. — The  record  is  as  follows:  At  the  session 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  September  27,  1828,  a  petition  was 
presented  asking  that  a  charter  for  an  encampment  be  granted,  and  it 
was  so  agreed.  October  2nd,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  and 
report  a  form  for  the  charter.  October  27th,  the  form  was  submitted 
and  adopted.  December  15th,  the  charjber  having  been  engrossed,  it  was 
ordered  that  the  Grand  Lodge  meet  December  20,  1828,  to  deliver  the 
same  and  institute  "  Encampment,  No.  1,"  which,  accordingly,  was  done. 
There  being  no  further  record  it  is  not  known  what  work  was  performed, 
or  if  the  encampment  ever  again  met.  We  presume  that  it  never  did,  as 
the  same  names  appear  in  the  record  which  follows.  At  the  session  of 
Grand  Lodge  June  16,  1829,  the  action  of  September  27,  1828,  —  in 
granting  the  charter  for  an  encampment  and  all  subsequent  thereto, — 


I 
I 


556  THE  THREE' LINK  FRATERNITY. 

was  reconsidered  and  the  wliole  subject  of  Grand  and  subordinate  encamp- 
ments referred  to  a  committee  which  reported  as  follows  r — 

*' Resolution  first ^  That  the  original  jurisdiction  and  government  of  all  Odd  Fellows 
was  vested  in  the  Grand  Lodge.  Seeond,  That  a  warrant  for  a  Grand  Encampment  shonld 
be  granted.  That  a  recommendation  from  the  Grand  Encampment  shall  be  necessary  to  all 
petitions  to  this  Grand  Lodge  for  warrants  for  subordinate  encampments.  Third,  that  ten 
per  centum  of  their  receipts  shall  be  paid  to  the  Grand  Lodge  by  the  Grand  Encampment, 
and  by  all  subordinate  encampments,  quarterly ;  and  that  they  shall  conform  to  such  laws, 
rules,  and  regulations  as  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  dictate.  Fourth,  That  all  warrants  for 
subordinate  encampments  shall  embrace  the  principles  and  requisitions  of  this  report." 

These  resolutions  having  been  adopted  the  petition  of  September  27, 
1828,  for  an  encampment  was  again  presented,  and  a  charter  for  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  Pennsylvania  granted.  The  day  following,  the  petitioners 
met  in  the  Grand  Lodge  hall,  northwest  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Seventh 
streets,  with  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey,  presiding,  who  instituted  the 
Grand  Encampment.  They  then  elected  and  installed  the  officers.  It 
would  seem  from  the  record  that  our  official  titles  for  Grand  officers  in 
1896,  are  the  Pennsylvania  titles  of  1829. 

Sessions  of  Grand  bodies  were  frequent  in  those  days,  so  there  was 
no  delay  in  beginning  work.  June  19th,  July  28th,  and  August  9th  were 
dates  of  meeting  and  conferring  the  degrees.  At  the  last  named  meeting 
it  was 

"Resolved,  That  this  encampment  be  called  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  petition  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  for  a 
warrant  to  hold  a  working  encampment,  to  be  called  '  Encampment  of  Patriarchs,  No.  1.'  "> 

A  committee  consisting  of  Patriarchs  Pryor,  Small,  and  O'Connor  was 
appointed,  and  the  Grand  Encampment  "  adjourned  with  due  solemnity  " 
to  meet  in  one  week.  Ihiring  that  week  the  Grand  Lodge  had  been  con- 
vened, the  petition  presented,  and  the  charter  granted  for  an  encampment 
of  patriarchs  to  be  hailed  as  the  '^  Encampment  of  Patriarchs,  No.  1,  of 
Pennsylvania." 

Report  was  made  to  the  Grand  Encampment  August  16,  1829,  the 
charter  presented,  accepted,  and  Philadelphia  Encampment,  No.  1,  in- 
stituted. This  body  with  its  membership  of  85  patriarchs  is  still  on  the 
roll  of  that  Grand  Encampment. 

New  York  and  BCassachusetts.  —  The  Grand  Lodges  of  New  York  and 
Massachusetts  were  not  slow  in  following  the  example  of  Maryland 
and  Pennsylvania ;  and,  leading  to  more  or  less  trouble,  it  was  only  ended 
by  the  prompt  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  grant- 
ing charters  for  state  Grand  Encampments. 

State  Grand  Encampments.  —  This  new  system  of  government  for  the 
patriarchal  Order,  began  September  6, 1831,  by  the  issue  of  the  Maryland 
Grand  Encampment  charter,  and  the  withdrawal  of  such  powers  from 
the  state  Grand  Lodges,  soon  led  to  harmony,  and  the  assured  prosperity 


EABLT  ENCAMPMENT  ORGANIZATION.  657 

which  has  followed  the  patriarchal  Order.  We  have  no  desire  to  call 
attention  to  other  fraternal  societies  or  make  invidious  distinctions,  as 
Odd  Fellowship  is  the  first  American  fraternal  Order,  and  the  model 
upon  which  all  later  societies  are  builded;  but  we  desire  to  say  that 
the  seventeen  per  centum  of  its  lodge  membership  which  enters  the 
encampment  is  the  best  evidence  we  can  give  of  the  popularity  of  the 
patriarchal  degrees. 

This  percentage  is  larger  than  that  of  any  other  society  having  such 
bodies,  and  we  have  no  fear  for  the  filture  of  this  branch  of  the  Order, 
no  matter  how  many  degrees  may  be  added  to  those  of  the  encampment, 
or  be  taken  from  those  of  the  subordinate  lodge. 

Any  danger  which  may  threaten  the  Order,  or  any  of  its  branches, 
lies  in  the  legislation  of  those  members  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
who  take  but  a  superficial  view  of  the  great  work  of  Odd  Fellowship; 
take  counsel  of  their  fears,  judge  of  the  permanency  of  the  Order,  or  any 
part  thereof,  by  the  admissions  of  the  day,  and  gauge  its  power  for  good 
on  the  basis  of  membership  regardless  of  qualification. 

In  this  legislation  for  Grand  Encampments,  the  better  to  govern  the 
patriarchal  Order,  Maryland  led  the  advance,  having  adopted,  January  17, 
1832,  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  following:  — 

"RemAvedt  That  for  the  purpose  of  Testing  undisputed  and  absolute  jorisdiction  to 
charter  aabordinate  encampments,  and  aU  rights  necessary  thereto,  in  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment, this  Grand  Lodge  doth  hereby  relinquish  to  said  Grand  Encampment  and  vest  therein 
aU  the  rights,  if  any,  the  said  Grand  Lodge  now  possesses  over  encampments  in  this  State." 

At  an  adjourned  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
held  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  June  7,  1833,  a  petition  was  pre- 
sented signed  by  Brothers  William  M.  Moore,  James  Gettys  (both  of 
whom  afterward  became  Grand  Sires),  and  six  others,  praying  that  a 
warrant  issue  for  an  .encampment  to  be  called  '^ Columbia  Encampment, 
No.  1,"  and  located  in  the  city  of  Washington,  District  of  Columbia, 
which  was  granted,  and  thus  the  patriarchal  degrees  were  introduced 
into  our  national  capital. 

Few  Jersey. — July  4,  1833,  the  first  encampment  was  instituted  in 
the  state  of  New  Jersey  at  Paterson,  and  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey. 

September  5,  1833,  a  new  constitution  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 

■ 

United  States  was  adopted,  and  in  that  instrument  the  qualifications  for 
a  member  of  that  body  were  prescribed  as  being :  ''  Past  Grands  in  good 
standing  who  have  received  the  Royal  Purple  degree."  In  this  consti- 
tution the  Grand  Lodge  claimed  exclusive  control  of  the  patriarchal 
degrees  and  jurisdiction  over  the  Grand  Encampments ;  and  of  subordi- 
nate encampments,  where  no  Grand  Encampments  had  been  instituted; 
but,  it  was  not  until  after  several  years  that  this  control  was  exercised 
by  that  Grand  body.     Trouble  in  New  York  and  Massachusetts  caused 


558  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

the  recall  of  the  Orand  Lodge  charters^  and  aew  ones  were  issued  to 
those  states  from  which  control  of  the  patriarchal  degrees  had  been 
withdrawn. 

The  following  and  later  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania 
(December  24,  1838)  ended  the  matter^  and  left  this  branch  entirely  in 
the  possession  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States:  — 

"Resolved,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania ,  That  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  be 
granted,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  Borrender  all  jurisdiction  of  subordinate  encampments,  and 
all  the  degrees  thereunto  belonging,  to  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Pennsylvania." 

As  the  Grand  Lodge  had  not  acquired  the  patriarchal  degrees  from  the 
Grand  Encampment,  this  act  was  not  considered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States  as  any  surrender^  and  so  a  subsequent  act,  that  of  1841, 
was  found  necessary. 

Representation.  —  Having  successfully  accomplished  the  formation  of 
subordinate  encampments,  in  which  to  confer  the  patriarchal  degrees,  and 
recognized  the  state  Grand  Encampments  as  the  governing  bodies  of  the 
same,  the  next  advance  in  the  interests  of  this  branch  of  the  Order  was  to 
ask  representation  for  the  Grand  Encampments  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  on  the  same  basis  as  state  Grand  Lodges  had  been 
admitted. 

The  first  movement  in  that  direction  was  made  April  24, 1840,  at  an 
adjourned  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  when  Repre- 
sentative Richard  Marley,  of  Maryland,  offered  the  following  amendment 
to  the  constitution,  which,  after  being  read,  was  referred  to  the  next 
annual  session :  — 

"Resolved,  That  the  constitution  be  so  altered  as  to  admit  the  Grand  Encampments  to  a 
representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States." 

This  amendment  was  immediately  backed  by  the  action  of  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  New  York,  —  which  was  submitted  by  the  representative 
from  that  state,  Wilson  Small,  read  in  the  Grand  Lodge  and  spread  upon 
the  minutes,  but  no  further  action  was  taken,  —  as  follows ;  — 

"Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Encampment  proffer  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  the  amount  of  dues  state  Grand  Lodges  pay,  in  order  to  entitle  this  Grand  Encamp- 
ment to  a  representative  in  that  body. 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Grand  Encampment  that  Grand  Encampments 
subordinate  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  are  equaUy,  with  Grand  Lodges,  enti- 
tled to  a  representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  on  the  payment  of  the  same 
dues." 

At  the  annual  session  October  6,  1840,  the  amendment  of  Represent- 
ative Marley  was  "  called  up  "  by  Representative  Rev.  Isaac  D.  William- 
son, of  Maryland,  and  the  following  amendment  added  thereto :  "  Upon 
the  same  terms  as  the  state  Grand  Lodges  are  represented,"  and  the 
amendment,  as  amended,  ^'  went  over "  to  the  next  annual  session,  when, 


EABLT  ENCAMPMENT  ORGANIZATION.  659 

on  motion  of  Howell  Hopkins,  of  Pennsylvania,  the  amended  amendment 
was  considered  and  adopted  September  21, 1840. 

,  At  this  session  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  presented  a  certified 
copy  of  the  adoption  of  the  following  by  that  Grand  body :  — 

** Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  will  sarrender  all  jurisdiction  over  encampments  in 
this  state  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States." 

This  act  ended  the  jurisdiction  of  state  Grand  Lodges  over  the  patri- 
archal degrees  and  encampments,  subordinate  and  Grand,  and  placed  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  supreme  authority. 

The  adoption  of  the  constitutional  amendment  admitting  Grand  En- 
campments to  a  representation  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  acceptance  of 
the  surrender  of  all  control  of  the  patriarchal  degrees  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania,  both  the  same  day,  —  September  21, 1841,  —  marked  an 
epoch  in  the  history  of  the  Order,  as  it  insured  the  permanency  and  pros- 
perity of  patriarchal  Odd  Fellowship.  The  session  of  1841  is  memo- 
rable, in  the  annals  of  the  patriarchs,  for  an  evident  desire  to  do  all  the 
good  that  could  be  done  for  the  new  branch  of  the  Order.  This  is  further 
evidenced  by  the  following  resolution  of  John  A.  Kennedy ;  then  the  proxy- 
representative  of  Delaware,  which  was  adopted :  — 

"Resolvedf  That  a  committee  consisting  of  past  chief  patriarchs  and  past  high  priests  of 
encampments  be  constituted  to  prepare  appropriate  degrees  for  the  Grand  Encampments, 
and  for  the  past  offices  of  chief  patriarch  and  high  priest,  and  to  report  at  the  next  session." 

Past  Official  Degrees.  —  The  Grand  Sire  appointed  John  A.  Kennedy, 
of  New  York ;  Sylvester  Van  Sickell,  of  New  Jersey ;  and  Richard  Marley, 
of  Maryland.  The  committee  reported  September  21,  1842,  a  Grand 
Encampment  degree  and  honorary  degrees  for  past  chief  patriarchs  and 
past  high  priests,  and  the  report  was  adopted.  The  two  latter  degrees 
however,  continued  in  use  but  two  years ;  for,  at  the  session  of  1844,  Sep- 
tember 20th,  on  motion  of  Representative  Horatio  Clark,  of  Ohio,  the 
honorary  degree  of  past  chief  patriarch  and  honorary  degree  of  past  high 
priest  were  abolished. 

Comparative  Strength.  —  Having  thus  reached  a  firm  foundation  upon 
which  to  build,  it  may  be  well  to  pause  and  contrast  the  strength  and 
condition  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  1841  with  its  present  status,  accord- 
ing to  the  report  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  January  1, 1896.  There 
were  September  30,  1841,  Jive  Grand  Encampments  duly  organized  and 
at  work  in  the  following  states,  and  the  subordinate  bodies  and  member- 
ship of  each  was  as  follows :  Maryland,  seven  subordinate  encampments, 
no  report  of  membership ;  Pennsylvania,  nine  subordinates,  no  report  of 
membership;  New  York,  seven  subordinates,  244  members;  Ohio,  three 
subordinates,  227  members ;  Kentucky,  four  subordinates,  no  report  of 
membership.     To  be  added  to  the  above  were  twenty-four  subordinate 


560  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

encampments,  scattered  through  twelve  states,  reporting  363  members, 
of  which  the  grand  total  was,  five  Grand  Encampments,  fifty-four  sub- 
ordinate encampments,  membership,  834.  There  was  no  relief  fund,  and 
the  total  revenue  for  the  year  was  $10,923. 

January  1,  1895,  including  all  Grand  and  subordinate  bodies,  there 
were  twenty-six  hundred  and  thirty-five  encampments,  with  a  member- 
ship of  135,443.  These  had  a  total  income  of  $617,790.09,  and  there 
was  paid  for  relief  the  large  sum  of  $284,605.13  in  a  single  year. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE   "MERGEMENT"   MOVEMENT. 

The  Subject  of  Attack.  —  Having  placed  the  patriarchal  Order  on  what 
seemed  to  be  a  firm  basis,  our  labors  as  an  historian  should  here  end,  but 
the  position  of  these  beautiful  degrees  was  not  yet  fully  assured ;  for, 
prompted  by  the  spirit  of  unrest,  toO  prevalent  in  this  country,  which  has 
not  always  been  for  the  best  interests  of  the  people  any  more  than  for 
our  Order,  an  attack  was  immediately  made  upon  the  encampments. 

No  sooner  had  the  Grand  Lodge- of  the  United  States  "settled  down" 
to  what  seemed  a  fixed  government  for  the  patriarchal  degrees  than 
Bepresentative  John  C.  McKilden,  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  at  the 
session  of  1841,  moved  to  repeal  the  amendment,  granting  representation 
to  Grand  Encampments  on  the  same  basis  as  that  of  Grand  Lodges, 
which  amendment  "went  over"  to  the  session  of  1842,  when  it  was 
defeated. 

At  the  session  of  1845,  September  16th,  a  revision  of  the  lectures  and 
charges  of  the  patriarchal  degrees,  together  with  a  new  form  for  opening 
and  closing  the  encampment,  was  reported  and  adopted  by  a  vote  of  48 
to  3.  The  committee  on  revision  were  Eepresentatives  William  W. 
Moore,  District  of  Columbia ;  James  D.  McCabe,  Virginia ;  Past  Grand 
Sire  John  A.  Kennedy,  New  York;  and  Grand  Secretary  James  L. 
Ridgely. 

After  Eight  Years.  —  The  effort  of  1841-42,  to  repeal  the  law  granting 
representation  to  Grand  Encampments  having  failed,  no  further  attempt 
was  made  to  disturb  the  relations  of  the  patriarchal  Order  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  until  #1850.  During  this  period,  however, 
there  had  been  much  discussion  in  Grand  bodies,  particularly  Grand 
Lodges,  and  in  the  publications  of  the  Order,  relative  to  the  mergement 
of  the  patriarchal  degrees  in  those  of  the  subordinate  lodge,  and  thus 


TEE  ^'MSRGEMENT''  MOVEMENT.  561 

abolish  the  patriarchal  Order  as  a  distinct  body.  At  the  Cincinnati 
session  of  1850,  the  Grand  Lodge  being  in  session  to  amend  its  constitu- 
tion. Representative  Benjamin  Gonley,  of  Georgia,  seconded  by  Repre- 
sentative Abell;  of  Connecticut,  offered  the  following  amendment  to  the 
constitution :  — 

** Article  — ,  Grand  and  subordinate  encampments  are  hereby  abolished.  The  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  shaU  provide  by-laws  for  the  conferring  of  the  encampment 
degrees  by  lodges,  and  shall  make  sach  other  regulations  as  may  be  necessary  in  conse- 
quence of  the  adoption  of  this  article.  AU  provisions  of  the  constitution,  or  laws  incon- 
sistent with  this  regulation,  are  hereby  so  modified  as  to  conform  thereto." 

One  year  passed,  and  ^ood  Brother  Conley  having  experienced  a 
"  change  of  heart,"  or  received  some  advice  from  his  own  Grand  Lodge, 
on  September  19, 1851,  moved  to  have  this  amendment  indefinitely  post- 
poned, which  wad  done.  It  was  not,  however,  permitted  to  rest  under 
this  order,  for,  at  the  next  session  (1862)  it  was  "  called  up " ;  and,  on 
motion  of  Representative  John  A.  Gyles,  of  South  Carolina,  it  was  again 
indefinitely  postponed  and  tTiere  died. 

This  action,  also,  disposed  of  the  petition  of  the  Grand  Encampment 
of  Wisconsin,  read  in  Grand  Lodge,  in  1851,  asking  that  encampments 
be  abolished,  which  had  been  referred  to  the  committee  on  the  state  of 
the  Order.  The  committee  reported  as  follows,  and  the  report  was 
adopted :  "  That  the  subject-matter,  contained  in  said  resolutions,  having 
been  submitted  in  the  form  of  amendments  to  the  constitution,"  the  com- 
mittee asked  to  be  excused  from  its  consideration.  . 

This  ended  the  first  effort  at  "  mergement " ;  but  it  was  not  long  per- 
mitted to  rest,  for,  at  the  next  session  (1853)  it  was  again  brought  to  the 
front  on  a  petition  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina,  presented 
by  Representative  Walter  L.  Steele,  which  was  referred  to  the  legislative 
committee.  On  this  a  majority  report  against  merging  was  made,  and  a 
minority  report  in  favor  of  mergement  submitted.  The  majority  report 
said  that  the  change  would  be  "  impolitic  and  inexpedient."  Both  reports 
were  indefinitely  postponed. 
j  Representative  Steele  then  moved  to  amend  the  Grand  Lodge  constitu- 

I  tion  by  striking  out  the  words,  "  encampment.  Grand  Encampment,  and 

subordinate  encampments  wherever  they  occur,"  and  on  this  amendment, 
as  chairman  of  the  legislative  committee,  to  whom  it  was  referred,  made 
a  lengthy  report  in  1854.  That  report  concludes  with  the  following 
resolution :  — 

I  *' Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Sire  appoint  a  committee  of  five  members  of  the  Order, 

whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  prepare  and  report,  at  the  next  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  a  plan 
merging  the  subordinate  lodges  and  encampments." 

This  report  had  the  indorsement  of  that  distinguished  brother, 
Luther  J.  Glenn,  of  Georgia,  afterward  Grand  Sire,  and  Joseph  N.  Taylor, 


562  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  New  Jersey,  and  it  was  adopted,  by  a  vote  of  53  yeas  to  41  nays. 
This  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  leaning  toward  mergement,  was  fol- 
lowed with  one  whole  page  of  proposed  amendments  to  get  rid  of  encamp- 
ments and  Grand  Encampments,  which  was  offered  by  Brother  Glenn 
and  "laid  over"  until  the  next  session. 

In  the  session  of  1855,  Representative  Steele,  of  North  Carolina, 
chairman  of  the  special  committee,  to  whom  the  whole  subject  had  been 
referred,  made  an  extended  report  favoring  "  local  option  " ;  that  is,  that 
the  */ Grand  Lodge  pass  a  law  authorizing  the  states  Grand  bodies  to 
merge  in  one  body  or  continue  the  separate  organization  as  they  may 
desire."  This  report  was  "laid  over,"  under  the  rule,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  afterward  refused  to  consider  the  subject. 

Representative  Glenn,  of  Georgia,  then  "  called  up "  his  amendments 
to  the  constitution,  when  the  first  of  the  series  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of 
37  yeas  to  64  nays,  and  no  further  action  was  taken  on  the  remainder, 
except,  that  on  motion  of  Representative  Harrison  H.  Dodd,  of  Ohio, 
"  the  further  consideration  of  the  amendments  was  indefinitely  postponed." 

Two  Years*  Respite.  —  The  following  resolution,  from  the  Grand  En- 
campment of  Northern  New  York,  was  read  at  the  session  of  1855,  and 
sent  to  the  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order: — 

^* Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Encampment  of  patriarchs,  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  FeUows  of  Northern  New  York,  is  opposed  to  any  chai^ge  in  the  relations  of  the 
patriarchal  branch  of  the  Order  to  the  other  branch  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  to  the  merge- 
ment of  the  encampment  degrees  in  the  degrees  of  subordinate  lodges." 

There  was  a  rest  for  two  years  more  when,  in  1857,  Representative 
Henry  E.  Askew,  of  Delaware,  chairman  of  the  committee  on  the  state  of 
the  Order,  brought  the  subject  of  mergement  to  the  front  in  his  report, 
by  asking  that  a  committee  be  appointed  "to  revise  the  entire  secret 
work,  and  report  a  plan  for  merging  the  degrees." 

The  committee  was  appointed,  probably  selected  by  the  friends  of 
mergement,  but  its  report  was  fatal  to  their  hopes.  The  report  submitted 
in  Grand  Lodge  September  21,  1858,  and  adopted  was :  — 

Constitutional  Rights  Declared.  —  **  The  special  committee,  charged  with  the  subject  of 
revision  and  mergement  of  the  subordinate  and  encampment  work,  ask  leave  respectfuUy 
to  report,  that  they  have  understood  the  duty  assigned  to  them  to  be  to  report  a  plan 
whereby  the  work  of  the  subordinate  lodge  and  encampment  might  be  consolidated,  and  so 
to  revise  and  arrange  the  charges  and  lectures  of  both  these  branches  of  the  Order,  as  to 
present  one  work  as  a  homogeneous  whole. 

"  If  the  committee  have  understood  the  object  of  their  appointment  aright,  they  have 
but  little  difficulty  in  reporting  that,  in  their  judgment,  such  a  plan  is,  —  under  the  exist- 
ing constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  —  impracticable. 

"  This  idea  would,  necessarily,  involve  the  abolition  of  Grand  Encampments,  either  by 
legislation  or  as  an  incident  to  such  legislation.  These  Grand  bodies  have  a  constitutional 
existence  which  is  declared  to  be  i7iviolate  so  long  as  they  act  in  conformity  to  that  law^^ 
which  is  alike  obligatory  upon  the  grantor  and  the  recipient  of  the  chartered  community. 


THE  '' MERGEMENT''  MOVEMENT.  563 

(Italics  oars.)  .  .  .  Under  existing  circumstances,  however,  the  committee,  for  the  rea- 
sons expressed,  decline  very  respectfnlly  to  submit  any  plan  of  mergement  of  the  degrees  or 
work  of  the  subordinate  and  encampment  branches,  and  respectfully  ask  to  be  discharged." 

This  was  signed  by  Brothers  William  I.  Cornwell,  H.  F.  Askew,  James 
L.  Ridgely,  and  Alexander  E.  Glenn.  Was  any  report  ever  more  cour- 
teous, diplomatic,  and  yet  firm?  The  strong  personality  of  James  L. 
Ridgely  is  stamped  upon  its  every  word.  It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  say 
that  after  the  reading,  "laying  over  under  the  rule,"  and  again  being 
"  called  up,"  that,  on  motion  of  Representative  Volney  Green,  of  Wiscon- 
sin, "  the  report  was  *  concurred  in.' " 

The  majority  of  the  committee  having  pointed  out  a  way  in  which, 
if  the  patriarchal  degrees  could  be  again  taken  under  control  by  Grand 
Lodges,  "and  the  imposition  of  such  qualifications  for  membership" 
be  applied  so  as  to  make  it  difficult  to  get  them,  or  distasteful  to  have 
them  in  separate  bodies,  mergement  would  be  feasible ;  the  minority,  con- 
sisting of  John  A.  Kennedy  and  Edward  H.  Fitzhugh,  were  content  to 
submit  the  following :  — 

"  The  undersigned,  members  on  the  committee  on  revision  and  mergement,  beg  leave 
to  state  that  they  are  opposed  to  revision  and  mergement  in  any  form,  or  to  any  extent; 
but  while  they  cannot  concur  in  any  measure  introducing  change  in  either  of  these  im- 
portant subjects,  still,  if  a  change  has  to  be  made,  the  modified  plan  proposed  by  the 
committee  is,  perhaps,  the  most  practicable  and  feasible  which  can  be  presented." 

Preceding  the  submission  of  this  report,  Ohio  presented  the  action  of 
its  Grand  Lodge  in  a  lengthy  document  favoring  mergement;  while  the 
Grand  Encampment  had,  also,  submitted  a  paper  concluding  with  the 
following  common-sense  resolution :  — 

** Resolved^  That  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Ohio  is  opposed  to  the  mergement  of  the 
subordinate  branches  of  the  lodges  and  encampments,  believing  that  the  same  would  be 
injudicious  and  injurious  to  the  best  interests  of  the  Order  in  this  state." 

It  would  seem  as  if  this  Waterloo  defeat  should  have  settled  the  ques- 
tion of  mergement  for  a  time,  but  it  did  not.  Although  the  Grand  Lodge 
had  been  told,  by  a  very  select  committee  of  distinguished  members,  that 
mergement  could  not  take  place  unless  the  Grand  Encampments  forfeited 
or  surrendered  their  charters,  we  are  surprised  to  find  that  in  1862,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  filed  another  paper  favoring  the  consolidation  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  and  the  Grand  Encampment,  and  Representative  John 
W.  Carlton,  of  that  state,  proposed  amendments  to  the  constitution  permit- 
ting the  consolidation  of  the  two  Grand  bodies,  in  any  one  jurisdiction, 
"  by  mutual  agreement,"  and  where  so  consolidated 

"  The  functions  and  powers  of  both  should  be  vested  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  that  it 
have  the  same  vote  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  as  though  there  were  two 
Grand  bodies." 

To  the  first,  the  petition  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  the  legislative 
eommittee  reported  adversely,  and  called  attention  to  the  fact  that 


564  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

•  • 

"  This  Grand  Lodge  has  repeatedly  decided  against  any  change  whatever  looking  to 
the  mergement  of  any  portion  of  the  patriarchal  organization  in  the  lodge  department 
of  the  Order,  and  yonr  committee  deem  the  present  a  veiy  inopportune  time  to  attempt  any 
change  in  the  fundamental  laws  of  the  Order.  Besides  this,  very  grave  doubts  exist  as  to 
the  power  of  this  Orand  Lodge  to  deprive  Grand  Encampments  of  their  charters,  except  for 
violations  of  law." 

To  the  constitutional  amendments,  submitted  by  Representative  Carlton, 
in  1862,  the  Grand  Lodge  postponed  action  from  year  to  year,  until,  in 
1867,  the  amendments  were  then  indefinitely  postponed.  This  motion,  also, 
carried  with  it  a  constitutional  amendment  from  Representative  William 
S.  Davis,  of  Arkansas,  submitted  in  1860,  to  consolidate  the  Grand  En- 
campment of  that  state  with  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  give  the  Grand 
Lodge  all  the  powers  of  both  Grand  bodies. 

In  1863  Grand  Representative  Stoddard  Judd,  of  Wisconsin,  presented 
a  resolution  from  that  Grand  Lodge,  instructing  its  Grand  Representatives 

"  To  use  all  the  influence  in  their  power,  at  the  next  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  to  bring  about  the  consolidation  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Order,  subordi- 
nate and  encampment,  into  one." 

Grand  Representative  William  Garrett,  of  Iowa,  also  presented  the 
instructions  of  his  Grand  Encampment  that  he 

"  Urge  the  propriety  of  merging  the  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  into 
one  Grand  Lodge,  with  power  to  legislate  for  each  branch  of  the  Order  within  this  state." 

In  answer  to  the  Wisconsin  resolution,  the  Grand  Lodge  adopted  the 
following,  as  reported  by  its  legislative  committee :  — 

**  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  adheres  to  its  action,  frequently 
had,  adverse  to  a  consolidation  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Order,  deeming  such  consolida- 
tion of  doubtful  expediency,  even  though  this  Grand  Lodge  possesses  the  power  (which  is 
questionable  in  the  minds  of  your  committee),  to  reclaim  charters  where  there  have  been 
no  violations  of  law.*' 

To  the  appeal  for  consolidation  from  Iowa,  the  committee  reported, 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  adopted  the  following:  — 


"  Your  committee  indorse  fully  the  views  of  the  legislative  committee,  of  the  last 
sion,  contained  in  their  report  on  a  similar  application  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  wherein 
the  committee  say :  — 

"  *The  Grand  Lodge  has  repeatedly  decided  against  any  change  whatever  looking  to 
the  mergement  of  any  portion  of  the  patriarchal  organization  in  the  lodge  department  of  the 
Order,  and  your  committee  deem  the  present  a  very  inopportune  moment  to  attempt  any 
change  in  the  fundamental  laws  of  the  Order.' 

'*  We,  therefore,  report  adversely  to  any  action  by  this  Grand  Lodge  on  the  subject.'* 

Very  able  arguments  preceded  the  resolutions  of  these  committees, 
giving  evidence  of  their  having  carefully  considered  the  important  matter 
submitted  for  their  consideration.  In  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the 
Iowa  petition,  among  other  reasons  assigned  for  the  conclusion  reached 
by  the  committee,  we  note  the  following :  — 


THE  '' MERQEMSNT''  MOVEMENT.  565 

"  Serious  obstacles  interpose  and  render  it  very  difficult,  U  not  impossible,  to  legally 
grant  such  application.  Even  though  the  Grand  E*ncampment  of  Iowa  might  be  willing  to 
surrender  its  charter,  and  yield  up  its  separate  existence,  nevertheless  your  committee 
oannot  see  clearly  that  any  power  exists  which  could  compel  every  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Iowa  to  be  exalted  to  the  Royal  Purple  degree,  to  qualify  him  to  sit  in  his  Grand 
Lodge,  after  the  Grand  Encampment  of  that  jurisdiction  shall  have  been  merged  in  its 
Grand  Lodge." 

The  Overwhelming  Defeat.  —  It  would  have  been  fair  to  presume  that 
after  this  "  Bull  Run  defeat "  of  the  mergers  and  the  capture  of  their  stock 
in  trade,  by  the  indefinite  postponement  of  all  their  resolutions  and  consoli- 
dations in  1867,  the  subject  had  been  exhausted,  and  that  the  friends  of 
the  patriarchal  Order  would  be  given  a  rest ;  but  such  was  not  the  case. 
It  will  hav^  been  observed  that  the  attack  was  invariably  made  upon  the 
encampments  by  the  Grand  Lodges,  occasionally  backed  by  a  weak  Grand 
Encampment,  as  though  it  was  any  plea  for  lodges  to  confer  the  patri- 
archal degrees  where  there  were  not  enough  members  of  spirit  to  support 
an  encampment.  As  well  have  subordinate  lodges  confer  the  Past 
Grand,  Grand  Lodge,  and  Grand  Encampment  degrees,  because  all 
members  cannot  be  elected  noble  grand^  and  chief  patriarch,  as  to  place 
the  sublime  degrees  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  the  possession  of  subordi- 
nate lodges,  when  brethren  are  too  indifferent  to  take  upon  themselves  the 
care  of  a  proper  body,  in  which  to  confer  them,  and  yet  covet  the  honors 
and  rewards  of  the  Eoyal  Purple  degree. 

The  movement,  preliminary  to  a  new  attack,  was  made  by  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  West  Virginia,  in  1869,  when  its  representative,  George 
Baird,  presented  the  proceedings  of  that  Grand  body,  '^  recommending  a 
mergement  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Order,  and  submitting  a  plan  there- 
for," which  was  laid  on  the  table. 

This  was  followed  by  the  strong  support  of  the  Grand  Encampment 
of  California,  when  its  representative,  Nathan  Porter,  in  1873,  submitted 
three  pages  of  amendments  to  the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  which,  if  adopted,  would  have  changed  the  Order  so 
completely  that  its  best  friends  would  never  have  known  it. 

The  objective  point  of  all  these  amendments  is  summarized  in  the 
brother's  section  ten :  — 

"  Section  ten.  The  number  of  degrees  pertaining  to  subordinate  lodges  shaU  be  niney 
and  shall  be  designated  as  follows:  the  Initiatory,  the  First  or  White,  the  Second  or 
Covenant,  the  Third  or  Blue,  the  Fourth  or  Remembrance,  the  Fifth  or  Scarlet,  the  Sixth 
or  Patriarchal,  the  Seyenth  or  Golden  Rule,  and  the  Eighth  or  Royal  Purple.  And  all 
subordinate  and  degree  lodges  are  authorized  to  confer  said  degrees." 

The  Grand  Encampment  of  Ohio  had  been  captured,  evidently,  by  the 
mergers  and  its  arguments  and  resolutions  of  time-honored  memory  were 
cast  aside,  and  its  powers  and  influence  turned  against  its  friends ;  for,  in 
the  same  session,  Eepresentative  James  Turner  presented  the  resolution 
of  that  Grand  body,  instructing  its  representatives 


566  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

**  To  use  their  endeavors  to  consolidate  the  Grand  Encampment  and  Grand  Lodge  ot 
Ohio  in  one  Grand  body,  to  be  known  as  the  *  Grand  Lodge  of  OhiOi  L  O.  O.  F.'  ** 

The  instructions  were  the  same  as  those  of  Iowa  which  had  been 
defeated  in  1863.  This  sudden  onslaught  of  the  opponents  of  the  patri- 
archal Order,  reinforced  by  those  who  had  long  opposed  mergement,  made 
the  cause  seem  serious,  and  brought  the  friends  of  the  encampments  into 
closer  support.  A  general  engagement,  or  upheaval  in  the  Order,  seemed 
imminent,  and  the  result  was  altogether  problematical. 

The  heaviest  guns  were  brought  to  the  front,  —  in  session  of  1874,  at 
Atlanta,  a  suggestive  place,  —  and  Pennsylvania  opened  with  a  calm  review 
of  the  situation,  an  earnest  argument  against  despoiling  the  encampments 
of  their  well-earned  rights,  and  an  unanswerable  protest,  dated  the  pre- 
vious May,  against  the  wrong  which  was  sought  to  be  done  to  the  patri- 
archal  Order  in  thus  unlawfully  destroying  it.  Did  space  permit,  we 
would  gladly  give  the  entire  pamphlet,  but  must  content  ourself  with  the 
"  protest,"  a  paper  which  cannot  be  too  often  or  too  generally  read :  — 

Protest  of  Pennsylyania.  —  "  The  Grand  Encampment  of  Pennsylvania,  in  presenting  its 
solemn  protest  against  '  mergement,'  declares,  that  without  a  violation  of  sacred  compact, 
a  disregard  of  vested  rights,  and  a  reversal  of  its  own  decisions,  the  whole  scheme  is 
uncalled  for,  unjust,  and  impracticable,  and  under  no  circumstances -can  the  proposition  be 
legally  entertained  by  the  supreme  authority  of  Odd  Fellowship,  which  is  the  creator,  and 
stands  pledged  to  be  the  preserver  of  the  patriarchal  branch  within  its  jurisdiction. 

"  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  in  May,  1829,  the  then  Grand  Sire,  in  an  address  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  speaks  of  the  introduction  of  the  encampment  branch  as  com- 
pleting the  system  of  the  government  of  the  Order,  and  expresses  a  strong  desire  to  see  an 
encampment  established  wherever  a  lodge  exists.  He  says  the  subUme  degrees,  without  the 
aid  of  encampments,  can  only  be  dispensed  by  a  state  Grand  Lodge,  and  from  it  but  few 
could  obtain  them,  and  the  advantages  they  confer  can  only  be  generally  secured  by  annex- 
ing the  encampments  to  subordinate  lodges. 

"  The  Grand  Encampment  of  Pennsylvania  has  bat  to  review  its  own  history  to  be 
convinced  that,  even  if  it  desired  *  mergement f*  there  are  rights  and  interests  of  others 
which  cannot  be  taken  away,  and  which  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  is  bound  to 
protect. 

"  More  than  fifty  years  ago  the  Royal  Purple  degree  was  first  conferred  in  Pennsylvania, 
by  Grand  Sire  Wildey  himself.  In  ISQd  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  officially  noti- 
fied the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  that  it  had  received  from  England  the  work  of  the 
patriarchal  branch,  which  was  a  part  of  the  work  of  the  Order,  and  to  which  it  was  entitled 
by  its  charter.  On  the  9th  of  June,  1828,  Grand  Sire  Wildey  wrote  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania,  recommending  the  establishment  of  an  encampment  of  patriarchs,  a  distinct 
body  from  the  subordinate  lodge,  which  should  be  empowered  to  confer  the  patriarchal 
degrees ;  and,  on  the  20th  of  December  of  that  year,  by  direction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  granted  a  charter  to  Pennsylvania  En- 
campment, No.  1,  but  it  was  not  instituted  until  June  17,  1829,  and  then  by  Grand  Sire 
Wildey  in  person. 

*'  On  the  9th  of  August,  1829,  the  Grand  Encampment  was  created  by  a  charter  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania.  The  Grand  Encampment,  under  this  warrant,  instituted 
seven  encampments  in  this  jurisdiction.  The  eight  encampments  thus  instituted  are  still 
in  successful  operation,  having  an  aggregate  membership  of  1150,  with  accumulated  funds 
of  $19,601.37.  In  1841  the  warrant  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  was,  —  by 
mutual  agreement,— surrendered,  and  the  present  warrant  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 


THE  '^MERGEMENT''  MOVEMENT.  567 

the  United  States,  September  22nd  of  that  year.  For  nearly  one-third  of  a  century  this  Qrand 
Encampment  has  existed  nnder  this  warrant,  which,  on  its  face,  legalizes  all  the  acts  done 
under  the  previous  warrant,  and  has  now  under  its  superyision  two  hundred  and  twenty 
subordinate  encampments  and  10,636  members,  with  an  aggregate  fund  of  $206,961.  During 
the  last  year  these  encampments  received  into  their  respective  treasuries  the  noble  sum  of 
8117,660.42,  and  paid  therefrom,  for  the  relief  of  the  sick  and  burial  of  the  dead,  $63,610.27. 

"  With  a  record  so  clear,  involving  obligations  so  binding,  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
Pennsylvania  cannot  become  a  party  to  violating-  promises  made  to  tens  of  thousands  of 
patriarchs,  aach  of  whom  has  pledged  sacred  honor  not  to  wrong  a  brother,  or  see  him 
wronged ;  it,  therefore,  solemnly  protests  against  the  proposed  scheme  of  mergement  in  any 
form :  — 

** First,  Because  mergement  does  not  mean  simply  a  change  in  the  patriarchal  branch, . 
but  its  destruction. 

**Secondf  Because  mergement  would  cause  a  diversion  of  '  trust  funds  *  from  the  pur- 
poses for  which  they  were  accumulated. 

'*  Third,  Because  it  would  forcibly  take  from  the  members  of  the  different  lodges  the  pro- 
vision they  had  been  encouraged  to  make  in  the  patriarchal  branch,  while  in  health,  for  the 
time  of  sidcness  and  death. 

*' Fourth,  Because  the  work  of  the  patriarchal  branch  could  not  be  exemplified  in  the 
subordinate  lodge  without  forcing  many  lodge  members  to  retire  before  the  lodge  was 
closed,  thereby  creating  an  aristocracy  in  the  lodge. 

*^ Fifth,  Because  this  Qrand  Encampment  and  others,  with  their  subordinates,  have  com- 
plied with  the  conditions  of  their  charters,  and  are  accused  of  no  offence ;  it,  therefore, 
claims  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  is  bound  to  protect  it  as  well  as  the  subor- 
dinates it  has  instituted. 

**Sixth,  Because  mergement,  if  consummated,  must  destroy  all  confidence  in  the  integrity 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  in  the  durability  of  the  Order  itself. 

"Seventh,  And  it  protests  further  that,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  has  not 
the  constitutional  power  to  destroy  the  patriarchal  branch  by  '  mergement  *  in  the  subor- 
dinate lodges,  it  should  not  hereafter  entertain  any  motion  on  which  it  cannot  act,  or  any 
amendment  to  the  constitution  it  cannot  legally  make,  as  such  motions,  or  proposed  amend- 
ments, only  tend  to  weaken  the  patriarchal  branch  by  exciting  doubts  of  its  stability  as  a 
branch  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows." 

The  protest  having  been  presented  and  read  by  that  genuine  and  true 
Odd  Fellow,  John  W.  Stokes,  of  Pennsylvania,  who  was  afterward  Grand 
Sire,  Representative  J.  Alexander  Simpson,  another  good  Odd  Fellow  from 
Pennsylvania,  having  assured  himself  that  all  were  prepared  for  the  work 
before  them,  "  called  up  "  the  California  amendments  submitted  by  Rep- 
resentative Porter  at  the  session  of  1873.  The  amendments  were  accord- 
ingly read,  when  Brother  Porter  moved  their  indefinite  postponement, 
which  the  Grand  Lodge  refused ;  the  roll  was  called  on  their  adoption, 
every  Representative  of  California  voting  nOf  and  the  vote  stood  yeas  4, 
nays  122!  and  "mergement"  went  down  in  an  "Appomattox  darkness," 
never  more,  we  trust,  to  be  resuscitated. 

If  there  be  any  punishment  after  such  a  defeat  it  would  seem  to  have 
been  found  in  the  following  resolution  immediately  submitted  by  that  stal- 
wart Past  Grand  Sire,  James  P.  Sanders,  and  its  subsequent  report  by  that 
other  favorite  son  of  New  York,  John  H.  While,  —  a  later  Grand  Sire,  — 
then  chairman  of  the  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order.  The  resolu- 
tion of  Brother  Sanders  was :  — 


568  THE  THREE'LUfK  FRATERNITY. 

"Re9olved,  That  the  sole  right  and  privUege  of  conferring  the  Beveral  encampment  degrees 
having  been  granted  by  this  R.  W.  Grand  Lodge  to  the  several  Grand  Encampments  in 
their  respective  jurisdictions  ;  it  is  regarded  as  a  solemn  compact  that  cannot  be  recalled  or 
revoked  by  this  body,  so  long  as  the  said  Grand  Encampments  shall  keep  inviolate  their 
obligations  to  this  B.  W.  Grand  Lodge." 

After  the  reading  of  the  resolution  it  was  referred  to  the  committee 
on  the  state  of  the  Order,  and  by  that  commil^ee  considered,  and  their 
report,  which  is  as  follows,  was  adopted  September  26, 1874 :  —  • 

**  Your  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order,  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  of 
Representative  Sanders,  of  New  York  [above  quoted] ,  .  .  .  beg  leave  to  report  that,  in  their 
opinion,  the  same  is  but  declaratory  of  the  existing  law,  found  in  the  third  section  of  article  i. 
of  the  constitution  of  this  Grand  Lodge  ;  that  this  Grand  Lodge  has  the  power  '  to  deprive 
such  state,  district,  or  territorial  Grand  bodies  of  their  charters,  and  annul  their  authority  ; 
provided^  tliat  such  deprivation  or  annulment  shaU  only  be  made  for  violation  of  the  laws 
of  this  Grand  Lodge,'  they  therefore,  offer  the  following:  — 

"  'Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order  be  discharged  from  the  further 
consideration  of  the  subject.'  " 

No  further  effort  has  been  made  to  merge  the  patriarchal  and  subordi- 
nate lodge  degrees,  nor  do  we  think  there  will  be ;  but  as  in  nature,  man 
has  to  be  ever  vigilant  to  preserve  that  which  is  useful  and  of  value  from 
destruction  by  its  enemies,  so  it  may  be  well  for  the  patriarchs  to  be  vigi- 
lant and  conserve  their  own  interests. 

The  Uniformed  Degrees. — The  institution  of  "Camps  U.  D."  as  they 
were  called,  more  properly  speaking,  uniformed  degree  camps,  brought  a 
new  element  into  the  field,  which,  though  not  antagonistic  to  the  encamp- 
ment, yet  tended  to  divide  the  time  and  attention  of  the  members  belong- 
ing to  each.  This  body  was  not,  however,  of  long  duration,  and  soon  was 
abolished. 

The  new  degree  recently  added  to  Odd  Fellowship,  known  as  the 
Patriarchs  Militant,  is,  however,  destined  to  be  with  us,  and  is  entitled  to 
the  consideration  of  all  the  membership  having  time  and  mtons  to  devote 
to  that  branch  of  the  Order.  We  want  now  to  impress  upon  our  member- 
ship the  ideas  we  have  ever  held  in  regard  to  the  encampment.  If 
you  don't  tcant  the  Militant  degree,  don't  take  it,  and  don't  try  to  force 
others  to  take  it.  If  you  have  not  the  numbers  to  support  a  canton,  don't 
try  to  force  the  Canton  degree  upon  the  encampment  or  the  lodge.  Let 
each  body  stand  upon  the  support  of  its  own  membership  and  the  instruc- 
tive lessons  of  its  own  degrees,  and  then  we  shall  have  harmony  and  a 
fair  degree  of  prosperity  in  all  the  branches  of  our  beloved  Order. 

We  deeply  regret  noticing  the  spirit  of  unrest  to  which  we  feelingly 
allude  in  the  opening  paragraph  of  this  chapter  on  mergement,  and  fear 
that  it  will  yet  bring  trouble  to  canton  and  encampment,  and  thus  to 
the  Order.  Not  content  to  "  let  well  enough  alone,"  and  allow  those  who 
desire  the  Militant  degree  and  the  canton  to  have  them,  there  appears 
a  desire  to  force  others  to  take  that  which  they  do  not  want,  and  thus 


THE  '' MEBGEMENT''  MOVEMENT.  569 

make  them  contribute  to  the  support  of  a  body  or  a  degree  for  which  they 
do  not  care. 

This  is  manifest  in  the  efforts  made  in  1891  and  1892 :  First,  to  take 
the  canton  members  direct  from  the  subordinate  lodge  without  the  quali- 
fication of  the  Royal  Purple  degree ;  second,  to  merge  the  canton  in  the 
encampment.    To  the  proposition  that 

**  The  Patriarchs  Militant  degree  shall  be  open  to  members  of  the  Scarlet  degree  every- 
where, the  condition  requisite  for  receiving  and  retaining  membership  being  good  stand- 
ing in  a  subordinate  lodge  of  good  standing  in  the  Order,  without  reference  to  jurisdiction," 

The  committee  on  Patriarchs  Militant  reported  favorably,  and  asked 
that  it  become  the  law.  To  this  proposition  the  committee  on  legislation 
made  a  report  and  said :  — 

"  That  the  proposed  change  is  not  for  the  interest  of  Odd  FeUowship  generally,  and  will 
greatly  injure  the  encampment  branch  of  this  Order,"  and  that  the  committee  "  are  con- 
strained to  recommend  that  no  change  whatever  be  made  in  the  law  fixing  the  qualification 
for  membership  in  a  canton  of  Patriarchs  Militant ;  and  that  they  be  discharged  from  the 
further  i^onsideration  of  the  question." 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  Patriarchs  Militant  being  first  consid- 
ered, Representative  Pred  Carleton,  of  Texas,  moved  to  amend  by  substi- 
tuting the  report  of  the  committee  on  legislation,  which  was  done,  and  the 
report  as  amended  was  adopted.  This  was  not,  however,  until  after  an 
effort  had  been  made,  which  failed,  to  send  the  reports  of  both  committees 
to  a  special  committee  of  five  to  report  at  the  next  session  on  "  the  advisa- 
bility of  merging  the  encampment  branch  in  the  Patriarch's  Militant." 

The  second  proposition,  to  merge  the  canton  in  the  encampment,  came 
from  Representative  Charles  B.  Dunkerton,  of  Massachusetts,  and  on  this 
the  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order  reported,  and  their  report  was 
adopted :  — 

"  Tour  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order,  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  of 
Representative  Dunkerton,  of  Massachusetts,  as  foUows: — 

"  *  Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order  be  directed  and  instructed 
to  consider  the  advisability  and  practicability,  and  whether  it  would  not  enhance  the  interest 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  to  merge  the  Patriarchs  Militant  degr^^  in  the 
encampment  branch  of  the  Order,  either  by  substituting  the  Patriarchs  Militant  degree  for 
the  Royal  Purple  degree,  or  by  making  it  a  fourth  degree ;  and,  in  either  case,  placing  the 
whole  under  state  jurisdictions,  and  subordinate  to  state  Grand  Encampments,' 

** Report,  That  we  have  given  said  resolution  careful  consideration,  and  desire  to  report 
that,  at  this  time,  we  deem  the  subject-matter  thereof  inexpedient,  and  ask  to  be  discharged 
from  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject." 

There  are  two  things  which  are  always  painful  to  a  parliamentarian  to 
see  in  the  report  of  a  committee.  The  first  is :  "  We  deem  it  inexpedient 
at  this  time  "  to  make  any  change  in  a  law  submitted  for  committee's  con- 
sideration !  Why  "  inexpedient "  at  that  or  any  other  time  ?  If  it  would 
be  a  good  law,  say  so,  and  if  a  bad  law  condemn  it,  and  do  not  dodge  the 
question.    The  other,  and  second  exception,  we  take  to  committee  reports 


:*: 


••Iiyi*S't®VWtS«  FRATERNITY. 

^tiuSfii'K^WtvVSr'^^"^^^  ^^'^^  ^^  ^'^^  ^  jumble  of 
f^^$£$:^@J«|/vc^!^'^  the  committee  asks  to  be  relieved 
r>fihlB^>5Si!]Bii«Btfl|  the  subject."  When  a  committee 
^«r^S'Wn£'(WI'tt'4i^^'''^  ^  ^^  ^^^  °^  ^^  considera- 
~Si't|llt8IX&$'^fi^£^°^°^'^*^^i  ^^  action  of  the  body,  to 

\  W}tt<lSiD''l^'^^^  submissioD  of  their  report.     How 

ii?^1||^"fji||i[§ij^j|gj  appended  to  a  brief  report  on  the 
■^ffiiMi^^fl|f^^?i^ire,  as  we  have  noticed  when  "going 
y^B  t!"" Mm  m  Ltff'*ffl^&*  ^^  vould  seem  as  if  the  committee 
Hii&jS{lH  BOjS'S^rM^  ^^^  ^^^  deem  it  a  matter  of  any 

^._j48PJ9"BB*BkSv  labors  in  thia  great  Order.     They 

gfif  H'lj^ll^fi.llSi^'BvtHt^  to  note  that  the  committee  were 

'V't&^MB^^SIP''^^^^'^  <'P'^°  ^^  attention  of  the 

illfihVktillal^carlet  degree  the  qualification  of  a 

^?^'^^^?'^^^^'-S^-S*^''^^'  ^^  committee  on  legislation 

"iiS^£9;p^^fe{l^^^>K^iange  was  "not  for  the  interest  of 

ieiSSiS^t^S^'^^mld  greatly  injure  the  encampment 

'*~f  a^^ttllEiiil^t  was  adopted. 

|._^_^_J^^;^|^tfi>i^ai  Order  to  the  present  time,  and  pre- 

s*iBrf''ffi^^^^S*^2^'®*^™gg'^s  f**!'  existence,  we  now  turn  to 

''"■aT^tGii^'i^glBil^s  of  this  union  of  states,  and  into 

jWj^adly  offer  some  advice  and  give  our 
^hip  should  here  end,  that  all  might 
Ijmation  for  which  it  was  founded, — 
|||>e  distracted  with  a  multiplicity  of 
i^^ur  task,  we  next  consider  the  organi- 
^mpments  in  the  various  jurisdictiona 
fiQ  is  formed. 


•!S»  -jR-  -jE--  ' .  •&• 


SECTION  II. 

THE  PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  IN  ALABAMA,  ALBERTA,  ARIZONA,  ARKAN- 
SAS, BRITISH  COLUMBIA,  CALIFORNLA.,  COLORADO,  CONNECTICUT, 
DELAWARE,  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA,  ENGLAND,  FLORIDA,  GEORGIA, 
GERMAN  EMPIRE,  IDAHO,  ILLINOIS,  INDIAN  TERRITORY,  INDIANA, 
IOWA,  KANSAS,  KENTUCKY,  LOXHSIANA,  MAINE,  MANITOBA,  MARI- 
TIME PROVINCES,  MARYLAND,  MASSACHUSETTS,  MEXICO,  MICHI- 
GAN, MINNESOTA,  MISSISSIPPI,  MISSOURI,  MONTANA,  NEBRASKA, 
NEVADA,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE,  NEW  JERSEY,  NEW  MEXICO,  NEW 
YORK,  NORTH  CAROLINA,  NORTH  DAKOTA,  OHIO,  OKLAHOMA,  ORE- 
GON (PROVINCE  OF  CANADA,  INCLUDING  ONTARIO  L,  QUEBEC, 
AND  LOWER  [OR  MARITIME]  PROVINCES  OF  BRITISH  NORTH 
AMERICA),  ONTARIO  H.,  PENNSYLVANIA,  QUEBEC,  RHODE  ISLAND, 
SANDWICH  ISLANDS,  SOUTH  CAROLINA,  SOUTH  DAKOTA,  SWEDEN, 
SWITZERLAND,  TENNESSEE,  TEXAS,  UTAH,  VERMONT,  VIRGINIA, 
WASHINGTON,  WEST  VIRGINIA,  WISCONSIN,  AND  WYOMING. 


CHAPTER  III. 

SUBORDINATE  AND  GRAND  ENCAMPMENTS. 

Introductory. — The  difficulty  of  writing  the  history  of  the  fifty  or 
more  Grand  Encampments  holding  charters  under  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge^  and  that  of  the  numerous  subordinate  encampments  from  which 
the  same  were  formed,  will  appear  to  many  of  our  readers,,  and  warns  us 
to  be  brief  and  not  to  weary  them. 

In  all  cases  the  early  records,  from  which  we  would  desire  to  extract 
so  much,  prove  very  meagre  and  the  history  brief,  while  the  later  records 
are  so  voluminous  that  the  writer  does  not  know  where  to  stop,  and  so  the 
story  becomes  a  surfeit,  and  loses  interest  to  the  general  reader. 

To  write  the  history  of  a  Grand  Encampment  for  the  patriarchs  of  any 
one  state  can  be  more  easily  done  than  to  write  the  same  for  the  patriarchs 
of  all  the  states.  What  is  of  local  interest  can  be  readily  discovered,  but 
what  is  of  general  interest  requires  sharp  discernment  to  select. 

The  duty  of  the  historian  is  to  be  as  brief  as  is  consistent  with  the 
story  to  be  told,  and  instead  of  endeavoring  to  make  two  sentences  relate 
a  fact,  as  the  space-writer  would,  he  should  make  the  one  answer,  and  use 
no  more  words  than  are  absolutely  necessary. 

571 


572  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

This  rule,  —  which  will  commend  itself  to  the  general  reader,  whose 
wishes  are  for  a  compact  history  of  the  patriarchal  Order,  —  will  be  pur- 
sued by  this  writer.  In  a  work  of  this  character  it  will  not  be  possible  to 
name  each  encampment  of  a  Grand  jurisdiction,  much  less  to  give  its 
history ;  neither  is  it  desirable.  Such  a  work  would  be  too  voluminous, 
and  uninteresting,  dealing  as  it  necessarily  would  with  names  and  places 
of  only  local  interest.  We  shall  therefore  confine  ourself  to  the  dates  of 
organization  of  subordinate  encampments  authorized  by  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge,  from  which  Grand  Encampments  have  been  formed,  and 
the  names  of  a  few  of  the  early  members  who  did  so  much  to  bring  the 
patriarchal  degrees  to  the  notice  of  the  lodge  membership.  The  first 
Grand  Encampment  we  shall  present  is  Alabama,  and  that  will  be  fol- 
lowed in  alphabetical  order  by  each  of  the  others. 

Alabama. — The  first  encampment  organized  in  this  state  was  Mount 
Ararat,  No.  1,  instituted  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  May  16,  1838,  by  Past 
Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey,  then  the  travelling  agent  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  and  under  the  authority  of  a  dispensation  issued  by 
himself.  Having  communicated  the  degrees  to  seven  applicants,  the 
encampment  was  opened,  the  ofl&cers  elected  and  installed.  Two  brothers 
having  petitioned  for  the  degrees,  they  were  elected  and  received  the 
same.  These  seven  petitioners  and  the  two  candidates  were  each  members 
of  Alabama  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Mobile.  The  charter  for  this  encampment  was 
duly  granted,  October  5,  1838,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

It  is  creditable  to  this  early  organization  that  it  has  never  ceased  to 
meet,  and  that  its  stated  and  special  meetings  were  regularly  held  through 
the  civil  war  of  1861-66.  It  is  now  the  largest  in  membership  of  any 
encampment  in  the  state,  and  is  composed  of  57  tried  and  true  patriarchs. 

The  next  encampment  on  the  roll  is  St.  Paul,  No.  2,  of  the  city  of 
Montgomery,  the  charter  of  which  was  granted  September  17,  1845,  and 
it  was  soon  afterward  instituted,  but  by  whom,  and  when,  the  record  fails 
to  tell.  This  encampment  is  still  in  existence,  though  it  became  *^  dor- 
mant" in  1889,  and  remained  so  until  February  1,  1892,  when  it  was 
reorganized. 

The  charter  for  Black  Warrior  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Tuscaloosa,  was 
issued  on  the  same  date  as  No.  2,  and  instituted  the  same  year ;  but,  as 
in  the  case  of  No.  2,  we  are  unable  to  learn  the  exact  date  and  by  whom 
the  work  was  done.  This  encampment  ceased  work  about  1855,  and  the 
number  is  now  vacant. 

September  21,  1847,  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Sherlock  reported  having 
issued  a  dispensation  for  Pulaski  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Cahawba,  and 
that  the  same  had  been  instituted.  A  charter  was  granted  on  that  date. 
This  body  existed  for  some  ten  years,  when  it  became  defunct,  and  so 
remains  to  this  day. 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  573 

During  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  1847-48, 
Grand  Sire  Horn  R.  Kneass  issued  warrants  for  Mount  Hobah  Encamp- 
ment, No.  5,  at  Gainesville ;  Greene,  No.  6,  at  Eutaw ;  Halcyon,  No.  7, 
at  Prattville ;  and  Morning  Star,  No.  8,  at  Marion.  These  bodies  were 
duly  instituted,  but  have  since  ceased  to  exist  and  their  numbers  are 
vacant,  the  last  "  striking  its  tent "  in  1858. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Alabama.  —  A  warrant  having  been  duly  issued, 
the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  was  instituted  at  Mobile,  June  13, 
1848,  by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  C.  W.  Whitehall,  of  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  Louisiana.  Robert  0.  Shaw  was  the  first  Grand 
Patriarch. 

In  1860,  the  last  report  from  this  Grand  Encampment  preceding  the 
civil  war,  there  had  been  sixteen  encampments  organized,  and  of  these 
but  five  were  at  work ;  all  the  others  having  surrendered  their  charters. 
The  membership  of  these  five  encampments  was  200.  The  war  ended, 
there  were  four  encampments  in  existence,  and  the  membership  was  176, 
as  shown  by  the  report  of  1866. 

Since  that  time  eleven  new  encampments  have  been  chartered,  several 
of  the  old  ones  revived,  and  others  again  have  become  defunct,  so  that  at 
this  writing  the  returns  for  December  31,  1895,  give  seventeen  encamp- 
ments, with  a  membership  of  474. 

There  were  never  many  encampments  working  at  the  same  time  in 
Alabama,  and  the  patriarchs  have  not  been  numerous;  but  there  have 
been  many  faithful  workers,  among  whom  we  recall :  William  A.  Shields, 
for  many  years  the  Grand  Representative;  Richard  E.  Jones  and  Lee 
R.  McKee,  the  efficient  Grand  Scribes.  Though  few  in  numbers,  the 
patriarchs  of  this  state  have  been  faithful  and  kind,  never  forgetting  the 
distressed,  and  from  their  limited  means  they  have  disbursed  some  $12,000 
or  more,  for  charity. 

Alberta. — There  is  but  one  encampment  in  this  Northwest  territory 
of  Canada,  and  its  existence  has  never  been  vigorous.  During  the  seven- 
teen years  of  its  organization,  it  has  had  a  '^  dormant  spell,"  and  has  been 
revived.  Alberta  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Calgary,  was  instituted  by 
Patriarch  George  Murdoch,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  January  11, 
1887,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  23,  1887.  It  became 
inactive,  and  was  restored  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Alexander 
McBride,  June  17, 1892,  and  his  act  was  approved  September  23d,  follow- 
ing.    The  present  membership  is  37. 

Arizona.  —  The  first  movement  in  this  territory  looking  toward  the 
founding  of  an  encampment  was  commenced  by  nineteen  members  of 
Arizona  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  Prescott,  who  petitioned  the  Grand  Sire  to  have 
the  degrees  conferred  upon  them.  This  petition  was  received  by  Grand 
Secretary  Ross,  June  30, 1882,  but  as  the  papers  were  never  perfected  the 


674  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

matter  was  dropped.  Subsequently  another  effort  was  made,  in  1884, 
which  resulted  in  the  institution  of  Granite  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Pres- 
cott,  July  22nd  of  the  same  year,  and  the  charter  was  granted  September 
19, 1884. 

February  22, 1887,  Floral  Encampment,  No.  2,  was  instituted  at  Phoe- 
nix, by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  William  A.  Hancock,  and  a  charter 
was  issued  September  23, 1887. 

August  10, 1888,  Gila  Encampment,  No.  3,  was  instituted  at  Globe,  by 
Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Louis  Sultan,  and  September  20th  the  charter 
was  confirmed. 

September  15, 1890,  the  Grand  Sire  reported  having  issued  a  warrant 
for  Encampment,  No.  4,  to  be  located  at  Kingman,  and  also  authority  for 
conferring  the  degrees  upon  fifteen  Scarlet  degree  members  to  enable 
them  to  petition  for  its  charter.  For  some  reason  the  encampment  was 
not  instituted,  nor  the  degrees  conferred,  and,  in  1891,  the  warrant  and 
rituals  were  returned  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  The  encamp- 
ment degrees  were  authorized  to  be  conferred  in  1888,  upon  several 
patriarchs,  among  whom  we  notice  Grand  Representative  Nathan  Albert 
Morford.  May  14,  1893,  Comet  Encampment,  No.  4,  of  Tucson,  was 
instituted  by  Patriarch  Morford,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  on 
September  20, 1893,  the  warrant  was  confirmed. 

January  19,  1894,  Golden  Rule  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Bisbee,  was 
also  instituted  by  Patriarch  Morford,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  21st  of  the  same  year. 

In  1895  authority  was  granted  to  confer  the  Grand  Encampment 
degree  upon  Patriarchs  James  S.  Wilson  and  John  McLeer.  There  are 
now,  January  1, 1895,  five  encampments  in  this  jurisdiction  with  a  mem- 
bership of  123. 

Arkansas.  —  The  first  effort  to  obtain  the  patriarchal  degrees  in  this 
state,  and  organize  an  encampment,  was  in  1840,  mention  of  which  is 
made  in  the  report  of  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely.  A  petition  was  pre- 
sented to  the  committee  on  petitions  at  that  session,  was  favorably  re- 
ported, and  a  charter  granted,  "to  be  issued  when  the  fees  are  paid." 
The  name  of  the  encampment  was  to  be  Mount  Horeb,  No.  1,  and  its  locar 
tion  was  at  Little  Rock.  That  charter  was  not  issued,  for  the  reason 
that  funds  current  in  the  East  could  not  be  obtained  in  what  was  then 
called  the  "  far "  West.  The  advocates  of  state  banks  should  read  the 
following,  which  is  embodied  in  the  petition  from  Little  Rock: — 

**  Owing  to  the  deranged  state  of  the  currency  in  our  state  toe  canrvot  get  good  funds  to 
send  at  present,  but  we  wiU  endeavor  to  have  what  is  good,  to  pay  you  on  the  reception 
ol  the  charter." 

As  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  did  not  issue  a  charter  until 
the  fees  for  the  same  were  paid,  and  the  encampment  was  not  instituted, 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  675 

we  take  it  for  granted  that  the  ^^  good  funds''  were  not  to  be  had,  and  so 
Little  Rock  failed  in  securing  the  first  encampment. 

A  more  successful  effort  was  made  by  the  brethren  in  Helena,  some 
seven  years  later,  when  a  charter  for  Eagle  Encampment,  No.  1,  to  be 
located  in  that  city,  was  issued  in  May,  1847,  to  foui'teen  brethren, 
members  of  Telulah  Lodge,  No.  2.  The  encampment  was  instituted  August 
31st,  and  the  charter  was  confirmed  September  21, 1847. 

The  dispensation  was  issued  for  this  body  by  Grand  Sire  Thomas 
Sherlock,  August  2nd,  and  the  encampment  was  instituted  by  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  W.  K.  Poston,  of  Memphis,  Tennessee,  who  conferred 
the  degrees  upon  several  applicants.  This  encampment  ceased  to  work 
during  the  war,  was  revived  in  April,  1869,  and  again  became  defunct. 

Arkansas  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Little  Bock,  was  instituted  December 
6,  1849,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Frederick  S.  Garritt,  the  first 
representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  from  Arkansas, 
and  is  a  live  encampment  to  this  day. 

Fort  Smith  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Fort  Smith,  was  instituted  March 
19,  1850,  by  the  same  officer.  It  lived  a  few  years,  and  then  became 
defunct.  Ecore  Fabre,  No.  4,  at  Camden,  was  instituted  May  27th,  and 
its  charter  was  approved  September  19,  1851.  In  connection  with  this 
encampment  occurs  the  names  of  two  of  our  old  friends,  who  became 
distinguished  as  Odd  Fellows,  and  in  other  fields  of  usefulness :  Patriarch 
James  A.  Henry,  who  is  still  living,  apd  "  Captain  Pike,"  recommended 
for  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  but  better  known  as  General  Albert  Pike, 
who  died  in  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  April  2, 1891. 

This  body  ceased  to  work  in  1854,  and  was  revived  by  another  dear 
friend,  since  dead,  Past  Grand  Representative  Albert  Cohen.  The  encamp- 
ment is  still  in  active  work. 

Walker  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Washington,  the  dispensation  for  which 
was  sent  to  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  James  A.  Henry,  was  regularly 
instituted,  and  the  warrant  confirmed  September  21,  1855.  This  encamp- 
ment started  with  seven  members,  but  soon  ceased  to  work,  and  another 
has  taken  its  place. 

The  warrant  for  Eureka  Encampment,  No.  6,  at  Benton,  was  issued 
October  1, 1861,  and  sent  to  Patriarch  Henry ;  but  as  no  report  was  ever 
received,  and  the  question  of  secession  was  then  being  agitated  in  the 
Southern  states,  the  presumption  is  that  it  was  not  instituted.  This  is 
the  more  probable  when  we  find  that  after  the  war,  then  pending,  this 
number  was  given  to  another  encampment. 

The  warrant  for  Hooper  Encampment,  No.  6,  at  Augusta,  was  issued 
by  Grand  Sire  E.  D.  Famsworth,  May  14th,  and  charter  confirmed  Septem- 
ber 25, 1869.  The  number  is  now  vacant.  Jefferson  Encampment,  No.  7, 
at  Pine  Bluff,  was  instituted  in  1870,  by  that  efficient  patriarch,  P.  O. 


576  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Hooper,  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  so  many  years,  and  until  the 
organization  of  the  Grand  Encampment,  when  he  became  its  first  Grand 
Patriarch.    The  warrant  was  confirmed  September  22, 1870. 

This  encampment,  also,  ceased  to  work ;  and  was  afterward  revived  as 
Jefferson,  No.  24. 

Golden  Rule  Encampment,  No.  8,  at  Searcy,  in  1871 ;  Royal,  No.  9,  at 
Batesville,  in  1872;  Arlington,  No.  10,  at  Forest  City,  in  1873;  and  Van 
Buren,  No.  11,  at  Van  Buren,  in  1874,  were  each  duly  instituted,  lived  a 
time,  then  died,  and  their  places  were  taken  by  others  through  the  efficiency 
of  the  present  Grand  Scribe  and  Grand  Representative  J.  B.  Friedheim, 
whose  services,  with  those  of  Patriarch  P.  0.  Hooper,  have  aided  so  much 
in  upholding  the  patriarchal  banner  in  this  Grand  jurisdiction. 

Grand  Bncampment  of  Arkansas.  —  The  charter  for  this  Right  Worthy 
Grand  body  was  authorized  September  24,  1875,  on  a  report  made  by 
Grand  Representative  J.  F.  Alexander,  of  Illinois.  The  better  to  place 
this  Grand  Encampment  upon  a  sound  financial  basis,  it  was  directed 
that,  if  instituted  during  the  year  1875,  the  entire  indebtedness  of  the 
subordinate  encampments  of  that  state  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  should  be  remitted  in  favor  of  the  new  Grand  body.  The  institution 
took  place  October  14, 1875,  and  was  conducted  by  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  Hooper. 

There  were  at  that  time  eleven  subordinates  on  the  roll,  but  five  of 
which  reported  the  next  year.  The  number  of  encampments,  in  1894, 
was  twenty,  and  the  membership  609. 

British  Columbia.  —  The  introduction  of  the  patriarchal  Order  into  this 
part  of  the  Queen's  dominion  was  brought  about  by  a  petition  from  the 
Grand  Representatives  of  Oregon,  California,  and  Canada  West,  presented 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  at  the  September  session  in 
1863.     Accompanying  the  petition  was  the  following  resolution :  — 

"  Resolved f  That  this  Grand  Lodge  authorize  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  the  state  of  California  to  institute  lodges  and  encampments  in  the  colony  of  British 
Columbia,  on  receipt  of  the  proper  applications ;  and  that  the  colony  be  attached  to  the 
jurisdiction  of  California  pro  tempore." 

The  resolution  was  adopted  September  24th.  Acting  under  this  reso- 
lution the  Grand  Encampment  of  California  issued  the  first  charter  for  an 
encampment  in  this  territory,  and  Vancouver,  No.  1,  at  Victoria,  was 
granted  a  dispensation  in  January,  1871,  by  Grand  Patriarch  C.  Bartlett. 
It  was  instituted  January  18,  1871,  by  Past  Chief  Patriarch  J.  W.  Miller, 
of  Oregon.  January  1,  1876,  the  jurisdiction  of  this  encampment 
was  transferred  to  that  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Oregon,  by  an  act 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  September,  1875.  In  1876 
Judali  P.  Davies  and  Joshua  Davies  asked  that  the  Grand  Lodge  insert 
their  names  in  the  charter  of  Vancouver  Encampment,  they  having  been 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  577 

petitioners  for  the  same.  The  Grand  Lodge  decided  that,  as  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  California  had  issued  said  charter  in  1871,  that  it  would 
be  necessary  for  the  brothers  to  apply  to  that  Grand  body  for  redress. 

March  18, 1874,  the  charter  issued  by  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Cali- 
fornia was  "  taken  up  "  and  one  given  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States. 

Harmony  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  New  Westminster,  was  instituted 
July  24, 1877,  by  Grand  Representative  James  S.  Drummond,  of  British 
Columbia,  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  The  degrees  were  first  con- 
ferred upon  nine  brethren  to  enable  them  to  petition.  September  21st,  of 
that  year,  the  Grand  Lodge  directed  that  No.  2  report  to  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  Oregon.  A  dispensation  was  issued  during  the  recess  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  for  Unity  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Wellington ; 
and  the  encampment  was  instituted  August  28,  1885,  by  Patriarch  B. 
Roberts,  under  authority  of  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  John  Weiler. 
The  warrant  was  confirmed  September  24, 1885.  This  encampment  asked 
to  be,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Washington. 

Nanaimo  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Nanaimo, — the  dispensation  for 
which  was  voted  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  —  was  instituted  Novem- 
ber 18,  1885,  by  District  Deputy  Weiler,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  24, 1886.  This  body  was  attached  to  the  Grand  Encampment 
of  Oregon. 

At  the  September  session  of  1886,  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  it 
was  directed  that  all  encampments  then  in  British  Columbia,  or  to  be 
thereafter  organized,  should  be  transferred  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Grand  Encampment  of  Washington  until  a  Grand  Encampment  should 
be  organized  in  British  Columbia,  unless  they  desired  to  remain  under 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

Columbia  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Vancouver,  was  instituted  July  15, 
1890,  by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  William  McColl  with  nine  members, 
and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  19, 1890. 

The  Grand  Encampment  of  this  territory  was  formed  with  these  five 
encampments. 

Grand  Encampment  of  British  Columbia.  —  The  dispensation  for  this 
Grand  body  was  issued  March  6, 1891,  by  Acting  Grand  Sire  CI.  T.  Camp- 
bell, Deputy  Grand  Sire,  —  Charles  M.  Busbee,  Grand  Sire,  being  very  ill. 
The  duty  of  instituting  the  Grand  Encampment  was  assigned  to  Grand 
Representative  William  McColl,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  was 
duly  performed,  at  Victoria,  March  28,  1891,  —  the  warrant  being  con- 
firmed September  25,  1891. 

California. — Patriarchal  Odd  Fellowship,  like  everything  else  trans- 
planted to  that  golden  land  of  the  setting  sun,  or  indigenous  to  its  fertile 
soil,  proved  of  rapid  growth,  coming  up  strong,  vigorous,  and  lasting. 


578  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

In  one  year,  and  before  San  Francisco  was  more  than  a  landing-place 
for  the  gold-seekers  from  the  far  East,  three  encampments,  —  Golden  Gate, 
No.  1,  San  Francisco ;  Pacific,  No.  2,  Sacramento ;  and  Parker,  No.  3, 
Stockton,  —  sprang  Minerva-like  into  armed  existence,  and  to  this  day 
they  maintain  their  supremacy  among  the  eighty-six  subordinate  bodies 
of  that  Grand  jurisdiction. 

Golden  Gate  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  instituted  February  1,  1853, 
in  San  Francisco,  and  the  warrant  confirmed  September  10,  1853,  Patri- 
arch Samuel  H.  Parker,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  officiating.  Among 
the  charter  members  we  find  the  name  of  Daniel  Norcross,  one  of  the 
surviving  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  the 
memorable  session  of  1865.  He  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  encamp- 
ment at  its  institution. 

Pacific  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Sacramento,  with  eight  charter  mem- 
bers, was  instituted  July  26,  1853,  by  the  same  officer,  and  among  the 
members  we  find  several  whose  names  have  become  household  words 
among  the  patriarchs  in  California :  Professor  John  F.  Morse,  who  intro- 
duced Odd  Fellowship  into  Germany,  Matthew  Purdin,  William  H. 
Watson,  and  C.  C.  Hayden. 

Parker  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Stockton,  was  instituted  June  10, 1853, 
by  the  energetic  Patriarch  Parker,  who  had  officiated  at  the  forming  of 
No.  1,  and  afterward  at  the  birth  of  No.  2.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  having  fixed  the  numbers,  Parker  Encampment  could  not 
take  precedence  of  Pacific,  though  justly  entitled  by  reason  of  the  date 
of  its  institution. 

Grand  Encampment  of  California.  —  At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States  September  7, 1854,  a  charter  was  granted  to  several 
petitioners,  members  of  the  three  encampments  named,  —  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  Grand  Sire,  —  and  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment 
was  instituted  at  Sacramento,  January  8, 1855,  Matthew  Purdin,  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire,  officiating.  Samuel  H.  Parker  was  elected  Grand 
Patriarch,  and  John  W.  Dwindle  Grand  Representative.  In  the  latter 
name  we  recognize  Judge  John  W.  Dwinelle,  a  former  Grand  Represent- 
ative of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Northern  New  York. 

We  cannot  better  summarize  the  doings  of  this  Grand  Encampment 
than  is  done  by  its  efficient  and  energetic  Grand  Scribe,  William  Henry 
Barnes,  in  a  letter  to  the  writer.  For  more  than  thirty  years  we  have 
known  Grand  Scribe  Barnes,  and  no  matter  whether  in  Georgia,  the 
"  Greater  New  York  "  City,  or  on  the  golden  shores  of  the  Pacific,  he  is 
the  same  genial,  manly,  and  true  friend  of  every  worthy  patriarch  coming 
within  the  radius  of  his  friendship :  —  ' 

"  The  first  annnal  session  of  this  Grand  Encampment  was  held  at  Stockton,  in  May, 
1855,  and  the  first  charter  issued  was  to  Bald  Mountain  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Sonora, 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BT  JURISDICTIONS.  679 

which  commenced  life  with  seven  charter  members,  among  them  L.  L.  Alexander,  and 
Charles  H.  Randall. 

"  There  were  soon  gathered  around  these  leaders  a  host  of  men,  whose  names  have 
become  household  words  in  the  records  of  American  Odd  Fellowship,  and  to  give  even  a  few 
lines  to  each  would  occupy  more  space  than  can  be  afforded  in  this  record  to  any  one  juris- 
diction. It  suffices  to  mention  the  names  of  Samuel  H.  Parker,  James  J.  Bohen,  John  F. 
Morse,  Louis  Sober,  Charles  N.  Fox,  L.  L.  Alexander,  John  B.  Harmon,  Charles  H.  Randall, 
Nathan  Porter,  William  H.  Watson,  T.  Rodgers  Johnson,  C.  O.  Burton,  Walter  B.  Lyon, 
Daniel  Norcross,  Matthew  Purdin,  and  C.  C.  Hayden,  and  point  to  the  history,  not  only  of 
California,  but  of  the  national  jurisdiction,  at  home  and  abroad,  and  the  reading  and 
informed  brother  can  fill  in  the  details  from  the  pages  of  our  Order's  progress. 

"  Each  and  every  one  of  these  time  and  again  received  the  highest  honors  at  the  hands 
of  their  brethren.  Many  of  them  have  been  called  to  the  higher  plane  of  action,  beyond 
this  terrestrial  sphere,  but  the  veterans  Alexander,  Fox,  Watson,  Burton,  and  Norcross  of 
the  old  guard  are  still  among  us ;  and,  although  '  many  solemn  changes  have  passed  before 
them,'  and  they  *  have  indeed  seen  years,'  yet  their  hearts  are  as  warm,  and  their  zeal  as 
devoted  to  the  cause  they  love,  to-day,  as  in  the  pride  and  strength  of  their  early  manhood. 

"  T.  Rodgers  Johnson  was  the  first  Grand  Scribe,  and  held  that  honorable  station  at 
the  date  of  his  death,  January  11,  1876.  Walter  B.  Lyon  was  elected  to  succeed  him 
in  1877,  and  was  in  office  when  death  called  him  home,  November  4,  1893.  William  H. 
Barnes  was  appointed  to  the  vacancy  in  1893,  and  has  since  been  reelected  to  said  office  at 
the  sessions  of  18^-96. 

"  The  progress  of  the  encampment  branch  in  California,  while  never  extraordinary, 
in  any  particular  single  year,  has  been  steady  and  stable.  To  be  absolutely  perfect  in  the 
written  and  unwritten  work  in  all  the  branches,  has  been  the  pride  of  this  jurisdiction.  All 
improvements,  *  beautified  work,'  striking  illustrations,  and  whatever  could  lend  attraction 
and  interest,  have  been  immediately  adopted  here ;  these,  together  with  original  ideas,  have 
caused  the  encampment  work  of  California  to  win  commendation  from  all  who  have  wit- 
nessed it.  No  grand  officer  has  ever  assumed  his  station  who  was  not  an  adept  in  the  same ; 
no  subordinate  encampment  official  but  would  deem  himself  unworthy  of  his  office  did  he 
not,  with  his  staff  of  officials,  perform  the  work  without  the  use  of  books;  and  the  require- 
ment of  the  Grand  Encampment  that  no  officer  shall  be  installed  who  is  not  competent,  is 
largely  the  reason  for  the  eminence  of  California  in  this  regard. 

"  Until  1880  the  Grand  Encampment  met  on  the  evenings  of  the  days  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  held  its  sessions.  It  was  believed  that  this  procedure  was  detrimental  to  the  interest 
and  careful  consideration  of  patriarchal  matters;  and,  in  1880,  amid  many  .misgivings,^ it 
was  determined  to  try  the  experiment  of  holding  the  sessions  at  a  different  date ;  the  third 
Tuesday  in  October  was  selected,  and  provision  made  for  paying  mileage  to  one  representa- 
tive from  each  subordinate.  The  annual  sessions  since  this  change  went  into  effect  have 
demonstrated  the  wisdom  and  judgment  of  this  practice.  The  two  last  sessions  have  been 
held  in  Santa  Rosa  (1891),  and  Stockton  (1895),  and  the  next  (1896)  is  to  be  held  at  Santa 
Cruz.  The  magnificent  receptions  of  the  local  brethren,  the  enthusiasm  among  the  mem- 
bership created  by  the  sessions  and  public  display,  the  interest  created  among  the  people  by 
the  appearance  in  their  midst  of  the  officials  and  patriarchs  have  been,  beyond  all  question, 
of  inestimable  value ;  and  the  Grand  Encampment,  instead  of  being  but  a  secondary  con- 
sideration and  mere  appendage  to  the  Grahd  Lodge,  and  not  accorded  the  attention  its 
merits  deserved,  has  become  a  prominent  and  leading  factor  in  the  history  of  the  jurisdiction. 

"  The  present  status  of  the  encampment  branch,  as  per  the  June  reports,  is  eighty-six 
encampments,  5220  patriarclis;  for  the  first  time  in  many  years,  a  slight  decrease  was 
reported  in  1894,  for  which  the  causes  are  generally  understood  everywhere.  The  outlook 
at  the  present  time  is  much  better  than  for  some  years.  The  total  receipts  for  1894  were 
$42,203.30 ;  total  paid  for  relief  and  charity,  $23,352.20 ;  total  assets  of  the  encampments, 
$171,861.63." 

Colorado.  —  In  the  report  of  Grand  Sire  James  P.  Sanders,  September, 
1867,  we  fijid  that  two  encampments  had  been  instituted  in  this  new  state 


580  TUB  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

during  the  year ;  and  that  a  past  chief  patriarch,  from  some  unrecorded 
jurisdiction,  named  J.  H.  Feltoner,  had  officiated.  The  19th,  of  the  same 
month,  the  warrants  were  confirmed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States.  Colorado  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Central  City,  was  instituted 
May  23,  1867,  with  seven  charter  members.  John  W.  Ratliff,  —  one  of 
the  number,  —  has  since  been  Grand  Patriarch  and  Grand  Representative. 
Denver  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Denver,  was  instituted  July  31, 1867,  with 
eight  charter  members,  two  of  whom  had  received  the  degrees  in  Colorado 
Encampment,  No.  1.  Doctor  R.  G.  Buckingham,  the  first  Grand  Master 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Colorado,  and  second  Grand  Patriarch  and  Grand 
Representative  of  that  Grand  Encampment,  and  Brother  Stanton,  were 
among  the  members.  The  degrees  were  conferred  upon  the  other  six  by 
the  instituting  officer,  Past  Chief  Patriarch  J.  H.  Eeltoner.  They  were 
members  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  1. 

January  2,  1880,  Denver  Encampment,  No.  2,  and  Arapahoe,  No.  10, 
were  consolidated,  since  which  time  this  encampment  has  been  known 
as  Arapahoe,  No.  2,  at  Denver. 

Bald  Mountain  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Bald  Mountain,  was  instituted 
March  18,  1871,  and  its  charter  confirmed  at  the  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  1871. 

Park  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Fairplay,  instituted  February  19,  1872, 
was  dormant  from  1880  to  1888,  when  it  revived  and  was  removed  to 
Como,  from  whence,  March  23,  1894,  it  removed  to  Breckenridge,  its 
present  location.  Star  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Georgetown,  was  instituted 
November  29,  1872,  and  its  warrant  was  confirmed  in  1873.  This  was 
the  last  encampment  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge;  and  from  the 
representatives  of  these  five  subordinate  bodies  was  formed  the  Grand 
Encampment. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Colorado.  —  In  1872,  at  the  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  a  petition  was  presented  by  the  three  encamp- 
ments then  in  Colorado,  and  two  in  Wyoming,  asking  for  a  Grand 
Encampment  for  Colorado ;  and  that  the  two  encampments  in  Wyoming 
be  placed  under  its  jurisdiction.  The  committee  on  petitions  reported 
favorably,  but  the  report  was  not  adopted.  At  the  session  of  1873,  two 
additional  encampments  having  been  formed  in  Colorado,  Grand  Sire 
Doctor  Cornelius  A.  Logan  reported  that  he  had  granted  a  warrant  for 
the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  of  Colorado,  and  it  was  con- 
firmed. March  13,  1873,  the  Grand  Encampment  was  instituted  in  Odd 
Fellows'  hall,  Denver,  by  Clarence  P.  Elder,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
who  became,  also,  the  first  Grand  Patriarch.  Richard  J.  Van  Valkenburg 
was  elected  Grand  Representative.  The  Grand  Representative  was 
directed  to  request  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  to  attach  the 
encampments  of  Wyoming  to  the  Grand  Encampment ;   and,  after  agree- 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  581 

ing  to  hold  the  next  session  October  20, 1873,  in  the  city  of  Pueblo,  the 
Grand  body  adjourned. 

There  are,  at  this  writing,  thirty-six  encampments  with  a  membership 
of  1635 ;  annual  revenue,  $5990 ;  assets,  $19,128. 

Connecticut. — From  the  report  of  Grand  Sire  Zenas  B.  Glazier,  we 
learn  that  in  August,  1841,  he  received  a  petition  from  several  patriarchs 
•in  New  Haven,  asking  for  a  dispensation  to  institute  an  encampment 
in  that  city;  that  the  petition  was  recommended,  —  and  endorsed  very 
highly  the  character  of  the  applicants, — by  Mount  Sinai  Encampment,  of 
New  York.  The  dispensation  was  issued;  and,  at  the  request  of  the  peti- 
tioners, Past  Chief  Patriarchs  John  G.  Treadwell  and  William  Y.  Clark, 
of  New  York  City,  were  authorized  to  take  a  sufficient  number  of  patri- 
archs and  proceed  to  New  Haven  and  institute  the  new  body.  Under 
that  authority,  Sassacus  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  duly  instituted  August 
19, 1841. 

The  charter  members  were  seven  in  number,  each  of  whom  had 
received  the  degrees  in  Mount  Sinai  Encampment.  On  the  night  of 
the  institution  twenty-four  brothers  were  elected,  and  the  degrees  con- 
ferred upon  nine.  None  of  the  charter  members  are  now  known  to  be 
living.  The  encampment,  however,  lives,  has  never  failed  in  its  reports, 
and,  with  its  318  membership,  is  the  largest  in  numbers  of  any  encamp- 
ment in  the  state. 

The  report  of  Patriarchs  Treadwell  and  Clark  gave  a  very  gratifying 
account  of  the  condition  of  the  Order  in  Connecticut.  The  following 
month  another  encampment  was  organized.  On  petition  from  several 
patriarchs  vouched  for,  and  recommended  by  Sassacus  Encampment,  a 
warrant  was  issued  by  the  Grand  Sire ;  and,  on  the  13th  of  September, 
1841,  Oriental  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  East  Haddam,  was  duly  insti- 
tuted. This  body  was  honored  in  the  person  of  Past  Grand  Master  John 
A.  Kennedy,  since  Grand  Sire,  as  the  instituting  officer,  who  was  accom- 
panied by  a  large  delegation  of  patriarchs  from  New  York  City.  The 
warrant  of  each  was  duly  approved  September  22, 1841. 

Two  years  later  John  A.  Kennedy  became  Grand  Sire,  and  to  him  is 
due  the  honor  of  issuing  a  warrant  for  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  Connecticut. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Connecticut.  —  The  warrant  for  this  Grand  body 
was  issued  April  19, 1843,  and  approved  September  21st ;  and,  on  the  20th 
day  of  April,  the  Grand  Encampment  was  instituted,  in  the  city  of  New 
Haven,  by  Past  Grand  Patriarch  Wilson  Small,  of  New  York  City.  The 
first  Grand  Patriarch  was  Robinson  S.  Hinman.  The  charter  members 
have  all  passed  to  the  better  land.  The  last  called  was  Patriarch  William 
E.  Sanford,  who  died  in  1895.  The  two  subordinates  forming  this  Grand 
body  are  still  at  work. 


682  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

The  growth  of  the  patriarchal  Order  was  slow  but  steady  until  1850, 
when  it  "  fell  off  "  from  fifteen  encampments  with  a  membership  of  549,  to 
only  five  encampments  and  201  members  in  1863.  Since  that  time  the 
gains  have  been  substantial  until,  in  1895,  there  were  twenty-nine  encamp- 
ments with  3440  members. 

There  have  been  many  faithful  workers  in  this  Grand  jurisdiction,  and 
among  that  number,  we  may  name,  '• —  without  seeming  to  be  too  partial,  — 
the  Grand  Treasurer  John  W.  Smith,  and  the  efficient  Grand  Scribe  of 
thirty  or  more  years,  Frederick  Botsford,  from  whose  late  report  we 
gather  the  following  statistics:  Funds  on  hand,  $34,778;  patriarchs 
relieved,  196;   buried,  15;   amount  of  relief,  $2460. 

Delaware.  —  To  Delaware  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Wilmington,  is 
awarded  the  special  honor  of  having  been  chartered  by  "Encampment 
Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,"  and  for  a  verbaMm  copy  of  that 
unique  and  original  charter,  the  only  one  of  its  kind  in  the  world,  the 
writer  is  indebted  to  the  obliging  Grand  Scribe  Edwin  Hirst,  of  Wil- 
mington; who  has,  also,  placed  the  archives  of  that  Grand  jurisdiction 
at  the  disposal  of  the  editors  of  this  work,  and  furnished  valuable  daUi, 
We  here  give  the  charter  in  full :  — 

ORDER  OF  INDEPENDENT  ODD  FELLOWS. 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern  this  present  comes  greeting :  — 

Know  ye,  that  application  to  the  Encampment  of  Fatrlarchs  working  in  the  dty  of 
Baltimore,  and  state  of  Maryland,  by  the  following  brothers,  viz. :  Samuel  MeNeal,  George 
R.  McFarlane,  James  McAjiall,  James  S.  White,  Robert  W.  Gardner,  Jacob  M.  Garretson, 
Jacob  K.  Higgins,  John  Scott  and  Simon  Robinson,  and  their  successors  who  shall  be  mem- 
bers of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  FeUows,  and  reside  within  the  state  of  Delaware,  to 
be  hailed  by  the  title  of  the  Encampment  of  Patriarclis,  No.  1.  That  the  said  Encampment 
of  Patriarchs  of  the  state  of  Maryland,  by  virtue  of  power  conceded  to  them  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  on  the  eighth  day  of  May,  a.d.  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
twenty  eight,  to  grant  charters,  for  the  establishing  of  encampments  throughout  the  globe, 
do  hereby  grant  this  charter,  to  the  above  mentioned  brothers,  of  the  Order  of  Independent 
Odd  FeUows,  residing  in  the  above  state,  to  hold  an  encampment  of  patriarchs,  for  the 
purpose  of  conferring  on  all  true  and  lawful  brothers  of  the  Scarlet  degree,  or  priestly 
order,  the  Patriarchal,  Golden  Rule  and  Royal  Purple  degrees.  And  the  said  Encampment 
of  Patriarchs,  No.  1,  being  duly  formed,  are  hereby  authorized,  to  initiate,  into  the  mys- 
teries of  the  above  named  degrees,  any  person  or  persons,  who  may  be  properly  qualified, 
and  approved  by  them,  according  to  the  rules  of  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  to 
administer  to  true  brothers,  all  the  privileges  and  benefits  arising  therefrom,  and  to  elect 
officers  and  enact  by-laws,  for  their  government.  Provided  always,  that  the  said  Encamp- 
ment, No.  1,  do  act  according  to  the  Order  and  in  obedience  to  the  Encampment  of  Patri- 
archs of  the  state  of  Maryland,  adhering  to  and  supporting  the  articles,  charges  and 
degrees,  delivered  with  this  warrant.  In  default  thereof,  this  warrant  or  dispensation 
may  be  suspended  or  taken  away  at  the  decision  of  the  Encampment  of  Patriarchs  of 
Maryland.  And  tqrther  the  Encampment  of  Patriarchs  of  Maryland,  in  consideration  of 
the  performance  of  the  above,  do  bind  ourselves,  to  repair  all  damages  or  destruction, 
of  the  warrant,  charges,  or  degrees,  whether  by  fire  or  accident,  provided  sufficient  proof  be 
given  that  there  is  no  illegal  concealment  or  wilful  destruction  of  the  same :  and  the  Encamp- 
ment of  Patriarchs  of  Maryland  wUl  support  the  Encampment  of  Patriarchs,  No.  1,  in  the 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  683 

exercise  of  their  duty,  and  in  the  privileges  and  honors  of  the  Order.    In  witness  whereof 
we  have  displayed  the  colors  of  onr  Order,  and  subscribed  our  names  and  affixed  the  seal 

of  the  Encampment  of  Patriarchs  of  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
and  state  of  Maryland,  this  twentieth  day  of  June,  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty  one. 


{ L.  S. } 


THOMAS  SCOTCHBURN,  Grand  Patriarch. 
Black.  WILLIAM  A.  SCHAAFER,  High  Priest. 

Purple.  ROBERT  GOTT,  Senior  Warden. 

Gold.  J.  B.  BOSLEY,  Junior  Warden. 

PuBPLB.  R.  BUCK,  Guard. 

Black.  JAMES  L.  RIDGELT,  Scribe. 

The  first  mention  made  of  this  body  is  by  Grand  Eepresentative  Simon 
Kobinson,  September  5, 1833,  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of-  the  United  States, 
when  he  asked  that  a  charter  be  issued  to  this  encampment  for  the  reason 
that  the  one  under  which  it  was  working  was  issued  by  Jerusalem  Encamp- 
ment, No.  1,  which  recently  "relinquished  the  power  to  grant  charters 
to  subordinate  encampments."  The  request  was  granted,  but  the  new 
charter  was  not  issued,  neither  was  the  old  one  "  taken  up."  At  the  ses- 
sion of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  September  21, 1847,  the 
warrants  for  two  encampments,  which  had  been  instituted  during  the  vaca- 
tion, were  confirmed:  McDonnell,  No.  2,  at  Smyrna;  Reynolds,  No.  3,  at 
Wilmington. 

These  three  encampments,  from  which  the  Grand  Encampment  was 
formed,  are  still  among  the  good  working  bodies;  the  latter,  Reynolds, 
No.  3,  having  a  membership  of  118,  the  largest  in  the  state. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Delaware.  —  August  2,  1848,  Grand  Sire  Horn 
R.  i&neass,  assisted  by  Past  Grand  Sires  Howell  Hopkins  and  Zenas  B. 
Glazier,  instituted  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  in  the  city  of 
Wilmington :  — 

"  And  caused  such  information  to  be  imparted  to  the  members  as  was  deemed  necessary 
in  the  new  and  trying  position  they  had  assumed," 

Adds  the  Grand  Sire  in  his  report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 

States. 

Good  men  and  true  they  must  have  been  to  require  a  grand  sire  and 
two  past  grand  sires  to  institute  this  Grand  body  and  install  its  officers. 
Snch  was  certainly  the  opinion  of  the  Grand  Sire  as  expressed  in  the  fol- 
lowing remarks  relative  to  the  petitioners :  — 

"  Enjoying  a  personal  acquaintance  with  most  of  the  petitioners,  I  needed  no  assurance 
beyond  that  which  my  knowledge  of  their  personal  worth  and  capacity  afforded  me,  of  their 
inclination  and  ability  to  render  valuable  service  in  the  new  sphere  in  which  they  were  thus 
placed." 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  having  refused,  at  the  1858 
session,  to  adopt  any  of  the  mergement  measures,  this  Grand  Encamp- 


584  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

ment  surrendered  its  charter,  and  the  subordinate  bodies  were  placed  under 
the  charge  of  a  district  deputy  grand  sire,  which  position  was  held  by 
Patriarch  Henry  Eckel,  until  the  charter  was  restored  March  22, 1865,  and 
the  Grand  Encampment  resumed  its  work  once  more. 

A  year  later  Patriarch  Edwin  Hirst  succeeded  W.  P.  Williamson  as 
Grand  Scribe,  and  remains  in  office  to  this  day.  The  encampments  are 
nine  in  number,  with  a  membership  of  387. 

District  of  Columbia. — June  7, 1833,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  asking  that  a  charter  for  an  encamp- 
ment to  be  called  Columbian,  No.  1,  and  located  in  the  city  of  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia,  be  granted  to  William  W.  Moore  (afterward  Grand 
Sire),  James  Gettys  (Grand  Sire),  and  six  others,  and  it  was  so  done. 
From  some  unknown  cause  this  body  was  not  organized  until  January  6, 
1834,  when,  in  the  loft  of  a  brick  building  known  as  "  KimbalPs  stables," 
Columbian  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  instituted. 

Grand  Sire  James  Gettys  was  the  officiating  officer,  and  he  was  assisted 
by  Past  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey,  Patriarchs  Morse,  Cullamore,  and 
Jourdan  of  Baltimore,  and  Robert  Boyd  (one  of  the  petitioners)  of  George- 
town. The  encampment  being  opened,  the  degrees  were  conferred  upon 
seven  brothers.     The  Grand  Sire  became  its  first  Chief  Patriarch. 

Were  it  possible,  in  a  work  of  this  scope,  to  deal  in  reminiscences,  and 
tell  of  the  distinguished  members  belonging  to  each  body,  we  know  of  no 
better  field  than  the  nation's  capital  city,  and  of  no  better  men  than 
Ered.  D.  Stuart,  James  Gettys,  and  William  W.  Moore  (all  three  Past 
Grand  Sires),  Hugh  Latham,  John  T.  Given,  William  R.  McLean,  John 
F.  Havenner,  and  others.  One  incident  relating  to  Brother  Hugh  Latham 
will  suffice  to  show  the  earnestness  of  those  early  workers  in  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, at  Washington.  Brother  Latham,  as  all  who  knew  him  can  attest, 
permitted  no  obstructions  to  prevent  the  accomplishment  of  his  wishes. 
He  resided  in  the  city  of  Alexandria,  some  ten  miles  distant,  and  in 
the  winter  of  1839,  having  no  conveyance,  walked  to  the  capital,  received 
the  degrees  of  the  encampment,  and  returned  home  the  same  night.  Of 
such  material  the  early  Grand  Masters  and  Grand  Representatives  were 
made. 

October  8, 1834,  a  charter  was  granted  to  Brother  J.  J.  Young  and 
nine  others  for  Adrianus  Encampment,  No.  2,  to  be  located  at  George- 
town, but,  for  some  reason,  it  was  not  instituted,  as  no  further  record 
appears.  The  petition  for  Marley  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Alexandria, 
District  of  Columbia,  signed  by  Hugh  Latham,  J.  J.  Proctor,  and  five 
others,  was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  April  21, 
1840,  and  the  following  day  a  charter  was  granted.  Owing  to  the  loss  of 
the  records  of  this  encampment  during  the  civil  war,  we  are  unable  to  fix 
the  date  of  its  institution.    When  instituted,  and  until  1846,  it  was  in  the 


PATRIARCHAL   ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  585 

District  of  Columbia ;  but  the  return  of  that  portion  of  the  District  south 
of  the  Potomac  river  to  the  state  of  Virginia,  by  the  National  Grovernment, 
caused  the  change  of  jurisdiction  of  that  body,  and  it  now  appears  upon 
the  roll  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Virginia  as  Marley  Encampment, 
No.  6,  at  Alexandria. 

The  warrant  for  Mount  Pizgah  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Georgetown, 
was  issued  during  the  recess  by  Grand  Sire  Howell  Hopkins,  and  insti- 
tuted. The  charter  was  confirmed  September  17,  1845.  Owing  to  the 
loss  of  records,  we  can  give  no  further  information  as  to  this  encamp- 
ment other  than  that  it  ceased  to  work,  and  surrendered  its  charter  in 
1855. 

Magenenu  Encampment,  No.  4,  was  instituted  December  15,  1845, 
and  its  charter  was'  confirmed  at  the  September  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  1846.  This  encampment  was  first  located  in  the  Navy  Yard 
district  of  the  city ;  it  has  never  ceased  to  work,  and  is  the  largest  in  the 
jurisdiction.     Its  membership  is  138. 

Grand  Encamiiment  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  —  The  warrant  for  this 
Eight  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  was  issued  by  Grand  Sire  Thomas 
Sherlock,  and  the  body  was  instituted  in  the  city  of  Alexandria,  June  6, 
1846,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  William  W.  Moore  officiating.  Among 
the  qualified  representatives  present,  we  mention  Patriarchs  William  W. 
Moore  of  No.  1,  Hugh  Latham  of  No.  2,  Jones  Calvert  of  No.  3,  and  Samuel 
Yorke  At-Lee  of  No.  4.  The  first  Grand  Patriarch  was  William  Towers, 
and  Samuel  Yorke  At-Lee,  —  so  well  known  from  Michigan  to  Oregon,  and 
back  to  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  —  was,  afterward,  elected  the 
first  Grand  Representative.  The  next  session  was  held  in  the  capital  city, 
as  all  the  subsequent  ones  have  been. 

July  4, 1848,  the  Grand  and  subordinate  encampments  joined  in  the 
ceremonies  attending  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  Washington 
Monument.  Past  Grand  Sire  Fred.  D.  Stuart  was  a  leading  member  of 
the  Monument  Association  from  its  creation  until  his  death,  and  it  is  no 
doubt  due  to  his  influence  and  labors  that  there  are  more  blocks  of 
marble  and  tablets  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in  that  mon- 
ument than  of  any  other  association  or  society  in  the  United  States. 

There  are  four  encampments  in  this  jurisdiction  with  433  good,  true, 
and  tried  patriarchs. 

England.  —  The  order  of  American  Odd  Fellowship,  as  well  as  the 
patriarchal  branch  of  the  same,  was  introduced  into  the  mother  country  in 
1875,  by  a  Past  Grand  Representative  of  Michigan,  Robert  Henry  Morri- 
son, then  favorably  known  in  that  Grand  jurisdiction,  who -gave  very 
flattering  accounts  of  the  institution  of  a  lodge  and  encampment  in  the 
city  of  London.  There  were  great  hopes  and  not  a  little  expectation  of 
success  for  these  bodies,  established  among  people   speaking  the  same 


686  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

language,  and  so  closely  connected  with  our  own.  Few  however,  if  any, 
of  our  officials  knew  the  attachment  of  the  people  on  the  other  side,  for 
the  parent  institution,  the  Manchester  Unity  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  and  the  other  societies  of  Odd  Fellowship,  so  numerous  in  the 
United  Kingdom,  or  they  would  not  have  been  so  elated.  The  worst  feat- 
ure attending  this  movement  was  the  use  of  the  Order  for  his  own  private 
gains  by  the  special  district  deputy  grand  sire,  his  betrayal  of  the  confi- 
dence of  the  brethren  he  was  using,  and  their  consequent  disgust  with 
everything  pertaining  to  the  Order.  This  officer  was  afterward  expelled. 
The  brief  record  made  was  as  follows :  — 

Thomas  Wildey  Lodge,  No.  1,  at  London,  instituted  November  17, 
1876 ;  Anglo-American  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  London,  instituted  Novem- 
ber 17, 1876,  by  the  same  special  deputy,  and  the  warrants  were  confirmed 
September  23, 1876. 

Past  Grand  Master  Thomas  E.  Doughty,  and  Charles  G.  Hill,  of  the 
jurisdiction  of  Michigan,  were  present  and  gave  valuable  assistance.  In 
fact,  but  for  Brother  Hill,  who  was  a  Londoner,  there  would  have  been  no 
lodge  or  encampment.  These  bodies  made  but  one  or  two  reports,  for  the 
reasons  above  stated  they  ceased  to  exist,  and,  in  1879,  surrendered  the 
charters,  books,  etc.  Thus  ended  the  attempt  to  establish  the  Order  in 
the  United  Kingdom. 

Florida.  —  Florida  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Jacksonville,  was  instituted 
in  1846,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  23, 1846.  Work  ceased 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war  in  1861,  and  we  have  no  record  of  its 
membership.  June  29, 1876,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  L.  M.  Merritt, 
by  authority  of  Grand  Sire  Milton  J.  Durham,  conferred  the  patriarchal 
degrees  upon  eight  brothers,  who,  with  three  former  members  of  No.  1, 
petitioned  for,  and  received,  the  charter  of  Florida  Encampment,  No.  1, 
and  it  was  duly  reorganized. 

Aucilla  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Monticello,  was  instituted  in  January, 
1862,  by  M.  D.  Papy,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire ;  after  he  had  conferred 
the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  several  brethren,  to  enable  them  to  petition 
for  an  encampment.  The  warrant  was  confirmed  September  24th  of  the 
same  year.  Ohipola  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Marianna,  was  instituted  in 
1858,  and  the  charter  confirmed  September  23d,  of  that  year.  The  peti- 
tioners for  this  encampment  were :  Brothers  J.  J.  Finley,  W.  D.  Barnes, 
and  several  others.  This  encampment  became  defunct ;  and,  on  July  6, 
1882,  the  degrees  were  conferred  on  Brother  George  S.  Hallmark  and  six 
others,  at  Warrington,  to  form  Ridgely  Encampment,  at  that  place,  which 
now  bears  No.  3. 

The  warrant  for  Excelsior  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Pensacola,  was  issued 
April  23d;  the  encampment  was  duly  instituted,  and  its  charter  confirmed, 
September  18, 1873. 


PATRIABCHAL  OBDJER  BY  JUBISDICTIONS.  687 

The  petition  for  Key  West  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Key  West,  was 
presented  March  29th,  the  institution  took  place  July  5th,  under  Special 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Charles  A.  Fulwood,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  24,  1875. 

Withlacootchie  Encampment,  No.  6,  at  EUaville,  was  instituted  July 
21, 1880,  by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Leroy  D.  Ball,  and  the  warrant 
was  confirmed  September  24, 1880.  There  were  seven  patriarchs  at  the 
institution  of  this  body,  as  charter  members,  and  six  brothers  were  elected 
and  received  the  degrees.  Wildey  Encampment,  No.  7,  at  Starke,  was 
instituted  July  24,  1884,  by  Patriarch  L.  M.  Merritt,  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Florida. — This  Grand  body  was  instituted  at 
Waldo,  April  15,  1885,  by  the  faithful  and  energetic  Patriarch  Merritt. 
The  patriarchs  of  Florida  owe  much  to  that  brother's  labors  in  behalf  of 
the  patriarchal  Order  and  his  constant  and  efficient  services  in  the  cause 
of  Odd  Fellowship.  The  charter  and  rituals  of  the  Grand  Encampment 
having  been  lost  by  fire,  which  destroyed  the  office  of  Brother  Merritt, 
duplicates  were  sent  free  to  that  Grand  body  at  the  session  of  1885, 
when  the  warrant  was  confirmed.  George  S.  Hallmark  was  elected  Grand 
Patriarch;  N.  C.  Pettit,  Grand  Treasurer;  and  the  first  Grand  Repre- 
sentative was  Patriarch  L.  M.  Merritt,  who  had  served  as  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  for  ten  years,  and  had  been  ever  faithful  to  his  trust.  The 
Grand  Patriarch  was  a  distinguished  Past  Grand  Master,  and  all  his  asso- 
ciates were  well  known  for  their  work  in  the  Order.  Our  last  reports  give 
ten  encampments  with  a  membership  of  220. 

Georgia.  —  Grand  Sire  John  A.  Kennedy  issued  a  dispensation,  July 
28, 1843,  to  confer  the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  Brother  Abram  N.  Miller 
and  nine  others,  to  enable  them  to  petition  for  an  encampment,  to  be 
named  Magnolia,  No.  1,  located  in  Savannah.  The  conferring  of  these 
degrees  and  organization  of  the  body  was  intrusted  to  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  Eev.  Albert  Case  (Deputy  Grand  Sire  in  1846),  who,  on  the  16th  day  of 
August,  1843,  proceeded  to  confer  the  degrees,  and  afterward,  with  the 
assistance  of  a  patriarch  of  Palmetto  Encampment,  No.  1,  of  South  Caro- 
lina, instituted  Magnolia  Encampment,  No.  1,  and  his  action  was  confirmed 
September  21, 1843. 

There  were  three  encampments  instituted  this  year,  two  under  condi- 
tions that  from  the  first  gave  little  promise  of  future  usefulness,  and  so  it 
is  not  surprising  that  each  died  or  merged  in  a  new  body. 

At  the  September  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
in  1843,  John  A.  Kennedy,  Grand  Sire,  reported  having  received  a  peti- 
tion from  Brother  Ebenezer  C.  Grannis  and  ten  others,  asking  that  the 
patriarchal  degrees  be  conferred  upon  them,  to  enable  them  to  petition 
for  an  encampment,  to  be  located  at  Macon;  that,  owing  to  his  receiving 


588  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

a  protest  from  five  patriarchs,  who  desired  a  more  perfect  organization,  he 
had  not  granted  the  request,  and  laid  the  papers  before  the  Grand  Lodge. 
To  this  petition  and  protest  the  committee  on  petitions  reported  and  their 
resolutions  were  adopted :  First,  That  the  Grand  Sire  grant  the  petition 
as  requested ;  and  second,  that  a  charter  be  granted  the  petitioners,  and 
such  "  Royal  Purple  degree  members  as  may  elect "  to  join  in  the  petition. 
Ocmulgee  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Macon,  was  accordingly  instituted  in 
1843.  This  brought  trouble  to  the  incoming  Grand  Sire,  Howell  Hopkins, 
for  the  reason  that  several  Royal  Purple  degree  members,  not  having  elected 
to  sign  the  petition  for  No.  2,  urged  the  organization  of  another  encamp- 
ment; the  Grand  Sire  complied  with  their  request,  and  Pranklin  Encamp- 
ment, No.  3,  at  Macon,  was,  accordingly,  instituted  early  in  1844,  and  the 
warrant  of  each  was  confirmed  September  17, 1844. 

Chattahoochee  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Columbus,  was  the  next  to  be 
instituted,  and  its  charter  was  confirmed  at  the  same  session. 

Augusta  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Augusta,  was  organized  in  1845,  and 
its  charter  confirmed  the  17th  of  September,  1845.  This  was  followed 
the  next  year  by  Flint  Encampment,  No.  6,  at  Albany,  which  was  duly 
organized,  and  its  warrant  confirmed  September  23, 1846. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Georgia.  —  The  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encamp- 
ment was  instituted  July  12,  1847,  in  the  city  of  Macon,  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  Wiley  Williams  officiating.  Among  the  names  of  the  thirty- 
two  duly  qualified  representatives  present  from  three  encampments, 
Robert  H.  Griffin,  afterward  Grand  Sire,  heads  the  list.  Wiley  Williams 
was  elected  Grand  Patriarch.  A  few  of  the  workers  in  this  Grand  body 
we  especially  recall,  and  among  them  the  late  W.  B.  Harris ;  the  present 
Grand  Scribe,  John  G.  Deitz,  who  was  Grand  Patriarch  in  1860,  —  the 
same  year  the  writer  held  that  office  in  Illinois,  —  and  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  the  late  Luther  J.  Glenn,  Past  Grand  Sire,  a  brave  Confederate 
soldier  and  a  faithful  Odd  Fellow.  There  are  now  sixteen  working 
encampments  in  this  Grand  jurisdiction,  with  771  patriarchs. 

German  Empire. — The  patriarchal  Order  was  introduced  into  Ger- 
many, —  and  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  planted  on  the  continent  of  the 
old  world,  —  by  that  grand  old  Odd  Fellow,  the  product  of  the  golden 
shores  of  the  Pacific,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  John  F.  Morse,  Grand 
Representative  of  California. 

Farnsworth  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Berlin,  was  instituted  May  23, 1871, 
with  twenty-two  members,  by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Morse.  The 
first  Chief  Patriarch  was  Hugo  Wollheim.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Ger- 
man Empire  having  been  instituted  at  Frankfort,  December  28,  1872,  with 
Brother  Hugo  Wollheim  as  Grand  Sire,  we  have  no  further  report  from 
Farnsworth  Encampment,  and  the  reader  is  referred  to  Brother  Block^s 
Division,  VII.,  of  this  work  for  further  particulars. 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  589 

Lessing  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Dresden,  was  next  instituted,  by  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  Sire  Otto  Arnoux,  — who  became  its  first  Chief 
Patriarch,  —  December  26,  1872,  with  twenty-four  patriarchs  as  charter 
members.  This  encampment,  like  that  of  Berlin,  reports  to  its  own 
Grand  body,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  German  Empire,  under  which 
there  are  now  eleven  encampments,  with  525  members ;  and  $1858,  yearly 
revenue. 

Idaho.  — In  April,  1876,  Grand  Sire  Milton  J.  Durham  authorized  the 
conferring  of  the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  eight  brothers,  residing  in 
Bois^  City,  by  Special  Deputy  George  W.  Brumm,  Past  Chief  Patriarch 
of  Friendship  Encampment,  No.  64,  at  Minersville,  Pennsylvania;  and, 
on  receipt  of  a  petition  from  Patriarch  Brumm,  and  the  other  eight  upon 
whom  he  had  conferred  the  degrees,  a  warrant  was  issued  for  an  encamp- 
ment, and  Idaho  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Bois^  City,  was  instituted  July  10, 
1876.  The  warrant  was  confirmed  September  21, 1876.  The  sixty-seventh 
anniversary  of  the  Order  was  celebrated  by  this  encampment  with  a  parade 
and  an  oration. 

The  growth  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  this  jurisdiction  was  slow, 
and  after  ten  years  there  remained  but  the  one  encampment  with  a  mem- 
bership of  thirty-eight.  It  was  reserved  for  Grand  Sire  John  H.  White 
to  find  the  energetic  Patriarch  Montie  B.  Gwinn,  to  appoint  him  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  "  turn  him  loose  "  in  the  new  territory.  The  result 
of  this  patriarch's  labors  are  apparent  when  we  learn  that  in  less  than 
one  year  he  conferred  the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  thirty  brethren  at 
four  different  places,  so  as  to  qualify  them  to  petition  for  four  subordinate 
encampments,  and  made  past  officers  enough  to  secure  a  warrant  for  a 
Grand  Encampment.  All  of  which  he  instituted  as  follows:  Bidgely 
Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Pocatello,  instituted  November  25, 1887 ;  Temple, 
No.  3,  at  Caldwell,  instituted  February  6, 1888 ;  Ivanhoe,  No.  4,  at  Hailey, 
instituted  March  26,  1888;  Enterprise,  No.  5,  at  Ketchum,  instituted 
March  27,  1888;  and  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Idaho,  instituted 
August  6, 1888.  Such  a  record  is  unparalleled,  and  Patriarch  Gwinn  was 
very  properly  elected  the  first  Grand  Representative  of  the  Grand  body 
he  had  done  so  much  to  create. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Idaho. — This  Grand  body  was  instituted,  as 
before  stated,  in  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  town  of  Hailey,  Blaine  County. 
There  were  present  duly  qualified  representatives  from  each  of  the  sub- 
ordinate encampments ;  and,  also,  the  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  Oregon,  Patriarch  W.  H.  Bentley,  who  gave  valuable 
assistance.     Clarence  S.  Scott  was  elected  Grand  Patriarch. 

It  is  but  just  to  the  present  Grand  Scribe,  A.  K.  Steunenberg,  that 
we  should  say,  before  the  year  ended  Grand  Scribe  W.  E.  Peck  removed 
from  Idaho,  thereby  causing  a  vacancy  in  that  office,  which  Patriarch 


690  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Steunenberg  was  called  upon  to  fill  by  appointment ;  and  that  he  has  been 
unanimously  reelected  every  year  since. 

They  have  earnest  Odd  Fellows  in  those  mountain  jurisdictions, — Odd 
Fellows  who  are  willing  to  work  in  the  good  cause  for  the  love  of  it,  and 
ready  to  pay  for  the  support  of  the  institution.  This  is  attested  in  the 
Grand  body  now  under  consideration,  the  capitation  tax  of  which  is  $2 
per  member,  annually,  and  $1  for  each  degree  conferred.  There  would  be 
trouble  in  some  of  our  Eastern  jurisdictions  if  these  rates  prevailed. 

There  are  sixteen  encampments  scattered  at  great  distances  from  one 
another  in  this  state,  with  383  patriarchs  in  charge  of  the  same. 

'  Illinois. — July  11, 1838,  was  the  date,  and  the  city  of  Alton  the  place 
where  the  patriarchal  degrees  were  first  conferred  in  the  state  of  Illinois. 
We  are  not  unmindful  of  the  fact  that  these  sublime  degrees  were  brought 
to  Illinois  by  that  grand  old  man,  the  father  of  American  Odd  Fellowship, 
Thomas  Wildey,  and  that  they  were  first  communicated  to  Samuel  O. 
Peirce,  Alfred  Shannon,  David  P.  Berry,  Daniel  Ward,  J.  Wesley  Beall, 
Samuel  L.  Miller,  and  James  E.  Starr.  Of  these  seven  early  members, 
six  attained  high  office  in  the  Order,  while  thfe  seventh,  J.  Wesley  BeaJl, 
won  distinction  by  being  the  only  "private  patriarch  "  who  did  not  hold 
office  in  a  Grand  body.  Samuel  C.  Peirce  was  the  first  Grand  Master  of 
Illinois;  Samuel  L.  Miller,  the  first  Grand  Secretary,  and  Alfred  Shannon, 
the  second;  David  P.  Berry  and  Daniel  Ward,  Grand  Wardens  of  the 
Grand  Lodge ;  while  James  E.  Starr,  the  only  survivor  of  those  present 
on  that  occasion,  became  Grand  Master,  Grand  Secretary,  Grand  Patriarch, 
Grand  Scribe,  Treasurer,  etc.,  of  all  of  which  honors  his  long  life  has 
proved  his  worthiness^  as  it  has  his  usefulness.  Past  Grand  Patriarch 
Starr  is  now  in  his  eighty-fourth  year,  and  resides  in  Portland,  Oregon. 
This  encampment  continued  its  work  until  1842  or  '43,  when  it  ceased  to 
report,  and  was  dormant  until  Patriarch  Isa^c  M.  Veitch,  of  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri, afterward  Grand  Sire,  revived  it  June  28, 1850 ;  since  which  time  it 
has  been  constantly  at  wprk,  and  is  one  of  the  live  bodies  of  the  state  to 
this  day.  At  the  revival  of  Wildey  Encampment,  No.  1,  Patriarch  Veitch 
was  assisted  by  a  delegation  of  patriarchs  from  St.  Louis^and  the  officers 
chosen  were  well-known  meml^ers  in  Illinois.  James  E.  Starr  was  elected 
Chief  Patriarch.  Six  brethren  were  elected,  and  the  degrees  were  con- 
ferred upon  them.  Amasa  S.  Barry,  afterward  Grand  Master,  etc.,  was 
one  of  the  six. 

The  dispensation  for  Chosen  Friends  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  G^ena, 
bearing  the  signature- of  Thomas  Wildey,  Past  Grand  Sire,  was  i3sued 
in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  November  30,  1839,  and  the  encampment  •  was 
founded  the  same  winter.  Among  the  petitioners  for  this  body  were: 
John  G.  Potts,  Past  Grand  Master,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania ; 
Daniel  Wann,  collector  of  customs,  of  Galena;    Frederick  G.  Schwatka, 


r  .j^.  .j^.  ..^.  .j^.  ..^.  .j^.  .j^.  .j^. 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  691 

father  of  the  late  Lieutenant  Fred.  Schwatka,  the  Arctic  and  Alaskan 
explorer ;  and  six  others,  all  well-known  citizens  of  Q-alena,  and  members 
of  Wildey  Lodge,  No.  5,  of  that  city.  Past  Grand  Master  Potts,  the 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  the  Northwest,  was  authorized  to  con- 
stitute this  body,  which  he  did,  and  the  warrant  was  approved.  Por 
a  few  years  this  encampment  did  good  work,  but  ceased  when  many  of  its 
members,  under  Captain  (Doctor)  A.  T.  Crow,  formed  Company  F  of  the 
First  Illinois  Regiment,  for  the  Mexican  war. 

The  petition  of  Lebanon  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Springfield,  bears 
date  December  18, 1841,  and  the  dispensation  was  sent  to  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  John  G.  Potts,  at  Galena,  January  17, 1842.  Owing  to  the 
delay  in  getting  ready,  and  difficulty  of  travelling.  Patriarch  Potts  issued 
authority  to  Patriarch  W.  S.  Stewart  to  act  in  his  stead,  and  the  encamp- 
ment was  instituted  thie  same  year.  There  was  much  confusion  in  the 
numbers  of  the  Illinois  encampments  at  this  time  and  following.  The 
dispensation,  under  which  Lebanon  Encampment  was  instituted,  called  it 
No.  3,  while  the  charter  issued  gave  it  "  No.  2."  This  was  an  error,  as 
Wildey,  No.  1,  at  Alton,  and  Chosen  Friends,  No.  2,  at  Galena,  were  both 
regularly  working  and  chartered  at  this  date.  Lebanon  Encampment  sur- 
vived a  year  or  two,  and  then  became  defunct 

Illinois  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Chicago,  was  the  next  to  be  organized, 
and  that  body  was  instituted  May  7,  1845,  in  the  hall  of  Union  Lodge, 
No.  9,  of  that  city.  The  instituting  officer  was  the  well-known  Patriarch 
William  Duane  Wilson,  then  of  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  Grand  Master  of 
that  state,  who  was  assisted  by  Charles  S.  Adams,  a  Past  Senior  Warden 
of  Michigan  Encampment,  No.  1,  of  the  same  city  and  state.  This 
encampment  ceased  work,  and  surrendered  its  charter  March  20,  1848. 

In  the  transfer  of  numbers  this  encampment  had  become  known  as 
No.  3,  so  that  when  Allen  Encampment  was  instituted  at  Quincy,  it 
became  No.  4,  and  the  list  was  corrected. 

Allen  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Quincy,  was  instituted  May  19, 1846,  by 
an  active  member  of  the  Order,  and  Grand  Patriarch  of  Missouri,  Gerard 
B.  Allen,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  who  resided  in  St.  Louis.  There 
were  eighteen  petitioners  for  this  body,  but  one  of  whom  is  known  to  be 
living  to-day.  Colonel  W.  H.  Benneson,  who  commanded  the  Seventy-eighth 
Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  in  the  civil  war. 

It  is  interesting  to  know  that  this  encampment  celebrated  its  semi- 
centennial May  19, 1896.  At  the  celebration  there  were  a  large  number 
of  visitors  from  other  encampments,  and  the  following  grand  officers: 
Julius  H.  Raible,  Grand  Patriarch ;  J.  D.  Murphy,  Grand  High  Priest ; 
John  T.  Blaney,  Grand  Senior  Warden ;  General  John  C.  Smith,  Grand 
Scribe;  Walter  E.  Carlin,  Grand  Representative;  and  George  A. 
Seeley,   Grand    Outside    Sentinel.       A    distinguishing    feature    of    the 


692  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

"Golden  Anniversary"  was  the  conferring  of  the  degrees  upon  sixty- 
nine  brethren,  and  the  reinstatement  of  seven  patriarchs,  making  an  addi- 
tion to  the  membership  of  76. 

Leadmine  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Galena,  was  instituted  June  8, 1846, 
by  "Father  Potts," — John  G.  Potts,  —  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  who 
was,  also,  one  of  the  petitioners,  together  with  three  other  members  of 
Chosen  Friends  Encampment,  No.  2, — then  defunct,  —  and  five  brothers 
of  the  Fifth  degree,  members  of  Wildey  Lodge,  No.  5.  Only  one  of  the  peti- 
tioners is  now  living,  George  C.  Rice,  who  resides  in  Washington,  District 
of  Columbia.  Several  petitions  were  presented  at  the  first  meeting  of 
this  encampment,  the  brethren  elected,  and  the  degrees  conferred.  Patri- 
arch Rev.  George  W.  Woodward,  afterward  Grand  Master  of  Illinois,  was 
admitted  to  membership  free.  This  encampment  has  continued  work, 
has  never  failed  in  its  reports,  and  June  8,  1896,  held  its  semi-cen- 
tennial.^ 

Neilson  Encampment,  No.  6,  at  Belleville,  was  instituted  during  the 
year  1846 ;  but,  as  the  records  have  been  lost,  we  cannot  give  the  date. 
In  the  confusion  of  numbers  it  was  given  "  No.  5,"  in  the  dispensation, 
but  the  number  was  corrected  in  the  charter.  The  surrender  of  the 
charter  of  Illinois  Encampment  had  removed  one  number  which  was  a 
duplicate  and  Lebanon  was,  therefore,  known  as  No.  3.  To  that  estimable 
Odd  Fellow  Gerard  B.  Allen,  after  whom  the  Quincy  encampment  (No.  4), 
is  named,  was  given  the  honor  of  instituting  this  new  body  of  patriarchs 
at  Belleville.    This  encampment  had  a  brief  existence  and  is  defunct. 

The  year  1848  was  a  remarkable  one  fOr  Odd  Fellowship  in  Illinois. 
Seven  encampments  were  instituted,  each  of  which  is  still  at  work,  and, 
for  aught  we  now  can  see,  bid  fair  to  continue  the  good  work  for  many 
years  to  come.  They  are  as  follows :  Mount  Vernon  Encampment,  No.  7,  at 
Beardstown,  instituted  January,  1848 ;  Union,  No.  8,  at  CoUinsville,  insti- 
tuted June,  1848 ;  Ridgely,  No.  9,  at  Jacksonville,  instituted  June,  1848 ; 
Chicago,  No.  10,  at  Chicago,  instituted  July,  1848 ;  Sirion,  No.  11,  at  Mount 
Carmel,  instituted  July,  1848 ;  Rock  Island,  No.  12,  at  Rock  Island,  insti- 
tuted September,  1848;  Wauponsie,  No.  13,  at  St.  Charles,  instituted 
October,  1848. 

>  yois  by  ths  Editor-in-Chief.  — Qenera\  John  Corson  Smith,  a  diatlngulBhed  litUraUur,  and  author 
of  this  Division  of  the  History  of  Odd  Fellowship,  was  made  a  member  of  Leadmine  Encampment,  Septem- 
ber 28,  1855,  and  still  reUins  his  membership  in  that  body.  He  was  Grand  Master  of  Illinois  the  year 
of  the  great  Chicago  fire,  in  1871,  and  personally  superintended  the  distribution  of  the  large  relief  tand  of 
$185,000,  although  he  had  to  travel  fW)m  his  home  in  Galena  to  do  so.  Our  brother  was  Grand  Patriarch 
in  1860-^1,  has  served  both  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  as  Grand  Representative;  and, 
removing  to  Chicago  in  1874,  was  elected  Grand  Scribe,  an  office  to  which  he  has  been  unanimously 
reelected  every  year  since,  and  will  probably  "  remain  in  the  harness  "  as  long  as  strength  shall  last.  Gen- 
eral Smith  haa  been  actively  engaged  In  public  life,  having  served  throughout  the  civil  war  in  the  Union 
army,  and  the  state  of  Illinois  as  treasurer,  lieutenant-governor,  etc. ;  yet  amid  it  all  he  has  never  relaxed 
his  labors  in  the  patriarchal  Order,  and  writes  "The  Encampment  Branch,**  as  his  latest  and  best  contribu- 
tion to  the  brethren,  because  it  places  his  knowledge  and  experience  in  an  imperishable  form. 


PATEIARCBAL   ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  593 

To  these  were  added  three  additional  bodies  the  following  year :  Salem 
Encampment,  No.  14,  at  Equality  (now  El  Dorado),  instituted  November, 
1849 ;  Peoria,  No.  15,  at  Peoria,  instituted  December,  1849 ;  Prairie  State, 
No.  16,  at  Springfield,  instituted  December,  1849. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Illinois.  —  The  Bight  Worthy  Grand  Encamp- 
ment was  instituted  July  24,  1850,  in  the  city  of  Peoria.  Judge  Charles 
H.  Constable,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  was  the  officiating  officer,  and 
the  duly  accredited  representatives  were  present  from  encampments 
Nos.  1,  4,  5,  9, 10, 11, 13,  15,  and  16.  But  one  lives,  —  Horace  G.  Ander- 
son, —  of  that  glorious  band  of  sixteen  patriarchs  who  met  forty-six  years 
ago,  and  formied  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Illinois.  Patriarch  Anderson, 
who  became  Grand  Patriarch  and  Grand  Bepresentative,  still  resides  at 
Peoria,  and  we  saw  him  at  the  seventy-seventh  anniversary  celebration 
of  the  Order  when  in  that  city.  Of  the  others  then  present,  the  Bev. 
George  W.  Woodward  and  Henry  L.  Bucker  became  Grand  Masters  and 
Grand  Bepresentatives ;  N.  H.  Dearborn,  Grand  Patriarch  and  Grand 
Bepresentative ;  John  Tillson,  Jr.,  a  general  in  the  Federal  army  in  the 
civil  war;  Stephen  S.  Corneau,  Grand  Secretary;  and  James  Jackson, 
Grand  Treasurer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois.  Many  others  were  not 
only  prominent  in  the  Order  but  in  civil  life,  as,  for  example.  Judge  Con- 
stable, who  was  the  first  Grand  Patriarch.  John  G.  Potts  was  the  first 
Grand  Bepresentative. 

In  a  paper  as  brief  as  this  must  be,  it  is  impossible  to  follow  the  work 
of  this  "Grand  body,  tell  of  its  rapid  growth  at  times  and  losses  at  others ; 
or  to  write  biographies  of  the  distinguished  members,  such  as  Doctor 
Samuel  Willard,  Past  Grand  Patriarch,  Bepresentative,  and  Scribe,  who 
have  given  it  a  reputation  coextensive  with  the  Order;  of  Past  Grand 
Masters  and  Bepresentatives  James  E.  Starr,  Amasa  S.  Barry,  Jeremiah 
Griswold,  Judge  John  G.  Bogers,  Doctor  J.  Ward  Ellis,  Hon.  E.  B.  Sher- 
man, Alfred  Orendorf,  and  John  Lake;  of  Past  Grand  Patriarchs  and 
Bepresentatives,  N.  P.  Iglehart,  Allen  C.  Lewis,  John  P.  Foss,  W.  H. 
Crocker,  Walter  E.  Carlin,  and  William  Schuchert.  The  name  of  each, 
and  many  more,  is  written  in  the  laws  of  the  Order,  and  on  the  pages  of 
our  journals.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  the  patriarchs  of  Illinois  have 
ever  been  opposed  to  the  mergement  of  these  beautiful  degrees  in  the 
work  of  the  subordinate  lodge,  and  that  there  are,  to-day,  no  vacant  num- 
bers on  the  roll,  —  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  are  the  encampments, 
and  6804  the  patriarchal  membership. 

Indian  Territory.  — There  are  six  encampments  in  this  territory,  —  the 
tents  of  which  have  been  pitched  within  the  past  twelve  years,  —  and  all 
are  doing  well. 

Bidgely  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  McAlester,  —  the  first,  —  was  insti- 
tuted March  27, 1884,  the  warrant  being  confirmed  September  19,  1884. 


694  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITY. 

This  encampment  now  meets  at  Krebs,  having  been  removed  there  in 
1888.  The  instituting  officer  is  unknown,  but  his  assistant,  Thomas 
Woodworth,  is  still  remembered.     There  were  seven  charter  members. 

Pushmataha  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Atoka,  was  instituted  March  16, 
1885,  by  Patriarch  H.  J.  Ellard,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  who  had 
the  assistance  of  Grand  Patriarch  Kerr  of  Texas,  with  a  delegation  of 
patriarchs  from  Denison  and  other  points.  The  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  25,  1885,  and  two  years  later  the  removal  to  Lehigh  was 
authorized  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  White  Bead  Encampment, 
No.  3,  at  White  Bead  Hill,  was  instituted  March  26, 1892,  by  Patriarch 
A.  C.  Potter,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  23, 1892.  Purcell  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Purcell,  was  insti- 
tuted March  31, 1893,  by  Patriarch  William  Noble,  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  22,  1893. 

Ardmore  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Ardmore,  was  instituted  May  17, 

1893,  by  Patriarch  B.  P.  Philips,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the 
warrant  was  confirmed  September  23,  1893.  Coalgate  Encampment, 
No.  6,  at  Coalgate,  was  instituted  December  7, 1893,  by  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  William  Noble,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  21, 

1894.  These  six  encampments,  January  1, 1895,  had  a  membership  of  206. 
Indiana.  —  The  exact  date  of  the  introduction  of  the  patriarchal  degrees 

into  this  state,  and  by  whom,  we  have  been  unable  to  learn,  and  are,  there- 
fore, compelled  to  confine  ourself  to  the  following  brief  facts:  October 
4,  1836,  in  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  Grand 
Secretary  Robert  Neilson  presented  a  petition  signed  by 

"  H.  L.  Duncan  and  others,  praying  for  a  charter  for  an  encampment  of  patriarchs,  to 
be  located  at  the  city  of  New  Albany,  Indiana,  and  hailed  by  the  title  of  Jerusalem  Encamp- 
ment, No.  1." 

At  the  same  time  it  was  stated  that  a  warrant  had  been  issued  for 
this  body  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  From  this  we  should 
judge  that  Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  1,  had  been  instituted  early  in 
the  summer  of  1836.  The  day  following  the  presentation  of  this  peti- 
tion, the  warrant  for  Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  "ratified  and 
confirmed."  The  next  mention  of  this  body  is  made  in  the  report  of 
Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey  of  his  doings  as  "travelling  agent,''  at  the 
October  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1838. 
Speaking  of  his  visit  along  the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  rivers  in  July, 
August,  and  September  of  that  year,  Brother  Wildey  said :  — 

"  At  New  Albany,  in  the  state  of  Indiana,  I  met  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state,  offici- 
ated at  the  installation  of  their  officers,  visited  their  encampment  (italics  ours)  and  the 
lodge  located  there;  and  the  one,  also,  at  Jeffersonville." 

This  encampment  ceased  to  work  a  few  years  later,  but  was  revived 
on  a  petition  presented  to  the  Grand  Encampment  after  its  organization. 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BT  JURISDICTIONS.  595 

The  petition  presented  to  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Indiana,  July  14, 
1848,  certified  that  the  petitioners,  ten  in  all,  had  been  members  of 
Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  New  Albany,  and  that  they  held  legal 
withdrawal  cards ;  that  the  encampment  was  now  extinct,  and  the  peti- 
tioners asked  permission  to  apply  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  for  a  restoration  of  the  charter  and  property  of  that  encampment. 
Permission  was  granted  and  application  made  at  the  session  of  1848,  but 
omitting  to  accompany  the  petition  with  a  certificate  of  the  gbod  standing 
of  the  petitioners,  the  whole  matter  was  referred  to  the  Grand  Sire  and 
Grand  Secretary  to  restore  the  charter,  and  such  property  as  might  be 
in  the  possession,  or  under  the  control,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  when  satis- 
factory evidence  of  good  standing  had  been  filed.  October  18,  1849, 
Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  reported  that  "satisfactory  evidence  of  good 
standing"  having  been  furnished,  the  charter  of  Jerusalem  Encampment, 
No.  1,  had  been  forwarded  to  Grand  Representative  J.  P.  Chapman,  of 
Indiana,  on  July  23,  1849.  Grand  Patriarch  Isaac  H.  Taylor,  January 
7,  1850,  reported  to  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Indiana,  that  he  had 
received  from  Grand  Representative  Chapman  the  charter,  books,  etc., 
of  Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  1,  and  that  the  encampment  was  reopened 
and  officers  installed,  August  24, 1849,  by  John  Dixon,  District  Deputy 
Grand  Patriarch,  of  Jeffersonville.  Thus  was  No.  1  restored,  and  from 
that  time  it  has  been  a  good  working  body  of  about  100  members. 

Wildey  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Madison,  was  instituted,  and  a  war- 
rant given,  by  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey  himself,  in  August  or  Septem- 
ber, 1838.  Referring  again  to  the  Past  Grand  Sire's  report  as  "  travelling 
agent,"  we  find  this  entry ;  — 

"  At  Madison,  IndiaDa,  upon  proper  applicaUon,  your  agent  opened  an  encampment, 
and  installed  the  officers." 

The  warrant  for  this  body  was  confirmed  October  5, 1838.  Bethlehem 
Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Lawrenceburg,  through  Patriarch  Morrison  and 
others,  applied  for  a  warrant  at  the  session  of  1844 ;  but,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  a  sufficient  number  of  the  petitioners  were  not  of  the  Royal 
Purple  degree,  the  petition  was  referred  to  the  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire,  of  Indiana,  authorizing  him  to  receive  the  petition  when  the  requi- 
site number  of  qualified  members  of  the  Order  had  signed  it.  That  this 
was  done  is  in  evidence,  but  when,  does  not  appear ;  neither  can  we  find 
that  a  charter  was  ever  granted.  The  only  record  is  a  report  of  the 
committee  on  returns  September  18,  1845,  that  the  returns  of  Bethle- 
hem Encampment,  No.  3,  are  correct,  and  the  fact  that  these  so  appear 
in  the  tables  of  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely,  though  in  one  place  the  name 
of  the  encampment  appears  as  ^^  Bethlehem,"  and  in  the  other  as  ^^  Bethel." 
Trouble  seems  to  have  followed  this  organization.  In  1846  Grand  Sire 
Thomas  Sherlock  reports  Bethlehem  Encampment,  No.  3,  removed  from 


596  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Lawrenceburg  to  Aurora,  without  proper  authority,  though  it  had  a 
dispensation  to  do  so  from  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  Patriarch 
Brown.  This  officer  seems  to  have  been  energetic,  though  he  may  have 
lacked  discretion,  or  want  of  knowledge  of  his  duties  and  powers.  In 
the  same  address  Grand  Bire  Sherlock  noticed  that  his  district  deputy 
had,  without  authority,  instituted  three  encampments  in  Indiana.  The 
work  of  these  encampments  was  immediately  suspended,  and  the  whole 
matter  referred  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  September  25, 1846,  the  committee 
on  petitions  reported  that  the  papers  before  them  for 

'*  Encampments  in  the  towns  of  Indianapolis,  Lafayette,  and  Laurel  were  in  due  form, 
that  they  were  improperly  instituted  by  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  under  a  misappre- 
hension of  the  powers  and  duties  of  his  office," — 

But  as  he  intended  no  wrong  they  recommended  that  legal  charters 
be  granted,  which  report  and  recommendation  were  adopted.  The  three 
encampments  were :  Sherlock,  No.  4,  at  Laurel ;  Metropolitan,  No.  5,  at 
Indianapolis ;  Wabash,  No.  6,  at  Lafayette. 

Sherlock  Encampment,  No.  3,  —  which  it  was  against  the  judgment  of 
the  Grand  Sire  to  have  located  at  Laurel,  —  is  defunct ;  while  the  other 
two  are  among  the  strongest  encampments  of  the  state.  Mishawaka 
Encampment,  No.  7,  at  Mishawaka,  was,  also,  chartered  at  the  session  of 
1846,  on  a  petition  signed  by  seven  brethren.  Wayne  Encampment  (now 
Hebron),  No.  8,  at  Centreville,  was  duly  chartered  at  the  session  of  1847, 
but  no  further  mention  is  made  of  it. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Indiana.  — As  early  as  1845,  Wildey  Encampment, 
No.  2,  and  Bethlehem,  No.  3,  petitioned  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  for  a  warrant  to  open  a  Grand  Encampment ;  but,  while  the  com- 
mittee reported  favorably,  the  Grand  Lodge  referred  the  matter  to  the 
Grand  Sire  to  be  granted  when  a  "  constitutional  application  "  should  have 
been  made.  The  matter  was  allowed  to  rest  until  September  20,  1847, 
when  Grand  Representative  J.  P.  Chapman  presented  a  petition  from  the 
subordinate  encampments  of  Indiana  asking  for  a  Grand  Encampment,  to 
be  located  at  Indianapolis,  and  the  same  was  granted  the  day  following. 
January  10,  1848,  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  was  duly  insti- 
tuted at  Indianapolis,  by  Grand  Representative  Chapman,  as  Special 
Deputy.  Representatives  from  encampments  Nos.  2,  5,  and  6  were  present. 
Christian  Bucher  was  elected  "  M.  W.  Grand  Chief  Patriarch." 

We  note  in  these  early  records  that  the  Grand  Patriarch  was  called 
"Grand  C%i>/ Patriarch,"  a  title  too  often  erroneously  given  at  the  present 
time,  when  there  is  not  the  excuse  for  so  doing  that  there  was  in  those 
days.  The  titles  of  officers  are  now  so  well  established  that  there  should 
be  no  such  mistake  as  adding  "OAie/"  to  the  title  of  Grand  Patriarch. 
Another  curious  misapplication  of  title  appears,  and  that  is  in  putting 
"  Grand  Patriarch  "  before  the  name  of  each  member  present.     If  "  Grand 


PATBIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  597 

Patriarch"  was  the  rank  of  each  member  of  the  Grand  Encampment,  then 
it  would  be  proper  to  call  the  presiding  officer  "  Grand  Chief  Patriarch/' 
but  not  otherwise.  These  titles  do  not  appear  in  any  proceedings  later 
than  the  first  session. 

A  petition  was  presented  at  this  session  for  South  Bend  Encampment, 
Xo.  9,  to  be  located  at  South  Bend,  in  which  the  name  of  that  dis- 
tinguished son  of  Indiana,  Schuyler  Colfax,  appears;  and  one,  also,  for 
Miami  Encampment,  No.  10,  in  the  town  of  Logansport;  all  of  which 
were  granted,  and  the  same  duly  constituted. 

Schuyler  Colfax. — July  9,  1849,  Schuyler  Colfax  entered  the  Grand 
Encampment  at  its  annual  session  as  a  past  high  priest,  and  was  elected 
Grand  Eepresentative  at  the  same  session.  At  the  January  semi-annual 
session,  1850,  Past  Chief  Patriarch  Milton  Hemdon  entered.  He  was 
afterward  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  Acting  Grand  Sire  in  1861-62.  The 
following,  relative  to  the  "  Ladies'  degree,"  may  not  be  uninteresting.  It 
is  found  in  the  report  of  Grand  Representative  Schuyler  Colfax,  to  his 
Grand  Encampment,  January  19, 1852.  Referring  to  the  recommendation 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Indiana  that  a  suitable  degree  be  prepared  to 
confer  on  the  wives  of  Scarlet  degree  members.  Patriarch  Colfax  said :  — 

"  At  the  Cincinnati  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  that  body  adopted 
a  minority  report  of  yonr  Representative  from  the  legislative  committee  in  favor  of  such  a 
degree.  And  the  Grand  Sire  honored  him  by  selecting  him  as  the  chairman  of  the  committee 
to  prepare  it,  and  report  it  for  the  consideration  of  the  recent  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
In  pursuance  of  this  commission,  it  was  prepared  and  reported ;  and,  after  considerable 
debate,  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  47  to  37,  and  is  now  incorporated  into  our  Order." 

To  Patriarch  Schuyler  Colfax  the  ladies  are  indebted  for  the  creation, 
—  as  chairman  of  the  committee, — of  the  popular  Rebekah  degree. 

The  growth  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  this  Grand  jurisdiction  has 
been  steady,  and  many  have  been  the  faithful  patriarchs  who  have  found 
pleasure  within  its  circle.  The  Rev.  Thomas  G.  Beharrell ;  General  P.  A. 
Hackleman,  Past  Grand  Representative,  who  fell  at  Corinth,  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  while  leading  his  command  in  that  fierce  battle 
in  the  war  for  the  Union;  the  present  distinguished  Grand  Scribe,  the 
Rev.  B.  F.  Foster ;  *  and  the  late  Thomas  Underwood,  and  John  W.  Mc- 
Quiddy  are  in  evidence  of  that  fact. 

There  are  two  hundred  and  six  encampments  and  11,324  patriarchs  in 
Indiana. 

Iowa. — The  year  1847  (February  25th),  saw  the  first  encampment 
instituted  in  Iowa,  in  the  city  of  Dubuque.  That  the  instituting  oflBcer 
was  John  G.  Potts,  of  Galena,  Illinois,  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
for  Northern  Illinois  and  the  Northwest  Territory,  there  can  be  no  doubt, 

>  Note  by  ih4  Sditor-in-Chief.  —  Since  this  was  written.  Brother  Foster  has  been  called  to  the  better 
life.  He  passed  to  rest  October  19, 1S96,  set.  76.  He  had  materially  assisted  in  the  preparation  of  this  work, 
and  was  outspoken  in  IkTOr  of  its  pUtn,  and  corps  of  contributors. 


598  THE  THBEE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

and  it  is  also  certain  that  he  was  assisted  by  the  patriarchs  of  Leadmine 
Encampment,  No.  5,  of  Illinois. 

Speaking  of  Iowa,  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  said,  in  his  report  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  September  21, 1847 :  — 

"  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  John  G.  Potts  continues  to  exert  his  invaluable  services  in 
behalf  of  the  Order  in  this  district,  through  whom  all  the  returns  are  regularly  made  to  this 
office.  An  encampment  of  patriarchs  has  been  instituted  in  this  (Iowa)  jurisdiction  during 
the  recess." 

The  warrant  for  Halcyon  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Dubuque,  was  con- 
firmed September  21, 1847.  The  records  of  this  encampment  having  been 
lost  or  destroyed,  we  can  get  no  information  as  to  its  early  labors,  though 
personally  familiar  with  its  membership  and  work  for  more  than  forty 
years.  We  have,  since  writing  the  above,  learned  that  the  following  were 
the  charter  members :  David  Decker,  William  H.  Kobbins,  Ira  S.  Dodson, 
B.  F.  Davis,  G.  P.  Abel,  L.  D.  Randall,  and  Amos  Matthews.  We  are 
indebted  to  Past  Grand  Representative  Thomas  Hardie,  an  old  Illinois 
Odd  Fellow,  of  Dubuque,  Iowa,  for  rescuing  the  names  of  these  pioneer 
patriarchs  of  Iowa  from  oblivion.  Eureka  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Bur- 
lington, was  chartered  the  same  day ;  and,  singular  to  say,  it  was  again 
chartered  and  confirmed  at  the  session  of  1848.  In  this  year  four  encamp- 
ments were  instituted,  and  their  warrants  were  approved  September  20, 
1848,  of  which  we  have  no  other  data  than  as  follows :  State  Encampment, 
No.  3,  at  Davenport ;  Prairie,  No.  4,  at  Bloomington,  now  at  Muscatine ; 
Good  Samaritan,  No.  5,  at  Iowa  City ;  Iowa,  No.  6,  at  Fairfield. 

The  year  1849  saw  the  institution  of  the  seventh  and  last  body  prior 
to  the  organization  of  the  Grand  Encampment,  which  was  Puckechetuck 
Encampment,  No.  7,  at  Keokuk,  instituted  by  James  Thorrington,  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  Iowa,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September 
19, 1849. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Iowa.  —  The  formation  of  a  Grand  Encampment 
was  discussed  in  the  subordinate  bodies,  in  this  state,  during  1850,  and  an 
application  was  made  for  a  warrant ;  but,  owing  to  the  failure  to  receive 
reports  from  the  subordinate  encampments,  the  Grand  Sire  declined  to 
grant  the  request,  and  his  action  was  approved  at  the  September  session 
in  1850.  The  next  year  the  petition  was  renewed ;  and,  on  September  20, 
1851,  it  was  resolved  that  the  request  be  granted  and  that  when  the  Grand 
Encampment  was  instituted  it  should  be  located  in  Muscatine.  In  accord- 
ance with  the  above  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  a  warrant  was  issued,  and 
June  17,  1852,  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  was  duly  organized 
by  Amos  Matthews,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  Iowa,  and  the  warrant 
was  confirmed  September  22nd  of  the  same  year.  Of  the  patriarchs  who 
participated  two  are  living:  John  Bridgman  of  Prairie  Encampment, 
No.  4,  and  H.  W.  Lathrop  of  Good  Samaritan,  No.  6. 


/ 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  699 

At  the  1856  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  Grand 
Sire  William  Ellison  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  State  Encampment, 
No.  3,  of  Iowa,  —  the  charter  of  which  had  been  recalled  in  1852,  prior  to 
the  organization  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  that  state,  —  was  again  at 
work  Tinder  a  new  charter  from  the  Grand  Encampment ;  that  this  was 
contrary  to  law,  but  as  no  disrespect  was  intended  he  would  recommend 
the  prayer  of  the  petition  of  No.  3,  for  restoration  of  charter,  filed  in  1854, 
and  inadvertently  overlooked,  be  now  granted,  and  the  charter  restored. 
This  recommendation  of  the  Grand  Sire  was  supplemented  by  a  resolution 
of  Representative  William  Garrett,  of  Iowa,  that  the  warrant,  effects,  and 
funds  of  State  Encampment,  No.  3,  then  in  the  custody  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  be  also  restored,  and  the  same  was  adopted  September  21, 1856. 

At  the  1863  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  William 
Garrett,  Grand  Representative,  presented  the  resolutions  of  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  Iowa  urging  the  propriety  of  "  merging  the  R.  W.  Grand 
Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  of  Iowa  in  one  Grand  Lodge."  The 
report  of  the  committee  on  this  petition  was  "  adverse  to  any  action  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  subject,"  and  the  report  was  adopted. 

The  jurisdiction  of  Iowa  gave  to  the  Order  one  Grand  Sire,  the  late 
Brother  Erie  J.  Leech,  and  more  efficient  representatives  in  the  Grand 
Lodge,  or  workers  in  the  Order,  cannot  be  found  than  William  Garrett 
(deceased),  for  so  many  years  the  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Scribe; 
J.  Norwood  Clark ;  Benjamin  Rupert ;  Thomas  Hardie,  formerly  of  Illi- 
nois (pioneer  Odd  Fellow  of  Canada) ;  and  the  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
for  Europe,  Patriarch  Herman  Block. 

There  were,  at  the  last  reports  from  this  jurisdiction,  one  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  working  encampments,  in  which  are  "tented"  5743  patriarchs. 

Kansas.  —  The  first  warrant  for  an  encampment  in  Kansas  was  issued 
by  Grand  Sire  Samuel  Craighhead,  in  1859,  to  seven  brothers,  among  whom 
was  C.  A.  Logan.  Ear  West  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Leavenworth  City, 
was  instituted  March  14th,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  22, 
1859.  In  the  name  of  "  C.  A.  Logan,"  we  recognize  Doctor  Cornelius  A. 
Logan,  afterward  Grand  Sire,  and  United  States  Minister  to  Chile,  into 
which  country  and  South  America  he  introduced  the  Order  while  resident 
Minister.     He  is  now  temporarily  residing  in  California. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1864, 

Grand  Representative  C.  A.  Logan  presented  the  request  of  Far  West 

Encampment,  No.  1,  of  Kansas,  that  it  be  placed  imder  the  jurisdiction  of 

the  Grand  Encampment  of  Missouri 

"Until  such  time  as  there  may  be  the  requisite  number  of  patriarchs  in  the  state  of 
Kansas  to  petition  for  a  Grand  Encampment," 

And  with  it  a  resolution  directing  that  the  same  be  done,  which  was 
adopted.    In  1866  Grand  Sire  Isaac  M.  Yeitch  reported  having  granted 


X 


600  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

warrants  for  the  following  encampments :  Schiller,  No.  2,  at  Leavenworth, 
May  12, 1866 ;  Shawnee,  No.  3,  at  Topeka,  June  12,  1866 ;  Mount  Oread, 
No.  4,  at  Lawrence,  July  16, 1866 ;  Osage,  No.  5,  at  Burlingame,  Septem- 
ber 7, 1866 ;  and  that 

**  The  Indications  now  are  that  Kansas  will,  at  this  session,  ask  for  a  Grand  Encamp- 
ment in  that  state." 

The  prophecy  was  true,  for,  on  the  next  day,  a  petition  was  presented, 
asking  a  warrant  for  a  Grand  Encampment,  signed  by  the  five  encamp- 
ments in  the  state;  and,  September  20,  1866,  the  warrants  of  the  four 
encampments,  instituted  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  were  con- 
firmed, and  a  charter  was  granted  to  establish  a  Grand  Encampment. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Kansas.  —  October  9,  1866,  the  Right  Worthy 
Grand  Encampment  was  duly  organized,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Cor- 
nelius A.  Logan  officiating.  Duly  qualified  representatives  were  present 
from  encampments  Kos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  and  visitors  from  No.  1.  H.  J. 
Ganniff  was  the  first  Grand  Patriarch,  and  Stewart  Hastings  was  elected 
Grand  Kepresentative. 

At  the  next  annual  session,  B.  J.  F.  Hanna,  a  Past  Grand  Patriarch 
and  Past  Grand  Eepresentative  of  Illinois,  was  present  as  a  visitor  and 
officiated,  by  request,  in  presenting  the  grand  officers-elect  for  installation. 
Patriarch  Hanna  soon  afterward  became  a  member  of  this  Grand  body, 
and  proved  as  efficient  a  member  in  Kansas  as  he  had  been  in  his  native 
state  of  Illinois.'  The  genial  first  Grand  Scribe,  Samuel  Francis  Burdett, 
served  until  "  called  above  "  November  27,  1891,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  the  present  efficient  officer,  Ed.  T.  Kees,  whose  labors  are  constant  in 
the  interests  of  the  patriarchs  of  that  Grand  jurisdiction. 

There  are  now  one  hundred  and  five  encampments  and  3312  members. 

Kentucky. — The  first  mention  we  have  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in 
this  state  is  the  presentation  of  a  petition,  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  August  16,  1834,  for  an  encampment,  and  the  granting  of 
the  same  on  the  day  of  its  presentation. 

Twelve  petitioners  asked  that  a  charter  be  granted  for  an  encampment 
to  be  instituted  at  Louisville,  and  to  be  known  as  Mount  Horeb,  No.  1. 
This  body  was  duly  instituted,  as  we  have  evidence  of  its  existence  to-day, 
with  a  membership  of  44. 

The  next  encampment  to  be  formed  was  Olive  Branch,  No.  2,  at 
Covington,  the  charter  of  which  was  granted  to  seven  patriarchs  May  17, 
1837.     This  body  is  now  defunct. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Kentucky. — From  the  report  of  the  ^<  travelling 
agent,"  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  we  learn  that  he  granted  a  charter  for 
the  Eight  Worthy  Grand  Encampment,  and  that  it  was  instituted,  at 
Louisville,  November  21,  1839.      The  warrant  was  confirmed  April  23, 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BT  JURISDICTIONS.  601 

1840.  The  first  Grand  Patriarch,  Henry  Wolford,  was  distinguished  as 
an  earnest  worker,  became  Grand  Master,  Grand  Representative,  etc.,  and 
was  a  faithful  public  officer,  serving  for  more  than  forty  years  as  treasurer 
of  the  city  of  Louisville. 

The  succeeding  Grand  Patriarchs  were  well-known  members,  and 
many  of  them,  —  like  Taliaferro  P.  ShafiFner  and  William  W.  Morris,  — 
are  names  known  throughout  the  Order.  Our  own  recollections  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Shaffner  Encampment,  No.  10,  at  Harrodsburg,  are  pleasant ; 
for  the  writer  visited  and  instructed  the  patriarchs  of  that  body  in  1862, 
just  after  the  hard-fought  battle  of  Perryville.  Neither  can  we  forget 
that  Kentucky  gave  to  the  Order  Past  Grand  Sire  Milton  J.  Durham, 
whom  we  met  at  his  home  in  Danville,  in  those  days  when  the  patriarchs' 
swords  had  not  been  beaten  into  ploughshares,  neither  had  their  spears 
been  turned  into  pruning  hooks.  All  is  changed  now  for  the  better,  and 
we  trust  for  all  time. 

This  Grand  Encampment,  organized  from  the  officers  of  but  two  sub- 
ordinates, has  had  a  continued  existence,  during  which  time  seventy-seven 
additional  bodies  have  been  instituted ;  but  of  which  only  forty  survive, 
with  a  membership  of  1559,  and  assets  $38,080. 

Louisiana.  —  March  5,  1832,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
granted  a  charter  for  Wildey  Encampment,  No.  1,  to  be  located  in  New 
Orleans,  and  December  24, 1832,  it  was  instituted  by  Grand  Sire  Thomas 
Wildey  in  person.  Four  of  the  eight  charter  members,  —  Joel  C.  Davis, 
Mellville  Grossman,  Francis  C.  Davis,  and  A.  W.  Scates, — became  the  first 
Grand  Masters  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana,  and  in  the  order  as 
named. 

We  do  not  know  on  what  evidence  the  Louisiana  claim  is  based  that 
this  encampment  was  instituted  on  Christmas  Eve,  1832,  but  we  very 
much  doubt  the  correctness  of  the  date.  The  facts  are  that  Grand  Sire 
Wildey  went  to  New  Orleans,  from  Louisville,  Kentucky,  landing  in  that 
city  on  the  24th  of  December.  He  was  there  for  two  purposes :  One,  to 
institute  the  encampment ;  and  the  other,  to  institute  the  Grand  Lodge. 
It  is  not  at  all  probable  that  the  petitioners  for  the  encampment  were 
in  possession  of  the  patriarchal  degrees,  and  certainly  not  all  of  them 
could  have  been  so  qualified.  This  would  necessitate  the  conferring  of 
the  degrees  upon  them,  the  institution  of  the  encampment,  and  installation 
of  officers.  We  find  that  after  landing,  December  24th,  the  Grand  Sire 
attended  a  preliminary  meeting  of  the  past  grands,  who  were  to  form  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  that  a  part  of  the  business  transacted  at  that  meeting 
was  the  election  of  officers,  who  were  not  installed  until  January  6, 1833, 
when  the  Grand  Lodge  was  instituted.  Now  as  Grand  Sire  Wildey 
remained  in  New  Orleans  until  January  15th,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that 
the  encampment  was  instituted  at  a  later  date  than  December  24,  1832. 


602  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

This  much,  however,  is  certain,  that  the  encampment  was  instituted  late 
in  December,  1832,  or  early  in  January,  1833. 

In  1841  it  was  found  that  there  was  a  bare  quorum  of  seven  left  in 
the  encampment,  two  of  whom  were  not  members  of  the  subordinate 
lodge.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  refused  to  recognize  the 
election  of  officers  by  the  seven  patriarchs,  and  recommended  that  the  five 
in  good  standing  use  their  best  exertions  to  have  the  other  two  members 
reinstated  in  their  lodges.  We  presume  it  was  accomplished,  as  the 
encampment  is  at  work  to  this  day,  and  its  reports  appeared  every  year 
from  that  time. 

There  is  no  record  to  be  found  of  the  institution  of  Louisiana  Encamp- 
ment, No.  2,  at  St.  Francisville,  in  the  archives  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  though  its  report  is  found  in  the  tables  for  September, 
1841,  and  following  years.  It  was  afterward  removed  to  Bayou  Sara. 
The  warrant  for  Hobah  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  New  Orleans,  was  issued 
by  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Sherlock,  and  confirmed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States  September  23,  1846.  The  warrant  for  Magnolia 
Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Baton  Rouge,  was,  also,  issued  by  Grand  Sire 
Sherlock,  and  confirmed  September  21, 1847. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Louisiana.  —  Grand  Sire  Horn  E.  Kneass  issued 
a  warrant  for  the  Eight  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  October  12,  1847, 
during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge;  the  Grand  body  was  instituted 
February  10, 1848,  in  New  Orleans,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  Sep- 
tember 20, 1848.  The  dispensation  was  issued  to  Wildey  Encampment, 
No.  1 ;  Louisiana,  No.  2 ;  Hobah,  No.  3 ;  and  Magnolia,  No.  4,  with  Grand 
Representative  H.  McKinnell,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  as  the  institut- 
ing officer.  There  were  ten  past  chief  patriarchs  and  eight  past  high 
priests  present.  The  Grand  Encampment  degree  having  been  conferred, 
and  the  officers  elected,  they  were  installed.  The  faithful  Luther  Homes 
and  John  G.  Dunlap  were  Grand  Masters,  Grand  Patriarchs,  and  Grand 
Representatives,  while  Grand  Sire  George  W.  Race  was  given  to  the 
Order  by  this  Grand  Encampment.  Patriarchal  Odd  Fellowship  was  at 
a  premium  in  those  days,  in  Louisiana,  as  the  Grand  Encampment  estab- 
lished the  price  of  a  charter  for  the  subordinate  bodies  at  $100.  We  do 
not  know  what  it  is  now. 

There  are  now  nine  encampments  with  a  membership  of  230  in  this 
jurisdiction. 

Maine. — The  warrant  for  the  first  encampment  in  this  state  was 
issued  by  Howell  Hopkins,  Grand  Sire,  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  the  charter  was  confirmed  September  16,  1844.  Patriarch 
George  W.  Churchill  was  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and,  as  such, 
instituted  Machigonne  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Portland,  November  7, 
1843.     The  following  named  patriarchs  were  present:   J.  N.  Winslow, 


PATRIARCHAL   ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  603 

D.  Robinson,  Jr.,  A.  P.  Cleverly,  W.  D.  Ames,  C.  Cnmmings,  J.  Newmarch, 
and  A.  W.  Pollard.  Patriarchs  J.  N.  Winslow  and  D.  Robinson,  Jr.,  —  the 
first  Chief  Patriarch  and  High  Priest,  —  were  members  of  Maine  Lodge, 
No.  1,  while  it  is  not  known  whence  the  other  members  came,  or  where 
they  journeyed;  as,  before  the  evening  closed,  withdrawal  cards  were 
voted  to  them.  It  is  probable  that  they  belonged  in  Boston,  where  Win- 
slow  and  Robinson  had,  most  likely,  taken  the  degrees,  and  induced  these 
patriarchs  to  lend  the  use  of  their  names  to  organize  the  new  encamp- 
ment. Twenty-one  petitions  were  received  and  petitioners  elected,  of 
which  nineteen  of  the  "elect"  were  admitted  and  the  degrees  conferred. 

The  name  of  this  encampment  is  the  Indian  name  for  the  land  upon 
which  the  city  of  Portland  is  built,  "  Machigonne " ;  which,  according 
to  some  authorities,  means  " Bad  Lands"  or  "Bad  Clay,"  while  others, 
and  we  believe  the  latter  are  correct,  say  that  it  refers  to  the  form  of  the 
promontory  or  peninsula,  which  was  like  the  sharp  crook  of  the  elbow. 
From  this  fact  it  was  called  by  the  Indians  "  Great  Bend "  or  "  Crooked 
Elbow."  It  could  never  have  been  "  bad  land,"  for  it  has  produced  too 
many  men  of  sterling  merit  to  have  been  even  a  "bad  camping-ground." 
Machigonne,  or  "  Great  Bend  "  Encampment,  has  been  steadily  at  work  dur- 
ing these  long  years  and  never  failed  to  make  a  report.  It  has  a  member- 
ship of  370,  the  second  largest  in  the  state,  and  fourth  largest  in  the  world. 

Eastern  Star  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Portland,  was  instituted  April  10, 

1844,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  George  W.  Churchill. 

In  the  minutes  we  find  two  officers,  —  "  S.  of  N.," — not  noted  in  any 
record  which  has  ever  before  come  under  our  notice,  but  we  recognize 
them,  —  as  under  the  first  ritual  of  the  patriarchal  degrees,  —  and  they 
were  known  as  the  "  Sons  of  Nimrod."     (See  Part  I.,  Chapter  III.) 

Sagamore  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Augusta,  was  instituted  July  19, 

1845,  with  seven  charter  members.  Katadin,  No.  4,  at  Bangor,  was  insti- 
tuted in  September,  1844.  Hobah,  No.  5,  at  Saco,  was  instituted  October 
23, 1844.  This  encampment,  like  No.  1,  named  "  Sons  of  Nimrod"  among 
its  first  officers.  Sagadahoc,  No.  6,  at  Bath,  was  instituted  in  December, 
1844.  Churchill,  No.  7,  at  Thomaston,  was  instituted  the  same  month. 
Border,  No.  8,  at  Bangor,  was  instituted  in  1845,  and  the  charter  was  re- 
claimed in  1853.  The  charters  of  Sagamore,  No.  3,  and  Churchill,  No.  7, 
have,  also,  been  recalled,  and  their  places  filled  with  more  vigorous  bodies. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Maine.  —  At  the  September  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  a  petition  was  presented  from  encampments 
Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  praying  that  a  charter  issue  for  a  Grand  Encamp- 
ment ;  and,  September  13, 1845,  the  prayer  was  granted. 

In  accordance  with  the  warrant  granted,  the  Right  Worthy  Grand 
Encampment  was  duly  instituted,  in  Portland,  October  23,  1845,  by 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Rev.  Albert  Case,  of  South  Carolina. 


604  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  first  Grand  Patriarch,  —  Theophilus  Hersey,  —  was  a  zealous  Odd 
Fellow,  the  first  initiate  of  Maine  Lodge,  Ko.  1,  and  the  father  of  Eastern 
Star  Encampment,  No.  2.     He  died  April  3, 1886,  aged  seventy-four. 

This  Grand  body  met  semi-annually  for  several  years,  and  its  records 
were  partially  destroyed  by  the  great  fire  of  Portland,  in  1853.  From  1850 
to  1856  the  Order  declined ;  and,  $150  being  due  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  the  Grand  Encampment 

"  Resolvedy  That  the  patriarch  who  shall  be  elected  to  the  ofELce  of  Grand  Representative 
be  required,  preyious  to  election,  to  pledge  himaelf  to  pay  the  representative  tax  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States." 

What  success  they  attained  we  do  not  know,  as  the  historian  fails  to 
tell.  We  do  note,  however,  that  for  two  years  following  this  Grand  body 
was  not  represented  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  A  rather 
summary  way  of  paying  one's  debts,  we  should  say,  and  beats  the  16  to  1 
of  a  later  day. 

In  1859  but  four  encampments  made  reports,  and  the  membership  had 
been  reduced  to  153,  yet  the  Grand  Patriarch  had  faith  and  declared  that : 
'^  We  still  live."  In  1862  six  eilcampments  reported  and  there  was  an  in- 
crease in  me'mbers  of  thirty-five,  which,  from  that  day,  steadily  increased 
both  as  to  encampments  and  members,  —  of  which  there  are  now  of  the 
former,  fifty-one,  and  a  membership  of  5230;  with  annual  receipts, 
$22,483;  and  invested  funds,  $69,352.  Of  the  original  encampments 
Nos.  1, 2,  and  5  never  faltered ;  and  to  the  honor  of  Eastern  Star  Encamp- 
ment, No.  2,  be  it  said,  that  its  membership  of  four  hundred  and  fifty- 
five,  places  it  at  the  head  of  that  jurisdiction,  and  makes  it  the  largest 
encampment  in  the  world. 

Many  have  been  the  earnest  workers  in  this  the  easternmost  field,  of 
patriarchal  Odd  Fellowship  in  the  United  States.  A  few  have  been 
known  only  to  the  Order,  while  many  have  been  successful  business  men, 
—  known  and  respected  in  the  communities  where  they  lived,  —  and 
others  have  risen  to  distinction  in  civil  life,  and  are  known  to  the  state 
and  nation.  Among  the  names  not  to  be  forgotten  are  those  of  Benjamin 
Kingsbury,  Jr.,  Edward  P.  Banks,  Nathaniel  G.  Cummings,  and  William 
H.  Smith,  all  of  whom  are  within  the  "Tent  of  the  Grand  Patriarch 
on  High,"  while  of  those  remaining  with  us  are  the  aged  and  faithful 
Patriarchs  Edward  P.  Burnham,  Joshua  Davis,  Orin  B.  Whitten,  and 
Benjamin  C.  Stone. 

Manitoba.  —  The  warrant  for  Harmony  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Winni- 
peg, was  issued  May  25,  1874,  by  Grand  Sire  Cornelius  A.  Logan,  the 
encampment  was  instituted  May  2^,  1874,  by  Past  Chief  Patriarch  James 
Hall  Emslie,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  24, 1874.  La  Prairie,  No.  2,  in  the  town  of  Portage  La  Prairie, 
was  instituted  May  25, 1883,  by  John  P.  Young,  District  Deputy  Grand 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  605 

Sire,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  21, 1883.  Eureka,  No.  3, 
at  Winnipeg;  was  instituted  August  11^  1884,  by  the  above-named  deputy/ 
and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  19, 1884.  At  the  September 
session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodges  Harmony  Encampment,  No.  1,  and 
Eureka,  No.  3,  petitioned  to  have  the  admission  fee  for  the  patriarchal 
degrees  reduced  to  eight  dollars,  and  the  constitution  of  subordinate 
encampments  was  so  amended. 

Excelsior  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Morden,  was  instituted  July  31, 1888, 
by  Horace  J.  Raymer,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the  warrant  was 
confirmed  September  20, 1888.  Union,  No.  5,  at  Brandon,  was  instituted 
January  20,  1890,  by  Grand  Bepresentative  Harper  Wilson,  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire,  who  had  been  authorized  to  confer  the  patriarchal 
degrees  upon  twenty-two  brothers,  to  enable  them  to  petition  for  this 
encampment,  the  warrant  of  which  was  confirmed  September  19,  1890. 
The  five  encampments  petitioning  for  a  Grand  Encampment,  the  re- 
quest was  granted  September  19,  1890,  and  the  warrant  was  issued  by 
Gl.  T.  Campbell,  Deputy  and  Acting  Grand  Sire.  The  charter  bears  date 
October  8, 1890,  and  is  signed  by  Grand  Sire  Charles  M.  Busbee. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Manitoba.  —  This  Grand  body  was  instituted  in 
the  city  of  Winnipeg,  October  29, 1890,  by  Grand  Representative  Harper 
Wilson,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  who  called  the  patriarchs  together  in 
Odd  Fellows'  hall  at  "20.30,  o'clock,"  — if  our  United  States  patriarchs 
know  what  hour  that  is !  In  the  patriarchal  language  of  this  latitude  we 
would  call  it  8.30  p.m. 

The  constitution  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Ontario  was  adopted 
for  the  government  of  this  body  until  another  should  be  reported.  One 
of  the  pleasant  features  of  the  occasion  was  the  presentation  to  the  Grand 
Encampment,  by  Patriarch  Harper  Wilson,  of  the  jewel  he  had  worn 
while  Grand  Patriarch  of  Ontario. 

This  Grand  Encampment  has  met  regularly,  has  had  a  steady  growth 
in  membership  to  324  patriarchs,  —  adding  one  encampment,  making  six 
at  this  time.  The  efficient  Grand  Scribe,  D.  E.  McKinnon,  has  been 
yearly,  and  unanimously,  reelected. 

Grand  Encampment  of  the  Maritime  Provinces.  —  This  Grand  Encamp- 
ment^ was  instituted  at  Summerside,  Prince  Edward  Island,  August  9, 
1892,  by  Benjamin  Bremner,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the  war- 
rant was  approved  September  23, 1892.  The  capitation  tax  was  fixed 
at  forty  cents,  and  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  was  asked  to  release  the 
subordinate  encampments  from  the  payment  of  any  accrued  dues  to  that 
Grand  body,  —  the  same  to  be  paid  to  the  new  Grand  Encampment,  which 

>  IfoU  by  the  Ediior^n-ChUf.  —  In  this  connection  read  **  Province  of  Oan*dA,  Ontwlo  I.,"  "  Lower 
ProTlnces  of  British  North  America,"  "Ontario  II.,**  end  "Qnebeo,"  in  this  work,  —following  Oregon  In 
their  order.    Also  Division  VI.,  British  North  America,  by  Past  Grand  Sire  CampbelL 


606  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

was  done  at  the  first  session  thereafter.  The  encampments  in  the  Lower 
Provinces  were  renumbered  from  one  to  eight,  the  number  of  subordinates 
with  which  this  Grand  Encampment  started. 

The  growth  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  these  provinces  has  been 
steady,  and  gives  promise  of  permanency.  The  sessions  of  the  Grand 
Encampment  are  businesslike  and  interesting. 

Grand  Scribe  Frazee,  declining  a  reflection,  in  1895,  resolutions  of 
regret  that  he  should  do  so,  and  commendation  for  past  services,  were 
adopted. 

There  are  now  in  this  jurisdiction  fourteen  encampments  with  a  mem- 
bership of  493. 

Maryland.  —  This  Grand  jurisdiction  is  rich  in  material  for  a  general 
history  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  the  patriarchal  Order  in  particular;  but 
to  do  justice,  even  in  a  limited  article  as  this  must  necessarily  be,  requires 
volumes  of  research  and  personal  recollections,  as  well  as  a  personal  pres- 
ence in  that  Jerusalem  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  city  of  Baltimore.  The 
records  are  unsatisfactory,  frs^mentary,  and  scant;  yet  the  bits  that 
might  be  collected,  in  that  interesting  city,  could  easily  be  woven  into 
as  correct  an  history  of  the  beginning  of  the  patriarchal  Order  as  will 
ever  be  written,  provided  it  is  now  done.  No  one  has  yet  seen  fit  to  do 
so,  and  at  the  remote  distance  of  the  writer  from  the  "  Monument  City,'* 
he  cannot  be  expected  to  do  what  the  local  historian  has  failed  to  perform. 

Having  treated  of  the  origin  of  the  patriarchal  degrees,  in  our  opening 
chapter,  we  shall  confine  ourself  to  the  organization  of  the  subordinates 
and  Grand  Encampment. 

As  before  stated,  in  that  early  chapter,  the  first  encampment  of  this 
Order  was  chartered  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland,  May  15, 1827,  and 
it  was  known  as  "  Encampment  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Maryland,  U.S.A." ;  and 
the  first  mention  of  the  same  is  made  in  the  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  May  1, 1828,  when  Representative  Thomas  Scotch- 
burn,  of  Maryland,  presented  the  returns  of  his  Grand  Lodge  as  its  Grand 
Master.  In  that  report  Patriarch  Scotchbum  informs  the  Grand  Lodge 
that  an  encampment  of  patriarchs  had  been  formed  during  the  year :  — 

"  The  establishment  of  which  is  considered  a  great  improvement  in  the  Order,  as  it  will 
be  the  means  of  extending  useful  knowledge  to  brothers  who  have  become  members  of  a 
Grand  Lodge.  The  return  made  by  the  encampment  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  was 
highly  flattering." 

Ko  further  notice  was  taken  of  this  report  than  to  say  that  it  was 
accepted.  Again  we  refer  the  reader  to  Chapter  L,  for  the  record  of  the 
organization,  membership,  and  officers  of  '^  Encampment  Lodge,  Ko.  1," 
the  name  of  which  had  been  changed  to  that  by  w&ich  it  is  known  to  this 
day,  <' Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  1.'^  Salem  Encampment,  Ko.  2,  at 
Baltimore,  was  soon  afterward  instituted,  —  at  least,  we  presume  that  was 


PATRIABCHAL  OBDEB  BY  JUBISDICTIONS.  607 

the  name,  as  it  now  so  appears, — but  when,  and  by  whom,  instituted  or 
chaHered  is  not  stated.  The  only  record  is  in  the  petition  presented 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  signed  by  Eidgely,  Mathiot, 
Boyd,  and  Bannister  as  past  chief  patriarchs  of  '^  Ko.  2" 

As  will  be  seen,  in  the  history  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  Delaware, 
this  "encampment  of  the  world*'  had  issued  charters  for  subordinate 
bodies  in  other  states ;  but  it  was  not  to  do  so  long,  as  the  founders  soon 
recognized  that  such  a  course  was  not  in  line  with  the  general  system  on 
which  the  Order  was  founded,  which  is  the  plan  of  the  federal  govern- 
ment, the  representation  of  state  constituencies  in  the  general  Congress ; 
or  as  Odd  Fellows,  in  a  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  (now  the  Sov- 
ereign Grand  Lodge).  The  further  fact  that  these  encampments  were 
reporting  to  Grand  Lodges,  in  which  only  a  minority  had  received  the 
patriarchal  degrees,  led  the  founders  to  seek  relief  from  their  anomalous 
situation  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  thus  secure  Grand 
bodies  oi  their  own,  subject  only  to  the  supreme  head  of  the  Order. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Maryland.  —  September  5,  1831,  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  by  the  members  of 
Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  1,  "  praying  for  a  charter  to  open  a  Grand 
Encampment  in  Baltimore,  Maryland  " ;  and  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners 
was  granted.  Under  that  charter  was  organized  the  first  Grand  Encamp- 
ment,—  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  of  Maryland,  —  and  it 
was  duly  instituted  December  31, 1831.  That  this  Grand  body  has  ever 
taken  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  Order  is  evidenced  in  the 
fact  that  petitions  and  resolutions  have  frequently  been  sent  from  its 
members  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  when  it  was  thought 
the  legislation  of  that  body  was  not  for  its  best  interests.  In  1850  a 
protest  and  resolutions  were  sent  complaining  of  the  acts  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  which  met  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,^  and  against  the  increased  tax 
having  been  levied  to  meet  the  "  mileage  and  per  diem  expenses  "  of  that 
session,  and  special  session.  In  answer  the  committee  on  the  state  of  the 
Order  reported  that  the  Grand  Lodge  had  an  unquestioned  right  to  meet 
where  it  saw  proper,  and  that  a  tax  should  not  be  levied  which  would 
create  a  permanent  fund  or 

''Surplus  funds  to  remain  an  idle  investment;  **  and,  "  that  a  contingent  fund  of  $3000 
would  be  ample  to  meet  every  possible  contingency." 

That  report  was  adopted,  and  it  would  be  well  to  have  it  repeated  in 
this  age  of  extravagant  expenditures. 

It  would  seem  invidious  to  name  the  distinguished  members  of  the 
Order  which  this  Grand  jurisdiction  has  presented,  as  there  have  been 
so  many.    We  cannot,  however,  overlook  Thomas  Wildey,  or  James  L. 

1  See  p.  116  of  this  work  for  ftiU  partlealart. 


608  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Ridgely;  and  may  name  Richard  Marley,  Joseph  B.  Escaville,  Joshua 
Vansant,  good  John  Chamberlain,  and  the  courteous  James  Young.  The 
late  Past  Grand  Sire,  Henry  F.  Garey,  was,  also,  from  this  jurisdiction. 

There  have  been  thirty-five  encampments  chartered  in  this  jurisdic- 
tion, of  which  twenty-four  are  still  at  work;  the  membership  is  1023; 
and  the  expenditure  for  relief,  during  the  past  year,  was  $2595. 

Massachusetts.  —  Massasoit  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Boston,  was  insti- 
tuted February  11,  1843;  and,  though  first  on  the  roll  of  that  state,  it 
was  not  the  '^  first  tent  of  the  patriarchs  "  pitched  in  that  Grand  jurisdic- 
tion. In  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  September  5, 
1830,  James  Brice  of  Maryland,  —  who  had  received  the  Grand  Lodge  de- 
gree at  a  session  of  ^'  the  Grand  Committee ''  September  5, 1825,  and  first 
appeared  in  the  Grand  Lodge  as  the  proxy-representative  of  Massachu- 
setts, at  the  session  of  April  25, 1826,  —  arose  in  his  place  and  stated:  — 

*'  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachasetts  has  under  her  juriBdiction  loor  snbordinate 
lodges/  and  one  encampment ;  bat,  no  report  having  been  received,  he  was  nnable  to  give 
any  particulars  of  the  Order." 

Brother  Bidgely,  also,  said  of  the  visit  of  Grand  Sire  Wildey  to  Boston 
in  1829,  that  before  leaving  that  city  an  encampment  was  formally 
opened.  We  have  no  further  reference  to  this  encampment,  and  so  pre- 
sume that  it  <'  went  down  "  in  the  general  apathy  of  the  order  a  few  years 
later  in  that  state.  Evidence,  however,  of  the  good  work  of  that  first 
and  unknown  encampment  is  found  in  the  address  of  Grand  Sire  John  A. 
Kennedy  in  1843,  and  to  him  is  due  the  honor  of  establishing  the  five 
encampments  which  formed  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Massachusetts 
namely:  Massasoit,  No.  1,  at  Boston,  instituted  February  11,  1843,  by 
Past  Grand  Patriarch  Wilson  Small,  of  New  York  City,  assisted  by  Past 
Chief  Patriarch  William  E.  Sanford,  of  Connecticut.  This  warrant  was 
issued  to  Daniel  Hersey,  and  six  other  patriarchs,  "  nearly  all  of  whom 
were  personally  known  to  the  Grand  Sire."  Tri-mount,  No.  2,  at  the  same 
city,  instituted  May  6,  1843,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Daniel 
Hersey.  The  warrant  was  to  Edward  Tyler,  and  six  other  patriarchs, 
who  were  highly  recommended  by  Massasoit  Encampment,  No.  1. 
Menotomy,  No.  3,  at  West  Cambridge  (now  Eidgely,  No.  3,  at  East 
Boston),  instituted  June  21,  1843,  by  Chief  Patriarch  R.  L.  Bobbins. 
This  warrant  issued  to  Patriarch  John  Schouler,  and  seven  others,  all 
with  cards  of  former  membership  in  Massasoit  Encampment,  No.  1,  and 
on  its  recommendation.  Monomake,  No.  4,  at  Lowell,  instituted  June  29, 
1843,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Daniel  Hersey,  and  on  a  warrant 
issued  to  Thomas  Barr,  and  six  other  patriarchs,  all  of  whom  were  ear- 
nestly recommended  by  Massasoit  Encampment,  No.  1.  Bunker  Hill,  No.  6, 
at  Charlestown,  instituted  August  9,  1843,  and  by  the  same  efficient 
deputy.  Patriarch  Daniel  Hersey.     This  warrant  was,  also,  issued  on  the 


■ 


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^H^/.:.. 


THE   EARLY    MASSACHUSETTS   CHARTER. 
(Dated  April  13,   1823.     Reported  Lost.) 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  609 

recommendation  of  Massasoit,  and  to  Patriarch  Samuel  E.  Slack,  and  six 
others. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  Massasoit  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  the 
mother  and  earnest  friend  of  the  other  four  encampments,  three  of  which 
were  duly  instituted  by  Patriarch  Daniel  Hersey ;  and  the  other  would 
have  been,  also,  but  for  a  previous  engagement,  so  he  specially  requested 
Chief  Patriarch  R.  L.  Bobbins  to  perform  that  duty  for  him.  For  these 
and  other  duties  well  performed,  Daniel  Hersey  was  elected  the  furst 
Grand  Patriarch. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Massachusetts.  — For  Grand  Sire  Howell  Hopkins 
was  reserved  the  honor  of  signing  the  warrant  for  this  Right  Worthy 
Grand  Encampment,  which  was  regularly  instituted,  in  the  city  of  Boston, 
March  22, 1844,  and  the  same  was  confirmed  at  the  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  held  September  16,  1844.  The  instituting 
ofEcer  was  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Albert  Guild.  Of  those  present  on 
that  occasion, —  from  the  aforesaid  five  encampments, — none  are  known 
to  be  living  at  this  date. 

Eleven  Grand  Patriarchs  have  been  furnished  by  the  mother  encamp- 
ment, Massasoit,  No.  1 ;  of  whom  the  third  was  William  Ellison,  after- 
ward Grand  Sire;  and,  at  a  later  date,  Charles  Hayden.  Tri-mount, 
No.  2,  gave  to  the  Grand  Encampment  seven  grand  patriarchs,  among 
whom  we  note  those  earnest  workers,  Thomas  C.  Porter  and  James  C. 
Tucker.  The  name  of  Charles  D.  Cole,  whose  long  and  faithful  services 
as  Grand  Scribe  cannot  be  forgotten,  should,  also,  be  mentioned  among 
those  we  have  known  from  this  Grand  jurisdiction. 

The  steady  growth  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  Massachusetts  is  in 
evidence  when  it  is  stated  that  there  are  eighty  encampments,  with  a 
membership  of  10,663 ;  that  the  annual  relief  is  $20,992,  and  the  total 
revenue  $56,705. 

Mexico. — The  introduction  of  the  patriarchal  Order  into  our  sister 
republic  was  on  the  authority  of  Grand  Sire  John  H.  White,  when, 
April  13,  1888,  Patriarch  W.  J.  DeGress,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
was  authorized  to  confer  the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  eight  Scarlet 
degree  members,  so  as  to  enable  them  to  petition  for  an  encampment, 
which  they  speedily  did ;  and  Hidalgo  Encampment,  No.  1,  of  the  City 
of  Mexico,  was  instituted  June  18,  1888,  by  Brother  DeGress,  and  the 
warrant  was  confirmed  September  20,  1888.  William  J.  DeGress  was 
elected  Chief  Patriarch.  This  body  has  never  had  many  members,  —  it 
decreased  to  seven  a  year  ago, — but,  through  the  watchful  care  of  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  Sire  DeGress,  it  has  now  fourteen. 

Michigan.  —  To  that  indefatigable  worker,  Samuel  Yorke  At-Lee, 
whom  we  noted  as  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  we  are  indebted  for  the  introduction  of  the 


610  TBJE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

patriarchal  Order  into  this  state,  and  the  first  mention  of  an  encampment 
which  we  doubt  not  he  instituted.  In  1844  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely 
speaks  highly  of  this  patriarch,  and  tells  us  that  in  his  report  as  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  he  said :  "  There  are  now  five  lodges  and  one  encam]> 
ment  in  Michigan."  We  find  that  the  warrant  for  that  encampment 
was  confirmed  September  17, 1844.  It  is  thus  that  Michigan  Encamp- 
ment, No.  1,  at  Detroit,  is  introduced,  and  it  had  been  instituted  April 
10,  1844.  Marshall,  No.  2,  at  Marshall,  was  instituted  June  23,  1845, 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  A.  S.  Kellogg  officiating,  and  the  two  encamp- 
ments were  placed  under  his  supervision. 

During  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  1846,  warrants  were  for- 
warded to  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  four  encampments,  which 
were  duly  instituted,  and  of  his  labors  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  wrote :  — 

''  He  has  distinguished  himself  by  unremitting  exertions  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  the 
Order." 

These  warrants  were  confirmed  September  23, 1846,  and  the  encamp- 
ments were  as  follows :  Paw  Wah  Ting,  No.  3,  at  Niles,  instituted  Janu- 
ary 5,  1846;  Lenawee,  No.  4,  at  Adrian,  instituted  March  16,  1846; 
Wildey,  No.  5,  at  Jackson,  instituted  March  16, 1846 ;  Samaritan,  No.  6, 
at  Kalamazoo,  instituted  June  23, 1846. 

Of  these  six  encampments,  which  formed  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
Michigan,  Nos.  1  to  5  have  continued  the  good  work,  while  No.  6,  "  dor- 
mant *'  for  a  while,  has  been  revived  as  Kalamazoo,  No.  78,  at  Kalamazoo, 
and  Rose  Lake,  at  Le  Roy,  has  taken  "  No.  6." 

Grand  Encampment  of  Michigan.  —  At  the  September  session  of  1846, 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  a  petition  signed  by  four  of 
the  encampments:  Michigan,  No.  1,  Paw  Wah  Ting,  No.  3,  Lenawee, 
No.  4,  and  Samaritan,  No.  6,  was  presented,  asking  for  a  Grand  Encamp- 
ment to  be  located  at  Kalamazoo.  Upon  this  the  committee  on  peti- 
tions reported  the  next  day,  September  25th,  that  the  petition  was  not 
in  accordance  with  the  law,  and  that  when  all  the  encampments  in  the 
state  had  joined  in  the  petition  the  grand  officers  were  authorized  to  grant 
the  request.  At  the  following  session,  1847,  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Sher- 
lock reported  that  the  law  of  the  Grand  Lodge  having  been  "  complied 
with,"  during  the  recess,  a  warrant  had  been  issued,  and,  September  21st, 
it  was  confirmed.  On  February  4,  1847,  the  Right  Worthy  Grand 
Encampment  was  instituted  in  the  village  of  Kalamazoo,  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  Asher  S.  Kellogg  officiating.  All  the  encampments  were 
represented  except  No.  2.  Committees  were  appointed,  a  constitution 
was  adopted,  and  much  business  of  a  general  character  was  transacted. 
In  fact,  the  opening  session  was  well  conducted  and  gives  evidence  that 
the  patriarchs  knew  their  business. 


PATBIABCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  611 

Of  the  first  Grand  Patriarch,  Colonel  John  Winder  of  Detroit,  the  pres- 
ent Grand  Scribe  writes  that  he  is  yet  living  in  that  city  at  the  advanced 
age  of  ninety  years,  and  that  he  not  only  filled  the  office  of  Grand  Patri- 
arch, but  was  a  Grand  Eepresentative  of  the  Grand  Encampment  and 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  state.  In  looking  over  the  list  of  workers  in  Michi- 
gan, who  is  there,  —  familiar  with  that  jurisdiction,  —  but  will  recall  the 
genial  faces  of  good  "  Father "  B.  W.  Dennis,  the  tireless  worker  Jonar 
than  Sprague,  or  irrepressible  George  Dean,  and  none  will  forget  the 
earnest,  faithful  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Scribe  of  the  past  twenty 
and  more  years,  E.  H.  Whitney. 

There  are  at  this  time  one  hundred  and  fifteen  working  encampments 
in  Michigan,  with  a  membership  of  3688  faithful  patriarchs. 

Minnesota.  —  Minnesota  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  instituted,  in  the 
city  of  St.  Paul,  September  1, 1851,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  John 
G.  Potts  of  Galena,  Illinois,  who  was  assisted  by  Patriarch  Davis  and 
High  Priest  William  K.  Stahl  of  Leadmine  Encampment,  No.  5,  of 
Blinois,  who  had  accompanied  Patriarch  Potts.  The  travelling  was  slow 
in  those  days,  and  even  by  steamer  from  Galena  to  St.  Paul  one  week 
was  a  quick  trip  to  that  place  and  return.  The  warrant  was  issued  dur- 
ing the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  Grand  Sire  Bobert  H.  Griffin,  and 
approved  September  20, 1851. 

We  are  more  surprised  that  there  should  have  been  an  encampment 
formed  at  so  early  a  day  in  Minnesota,  —  at  what  was  then  but  an  ad- 
vanced post  in  the  Indian  country,  or  a  steamboat  landing  at  the  head 
of  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  river,  —  than  that  so  many  years  passed 
before  another  was  organized.  There  was  danger  in  the  early  settlement 
of  that  Northwest  country,  and,  afterward,  failure  of  crops  and  hard 
times.  Those  who  lived  in  the  Mississippi  valley  during  those  years 
remember  1857,  and  the  five  or  six  seasons  following.  They  were  years 
of  distress  and  hardship  to  those  "  bent  on  making  new  homes,"  and  as 
much  in  Minnesota  bs  in  any  new  territory. 

Eochester  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Rochester,  was  instituted  June  4, 
1867,  by  Charles  D.  Strong,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  assisted  in  his 
duties  by  Past  Grand  Master  John  White,  and  Grand  Secretary  Sherwood 
Hough.  Patriarchs  Dye  and  Wedel,  two  of  the  charter  members,  were 
from  Winona,  and  in  the  former  name  we  recognize  one  who,  for  years, 
did  good  service  for  the  Order  in  all  its  branches  in  his  adopted  state. 
He  was  the  Grand  Marshal  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  March  21, 1894,  having  served  in  that  body  as  a  representative 
and  an  officer  for  many  years.  Nicollet  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  St.  Peter, 
was  instituted  June  25, 1867,  by  the  same  deputy,  with  eight  patriarchs 
as  charter  members.  Four  received  the  degrees  on  the  night  of  institu- 
tion.   The  charters  of  these  two  encampments  were  confirmed  in  1867. 


612  THE  THREE- LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Two  years  later,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Strong,  who  had  been 
Grand  Master  and  Grand  Eepresentative,  was  authorized  to  institute  two 
more  subordinates;  and,  after  another  two  years,  one  additional,  and  the 
Grand  Encampment  itself.  The  record  is  as  follows :  Central  Encampment, 
No.  4,  at  Owatonna,  was  instituted  March  31, 1869.  Of  the  charter  mem- 
bers, Luther  Bixby  became  Grand  Patriarch  and  Grand  Representative. 
Schiller,  No.  5,  at  Minneapolis,  was  instituted  July  26, 1869,  with  seven 
charter  members.  This  body  worked  in  the  German  language  at  its  insti- 
tution, but  it  now  works  in  English.  The  charters  for  these  encampments 
were  confirmed  September  27,  1869.  Strong,  No.  6,  at  Hastings,  was 
instituted  February  15, 1871,  with  nine  charter  members. 

These  six  encampments  united  in  the  petition  for  a  Grand  Encamp- 
ment, the  warrant  of  which  was  issued  by  Grand  Sire  Fred.  D.  Stuart, 
and  confirmed  September  22, 1871. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Blinneaota. — This  Bight  Worthy  Grand  body 
was  instituted  in  the  ''  Tent  of  Minnesota  Encampment,"  in  the  city  of 
St.  Paul,  June  7,  1871,  and  Charles  D.  Strong,  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire,  became  the  first  Grand  Patriarch.  He  was  an  old  Odd  Fellow  from 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  who  had  removed  to  St.  Paul  in  1859,  and  died 
in  that  city  January  7,  1890.  To  Patriarch  Strong,  more  than  to  any 
other  member,  is  the  patriarchal  Order  of  Minnesota  indebted  for  its 
present  prosperity ;  and  he  will  ever  be  remembered  by  them. 

Another  name,  J.  Fletcher  Williams,  the  second  on  the  list  of  the 
founders  of  this  Grand  Encampment,  should  be  placed  in  our  album  of 
remembrance.  He  was  soon  afterward  elected  Grand  Scribe,  in  which 
oflSce  he  remained  for  twenty  or  more  years,  only  to  lay  down  his  work 
and  rest  in  the  "  Heavenly  Tent  of  the  Patriarchs  on  High."  Patriarch 
Williams  was  historian  of  this  jurisdiction  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Minnesota  has  now  forty  encampments,  with  a  membership  of  2052, 
and  $20,198  assets. 

Mississippi.  —  The  patriarchal  Order  was  introduced  into  this  state 
in  the  month  of  April,  1838,  by  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey,  who  had 
.  been  visiting  the  Mississippi  valley  as  "  travelling  agent "  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States.  We  find  in  his  report  that  he  arrived  in  the 
city  of  Natchez  April  25, 1838,  and  remained  for  a  fortnight,  that  a  peti- 
tion for  an  encampment  was  presented  to  him  April  26th,  and  that  he  insti- 
tuted said  body  and  installed  its  officers,  but  at  what  date  we  are  unable 
to  learn.  This  much,  however,  is  certain,  that  Wildey  Encampment,  No.  1, 
at  Natchez,  was  instituted  in  the  latter  part  of  April,  1838,  that  a  large 
number  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  Natchez  became  members  thereof,  and 
the  degrees  were  conferred  upon  them  by  the  Grand  Sire  himself.  The 
warrant  was  confirmed  October  5,  1838.  The  next  encampment  to  be 
formed  was  Vicksburg,  No.  2,  at  Vicksburg,  instituted  in  that  city  March 


PATBIABCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  613 

t 

5y  1839,  and  the  charter  was  granted  at  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
1840;  in  which  year  its  first  report  appears ;  but  no  other  record  is  to  be 
found  in  the  Grand  Lodge  proceedings,  though  it  has  ever  been  recog- 
nized and  still  lives.  Choctaw  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Jackson,  was 
organized  November  26, 1844,  and  the  warrant  confirmed  September  17, 
1845.  These  three  encampments  are  still  on  the  roll  of  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  Mississippi ;  and,  though  not  large  in  membership,  are  regularly 
at  work.  The  petition  for  Woodville  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Woodville, 
was  presented  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  September  16, 
1845,  by  Grand  Representative  George  Dicks,  of  Mississippi,  reported 
favorably  the  next  day,  and  the  charter  granted.  This  encampment  was 
instituted  by  Patriarch  Dicks,  as  Special  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  but 
at  what  date  is  unknown,  as  the  body  has  ceased  to  exist. 

Charters  for  two  more  encampments  were  issued  by  Grand  Sire  Thomas 
Sherlock,  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1847,  and  their  warrants 
were  confirmed  September  21,  1847,  of  the  same  year.  When  and  by 
whom  instituted  is  unknown.  They  were  as  follows:  Noxubee,  No.  5, 
at  Macon,  in  1847,  now  dead ;  Tombigbee,  No.  6,  at  Columbus,  in  1847, 
and  still  on  the  roll. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Missisaippi. — The  petition  for  this  Grand  body 
was  signed  by  the  six  subordinate  encampments,  and  presented  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  by  W.  H.  Brown,  Grand  Eepresenta- 
tive,  September  20, 1847.  A  warrant  was  granted  the  next  day,  and  its 
organization  noted  in  the  report  of  the  Grand  Secretary  in  1848. 

Under  this  warrant  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  was  duly 
instituted,  in  the  city  of  Natchez,  January  17, 1848,  by  Patriarch  Dicks, 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  There  were  present  the  representatives  of 
the  four  old  encampments,  the  two  new  ones  not  having  properly  qualified 
past  officers.    John  R.  Stockman  was  elected  Grand  Patriarch. 

From  1860  to  1866,  this  Grand  Encampment  did  not  meet,  owing  to  the 
civil  war,  of  which  this  state  was  the  centre  of  operations,  —  during  a 
greater  part  of  the  time,  —  in  the  Mississippi  valley.  The  last  report, 
preceding  the  war,  gave  sixteen  encampments  as  working,  with  155  in 
membership ;  while  that  after  the  war  shows  fifteen,  as  having  begun  the 
good  work  again,  with  a  membership  of  97.  Of  the  older  workers  in 
this  jurisdiction,  we  recall  Patriarchs  David  N.  Barrows  and  R.  B.  Mayes ; 
but  of  all  who  may  be  named,  no  one,  or  a  dozen  of  them,  for  that  matter, 
have  been  as  devoted  to  the  patriarchal  interests  as  the  present  Grand 
Scribe  Isaac  D.  Blumenthal,  whose  labors  have  done  so  much  to  strengthen 
the  present  fourteen  subordinate  bodies,  and  increase  their  membership  to 
361.  There  is  one  other  faithful  patriarch,  without  the  mention  of  whose 
name  the  history  of  the  Order  in  Mississippi  could  not  be  written,  and 
that  is  Colonel  J.  L.  Power,  the  present  efficient  Secretary  of  State. 


614  THE  THREE' LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

Missouri.  —  Wildey  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  St  Louis,  was  instituted 
in  the  month  of  June,  1838,  by  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey,  then  upon  his 
Western  tour  as  "travelling  agent"  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States.  In  this  manner  the  patriarchal  Order  was  introduced  into  Mis- 
souri, by  the  father  of  the  Order,  as  it  had,  also,  been  into  other  states,  and 
was  destined  to  be  into  many  others.  The  dispensation  was  granted  by 
the  Grand  Sire  in  person,  the  body  instituted  by  himself,  and  the  officers 
were  installed.  The  warrant  was  confirmed  October  6,. 1838.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  copy  of  the  petition  (divested  of  its  orthographic  peculiarities), 
together  with  the  names  of  the  petitioners :  — 

"  St.  Louis,  Missoubi,  June  14,  1S38. 
"  Most  Worthy  and  Respected  Sire :  — 

"We  the  undersigned,  your  petitioners,  residing  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  and  members 
of  TraveUers'  Best  Lodge,  No.  1,  and  Wildey  Lodge,  No.  2,  are  of  the  opinion  that  many 
advantages  would  result  in  favor  of  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellowship,  by  having  an  encamp- 
ment lodge  attached  to  the  Order.  Therefore  beg  leave  to  submit  our  claim  to  you,  trusting, 
upon  due  examination,  you  will  find  us  worthy  and  qualified  members  of  the  lodges  afore- 
said, possessed  of  sufi^cient  skill  and  judgment  to  justify  you  in  granting  our  request, 
and  in  duty  bound  your  petitioners  will  ever  pray.  Members  of  Travellers'  Rest  Lodge, 
No.  1 :  William  S.  Stewart,  H.  M.  Brown,  John  Dawson,  T.  M.  Darlington,  David  Hall, 
WUUam  Metcalfe;  of  Wildey  Lodge,  No.  2:  R.  Cathcart,  WiUiam  Blackburn." 

Frontier  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Weston  (now  Platte  City),  was  insti- 
tuted during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  charter  was  confirmed 
September  17,  1844.  Stewart,  No.  3,  at  Hannibal  (now  defunct),  was, 
also,  instituted  during  a  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  its  warrant  was 
confirmed  September  16,  1845.  These  three  encampments  united  in  a 
petition  for  a  Grand  Encampment ;  which  petition  having  failed  to  reach 
the  Grand  Secretary,  Patriarch  Isaiah  Forbes,  Grand  Eepresentative  of 
Missouri,  offered  a  resolution  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
September  16,  1845,  directing  that  "when  the  petition  shall  have  been 
received,  the  Grand  Sire  issue  a  warrant,"  and  it  was  adopted.  In  1846 
report  was  made  of  the  issuance  of  this  warrant,  and  it  was  confirmed 
September  23d. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Missouri.  — This  Eight  Worthy  Grand  body  was 
regularly  instituted  February  25,  1846.  In  the  first  Grand  Patriarch, 
Gerard  B.  Allen,  we  recognize  the  olficial  who  instituted  Allen  Encamp- 
ment, No^4,  —  which  bears  his  honored  name,  —  and  Neilson,  No.  6,  of 
Illinois.     Of  him  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  well  said :  — 

"  I  acknowledge  the  obligations  due  to  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Gerard  B.  Allen,  of 
Missouri,  for  yaluable  services  rendered  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  during 
the  year,  in  this  district  and  its  vicinity.  Added  to  his  efficiency  in  Missouri,  he  has 
promptly  responded  to  aU  calls  made  upon  him,  by  the  undersigned,  for  services  in  the 
adjoining  states,  at  points  without  the  reach  of  the  proper  officers  of  such  districts ;  and 
has  performed  this  service  in  a  manner  worthy  the  especial  notice  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States." 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  615 

The  third  Grand  Patriarch  of  Missouri  was  the  affable  Isaac  M.  Veitch, 
afterward  Grand  Sire;  and  the  seventhy  whom  all  knew  and  loved,  was 
"Uncle"  John  Libby.  There  have  been  many  earnest  and  good  workers 
in  this  jurisdiction, — among  whom,  for  continuity  of  service  and  effective 
work,  the  present  Grand  Scribe,  E.  M.  Sloan,  stands  in  the  front  rank ; 
while  J.  B.  Jewell,  M.  C.  Libby,  T.  T.  Parson,  and  Henry  Cadle  are  not  to 
be  forgotten. 

There  are  ninety  encampments  on  the  roll  of  Missouri,  with  a  mem- 
bership of  3163 ;  and  $29,278  assets. 

Montana.  —  The  first  patriarchal  body  in  this  state,  then  a  new  terri- 
tory, was  Eocky  Mountain  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Helena,  instituted  July 
17, 1872,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  at  the  session  of  the  Gtand 
Lodge  September  20, 1872.  There  were  twelve  charter  members.  This 
has  always  been  a  live  working  body ;  and,  to-day,  with  its  114  patriarchs, 
is  the  largest  in  numbers  in  the  jurisdiction. 

Golden  Star  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Deer  Lodge,  was  instituted  July 
27, 1876,  by  Patriarch  James  L.  Davis,  who  was  authorized  by  D.  H.  Cuth- 
bert,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  Septem- 
ber 21, 1876.  The  petitioning  patriarchs  were  ten  brothers,  upon  whom 
the  degrees  had  been  conferred  in  order  that  they  might  petition  for  an 
encampment.  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Guthbert  received  his  degrees  in  Lead- 
mine  Encampment,  No.  5,  of  Galena,  Illinois,  before  removing  to  that  new 
mining  camp,  now  the  city  of  Helena.  Crusader  Encampment  (now 
Silver  Star),  No.  3,  at  Butte,  was  instituted  January  2S,  1880,  by  Special 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Charles  M.  Jefferis,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  24th. 

Summit  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Butte,  informally  asked  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  for  a  charter,  —  at  the  session  of  1882,  —  and  September 
23d  it  was  voted  to  be  issued  when  a  proper  application  should  be  filed. 
This  being  done,  a  warrant  was  issued,  the  encampment  was  instituted 
November  25, 1882,  and  confirmed  September  21, 1883. 

Missoula  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Missoula,  was  instituted  soon  after, 
perhaps  early  in  1883 ;  but  we  have  no  date.  Owing  to  a  defect  in  the 
papers,  the  Grand  Lodge  declined  to  ratify  the  act  of  institution  Septem- 
ber 21,  1883,  but  authorized  the  Grand  Secretary  to  do  so  when  the 
encampment  should  have  furnished  the  necessary  papers.  This  was  done 
eventually,  and  Missoula  Encampment  is  regularly  at  work  to  this  day. 

Sentinel,  No.  6,  at  Miles  City,  was  instituted  March  29, 1883 ;  and  its 
warrant  was  confirmed  September  21, 1883. 

Koyal  Purple,  No.  7,  at  Port  Benton,  was  duly  instituted  about  the 
same  time  as  No.  6,  but  it  is  now  defunct. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Montana.  —  The  seven,  above  named,  encamp- 
ments having  united  in  a  petition  asking  for  a  Grand  Encampment  in 


616  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Montana,  it  was  presented  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  at  the  session 
of  1883,  referred  to  the  committee  on  petitions,  who  reported  favorably ; 
and,  on  September  22nd,  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted.  The 
Grand  Encampment  was  duly  instituted  by  Jacob  Loeb,  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire,  in  the  city  of  Helena,  November  18,  1883.  There  were 
present  duly  accredited  representatives  from  Nos.  1,  3,  4,  and  6.  J.  W. 
Johnson  was  elected  Grand  Patriarch. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  each  of  the  Grand  Patriarchs  and  Grand 
Representatives  of  this  Grand  body  are  living,  though  some  of  them  are 
quite  aged. 

The  number  of  encampments  is  fourteen,  and  the  membership  518. 
The  revenue  for  the  past  year  has  been  $2705 ;  and  the  amount  of  relief 
paid,  $751. 

Nebraska.  —  Bidgely  Encampment,  Ko.  1,  at  Nebraska  City,  was  insti- 
tuted May  3, 1862.  This  was,  perhaps,  the  only  jurisdiction  in  which  the 
patriarchal  Order  was  introduced  upon  a  petition  from  the  officers  of  a 
Grand  Lodge, — except  in  the  early  organization  of  the  encampments. 
On  September  17, 1861,  the  committee  on  petitions,  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  reported  in  favor  of  granting  a  charter  to  establish 
an  encampment,  and  their  report  was  adopted. 

The  dispensation  for  Hesperian  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Omaha,  was 
issued  by  Isaac  M.  Yeitch,  Grand  Sire,  December  23, 1864,  and  the  body 
was  duly  instituted  and  a  charter  granted  September  20, 1865.  This  is 
now  the  largest  encampment  in  the  state,  with  its  158  members. 

Plattsmouth,  No.  3,  at  Plattsmouth,  was  instituted  during  the  recess 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1869,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September 
22, 1870.     The  encampment  is  defunct. 

The  warrant  of  Saline  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Lincoln,  was  issued  dur- 
ing the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  it  was  confirmed  September  22, 
1871.  The  Grand  Sire  issued  a  dispensation  for  Ashland  Encampment, 
No.  5,  at  Ashland,  — the  body  was  instituted  and  is  at  work,  —  and  a  war- 
rant was  directed  to  be  issued  September  20, 1872,  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 
From  the  past  officers  of  these  five  encampments  the  Grand  Encampment 
of  Nebraska  was  constituted. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Nebraska.  —  Grand  Sire  Fred.  D.  Stuart  having 
issued  his  warrant  to  form  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment,  and 
intrusted  that  duty  to  St.  John  Goodrich,  it  was  legally  instituted  in  the 
city  of  Lincoln,  July  1, 1872,  and  the  charter  was  confirmed  September 
20, 1872.  Each  of  the  five  encampments  was  represented,  and  D.  A,  Cline 
was  chosen  Grand  Patriarch.  Past  Grand  Patriarch  J.  H.  Wheeler,  of 
Ohio,  was  present  as  a  visitor  and  gave  his  kind  assistance. 

The  history  of  this  Grand  Encampment  has  been  one  of  steady  growth, 
which  is  largely  owing  to  the  excellent  material  of  which  its  patriarchs  are 


PATRIARCEAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  617 

composed.  Young  and  enterprising  men  were  its  members,  men  who  had 
gone  into  the  new  territory  to  build  themselves  homes  and  found  a  state. 
That  they  succeeded  so  well  is  owing  to  their  sterling  character.  To  the 
first  Grand  Patriarch,  D.  A.  Gline,  who  still  lives,  is  much  credit  due,  for 
he  has  worked  and  builded  well  whether  as  Grand  Patriarch,  Grand  Eep- 
i^sentative,  or  Grand  Scribe ;  and  not  a  little  meed  of  praise  should  be 
awarded  to  his  successor,  Patriarch  I.  P.  Gage. 

There  are  now  in  this  jurisdiction  thirty-seven  encampments  and  1331 
patriarchs;  paid  yearly  for  relief,  $829;  with  $14,226  assets. 

Nevada.  — To  California  is  due  the  honor  of  introducing  the  patriarchal 
Order  into  this  jurisdiction.  As  early  as  September  18, 1862,  Grand  Eep- 
resentative  H.  H.  Hayden,  of  California,  introduced  a  resolution  into  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  asking:  — 


*'That  the  jorisdictlon  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Galifomia  be  extended  over  the 
territory  of  Nevada.' 


t$ 


On  this  proposal  the  legislative  committee  reported,  without  recom- 
mendation, and  no  action  was  taken.  At  the  session  of  1863  the  resolu- 
tion was  renewed  under  instructions  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California, 
and  on  the  24th  of  September  it  was  adopted.  September  19, 1864,  Grand 
Secretary  Eidgely  reported  that  Pioneer  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Virginia 
City,  Nevada  Territory,  had  been  instituted  by  T.  Eogers  Johnson,  Grand 
Secretary  of  California.  This  organization  took  place  July  17, 1864,  and 
this  encampment  is,  to-day,  the  first  on  the  roll  of  Nevada  and  the  largest 
in  that  state,  with  a.  membership  of  141. 

Carson  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Carson  City,  was  instituted  by  J.  S. 
Kaneen,  District  Deputy  Grand  Patriarch.  This  dispensation  was  issued 
by  Grand  Patriarch  Ascher,  of  California,  January  11, 1867.  Dispensation 
for  Piute,  No.  3,  was  issued  by  the  same  Grand  Patriarch,  February  11, 
1867,  to  be  located  at  Virginia  City,  but  is  now  at  Gold  Hill.  The  insti- 
tuting officer  is  thought  to  have  been  Patriarch  Kaneen.  Eeese  Eiver, 
No.  4,  at  Austin,  was  instituted  November  10,  1869,  by  District  Deputy 
Kaneen.  Eeno,  No.  6,  at  Eeno,  was  instituted  January  8, 1872,  by  Grand 
Patriarch  L.  Sober,  of  California.  Garden  Valley,  No.  6,  at  Dayton,  was 
instituted  in  May,  1873.  Silver  State,  No.  7,  at  Virginia  City,  was  insti- 
tuted February  12,  1874,  but  soon  ceased  to  work;  the  charter  was 
recalled,  and  the  number  is  now  blank. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  1874, 
Grand  Eepresentative  C.  C.  Batterman  offered  a  resolution  in  favor  of  a 
Grand  Encampment  in  Nevada.  This  was  sent  to  the  committee  on 
petitions,  and  September  26th  the  committee  reported  favorably,  with 
authority  for  the  Grand  Sire  to  issue  a  charter,  for  such  a  body,  upon  the 
presentation  of  a  proper  petition  signed  by  the  subordinate  encampments 


618  THE  TRBEE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  that  state.  Under  this  authority,  a  charter  was  issued  February  17, 
1875,  during  the  recess,  which  was  confirmed  September  24, 1875. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Nevada.  —  This  Eight  Worthy  Grand  body  was 
instituted  at  Carson  City,  March  2, 1875,  by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
D.  0.  Adkinson,  Past  Grand  Representative  of  Nevada.  The  deputy  was 
assisted  by  the  following:  Patriarchs  Jacob  Young,  A.  Prescott,  E.  L. 
Stern,  John  S.  Kaneen,  A.  Hires,  and  Joe  C.  Smith.  The  latter  was 
elected  Grand  Patriarch. 

This  Grand  jurisdiction  has  never  been  strong,  and  as  the  mining 
interests  flourish  or  are  depressed,  so  is  the  membership.  While  there  is 
now  one  more  encampment  than  when  the  Grand  body  was  instituted, 
there  is  twenty-five  per  centum  less  membership.  There  are  eight  encamp- 
ments, with  a  membership  of  300. 

New  Hampshire.  —  The  warrants  for  the  first  two  subordinate  encamp- 
ments in  this  Grand  jurisdiction  were  issued  during  the  recess  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  1843-44,  by  Grand  Sire  Howell  Hopkins,  and  were  con- 
firmed September  17, 1844.  Nashoonon,  No.  1,  at  Nashua,  was  instituted 
May  9,  1844,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Albert  Guild,  Past  Grand 
Representative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts,  who,  also,  instituted 
the  following  four  bodies :  Wonolanset,  No.  2,  at  Manchester,  instituted 
September  6,  1844;  Penacook,  No.  3,  at  Concord,  instituted  November 
26,  1844;  Quochecho,  No.  4,  at  Dover,  instituted  October  30,  1844; 
Strawberry  Bank,  No.  5,  at  Portsmouth,  instituted  February  28,  1845. 
The  warrants  for  the  last  three  encampments  were  confirmed  September 
17,  1845. 

Grand  Secretary  Ridgely,  in  his  report  for  1845,  has  this  to  say  of  the 
distinguished  deputy  from  Massachusetts  in  charge  of  New  Hampshire :  — 

"The  patriarchal  department  of  the  Order  in  New  Hampshire,  under  the  supervision 
of  that  invaluable  officer  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Albert  Guild,  has  had  a  gratifying 
increase.  An  application  from  all  the  encampments,  five  in  number,  praying  for  a  charter 
for  a  Grand  Encampment,  has  been  received  and  is  herewith  presented." 

Grand  Encampment  of  New  Hampshire.  —  September  13,  1845,  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted :  — 

** Resolved,  That  the  petition  of  encampments  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  of  the  state  of  New 
Hampshire,  for  a  charter  to  open  a  Grand  Encampment  at  Concord,  in  said  state,  be 
granted.'* 

The  warrant  was  issued  the  same  day  ;  and  on  October  28, 1845,  quali- 
fied patriarchs,  from  the  five  encampments  named,  assembled  in  the  hall 
of  White  Mountain  Lodge,  No.  6,  at  Concord,  to  form  the  Right  Worthy 
Grand  body,  which  was  duly  instituted  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
Guild.     Nathaniel  B.  Baker  was  elected  Grand  Patriarch. 

The  first  patriarch  to  receive  the  degree  from  this  Grand  Encampment 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.      '  619 

was  Past  High  Priest  Lewis  Downing,  Jr.,  of  Penacook  Encampment, 
No.  3,  who  appeared  after  the  installation. 

The  dues  for  the  support  of  the  Grand  Encampment  were  fixed  at  five 
per  centum  of  all  the  receipts  of  the  subordinate  bodies. 

The  five  subordinate  encampments  forming  this  Grand  body  are  still 
at  work,  and  are  among  the  largest  encampments  of  the  state:  No.  1, 
having  219  patriarchs;  No.  2,  226;  No.  3, 169;  No.  4, 130;  and  No.  5, 184. 

On  "  looking  over  "  the  journals  of  this  Grand  jurisdiction,  one  is  im- 
pressed with  the  faithful  supervision  which  the  Grand  Patriarchs  have 
given  the  Order,  and  the  careful  legislation  which  marks  its  recurring 
sessions. 

In  the  proceedings  of  1861,  we  find  the  following  reference  to  a  sub- 
ject recalled  by  Section  IV.,  Division  II.,  Part  II.,  of  this  work,  also 
published  as  a  monograph /or  private  circulation  only, — by  Past  Grand 
Sire  James  B.  Nicholson,  the  distinguished  Grand  Scribe  of  Pennsylvania, 
entitled  *^The  Story  of  '65." 

The  record  reads  as  follows :  — 

"  '  Concord,  New  Hampshire,  August  19, 1861.  The  Grand  Patriarch  presented  a  letter 
from  the  Grand  Patriarch  of  Ulinois,  with  a  copy  of  his  reply,  which  were  referred  to  the 
committee  on  correspondence.'  That  committee  reported  the  same  day  recommending: 
*  That  the  correspondence  between  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Illinois  and  this  Grand  body 
be  placed  on  file.' " 

A  search  has  recently  been  made  for  that  correspondence  by  the  chair- 
man of  the  committee,  the  present  Grand  Scribe,  Joseph  Kidder,  and  it 
cannot  be  found.  There  is  an  interesting  story  connected  with  that  cor- 
respondence, which,  but  for  "The  Story  of  '65,"  probably  would  never 
have  been  told,  and  few  are  now  living  who  recall  the  danger  then 
imminent  of  a  disruption  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

Pending  the  discussion  among  our  representative  men,  relative  to  the 
propriety  of  holding  a  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
in  1861,  Brother  Nicholson  quotes  the  following,  from  a  letter  written  to 
himself,  by  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely,  dated  July  9,  1861 :  — 

"  I  regret  very  much  that  I  am  wholly  unable  as  yet  to  say  anything  satisfactory  touch- 
ing the  approaching  annual  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  I 
have  not  ceased  my  efforts  to  impress  upon  the  Grand  Sire  my  views  as  to  the  propriety  of 
deferring  the  session.  ...  He  hesitates  to  assume  the  power,  and  indeed  expresses  the 
opinion  that  if  the  Union  goes  down  in  blood,  that  the  Order  will  fall  with  it." 

It  was  well  known  to  many  at  the  time,  that  it  was  the  intention  of 
certain  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  representa- 
tives from  the  South,  to  bring  about  a  postponement  of  the  September  ses- 
sion of  1861,  in  the  hope  that  the  state  of  Maryland  would  pass  an  act  of 
secession  and  join  fortunes  with  the  Confederacy ;  that  following  such  act 
an  emergency  would  be  created  and  a  special  session  called  in  the  central 
South.     Grand  Sire  R.  B.  Boylston  was  already  in  the  Confederate  army, 


620  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY, 

and  serving  on  the  staff  of  General  Beauregard,  commanding  the  South- 
ern army  then  in  Virginia.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Georgia  had  sent  out 
invitations  to 

"  Grand  Lodges  and  Grand  Encampments  in  the  Southern  Confederacy,  to  meet  in 
Montgomery,  Alabama,  the  first  Wednesday  in  August,  for  consultation  and  the  formation 
of  other  relations," 

Which,  evidently,  intended  the  formation  of  a  Grand  Lodge  for  the 
Confederacy.  The  Union  army,  under  General  McDowell,  was  "being 
massed  "  for  its  march  upon  Manassas,  terminating  five  days  later  in  the 
terrible  battle  of  Bull  Run,  in  which  it  was  defeated,  when  the  Grand 
Sire,  from  his  point  of  observation  at  Fairfax  Court  House,  July  15, 1861, 
issued  his  proclamation  directing 

''That  all  meetings  of  the  legislative  head  of  the  Order  [Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States]  be  suspended  during  the  present  autumn  as  impracticable,  unnecessary,  and 
inexpedient." 

The  Confederate  victory  at  Bull  Kun,  no  doubt,  hastened  the  call  for 
a  special  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  South,  a  copy  of  which  reach- 
ing the  Grand  Patriarch  of  Illinois,  from  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
confirmed  all  the  statements  made  concerning  the  plot  to  gain  possession 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  also  caused  the  issue  of  a 
circular-letter  on  his  part.  In  letters  and  circular  aforesaid  the  Grand 
Patriarch  of  Illinois  called  attention  to  the  above  facts,  withheld  the 
representative  tax  of  the  Grand  Encampment  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
recommended  all  jurisdictions  to  do  the  same,  and  to  send  their  money 
by  the  representatives  attending  the  session. 

This  was  a  strong  measure,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  Grand  Lodge, 
at  its  session  in  1860,  had  amended  its  by-laws  so  as  to  require  the  rep- 
resentative tax  to  be  forwarded  ten  days  before  the  annual  session,  or  the 
representatives  would  not  be  seated.  That  law  was  repealed  in  1861. 
Many  jurisdictions  followed  the  suggestion  and  withheld  the  representa- 
tive tax  until  their  representative  was  ready  to  go  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  then  sent  forward  the  money.  Copies  of  the  correspondence  and 
circular  of  the  Grand  Patriarch  of  Illinois  were  forwarded  to  Grand  Sec- 
retary James  L.  Ridgely,  by  the  Grand  Patriarch  of  New  Hampshire, 
and  some  very  sharp  letters  passed  between  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  and 
the  Grand  Patriarch  of  Illinois.  In  one  from  the  former  the  Grand  Patri- 
arch of  Illinois  was  told 

**  That  if  he  could  boast  of  being  as  loyal  to  the  United  States  government  as  be  [James 
L.  Ridgely]  was,  the  Grand  Patriarch  of  Illinois  might  be  a  proud  man." 

Knowing  that  the  only  officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
residing  in  Baltimore,  loyal  to  the  government  was  honest  old  John  E. 
Chamberlain,  Grand  Messenger,  the  Grand  Patriarch  of  Illinois,— then 


)Temmeiit, — replied  to  Brotlier 


Kidgel;,  nho  bad  been  tbiee  times 

very  loyal  to  hfa  goTeinmeDt  when  hU 

IJant  tor  rebal  stoiwi  ftnd  utds,  and  that 

situation  improved.     Baltimore 
and  it  became  Bafe  to  send  for- 
ions  were  informed.     This  ended 
itary  Bidgely  and  the  Grand 
—  ---^  ^^^  ^^  Grand   Lodge   of  the 
WnHin  Baltimore. 
[••ii*fcing  sense  of  the  terrible  calamity 
e  no  doubt  he  sin- 
became  a  thorough 
the  first  bat  for  his 

!^f41  between  James  L.  Ridgely  and 
out  of  this  correspondence ;  but, 

^5  close  of  Brother  Ridgely'a  life, 
:,  during  the  terrible  struggle  of 
ear,  as  witness  the  of&cial  report 

iWIgEbn  C.  Smltb,  Past  Grand  Patriarch  of  the 

^SC^olun tears,  dated  in  line  ot  battle,  Atlanta 

'•Oi^^ot  tbe  dettraclion  oF  niany  ol  the  lodge- 

0  belligerent  arm  lea,  and  the  conseqiieat 

■Hnveyed  to  nie  safely,  by  prlvaCe  hand.    I 

le  notice  ol  the  Qrand  Lodge." 

S*hen  Grand  Scribe  of  Illinois,  is 

^bg  who  was,  and  is,  familiar  with 

^is  which  did  so  much  to  save  the 

l^^disniption.    Dear  good  John  W. 

i  in  those  days,  and  we  doubt 

^wn  the  subject.     Our  own  papers 

It  is  well  the  Grand  Secre- 

^    There  have  been  many  in  Kew 

yiing  the  high  standing  of  patri- 

H^  recall  Stillman  S.  Davis,  Joseph 

tt-.-».-«,  -» ™    w*^'  Spring,  and  others. 

|^^i^>v^«C^^^ui|&ipments  in  Sew  Hampshire,  with 


622  TEE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

New  Jersey.  —  Industry  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Paterson,  was  insti- 
tuted July  4, 1833,  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  who  went  to  that  city  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  parade  and  "  celebration  of  the  anniversary  of  oui-  country's 
independence,"  as  that  distinguished  brother  wrote  of  it  at  that  date. 
He  further  added :  — 

"  After  the  ceremonies  of  the  day»  the  encampment  was  duly  opened,  and  a  number  of 
members  regularly  initiated." 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  1840,  Industry  Encampment 
having  become  "dormant,"  the  Grand  Sire  was  requested  to  recall  the 
charter,  books,  and  papers  of  that  body ;  and,  in  1842,  the  Grand  Secretary 
was  instructed  to  issue  to  such  as  were  in  good  standing  when  the  charter 
was  arrested,  — 

"  Such  evidence  of  their  regular  connection  with  the  Order  as  will  enable  them  to  join 
other  encampments.'' 

The  Grand  Encampment  having  been  instituted,  and  Industry  Encamp- 
ment making  an  effort  for  revival,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
in  1846,  directed  the  Grand  Secretary  to 

"  Deliver  up  the  charter,  books,  papers,  etc.,  of  Industry  Encampment,  to  the  Grand  En- 
campment of  New  Jersey,  for  such  action  as  they  may  deem  advisable  in  the  case." 

This  was  promptly  done,  Industry  Encampment  revived  the  same  year, 
and  remains  No.  1,  on  the  roll  of  that  jurisdiction.  Trenton,  No.  2,  at 
Trenton,  was  instituted  in  October,  1837,  by  Grand  Sire  Samuel  H.  Per- 
kins, assisted  by  Howell  Hopkins,  afterward  Grand  Sire,  and  Jacob 
Hubelie,  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania,  the  charter  having  been  granted 
in  1837,  and  confirmed  in  1838. 

There  was  much  formality  and  ceremony  attending  the  formation  of 
this  encampment.  The  degrees  having  been  conferred,  some  time  in  1837, 
upon  the  following  named  brothers  by  Howell  Hopkins  and  a  number  of 
patriarchs  from  Philadelphia  in  a  "special  encampment"  organized  in 
Trenton  for  that  purpose,  —  to  wit,  Brothers  William  C.  Branin,  Samuel  C. 
Scattergood,  William  R.  McKean,  Henry  p.  Boswell,  Thomas  Ashmore, 
Richard  Campbell,  John  McCully,  and  Richard  Brandt, — a  petition  was 
immediately  signed  asking  for  a  warrant  for  an  encampment  in  Trenton, 
which  was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  and,  on 
October  3, 1837,  the  prayer  was  granted. 

Mount  Ararat  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Newark,  was  instituted  March 
30, 1842,  by  Grand  Sire  John  A.  Kennedy.  There  were  seven  patriarchs 
who  became  petitioners  for  this  encampment,  and  the  charter  was  confirmed 
September  22, 1842. 

Olive  Branch  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Trenton,  was  instituted  Septem- 
ber 26, 1842,  by  Grand  Sire  John  A.  Kennedy.  The  warrant  had  been 
granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  September  22, 1842,  and  was  issued  to  Isaac 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BT  JURISDICTIONS.  623 

C.  Nostrand  and  seven  other  patriarchs  holding  withdrawal  cards  from 
Trenton  Encampment,  No.  2.  Olive  Branch  Encampment  has  ceased 
to  exist,  and  Palisade  Encampment,  of  Jersey  City,  is  now  borne  on  the 
roll  as  No.  4. 

Mount  Sinai  Encampment,  No.  6,  at  Jersey  City,  was  instituted  March 
22,  1843,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Sylvester  Van  Sickell.  The 
petitioners  were  Joseph  Clowes  and  six  other  patriarchs,  and  their  war- 
rant was  confirmed  September  21, 1843. 

A  curious  petition  was  presented  at  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
1843,  that  of  Grand  Patriarch  William  C.  Branin,  for  the  degree  of  "Past 
High  Priest,"  he  not  having  served  in  that  office.  At  the  formation  of 
Trenton  Encampment,  No.  2,  Patriarch  Branin  became  the  first  Chief 
Patriarch;  the  by-laws  of  that  body  forbade  the  election  thereafter  to  a 
lesser  office,  and  now,  having  become  Grand  Patriarch,  he  was  required  to 
confer  a  degree  which  he  himself  did  not  possess,  nor  was  he  entitled  to  it. 
The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  seeing  the  dilemma,  directed  the 
degree  to  be  conferred  upon  him,  "  providing  he  is  still  acting  as  Grand 
Patriarch." 

During  the  recess  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  Grand  Sire,  signed  by 
the  four  subordinates,  Nos.  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  having  fourteen  past  chief  patri- 
archs, praying  for  a  Grand  Encampment  to  be  located  at  Newark,  and  the 
prayer  was  granted. 

Grand  Encampment  of  New  Jersey. — This  Right  Worthy  Grand  body 
was  instituted  May  11, 1843,  in  the  city  of  Newark,  by  Grand  Sire  John 
A.  Kennedy,  assisted  by  John  G.  Treadwell,  Grand  Patriarch  of  New 
York,  and  others.  The  location  of  the  Grand  Encampment  was  fixed  at 
the  capital  city  of  Trenton. 

There  have  been  many  earnest  workers  in  this  patriarchal  vineyard, 
not  among  the  least  of  whom  may  be  named  Lewis  Parker,  the  Grand 
Scribe  for  many  years,  and  the  only  living  Past  Grand  Secretary  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  Theodore  A.  Ross;  and,  of  those  who  are 
"  camped  upon  the  Other  Shore,"  John  W.  Orr  and  Samuel  Bead. 

From  the  second  decade  the  growth  of  this  Order  has  been  steady, 
until,  to-day,  there  are  sixty  encampments  and  a  membership  of  3055. 
The  revenue  of  these  bodies,  in  1894,  was  $19,433 ;  and  of  this  there  was 
expended,  for  relief,  the  splendid  sum  of  $10,722. 

New  Mexico.  —  In  this  territory  there  are  six  encampments,  the  history 
of  which  is  briefly  as  follows ;  As  early  as  1852  Grand  Sire  William  W. 
Moore  authorized  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Joseph  D.  Ellis  to  confer 
the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  seven  Scarlet  degree  members  desiring  to 
form  an  encampment.  This  was  done  and  their  petition  forwarded ;  but, 
owing  to  local  dissensions,  it  was  thought  best  not  to  grant  their  request 
until  a  year  later,  and  on  another  petition. 


624  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  warrant  for  Ridgely  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Santa  ¥6,  was  issued 
March  8, 1853,  the  encampment  was  instituted  by  Joseph  D.  Ellis,  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  10,  1853. 
This  encampment  ceased  to  exist,  having  its  charter  recalled  June  9, 
1858,  through  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  John  B.  Grayson,  —  an 
efficient  officer  who  resigned  and  removed  from  the  territory  in  1861. 

Wahatoya  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Fort  Union,  was  instituted  January  1, 
1855,  by  Horace  Brooks,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  then  an  officer  of 
the  United  States  army  stationed  at  Fort  Union,  and  since  a  general  officer 
of  the  army,  but  now  retired.  The  warrant  was  confirmed  at  the  Septem- 
ber session  of  that  year.  The  warrant  of  this  encampment  was  issued  in 
the  name  of  Bugle  Encampment,  because  of  there  being  a  lodge  of  that 
name  at  the  Fort ;  but  the  proper  name,  and  that  by  which  it  is  known 
in  the  records,  is  Wah-a-toy-a.  Owing  to  trouble  between  lodge  members 
and  those  holding  membership  in  the  two  encampments,  the  Grand  Sire 
suspended  the  work  of  No.  2,  until  he  could  make  an  investigation  of 
the  difficulty.     Speaking  of  the  deputy.  Grand  Sire  DeSaussure  said :  — 

"Bugle  Lodge,  under  the  fostering  care  of  Past  Grand  Horace  Brooks,  himself  an  Odd 
Fellow  without  guile  and  of  great  zeal,  had  attained  a  high  position  for  the  correctness  of 
its  work  and  for  its  faithful  adherence  to  the  principles  of  our  Order." 

The  trouble  ended  in  1856,  by  the  surrender  of  the  lodge  and  encamp- 
ment charters.  The  Grand  Sire  and  Grand  Secretary  spoke  in  praise  of 
Past  Grand  Brooks,  recommending  that  he  be  made  a  past  district  deputy 
grand  sire,  but  the  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order,  not  knowing  of 
such  an  office,  recommended  that  he  be  entitled  to  all  the  honors  of  that 
rank,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  so  ordered,  —  a  distinction  without  a  difference. 

Santa  F^  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Santa  F^,  was  granted  a  charter,  by 
the  Grand  Lodge,  September  22, 1859.  We  have  no  record  that  this  body 
was  ever  created,  and  know  nothing  more  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in 
New  Mexico,  until  a  petition  in  1876  was  sent  to  Grand  Sire  Milton  J. 
Durham,  from  Santa  F^,  signed  by  twenty  Scarlet  degree  members,  asking 
that  the  patriarchal  degrees  be  conferred  upon  them,  so  as  to  qualify 
them  to  petition  for  an  encampment.  The  request  was  granted,  and  a 
commission  was  sent  to  Past  Chief  Patriarch  General  G.  A.  Smith  to 
confer  the  degrees,  receive  the  petition,  and  institute  the  encampment, 
which  was  accordingly  done.  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Gustavus  A. 
Smith, — to  whom  was  intrusted  this  work,  —  had  been  Deputy  Grand 
Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois  in  1857,  and  Grand  Junior  Warden 
of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  that  state  the  same  year.  He  was  colonel 
of  the  Thirty-fifth  Regiment,  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  brigadier- 
general  in  the  civil  war ;  was  United  States  collector  of  internal  revenue 
for  New  Mexico  at  that  time,  and  resided  in  Santa  Fd,  where  lie  died 
December  12, 1885. 


■  aiAiwi»jT^1i))||^VE'§hS}srd  Lodg 

'■  "■'  -".  t   i:.\!:^i^@^#,#:||aUute  to 


.^SUmffiUMUfAVSv.Bk^i'  JUBISDICTI0N8.  b^5 

iSIW0l8&9;*Ca^W(B''°ta  F^,  was  instituted  May  31, 

J^|ra'«^^aSf<M'dipK(tavus  A.  Smith,  Special  Deputy 

flV'V'nPuHrS'^VBlBow^  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 

,  to  fill  the  vacant  number, 

,  and  its  charter  approved 

Las  Vegas,  also  to  fill   a 

granted  by  the  Sovereign 

'tition  from  the  requisite  number 

,.  ^  _  „  ,  1884,  by  Patriarch  A,  C.  Sloan, 

i?^S*^iS«'  ■'iH|lS4.»^f  ^<^'  ^>  ^t  Albuquerque,  was 

„oi^ija.««Bi*]^.jj^g^^^  the  warrant  was  approved 

||V^ton,  was  instituted  January  4, 

■'^'  his  work  was  approved  Septem- 

Lodge  in  1890,  the  incoming 
and  "  take  \ip  "  the  property 
report  and  pay  its 
innial  Encampment  was  ordered 
_;»Km  of  the  receipts  since  its  last 
^»ceed  to  work ;  which  we  presume 
i^nd  the  name  is  still  upon  the  rol). 
[*t*^*allup,  was  instituted  January  28, 
jtsSJ  Bowman,  Special  Deputy  Grand 
ij^^^fS^mber  22,  1893. 
jwi'SiW^tiwi^erBhip  of  245. 
tg»\4lf(ioyWi»«Wi»have  to'the  patriarchal  Order  in 
WdwflBI^oBblished  proceedings  of  the  Grand 
Mj^|u5^;^S29,  where  it  states  that :  — 

il^C^aa^IllowB  m  this  city  [Albany]  was  dlscusBed 
'S*  ■**•*' 'A' 

_.._  :gf  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 

ic^tcgifor  an  encampment,  to  be  called 

""J^S:  New  York  City,  was  presented. 

^il^sSohn  A.  Kennedy.     To  that  peti- 

jiClSd  not  have  the  authority  to  grant 

jilj^ug  that  the  charter  of  the  Grand 

lh^*urisdiction  over  the  patriarchal 

"  1  Lodge  of  New  York  had  already 

ii-J^CSlilbany,  with  the  exclusive  power 

"iC^.Through  the  labors  of  that  inde- 

■l^umprntDt  It  Albmy  which,  lo-dv.  ItcvUed  Hew 


■•■  •^»  -T'  "*•  "T '  -*5'.  "*• 


626 


THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 


fatigable  worker  in  the  patriarchal  vineyard,  Past  Grand  Representative 
John  Medole,  of  New  York,  we  are  able  to  furnish  a  copy  of  that  charter: — 

ORDER  OF  INDEPENDENT  ODD  FELLOWS. 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern  these  presents  come  greeting :  — 

Know  ye,  that  on  application  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York  hy  the  fol- 
lowing brothers:  Russell  Watts,  William  L.  Osborn,  Alexander  Cameron,  Richard  Starr, 
Peter  H.  Snyder,  William  LeLasheur,  Joseph  Barton,  M.  McPherson,  J.  V.  N.  Tates,  and 
their  successors  who  shall  be  members  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  reside 
within  the  state  of  New  York,  to  establish  an  encampment  of  patriarchs  at  any  convenient 
place  within  the  said  state  of  New  York,  to  be  hailed  by  the  title  of  the  Encampment  of 
Patriarchs ;  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York,  by  authority  of  a  charter 
granted  them  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  America,  held  in  the  city  of  Balti- 
more, in  the  state  of  Maryland,  do  hereby  grant  this  charter,  and  empower  the  aforesaid 
encampment  of  patriarchs  to  grant  dispensations  for  opeuing  encampments  to  all  faithful 
Odd  Fellows  within  the  said  state  of  New  York ;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New 
York  do  furthermore  cede  to  the  said  encampment  of  patriarchs  their  right,  title,  and  claim, 
of  every  description  whatever,  to  the  Patriarchal,  Golden  Rule,  and  Royal  Purple  degrees ; 
and  that  the  said  encampment  of  patriarchs  have  the  exclusive  power  of  conferring  the 
Patriarchal,  Golden  Rule,  and  Royal  Purple  degrees ;  and  to  enact  such  laws  as  they  may 
deem  expedient  for  their  good  government,  provided  at  all  times  such  laws  be  not  incon- 
sistent with  the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  or  that  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  state  of  New  York :  but  should  the  said  encampment  infringe  or  violate  the 
constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  either  of  the  state  of  New  York  or  of  the  United  States, 
or  act  in  any  manner  derogatory  to  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  Grand  Lodge  do 
claim  the  power  of  suspending  this  charter ;  but,  in  case  of  a  faithful  observance  of  the 
above  stipulations,  do  further  bind  themselves  to  repair  all  accidental  damage  or  destruction 

of  this  charter. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  subscribed  our  names  and 

affixed  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  of  New 

York,  together  with  the  colors  herewith  transmitted  to 

/^^^\  this  said  encampment  of  patriarchs,  this  the  25th  day  of 

I  L.  S.  j  June,  a.d.  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty-nine.^ 

— ^^  Signed,  RUSSELL  WATTS,  G.M. 

Black.  W.  L.  OSBORN,  D.G.M. 

PuRPLB.  RICHARD  STARR,  G.W. 

Gold.  ALEXANDER  CAMERON,  G.  Sec'y. 

JOSEPH  BARTON,  G.Q. 

PETER  H.  SNYDER,  G.C. 

October  1, 1838,  —  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  — 

**  A  petition  was  presented  from  the  officers  and  members  of  Mount  Hebron  Encampment, 
No.  2,  of  New  York,  praying  for  a  charter,  in  lieu  of  the  dispensation  now  held  from  No.  1."  ^ 

1  Notes  hy  Patriarch  Medole.  —  As  Russell  Watts  was  then  Grand  Master,  and  a  resident  of 
Albany,  where  the  encampment  wae  organized,  undoubtedly  he  Instituted  it  and  Installed  the  first  oflSeers. 

At  the  top  of  this  charter  appear  three  emblems.  The  centre  Is  a  "  tent,  surmounted  by  an  eagle  Mith 
spread- wings  " ;  left  upper  comer,  the  "altar  of  incense  "  ;  right  upper  corner,  "  crossed  crooks." 

*  Notes  by  Patriarch  Medole.  —The  original  title  assumed  was :  *'  New  York  State  Encampment  of 
Patriarchs,  No.  1,  I.O.O.F."  The  earliest  recorded  minutes  obtainable  bear  date  June  28. 1888.  There 
were  present  at  this  meeting  Grand  Sire  Wildey ;  D.P.  Marshall,  G.P. ;  Bichard  Btarr,  S.W. ;  Charles  Dillon, 
J.W. ;  John  F.  Porter,  Scribe  ;  William  LoLasheur,  and  Joseph  Barton. 

The  minutes  of  March  6, 1885,  note  the  adoption  of  the  following :  — 

"  BeaolDedj  That  a  book  to  keep  the  minutes  of  the  encampment,  and  an  iron  chest,  be  provided  also 
for  the  encampment ;  and  that  the  cost  of  said  chest  shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  twenty  dollars." 

The  minutes  of  August  7, 1886,  represent  tJmt  Grand  Sire  Wildey  was  present,  and  acted  as  Grand 
Patriarch,  pro  tempore. 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  627 

So  reads  the  record.  October  3d,  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was 
granted  and  a  charter  was  issued,  without  fee,  to  the  patriarchs  named  in 
the  petition  of  1834.  During  this  interval  of  four  years  there  had  been 
trouble  in  New  York ;  the  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  had  been  recalled, 
and  an  irregular  Grand  Lodge  formed,  to  which  Encampment,  No.  1,  had 
given  allegiance ;  and,  therefore,  forfeited  all  rights  which  it  had  received 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  that  state.  The  charter  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was 
soon  afterward  restored,  and  the  irregular  body  being  suppressed.  Encamp- 
ment, No.  1,  resumed  its  proper  relations. 

In  1840  Grand  Sire  Samuel  H.  Perkins  reported  that,  on  July  2, 1839, 
he  had  authorized  Past  Grand  Master  James  Alcock  to  open  and  constitute 
Mount  Sinai  Encampment,  No.  3,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  that  Brother 
Alcock  had  performed  that  duty  to  his  entire  satisfaction.  The  warrant 
was  confirmed  April  22, 1840. 

Grand  Encampment  of  New  York.  —  This  Eight  Worthy  Grand  Encamp- 
ment was  formed  with  two  subordinate  encampments,  and  the  following  is 
the  record  of  its  institution  as  made  to  the  "  travelling  agent,"  Thomas 
AVildey,  by  the  instituting  ofi&cer,  Special  Deputy  Frederick  Leise :  — 

"  In  accordance  with  my  duty,  and  the  power  vested  in  me  by  you,  I  proceeded,  on  the 
18th  of  August,  1839,  to  the  Knickerbocker  lodge-room,  held  in  Shakspeare  hotel,  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  opening  and  delivering  the  dispeuBation  for  a  Grand 
Encampment  in  the  state  of  New  York. 

**  The  following  past  chief  patriarchs,  applicants  for  the  dispensation,  were  present  to 
receive  the  same,  viz.:  John  A.  Kennedy,  James  Alcock,  Charles  McGrOwan,  Harvey  F. 
Aul>ery ,  and  Joseph  Patterson,  of  Mount  Hebron  Encampment,  No.  2 ;  Joseph  D.  Stewart 
and  Wilson  Small,  of  Mount  Sinai  Encampment,  No.  3. 

"  After  stating  the  object  of  my  mission,  and  the  power  in  me  vested  for  opening  the 
Grand  Encampment,  to  be  located  in  the  city  of  New  York,  I  directed  the  officers  to  be 
elected  previous  to  my  delivering  the  dispensation,  which  was  complied  with.  .  .  .  The 
Grand  Encampment  was  then  opened  in  due  form,  according  to  ancient  usage,  and  the  Grand 
Patriarch  and  officers  were  duly  installed  into  their  respective  offices,  and  then  declared, 
in  the  name  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  America,  a  duly  constituted  Grand 
Encampment  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  FeUows  for  the  state  of  New  York." 

The  warrant  was  confirmed  April  23, 1840.  At  this  session  Grand 
Representative  Wilson  Small  submitted  the  resolutions  of  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  New  York,  proffering  to  pay  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  the  dues  that  were  required  of  Grand  Lodges,  so  as  to 
entitle  the  Grand  Encampments  to  representation,  which  was  read  but  no 

\        .  action  taken  thereon.     The  following  year,  1841,  the  constitution  was 

•  so  amended  as  to  give  these  bodies  representation. 

Owing  to  dissensions  following  the  adoption  of  the  new  constitution 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York,  two  Grand  Lodges  and  two  Grand 
Encampments  were  formed,  and  were  recognized  by  an  amendment  to  the 
constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  adopted  September 
21, 1849. 


628  THE  THREE'LISK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Grand  Sire  was  authorized,  at  this  session,  to  issue  charters  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  of  "  Northern  New  York,"  when 
officially  advised  of  the  place  of  their  location;  the  old  bodies  to  take 
jurisdiction  as  "  Southern  New  York."  At  the  session  of  1850  Grand  Sire 
Robert  H.  Griffin  reported  the  duty  performed,  and  that  all  difficulties  were 
amicably  adjusted. 

For  fifteen  years  there  were  two  Grand  Encampments  in  this  Grand 
jurisdiction,  during  which  time  there  was  no  special  action  of  either 
worthy  of  note ;  except  that  the  Northern  Grand  Encampment  put  itself 
on  record  as  opposed  to  "  mergement."  At  the  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1865,  Grand  Representative  John  H. 
AVhite,  since  Grand  Sire,  of  the  Northern  jurisdiction,  presented  proceed- 
ings favoring  the  consolidation  of  the  two  Grand  Encampments  of  Xew 
Y^ork,  which  were  sent  to  the  committee  on  legislation.  A  report  and  bill 
consolidating  the  two  Grand  bodies  was  reported,  and  it  was  unanimously 
adopted  September  22,  1865.  On  September  17,  1866,  Grand  Sire  Isaac 
M.  Veitoh  rei)orted  the  consolidation  as  having  been  happily  consummated, 
and  due  proclamation  was  made  of  that  auspicious  event. 

From  the  consolidation  of  the  two  jurisdictions  the  patriarchal  Order 
in  the  Empire  State  has  had  a  steady  growth,  and  its  members  have  been 
among  the  foremost  workers.  Their  name  is  legion.  Four  have  been  made 
Grand  Sires :  John  A.  Kennedy,  James  P.  Sanders,  John  H.  White,  and 
John  W.  Stebbins ;  while  many  others,  John  J.  Daviess,  John  Medole, 
and  George  W.  Dilks,  have  few,  if  any,  equals  in  their  untiring  energy  and 
devotion  to  our  Order.  We  especially  commend  the  labors  of  Past  Grand 
Sire  James  P.  Sanders,  Past  Grand  Representative  John  Medole,  and  Grand 
Representative  George  W.  Dilks.  When  life's  journey  is  ended,  and  they 
laid  to  rest,  may  the  turfliQ  lightly  upon  their  manly  forms,  be  ever/ro- 
grant  and  nourishingy  as  would  be  their  wish  were  they  then  still  with  ns 
in  life. 

The  encampments  are  138,  and  the  membership  9155;  the  yearly 
revenue  is  $39,266,  of  which  there  was  expended  for  relief  $20,668. 

North  Carolina.  —  Campbell  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Wilmington,  was 
instituted  January  5,  1843,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  George  M. 
Bain,  Grand  Representative  of  Virginia.  In  order  to  form  this  encamp- 
ment Grand  Sire  John  A.  Kennedy  issued  a  dispensation  Novembers, 
1842,  to  confer  the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  Brother  John  Mockar,  Jr., 
and  six  other  Scarlet  degree  members  to  qualify  them  to  petition  for  an 
encampment,  which  was  done,  as  above  stated,  and  the  warrant  confirmed 
September  21, 1843. 

Bain  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Murfreesborough,  was  instituted  June 
23,  1843,  and  the  warrant  confirmed  September  21st  following.  To 
enable  the  brethren  to  petition  for  this  encampment,  the  degrees  were 


PATRIARCHAL   OBDEH  BY  JUBISDICTIONS.  629 

conferred,  by  dispensation,  upon  Ely  Carter  and  six  other  brethren  by 
Deputy  Bain,  and  the  encampment  was  duly  instituted. 

In  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  September  18,  1844,  on 
motion  of  Alexander  MacRae,  Grand  Representative  of  North  Carolina, 
the  Grand  Sire  was  authorized  to  commission 

"  A  qualified  brother  at  Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  to  confer  the  patriarchal  degrees 
upon  a  sufficient  number  of  Scarlet  degree  members  at  Fayetteville,  in  said  state,  to  author- 
ize them  to  apply  for  an  encampment  warrant." 

The  requisite  fee  was  paid  October  21, 1844,  and  the  warrant  of  Pine 
Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Fayetteville,  was  confirmed  September  17,  1845. 
At  what  date  the  encampment  was  instituted,  and  by  whom,  we  have 
been  unable  to  learn.  Calumet,  No.  4,  at  Newborn,  was  probably  insti- 
tuted in  July,  1845,  as  the  fee  for  the  warrant  was  paid  June  30th  of 
that  year,  and  the  instrument  confirmed  September  23,  1845.  Raleigh, 
No.  5,  at  Raleigh,  paid  for  its  charter  January  25, 1847 ;  and  the  same 
was  confirmed  September  21, 1847.  The  only  record  we  find  of  Eureka, 
No.  6,  at  Newborn,  is  the  fact  that  a  warrant  was  confirmed  for  it  at  the 
date  of  the  confirmation  of  the  warrant  of  No:  5.  As  Grand  Representar 
tive  Alexander  MacRae  was  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  several 
years,  in  North  Carolina,  it  is  probable  that  he  instituted,  or  caused  to  be 
instituted,  these  several  encampments. 

Grand  Encampment  of  TSlort^  Carolina.  —  This  Right  Worthy  Grand  body 
was  instituted  in  the  city  of  Wilmington,  July  16,  1847,  by  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Alexander  MacRae.  There  were  present  the  past 
officers  of  encampments  Nos.  1,  3,  4,  and  5. 

It  was  decided  that  no  officer  of  the  Grand  Encampment  should  receive 
compensation  for  his  services,  and  that  the  revenue  of  the  Grand  body 
should  be  ten  per  centum  of  the  receipts  of  the  subordinate  encampments. 
A  new  officer  appears  in  the  records,  and  that  is  an  "  alternate  "  for  the 
Grand  Representative. 

The  last  session  of  this  Grand  Encampment,  held  before  the  civil  war, 
was  at  Statesville,  July  18,  1860 ;  and  the  first,  after  that  terrible  con- 
flict closed,  assembled  at  Goldsboro,  November  23,  1871. 

During  the  long  slumber  of  eleven  years  the  subordinate  encamp- 
ments continuing  to  work  made  reports  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States.  For  a  decade  and  a'  half  Judge  Charles  M.  Busbee  was  the 
Grand  Representative  from  the  Old  Pine  Tree  State,  until  he  became 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  and  Grand  Sire;  and  among  the  older  workers  was 
Colonel  William  J.  Hoke,  a  brave  Confederate  soldier. 

There  are  now  twenty-five  encampments,  with  a  membership  of  669. 
The  jurisdiction  is  progressive,  notwithstanding,  in  1853,  this  Grand 
body  favored  mergement. 

North  Dakota.  —  This  Grand  Encampment  was  formed  with  the  follow- 


630  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

ing  eight  subordinate  bodies,  of  the  old  Grand  Encampment  of  Dakota 
(now  the  Grand  Encampment  of  South  Dakota) :  Golden  Rule,  No.  4,  at 
Bismarck;  Sinai,  No.  6,  at  Grand  Forks ;  Ridgely,  No.  7,  at  Fargo;  Olive, 
No.  24,  at  St.  Thomas;  Cheyenne  Valley,  No.  25,  at  Valley  City;  Hope, 
No.  27,  at  Dickinson ;  and  Red  River,  No.  28,  at  Wahpeton. 

For  a  detailed  account  of  the  growth  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  the 
Dakotas,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  history  of  Dakota,  under  the  head 
of  "  South  Dakota."  To  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Harvey  J.  Rice  was 
intrusted  the  duty  of  instituting  this  Grand  body,  and  faithfully  did  he 
do  his  work;  and  there  were  two  Grand  Encampments, — North  Dakota 
and  South  Dakota, —  in  session  May  21,  1890,  in  the  city  of  Deadwood; 
an  incident  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  the  Order. 

North  Dakota,  in  1894,  had  fourteen  encampments,  and  481  patriarchs. 

Ohio.  —  The  patriarchal  Order  was  introduced  into  this  the  second  larg- 
est jurisdiction  by  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey.  Wherever  he  planted  Odd 
Fellowship  in  person  the  Order  has  been  thrifty  and  strong.  The  first 
encampment  tents  that  were  pitched  in  Ohio  were  those  of  Wildey, 
No.  1,  at  Cincinnati,  instituted  December  7,  1832,  by  Grand  Sire  Wildey; 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  approved  his  action  March 
4,  1833.  At  the  September  session  in  1832,  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  a 
petition  had  been  presented  asking  for  this  encampment,  and  on  the  3d 
of  that  month  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted,  so  that  every- 
thing had  been  prepared  for  the  Grand  Sire  when  he  arrived  on  the 
ground  in  December.     Grand  Sire  Wildey  reported :  — 

''The  lodge-room  was  crowded  to  an  overflowing  excess;  the  encampment  was  opened 
with  some  fourteen  members :  men  whom  I  think  with  integrity  I  can  say,  woold  prove  an 
acquisition  and  ornament  to  any  Order." 

Dayton  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Dayton,  was,  also,  instituted  by  Grand 
Sire  Wildey,  and  its  warrant  was  approved  October  5,  1838.  The  war- 
rant of  Nimrod,  No.  3,  at  Steubenville,  was  approved  April  23,  1840;  but 
its  date  of  institution  is  not  recorded  in  the  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Ohio.  —  This  Eight  Worthy  Grand  Encamp- 
ment was  instituted  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  September  24,  1839,  and 
the  charter  was  confirmed  April  23,  1840.  R.  R.  Andrews  was  elected 
Grand  Patriarch.  Not  a  name  of  the  charter  members  of  Wildey 
Encampment,  No.  1,  appears  on  the  roll  of  the  first  officers  of  this  Grand 
body,  —  a  singular  circumstance. 

In  the  absence  of  information  as  to  the  facts  it  is  difficult  to  know 
why,  in  1840,  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Ohio  should  ask  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  to 

"Inform  Nimrod  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Steubenville,  of  the  existence  of  the  Grand 
Encampment,  and  direct  it  to  make  itself  subordinate  to  that  Grand  body." 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  RT  JURISDICTIONS.  631 

Such,  however,  was  the  case  and  it  was  so  ordered.  In  1841  Grand 
Secretary  Ridgely  reported  that  he  had  forwarded  an  official  copy  of  the 
order  to  Kimrod  Encampment,  and  adds :  — 

"  No  doubt  was  entertained  by  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Ohio,  in  view  of  the  high 
character,  respectability,  and  derotion  of  the  patriarchs  in  Nimrod  Encampment,  that  a 
cheerful  and  implicit  obedience  has  been  yielded  to  yoor  authority." 

'  Fifty-six  years  of  dutiful  obedience,  and  a  membership  of  115  in 
Nimrod  Encampment,  is  evidence  that  the  Grand  Encampment's  faith  in 
those  patriarchs  was  well  founded. 

The  first  three  encampments:  Wildey,  No.  1;  Dayton,  No.  2;  and 
Nimrod,  No.  3,  are  active,  living  bodies  on  the  Ohio  roll  to-day,  —  Wildey, 
No.  1,  having  the  largest  membership  (381)  in  the  jurisdiction. 

In  1842  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Ohio  was  exempted  from  the  pay- 
ment of  dues  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  because  of  being 
unrepresented,  while  in  1843  it  was  required  to  pay. 

This  Grand  body,  in  1849,  asked  to  have  the  constitution  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  so  amended  as'  to  permit  Grand  Encampments 
to  confer  the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  Scarlet  degree  members,  and  thus 
qualify  them  to  petition  for  an  encampment  charter.  To  this  request 
the  Grand  Lodge  answered  that  it  was  "inexpedient  to  grant  such 
power."  The  reader  will  "note  this  in  contrast  with  the  practice  in 
other  jurisdictions. 

The  Grand  Encampment  of  Ohio  has  been  progressive  and  liberal  in 
its  legislation,  having,  in  1849,  advocated  a  donation  from  the  treasury  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  to  aid  the  brethren  in  Honolulu 
(Sandwich  Islands),  in  building  an  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  and  that  full  annual 
statistical  reports  be  made  of  the  condition  of  the  patriarchal  Order. 

May  4, 1858,  strong  ground  was  taken  against  mergement  in  an  able 
report  from  a  special  committee  ;  it  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  pre- 
sented to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  The  only  backward 
step  this  body  has  taken  was  in  1873,  when  it  advocated  the  consolidation 
of  the  Grand  Encampment  and  Grand  Lodge  of  that  State  into  one  Grand 
body.  Those  proceedings  when  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  met  with  a  prompt  decision  to  lay  them  on  the  table,  from 
which  they  were  never  taken,  and  there  they  rest.  The  next  legislation 
recommended  to  the  Grand  Lodge  was  progressive,  and  it  would  be  well  to 
make  it  the  law  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  It  was  that  the  terms  of 
the  subordinate  encampments  be  made  annual,  and  those  of  the  Grand 
Encampments  biennial. 

Two  Grand  Sires  have  been  given  to  the  Order  from  Ohio :  Thomas 
Sherlock  in  1847,  and  Samuel  Craighead  in  1860 ;  while  James  Anderton, 
Grfuid  Scribe  Henry  Frost,  Past  Grand  Patriarch,  and  John  E.  Bell, 


632  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Past  Grand  Eepresentative,  each  of  whom  has  so  lately  been  laid  to 
rest,  added  much,  by  their  earnest  labors,  to  the  glory  of  our  Order  in 
that  faithful  jurisdiction.  Of  the  living,  W.  B.  Kennedy,  E.  B.  Comly, 
A.  C.  Cable,  Louis  Van  Noorden,  and  others,  are  deserving  of  mention. 

There  were,  January  1,  1895,  two  hundred  and  twenty  encampments 
with  a  membership  of  14,382,  and  assets  $298,105.  The  total  paid  for 
relief,  in  the  year  preceding,  was  $39,055.  This  is  a  splendid  exhibit 
of  fraternal  love  and  beneficence. 

Oklahoma. — August  13,  1891,  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Gl.  T.  Campbell, 
Acting  Grand  Sire,  issued  a  dispensation  authorizing  the  formation  of 
Oklahoma  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Guthrie,  in  that  territory;  and  the 
body  was  instituted  August  27th,  by  A.  C.  Potter,  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire.     The  warrant  and  institution  were  confirmed  September  25,  1891. 

The  warrant  for  Oklahoma  City  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Oklahoma 
City,  was  issued  April  14,  1892, —  it  having  been  instituted  the  previous 
March  8th,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Potter, — and  it  was  confirmed 
September  23,  1892.  Canadian,  No.  3,  at  El  Reno,  was  instituted  July 
15,  1892,  its  warrant  having  been  issued  July  4th.  The  warrant  was 
confirmed  September  23,  1892. 

This  encampment  was,  also,  instituted  by  the  energetic  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  Potter. 

The  next  two  encampments  were  formed  and  instituted  by  Patriarch 
Potter,  who  had  the  honor  of  officiating  at  the  birth  of  each  of  the  five 
subordinate  bodies  which  founded  the  Grand  Encampment  of  this  new 
territory,  and  is  now  its  Grand  High  Priest,  a  place  he  is  in  every  way 
qualified  to  fill.  The  record  reads  as  follows :  Kingfisher,  No.  4,  at  King- 
fisher, was  instituted  February  21,  1893,  and  its  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  22,  1893;  Hennessey,  No.  5,  at  Hennessey,  was  instituted 
April  7,  1893,  and  the  warrant  waa  confirmed  September  22,  1893. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Oklahoma.  —  To  the  five  subordinate  bodies,  above 
named,  the  charter  was  issued  for  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Oklahoma, 
and  the  duty  of  instituting  it  was  intrusted  to  that  sterling  Odd  Fellow 
Grand  Eepresentative  and  Past  Grand  Master  A.  L.  Voorhis,  of  Elansas, 
who  reported  the  work  happily  performed  April  27,  1893. 

There  were,  in  1895,  seven  encampments  with  272  members. 

Oregon.  —  Ellison  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Portland,  was  the  first 
patriarchal  body  instituted  in  this  Western  territory,  and  to  Grand  Sire 
William  Ellison  is  due  the  honor  of  issuing  the  dispensation  July  4, 1857. 
The  encampment  was  instituted  September  25,  1857,  and  the  action  of  the 
Grand  Sire  was  approved  September  24,  1857, —  one  day  before  its 
institution. 

At  the  September  session  in  1861,  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  Grand  Sire 
was  directed  to  issue  a  dispensation  for  an  encampment  to  Past  Grand 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BT  JURISDICTIONS.  633 

Master  Samuel  E.  May,  of  Jacksonville;  but,  as  no  further  reference  to 
this  body  appears,  it  is  probable  that  a  proper  petition  was  never  filed. 
Brother  May  afterward  removed  to  Illinois,  where  he  died  a  few  years  ago. 

September  24, 1863,  the  Grand  Lodge  directed  that  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  California  extend  its  jurisdiction  over  the  (one)  encampment  in 
the  state  of  Oregon.  During  the  term  of  that  protectorate, — from  Sep- 
tember, 1863,  until  September,  1873,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  resumed  its  jurisdiction, — the  Grand  Encampment  of  California 
issued  charters  for  four  encampments  the  detailed  history  of  which  we 
have  been  unable  to  obtain.  They  were  as  follows :  Willamette,  No.  2, 
at  Salem;  Excelsior,  No.  3,  at  Canyon  City;  Ealls,  No.  4,  at  Oregon  City, 
instituted  January  8,  1872,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  A.  L.  Stinson ; 
Orgeana,  No.  5,  at  Albany,  instituted  March  8, 1872,  by  Patriarch  Stinson. 

As  early  as  1869,  the  above  named  Patriarch  Stinson,  Grand  Repre- 
sentative of  Oregon,  had  asked  that  a  Grand  Encampment  be  instituted 
in  that  state,  but  the  request  was  not  granted. 

Li  1873  the  Grand  Lodge  discovered,  in  placing  encampments  in  new 
territories  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Grand  Encampments  in  older  states, 
that  it  had  been  understood  this  action  gave  such  Grand  bodies  juris- 
diction over  the  entire  territory  and  charters  had  been  issued  accordingly 
to  new  bodies.  As  this  was  not  the  intention  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the 
several  encampments,  above  named,  were  furnished  legal  charters,  free 
of  charge,  by  the  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States.  The  first  charter  issued  under  this  rdgime  was  to  Wimawhala 
Encampment,  No.  6,  at  Eugene  City,  which  was  instituted  February  9, 
1874,  and  the  warrant  confirmed  September  24,  1874.  These  encamp- 
ments united  in  a  petition  for  a  Grand  Encampment,  and  their  prayer  was 
granted  September  25,  1874. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Oregon.  —  The  following  were  among  the  peti- 
tioners for  this  charter:  A.J.Marshall,  of  Ellison,  No.  1;  Frederick  G. 
Schwatka,  of  Willamette,  No.  2;  J.  M.  Bacon,  of  Falls,  No.  4;  W.  S.  New- 
berry, of  Orgeana,  No.  6;  and  James  Garden,  of  Wimawhala,  No.  6. 

In  the  name  of  Frederick  G.  Schwatka,  we  recognize  a  sturdy  old  patri- 
arch, who  was  made  an  Odd  Fellow  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  January  16, 1836, 
and  became  a  member  of  Wildey  Encampment,  No.  1,  Cincinnati,  immedi- 
ately thereafter.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  Chosen  Friends  Encamp- 
ment, No.  2,  in  1839;  and  Leadmine  Encampment,  No.  5,  in  1846,  both  of 
the  City  of  Galena,  Illinois.  Eemoving  to  Oregon  territory  in  1850,  he 
became  a  charter  member  of  No.  2,  and  was  the  father  of  the  great  Arctic 
and  Alaskan  explorer  Lieutenant  Frederick  Schwatka,  U.S.A.,  as  we 
have  elsewhere  stated. 

The  patriarchs  named,  and  others  duly  qualified,  met  in  Odd  Fellows' 
temple,  city  of  Portland,  March  29,  1875,  and  the  Grand  Encampment 


634  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

was  duly  instituted,  Past  Grand  Eepresentative  A.  Noltner,  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire,  officiating. 

The  growth  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  the  Northwestern  state  has 
been  steady  and  vigorous, —  but  one  number  is  vacant  on  its  roll  of  thirty- 
three  good  working  encampments  with  a  membership, .  in  1894,  of  1196 
patriarchs.  The  assets  of  these  bodies  are  $21,088;  and  the  relief  paid 
for  the  year  was  f  4268. 

Province  of  Canada :  Ontario  I.  —  At  the  risk  of  intrenching  upon  what 
maybe  said  in  Division  VI.,  of  this  work,  on  the  subject  of  encampments 
in  Canada,  we  will  briefly  refer  to  the  organization  of  these  bodies  across 
the  "Great  Lakes."  In  our  younger  days  that  vast  tract  of  land  was 
called  "  Upper  and  Lower  Canada,"  and  it  was  in  Lower  Canada,  or  Canada 
East,  where  the  first  encampment  was  organized  in  the  year  1844. 

One  year  later,  or  in  1845,  another  was  added;  and,  in  1846,  two  more 
were  instituted,  making  four  in  all,  and  from  these  came  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  the  Province  of  Canada.  We  are  unable  to  give  the  date 
of  the  institution  of  these  subordinate  bodies,  and  therefore  confine  our- 
self  to  name,  place,  and  year  of  organization. 

Hockelaga  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  instituted  in  the  year  1844,  in 
the  city  of  Montreal, —  Lower,  or  Canada  East, — by  Special  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  Thomas  Hardie.  The  dispensation  fee  was  paid  March  21, 
1844,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  17th,  of  that  year. 
Stadacona,  No.  2,  at  Quebec,  was  instituted  in  the  year  1845.  The  fee 
for  this  encampment  was  paid  September  9,  1845,  and  its  warrant  was 
confirmed  September  17,  1845. 

Royal  Mount,  No.  3,  at  Montreal,  was  instituted  in  1846,  the  dispen- 
sation fee  was  paid  March  9th,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September 
23,  1846. 

St.  Louis,  No.  4,  at  Quebec,  was,  also,  instituted  in  1846,  the  dispen- 
sation fee  was  paid  June  15th,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September 
23,  1846. 

Grand  Encampment  of  the  Province  of  Canada.  —  The  dispensation  for 
this  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  was  issued  by  Grand  Sire  Thomas 
Sherlock  in  1846.  It  was  instituted,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed,  at 
the  September  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  At  this  session  the  new  body 
presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  a  series  of  fourteen 
resolutions  praying  for  its  consolidation  with  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the 
province  of  Canada,  and  for  exclusive  sovereignty ;  promising  that  if  con- 
ceded sovereignty  and  created  into  a  "  Sovereign  Grand  Chapter  of  British 
North  America  "  it  would 

"  Place  on  record  its  unreserved  engagement  to  adhere  to  the  principles  and  work  of  the 
Order,  in  concert  with  the  Right  "Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  such  other 
sovereign  tribunals  of  the  Order  as  from  time  to  time  may  be  hereafter  regularly  constituted." 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  635 

The  Grand  Lodge  in  the  province  of  Canada  having  presented  a  simi- 
lar petition  the  two  were  referred  to  a  special  committee  and  that  com- 
mittee reported  in  favor  of  a  consolidation  of  the  two  bodies  into  one 
Grand  body  with  "distinct  sovereignty  by  the  name  and  title  of  *The 
Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America/"  and  the  report  was  adopted 
September  24, 1846,  by  a  vote  of  forty-seven  yeas  to  nine  nays. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  Baltimore, 
September,  1847,  Brother  S.  B.  Campbell,  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  the 
province  of  Toronto,  appeared  as  special  grand  representative  of  the 
Eight  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  British  Noi*th  America,  and  was  welcomed 
to  a  seat. 

In  1853,  "The  Grand  Lodge  of  British  North  America"  having  ceased 
to  have  any  care  of  the  lodges  or  encampments,  being  thus  disbanded,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  September  10, 1853,  directed  that  the 
charter  be  reclaimed  and  the  Grand  Lodge  resume  jurisdiction  over  said 
territory,  the  same  as  though  no  charter  had  ever  been  issued. 

October  14, 1853,  Grand  Sire  Wilmot  G.  DeSaussure  met  with  the  last 
officers  of  the  late  Grand  Lodge  and  received  from  them  a  surrender  of  all 
authority  over  British  North  America.  Whereupon  he  issued  a  proclama- 
tion resuming  jurisdiction  and 

"  Divided  the  territory  into  three  districts:  the  district  of  Canada  West,  the  district  of 
Canada  East,  and  the  district  of  the  Lower  Provinces,  with  a  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
for  each.'' 

During  the  seven  years'  existence  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  British 
North  America  we  have  no  knowledge  of  its  work,  not  having  had  access 
to  papers  or  copies  of  its  proceedings,  and  therefore  refer  the  reader  to 
Past  Grand  Sire  Campbell's  Division  VI.  We  do  find  however  that,  in 
1852,  an  encampment  named  Mamberton,  No.  9,  was  instituted  in  Halifax, 
Nova  Scotia,  and  that,  upon  the  "break-up,"  it  remained  loyal  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  for  many  years  thereafter  regu- 
larly made  its  annual  reports  to  that  Grand  body. 

December  8, 1865,  Grand  Sire  Isaac  M.  Veitch  issued  a  dispensation 
for  Frontier  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Windsor,  Canada  W®8^>  ^nd  the  war- 
rant was  confirmed  September  20,  1866.  We  presume  from  this  that 
Mamberton  Encampment  at  Halifax  was  then  accepted  as  No.  1,  and 
Frontier  became  No.  2.  Harmony  Encampment,  No.  3,  in  Canada  West, 
was  the  next  to  be  instituted,  and  the  charter  was  confirmed  on  the  same 
date  as  that  of  No.  2. 

Lower  Provinces  of  British  North  America.  —  The  first  mention  we  have 
of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  this  territory  is  the  reference  to  Mamberton 
Encampment,  Halifax,  in  1852,  and  its  subsequent  reports  until  they 
cease  in  1863.  In  1868  a  constitution,  by-laws,  etc.,  of  Stuart  Encamp- 
ment, No.  10,  at  Pictou,  were  submitted,  and  approved,  September  24th, 


636  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

but  how  or  when  instituted,  we  know  not,  nor  why  "No.  10."  The 
next  to  follow  were:  Milicete  Encampment,  No.  11,  at  St.  John,  New 
Brunswick,  instituted  July  8, 1874,  with  twenty-two  members,  by  Grand 
Patriarch  Warren  G.  Pressey,  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Maine,  and 
the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  24,  1874.  Halifax,  No.  12,  at 
Halifax,  was  instituted  April  13,  1876,  by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
Robert  Hockin,  on  the  petition  of  eight  duly  qualified  patriarchs.  The 
warrant  was  confirmed  September  21, 1876. 

Port  La  Joie  Encampment,  No.  13,  at  Charlottetown,  Prince  Edward 
Island,  was  instituted  October  24,  1876,  by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
R.  Radford  Barnes,  Past  Grand  RiCpresentative,  with  seven  patriarchs, 
and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  20, 1877.  Belvidere,  No.  14,  at 
AVindsor,  Nova  Scotia,  was  instituted  January  2b,  1884,  by  Special  Deputy 
Henry  A.  Taylor,  Past  Grand  Representative,  and  the  warrant  was  con- 
firmed September  19,  1884.  Mount  Carmel,  No.  15,  at  Moncton,  New 
Brunswick,  was  instituted  March  28, 1889,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  20, 1889.  The  duty  of  instituting  this  body  was  assigned  to 
the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Andrd  Gushing,  who  reported  twenty-two 
members  elected,  seventeen  admitted  to  the  Patriarchal  degree,  fourteen 
advanced  to  the  Golden  Rule  degree,  and  exalted  to  the  Royal  Purple 
degree. 

Yarmouth  Encampment,  No.  16,  at  Yarmouth,  Nova  Scotia,  was  insti- 
tuted August  11,  1891,  by  Benjamin  Bremner,  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire,  and  its  warrant  was  confirmed  September  25, 1891.  Meductic,  No. 
17,  at  Woodstock,  New  Brunswick,  was  instituted  February  3,  1892,  by 
Deputy  Bremner,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  23,  1892. 
The  organization  of  the  latter  body  led  to  a  petition  for  a  Grand  Encamp- 
ment, and  the  warrant  was  issued  July  8,  1892,  by  Grand  Sire  Charles 
M.  Busbee,  the  body  taking  the  name  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  the 
Maritime  Provinces  of  Canada. 

Ontario  II. — Having  traced  the  formation  of  the  encampments  in 
Canada,  —  under  various  names  and  Grand  bodies :  "  Grand  Encampment 
of  the  Province  of  Canada,"  the  "Lower  Provinces  of  British  North 
America,"  and  as  "  Grand  Encampment  of  the  Maritime  Provinces " ; 
"Province  of  Quebec,"  under  the  old  rigime,  present  Quebec,  below,  in 
its  proper  order, — we  return  again  to  "Ontario,"  and  take  up  the  record 
of  the  bodies  formed  in  that  growing  province. 

In  1868  the  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  make 
mention  of  an  encampment  without  name  having  been  authorized,  but 
when,  or  by  whom  instituted,  we  do  not  know.  This  body  was  Brant 
Encampment,  No.  4;  it  was  instituted  at  Brantford,  in  the  year  1868, 
and  its  warrant  was  confirmed  September  24,  1868.  There  is,  also,  a 
record  the  same  year  of  the  approval  of  the  constitution  of  Union  Encamp- 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  637 

ment,  No.  1,  located  at  St.  Catharines,  the  warrant  of  which  was  issued 
during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge  1860-61,  and  confirmed  in  Septem- 
ber, 1861. 

The  following  year  Charity  Encampment,  No.  5,  was  instituted  at 
Stratford;  the  dispensation  was  issued  September  29, 1868,  and  confirmed 
September  24,  1869.  A  dispensation  was  issued  September  29, 1868,  for 
Beaver,  No.  6,  at  St.  Mary's,  and  it  was  confirmed  September  20, 1869. 
The  encampments  then  in  this  province,  —  Union,  No.  1 ;  Frontier,  No,  2; 
Harmony,  No.  3 ;  Brant,  No.  4 ;  Charity,  No.  5 ;  and-  Beaver,  No.  6,  — 
united  in  a  petition  for  a  Grand  body,  and  their  prayer  was  granted. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Ontario. — May  31,  1369,  Grand  Sire  E.  D. 
Farnsworth  issued  a  dispensation  for  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  Ontario,  and  it  was  instituted  August  6,  1869,  in  the  city  of 
Hamilton,  by  that  earnest  and  faithful  patriarch,  James  Woodyatt,  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  Sire.  The  warrant  was  ^  confirmed  September  20, 
1869. 

This  Grand  Jurisdiction  has  given  one  able  Grand  Sire,  —  Doctor 
CI.  T.  Campbell, — to  the  Order  and  many  earnest  workers.  The  first 
Grand  Patriarch,  James  Woodyatt,  was  for  many  years  its  faithful  Grand 
Eepresentative,  and  John  Gibson  was  an  early  and  constant  worker; 
while  the  indefatigable  Grand  Scribe,  M.  D.  Dawson,  has  never  been 
known  to  absent  himself  from  the  post  of  duty. 

Since  the  reorganization  of  the  Grand  bodies  now  in  Canada,  the  Order 
has  advanced  in  membership  steadily,  until  there  were  (January,  1895), 
seventy-one  encampments,  with  a  membership  of  3472 ;  an  annual  reve- 
nue of  $10,378,  and  $20,338  invested  funds. 

Pennsylvania.  —  The  history  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  this  state  is 
the  history  of  Odd  Fellowship  from  its  commencement.  As  Pennsyl- 
vania, with  its  great  industries,  forms  the  key-stone  of  the  federal  Union, 
so  has  it  ever  been  the  crowning  glory  of  the  Order.  Odd  Fellowship  is 
the  Order  par  excellence  of  the  middle  classes  of  society,  the  industrious 
mechanic,  the  thrifty  tradesman,  and  all  wage-workers,  who  have  to 
depend  upon  their  own  efforts  for  the  support  of  themselves  and  those 
dependent  upon  them.  No  social  or  benevolent  organization  has  ever 
been  half  so  popular,  and  no  society  has  ever  been  of  so  much  good  to 
man. 

With  its  self -constituted  lodge  of  1821,  which,  in  1823,  connected  itself 
with  the  Baltimore  brethren;  and,  for  the  purpose  of  strengthening  both, 
asked  for,  and  received,  a  charter  from  Maryland,  until  the  present  day 
it  has  kept  in  the  forefront  of  progress.  In  membership  it  early  surpassed 
Maryland  and  all  other  jurisdictions,  a  position  it  has  always  held,  and 
kolds,  to  this  day.  The  Order  of  the  yeomanry  of  the  country  and  the 
pride  of  the  philanthropist,  Odd  Fellowship  finds  its  best  friends  in  the 


638  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

industrial  classes,  and  nowhere  is  this  more  apparent  than  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. With  a  lodge  membership  of  107,708,  and  a  yearly  relief  of 
$580,963,  it  far  outstrips  all  others. 

In  membership  it  is  37,000  stronger  than  the  next  largest  jurisdiction, 
and  nearly  one  hundred  per  centum  in  excess  of  any  other  in  its  disburse- 
ments for  the  relief  of  the  distressed.  While  still  in  advance  of  all  others 
in  its  patriarchal  membership,  there  are  three  jurisdictions  following  it 
closely,  and  if  Pennsylvania  is  not  careful,  one,  at  least,  will  outstrip  it 
in  a  year  or  two. 

In  1825  the  Eoyal  Purple, — then  known  as  the  "Mazarine  Blue," 
—  and  the  Golden  Bule  degrees,  were  conferred  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania;  and,  in  1826,  the  Patriarchal  degree  was  received. 
In  a  letter  from  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey,  dated  June  9,  1828,  the 
brethren  were  informed  of  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  in 
having  chartered  "Encampment  Lodge,  No.  1,"  the  previous  year,  and 
that  they  had  the  same  authority. 

September  27, 1828,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  granted  a  charter 
to  ten  past  grands,  to  form  an  encampment  of  patriarchs,  with  power  to 
confer  the  Patriarchal,  Golden  Eule,  and  Eoyal  Purple  degrees  upon  its 
members.  October  2nd  a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  charter 
for  this  encampment;  the  committee  reported  on  the  27th  of  October,  and 
on  December  15th,  the  charter  having  been  prepared,  the  Grand  Lodge 
agreed  to  meet  on  the  20th,  to  deliver  it,  which  was  accordingly  done. 
It  thus  appears  that  Encampment,  No.  1,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  duly 
instituted  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  December  20,  1828. 

No  further  record  can  be  found  of  this  body,  and  we  know  of  nothing 
done  except  to  organize. 

At  the  session  of  Grand  Lodge  June  16,  1829,  the  vote  of  September 
27,  1828, — granting  a  charter  to  "Encampment,  No.  1,"  —  was  reconsid- 
ered, and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  the  propriety  of  forming  a 
Grand  Encampment.  That  committee's  action  being  favorable,  a  charter 
was  voted  to  the  petitioners  named  in  the  charter  of  Encampment,  No.  1, 
of  September  27,  1828,  under  the  following  conditions :  — 

**  That  the  original  jarisdiction  and  govemment  of  all  Odd  Fellows  shall  be  vested  in  the 
Grand  Lodge.  That  a  recommendation  from  the  Grand  Encampment  shall  be  necessary  to 
all  petitions  to  this  Grand  Lodge  for  warrants  for  subordinate  encampments.  That  ten  per 
centum  of  the  receipts  of  Grand  and  subordinate  encampments  shall  be  paid  quarterly  to 
this  Grand  Lodge,  and  its  laws,  rules,  and  regulations  obeyed.  That  all  these  conditions 
shall  be  specified  in  the  warrants.'' 

Grand  Sire  Wildey  having  been  invited  to  be  present  and  preside,  the 
next  day,  June  17,  1829,  the  petitioners  met  and  organized  the  Grand 
body. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Pennsylvania.  —  After  the  organization  the  o£S[cers 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BT  JURISDICTIONS.  689 

were  elected,  and  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encampment  adjourned 
until  Friday,  June  19th,  when  the  officers  were  installed  by  Grand  Sire 
Wildey.  After  transacting  some  routine  business  in  the  reception  of 
petitions,  reference  to  committees  of  investigation,  etc.,  the  Patriarchal, 
and  "  Mazarine  Blue  "  or  Royal  Purple  degrees  were  conferred  on  Joseph 
E.  Manuel,  he  having  received  the  Golden  Rule  degree  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 
After  authorizing  the  treasurer  to  borrow  $200,  for  which  he  was  to  allow 
lawful  interest,  the  Grand  Encampment  adjourned. 

July  28, 1829,  the  Grand  Encampment  met.  The  minutes  of  June  19th 
were  read  and  adopted.  The  degrees  were  conferred  upon  five  past  grands, 
other  business  was  transacted,  and  the  Grand  Encampment  adjourned. 

August  9,  1829,  it  was 

**Besolvedt  That  this  encampment  be  called  the  *  Grand  Encampment  of  Pennsylvania.' " 
...  A  committee  was  appointed  **  to  petition  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  for  a 
warrant  to  bold  a  working  encampment,  to  be  called  *  Encampment  of  Patriarchs,  No.  1.'  " 

The  Grand  Encampment  of  Pennsylvania  then  adjourned,  to  meet  again 
at  their  hall  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Seventh  and  Chestnut  streets 
August  16,  1829,  at  9  o'clock  a.m.  It  seems  from  these  records  that  all 
the  bodies  met  in  a  hall  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Seventh  and  Chestnut 
streets,  which  was  then,  and  is  yet,  a  very  central  part  of  Philadelphia. 
August  16,  1829,  the  Grand  Encampment  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment, 
and  received  the  report  of  its  committee,  that  they  had  been  before  the 
Grand  Lodge  and  obtained  a  charter  for  the  "  Encampment  of  Patriarchs, 
No.  1,"  which  they  now  presented. 

The  report  was  accepted  and  the  patriarchs  present  proceeded  to  elect 
officers  for  one  year.  Samuel  Pryor,  to  whom  reference  is  made  in  the 
history  of  the  governing  body,  in  this  work,  was  elected  Chief  Patriarch. 

The  next  record  of  this  Grand  Encampment  bears  date  June  19,  1830, 
in  their  hall  on  South  Eifth  street.  At  this  meeting  new  officers  were 
elected,  and  the  Grand  Encampment  adjourned  until  June  24th,  when  it 
again  met  and  installed  the  officers-elect. 

August  30, 1830,  the  degrees  were  conferred,  in  Grand  Encampment, 
upon  Brother  R.  H.  Gray,  of  Western  Star  Lodge,  No.  24,  on  the  pay- 
ment of  $10. 

May  9,  1831,  the  petition  of  seven  patriarchs  residing  in  Pittsburg 
was  received  and  a  charter  granted  the  new  body  to  be  known  as  Pitts- 
burg Encampment,  No.  2.  On  June  9th  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
confer  with  Grand  Sire  Wildey  as  to  the  proper  regalia  for  a  patriarch, 
and  the  Grand  Scribe,  Thomas  Small,  was  appointed  to  constitute  Pitts- 
burg Encampment,  No.  2, —  and  he  "did  it  well,"  as  that  encampment  is 
now  on  the  roll  with  a  large  membership. 

November  22,  1833,  a  petition  signed  by  eight  brothers  was  presented 
praying  for  an  encampment  to  be  located  at  Frankf ord,  to  be  called  Morn- 


640  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

ing  Star  (now  Progressive),  No.  3,  and  the  petition  was  granted.  At  this 
session  of  the  Grand  Encampment  appears  the  name  of  Howell  Hopkins, 
afterward  Grand  Sire,  who  was  elected  Grand  Junior  Warden.  John  G. 
Potts,  then  Past  Grand  Master,  was  elected  Grand  Treasurer.  A  few 
years  later  this  brother  removed  to  Galena,  Illinois,  where  he  died  February 
10,  1874,  after  a  faithful  service  of  half-a-century,  and  crowned  with  the 
honors  of  the  Order. 

January  24,  1834,  seven  past  grands  petitioned  to  have  the  degrees 
conferred  upon  them,  at  their  home  in  Pottsville,  which  was  afterward 
done,  and  Franklin  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  that  place  was  instituted. 
Forty  dollars  was  voted  to  pay  the  expenses  of  a  committee  of  five  to  do 
this  work,  and  it  seems  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  duty  was  well  per- 
formed. 

September  14,  1837,  Patriarch  D.  Thompson  appeared  as  the  represent- 
ative of  Lafayette  Encampment,  No.  5,  of  Philadelphia,  but  no  record  is 
found  of  its  institution,  or  date  of  application  for  a  charter. 

On  January  22,  1839,  the  Grand  Encampment  was  informed  of  the 
action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  releasing  its  right  to  a  per- 
centage of  the  receipts,  and  jurisdiction  over  all  the  subordinate  encamp- 
ments. The  expediency  of  asking  for  a  new  charter  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  was,  also,  considered  but  not  '^  agreed  to." 

The  name  of  that  faithful  and  generous  Odd  Fellow,  John  W.  Stokes, 
afterward  Grand  Sire,  appears  at  this  session;  and,  also,  that  of  another 
Grand  Sire,  Horn  K.  Kneass. 

In  November,  1839,  a  charter  was  granted  for  Schiller  Encampment, 
No.  7,  to  work  in  the  German  language. 

April  13,  1840,  a  committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  petition  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  a  charter;  and,  on  Jiily  28th,  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  was  asked  to  surrender  all  jurisdiction 
over  Grand  and  subordinate  encampments  the  better  to  enable  them  to  so 
petition.     January  26,  1841,  it  was 

**  Resolved,  That  no  paper  money  other  than  current  money  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania 
be  received  in  payment  of  percentage  or  other  revenue.'* 

Greenbacks  and  national  currency  came  into  being  later.  Notice  was 
received  at  this  session  of  the  surrender  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl- 
vania to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  of  all  jurisdiction  over 
encampments  in  the  state.  It  was  decided  April  17, 1841,  that  the  Grand 
and  subordinate  encampments  join  in  the  funeral  procession  to  take  place 
in  honor  of  the  late  President, —  General  William  Henry  Harrison;  and, 
at  the  same  session,  the  committee  to  petition  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  for  a  charter  was  discharged  and  another  appointed. 
October  26,  1841,  Grand  Representative  N.  B.  Leidy  presented*  the  new 
charter  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States ;  the  former  one  from 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  641 

the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  was  surrendered,  and  delivered  to  the 
Grand  Representative  as  directed. 

It  was  in  this  manner  that  this  body  was  born,  and  became  the  supreme 
ruling  head  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  the  great  state  of  Pennsylvania. 

To  write  more  of  the  history  of  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  Pennsylvania  would  require  a  volume,  and  our  space  will  not 
permit.  To  mention  all  the  names  of  its  distinguished  workers  would 
fill  more  pages  than  we  have  at  our  disposal,  and  it  is  only  in  a  local 
history  that  simple  justice  can  be  meted  to  those  brethren. 

We  cannot,  however,  omit  the  distinguished  Past  Grand  Sire  James 
B.  Nicholson,  the  ''noblest  Roman  of  them  all,"  so  long  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary and  Grand  Scribe  ;  Colonel  Mark  Richards  Muckl^,  now  the  Grand 
Treasurer  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge;  John  Curtis,  Past  Grand  Patri- 
arch; nor  the  quiet,  earnest  worker  who  made  the  writer  an  Odd  Fellow 
in  1853,  Doctor  Greorge  W.  Holstein,  of  Montgomery  Lodge,  No.  57,  and 
Norristown  Encampment,  No.  37.  Neither  would  we  forget  the  honored 
dead:  William  Curtis,  the  predecessor  of  the  present  Grand  Secretary  and 
Grand  Scribe,  Past  Grand  Sire  Samuel  H.  Perkins,  Colonel  Peter  Fritz, 
Robert  A.  Lamberton,  and  J.  Alexander  Simpson,  all  Past  Grand  Repre- 
sentatives and  faithful  workers. 

The  action  of  this  jurisdiction  in  the  troublesome  times  of  the  merge- 
ment  issue  is  so  fully  set  forth  in  the  Introduction  to  this  Division,  that 
we  need  not  repeat  it  here. 

There  are  now  two  hundred  and  fifty-four  encampments,  with  a  mem- 
bership of  14,434.  The  receipts  for  1894  were  $106,990,  of  which  $78,738 
were  appropriated  for  relief.  The  assets  of  the  encampments  were 
$365,067.  It  is  on  record  that  the  encampments  of  this  state  have 
expended  for  relief  during  the  past  twenty-four  years  the  splendid  sum 
of  $1,541,128. 

Peru.  —  The  patriarchal  Order  was  introduced  into  this  South  Ameri- 
can country  by  that  distinguished  Past  Grand  Sire  Doctor  Cornelius  A. 
Logan,  then  Grand  Sire  and  the  United  States  minister  resident  to  Chile. 

Atahuala  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Lima,  the  capital  of  this  republic, 
was  instituted  September  22,  1876,  by  Patriarch  Logan,  with  twenty 
charter  members.  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  N.  Hurwitz  was  pres- 
ent and  assisted.  The  Grand  Lodge  approved  the  same  September  20, 
1877. 

Quebec.  —  Montreal  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Montreal,  was  authorized 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  September  25, 1874,  and  it  was 
instituted  November  6, 1874.  Moshassuck,  No.  2,  also  at  Montreal,  was 
instituted  April  26, 1890,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  H.  A.  Jackson. 
The  warrant  was  confirmed  September  19, 1890.  Union,  No.  3,  at  Sher- 
brooke,  was  instituted  July  1, 1890,  by  the  same  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and 


642  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  19,  1890.  At  this  session  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  approved  the  action  of  the  Grand  Sire  in  trans- 
ferring, at  the  request  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Ontario,  the  alle- 
giance of  Moshassuck  Encampment,  No.  2,  to  that  Grand  body ;  and,  in 
1891,  Union,  No.  3,  was,  also,  transferred  to  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
Ontario. 

Famham  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Farnham,  was  instituted  January  18, 
1893,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Lyon  Silverman.  The  warrant  for 
this  body  was  issued  November  28,  1892,  and  confirmed  September  22, 
1893.  St.  Johns,  No.  5,  at  St.  Johns,  was  instituted  April  22, 1893,  by 
the  same  deputy.  This  warrant  was  issued  March  20, 1893,  and  con- 
firmed September  22, 1893.  These  five  encampments  report  to  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  Ontario. 

Rhode  Island.  —  The  honor  of  introducing  the  patriarchal  Ordisr  into 
this  thrifty  little  state  belongs  to  a  Grand  Representative  of  Massachu- 
setts, Patriarch  Albert  Guild,  who  was  assisted  in  the  work  by  the  officers 
and  members  of  Massasoit  Encampment,  No.  1,  of  Boston.  The  degrees 
were  conferred  upon  eleven  brethren,  members  of  Union  Lodge,  No.  1,  of 
Ehode  Island,  in  the  city  of  Providence,  April  3, 1844,  to  qualify  them  to 
petition  for  an  encampment.  To  Brother  Samuel  H.  Thomas,  —  a  pioneer 
in  Odd  Fellowship,  and  a  devoted  lover  of  the  patriarchal  Order,  as  his 
services  afterward  fully  proved,  —  was  accorded  the  honor  of  being  the 
first  to  receive  these  sublime  degrees.  Narragansett  Encampment,  No.  1, 
was  instituted  April  9,  1844,  by  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Albert 
GuUd. 

The  prosperity  of  this  encampment  soon  led  to  the  formation  of 
another,  Moshassuck,  No.  2,  also  at  Providence.  It  was  instituted 
under  a  warrant  issued  by  the  Grand  Sire,  May  13,  1845,  by  District 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Guild.  The  petitioners  were  members  of  Narragan- 
sett, No.  1.  Twenty-seven  propositions  were  received  for  the  degrees,  and 
these  were  conferred  on  seventeen  of  the  petitioners  the  same  evening. 
The  two  bodies  are  still  at  work,  and  although  there  are  now  four  others 
in  the  city,  and  in  East  Providence,  the  utmost  harmony  has  always 
existed;  and  these  encampments  are  the  two  largest  in  the  state,  —  Narra- 
gansett leading  with  215  members. 

Palestine  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Newport,  was  instituted  October  16, 
1845,  by  the  same  efficient  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  The  charter 
members  received  the  degrees  in  Narragansett  Encampment,  to  enable 
them  to  petition  for  this  body.  For  two  years  it  prospered,  and  then 
came  a  season  of  dulness,  which  brought  about  the  removal  of  this 
encampment  September  18,  1848,  to  Woonsocket,  where  it  now  remains 
doing  good  work  (with  its  156  members),  being  the  third  largest  in  the 
state,  —  Moshassuck,  No.  2,  having  211,  January  1, 1896. 


lillbiJII^fH^II^'eff  N  W^^^tu<^^Q*^<  ^^  instituted  April  6. 

H..IKbb,M  {^TjH^^^bSISftHiunry  L.  Webster,  who  was,  at  the 

^MtWfll^Ali^'^BiSvt,  elected  its  first  Grand  Bepre- 

.  JnffLtt-^^^.flK  ^''~2'^M)f  the  two  encampments  at  Provi- 

'^VVk  of  the  evening. 

IS  encampments  the  Grand  Encamp- 
^?^tion  was  issued  May  26, 1849,  by 

I  W<ll^^a4l  -  ^liia  Biglit  Worthy  Grand  body 

'fUJi%'limi&  of  Fiiendly  Union  Lodge,  Ko.  1, 

^ater,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 

^lU,  and  their  works  praise  them. 

.  — ,»fc—  «. --- JiSIVilliam  B.  Hubbard,  first  Grand 

^t*  ¥OOi#r&tlRk@.i|>J^-She  old  Grand  Scribe,  are  names 
^KXM.^'^'W'^'^'N  W.$'')''  "^^'^^  William  H.  T.  Mosley, 
Jptnt  JC  V  tt^-PllBSl^VAtCOj/SAuGcessors  of  those  pioneers  in  the 

m^g^ljij^s  in  this  jurisdiction,  with  a  mem- 
•"^--^Wyded  for  relief,  in  1894,  the  sum  of 

^)|g(e3ia  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Hono- 
pJj|{fiot  G.  DeSausBure  during  the  recess 
'S^  ^^  ^^'y  instituted  February  10, 
'  l^ptember  11,  1854. 
-   «   -  '.a.  T"  -Bf  •• -«-->i-»-oB-oB-J^rder  was  introduced  into  the  Pal- 
"i  ■'|£j'a'''^'igiw  w42*I^*IS*"il'"^r»i»t  issued  by  that  sturdy  Odd 
1  4^"t^4^l£^w6iE^^^'^'^^'l|^"^P^*''''^°''  ^°''  ^^^  ^^^^  having  been 


J^gtarleston,  was  instituted  February 

^|:CIayton,  of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  and 

5^842. 

itSjtuted  December  8, 1842,  by  Grand 

fAe,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
:;  this  subordinate  encampment  the 
John  McKenzie  and  sixteen  other 
3*SI,    of  Palmetto   Encampment,  was 

—  _wi*^^ffieBton,waa  instituted  July  19, 1843, 
P^S^I©**?'*^  "■''"*°*  ■'^^  approved  September 

:  ^^(^OC^iinstituted,  Palmetto  Encampment, 
9^Slffif!fi|ti^^l  for  a  Grand  Encampment,  and  a 


644  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

that  dispensation  and  a  commission  to  do  so^  Grand  Eepresentative  Case 
proceeded  to  organize  the  Eight  Worthy  Grand  body. 

Grand  Encampment  of  South  Carolina.  —  This  Grand  body  was  consti- 
tuted August  11,  1843,  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  and  the  grand  officers 
were  installed.  Of  the  first  officers  James  H.  Adams,  Grand  Senior  War- 
den, and  Stephen  A.  Hurlbut,  Grand  Scribe,  became  Grand  Eepresenta- 
tives.  The  latter  removed  to  Illinois  in  1847,  and  settled  at  Belvidere. 
In  the  civil  war  he  became  a  major-general  in  the  Union  army,  and 
commanded  the  fourth  division,  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  at  Pittsburg 
Landing,  was  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  representative  in  Con- 
gress, United  States  minister  resident  to  the  United  States  of  Colombia, 
1869-72,  and  United  States  Minister  to  Peru,  where  he  died,  at  his  post 
of  duty,  in  Lima,  March  27, 1882.  His  remains  were  brought  to  Illinois, 
where  they  are  buried. 

We  do  not  know  of  the  condition  of  this  Grand  jurisdiction  during  the 
civil  war,  but  can  realize  that  it  was  very  sad,  and  that  the  ''tents  were 
all  struck,"  and  folded  away.  Without  any  large  city  the  patriarchal 
Order  always  has  had  to  struggle  for  an  existence.  For  several  years  no 
reports  were  received  and  no  representatives  appeared  in  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge.  In  1881  a  report  was  made  for  five  years,  and  the  represent- 
ative tax  was  remitted  for  four  years.  It  thus  continued  seven  years 
longer,  —  no  report,  no  representative,  and  a  remission  of  its  tax.  After 
an  ineffectual  effort  in  1888  to  revive  the  Grand  Encampment,  the  Grand 
Sire,  May  18th  of  that  year,  recalled  the  charter  and  properties.  The 
remaining  subordinate  encampments  were  ordered  to  report  to  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge,  and  this  action  was  approved  September  21, 1888. 

On  returning  the  charter,  rituals,  etc.,  the  late  Grand  Patriarch,  J.  E. 
Meyer,  and  Grand  Scribe,  Eobert  C.  Starr,  reported  four  encampments 
and  52  members. 

South  Dakota.  —  North  and  South  Dakota  were  embraced  in  the  limits 
of  one  Grand  jurisdiction  until  by  act  of  Congress  February  20th,  ap- 
proved February  22, 1889,  that  large  territory  was  subdivided  and  became 
two  states.  On  the  consummation  of  that  political  division,  it  became 
necessary  to  form  another  Grand  Encampment,  which  was  in  due  time 
accomplished.  The  Grand  Encampment  of  Dakota  became  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  South  Dakota,  and  the  new  body  took  jurisdiction  as  the 
Grand  Encampment  of  North  Dakota.  It  is,  therefore,  of  the  subordinate 
encampments  forming  the  first  of  those  Grand  Encampments  that  we  now 
write,  as  from  them  came  the  present  Grand  bodies  of  the  two  Dakotas. 

.Eoyal  Purple  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Vermilion,  was  instituted  May 
22, 1874,  by  Special  Deputy  T.  J.  Kinkaid,  and  its  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  24, 1874.  This  encampment  was  afterward  removed  to  Sioux 
Falls.    Yankton,  No.   2,  at  Yankton,  was  instituted  May  4,  1875,  and 


PATBIABCHAL  OBDEB  BY  JUBI8DICTI0NS.  645 

the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  24,  1875.  Hesperian,  No.  3,  was 
instituted  at  Elk  Point,  July  6,  1875,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  24th  of  the  same  year.  Golden  Rule,  No.  4,  at  Bismarck,  was 
instituted  August  24, 1880,  and  its  warrant  was  confirmed  September  24, 
1880.  The  degrees  were  conferred  upon  eight  Scarlet  degree  members,  to 
enable  them  to  petition  for  Black  Hills  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Dead- 
wood.  It  was  instituted  September  18,  1880,  and  the  charter  was  con- 
firmed on  the  date  of  No.  4.  Sinai,  No.  6,  at  Grand  Forks,  was  instituted 
April  25, 1881,  by  David  S.  Dodds,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  its 
charter  was  confirmed  at  the  September  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Dakota.  —  The  warrant  for  this  Grand  body  was 
issued  by  Grand  Sire  Luther  J.  Glenn,  June  11, 1881,  on  a  petitiou  signed 
by  the  six  subordinate  encampments,  and  it  was  instituted,  —  by  that 
earnest  patriarch  who  had  been  the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  many 
years,  Brother  William  Blatt, — in  the  city  of  Yankton,  South  Dakota, 
August  10, 1881. 

As  early  as  the  session  of  1876,  this  distinguished  patriarch,  then  the 
Grand  Eepresentative  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Dakota,  had  introduced  a 
resolution  authorizing  the  Grand  Sire  to  issue  a  warrant  for  a  Grand 
Encampment  when  he  should  have  received  a  petition  signed  by  the  en- 
campments of  that  jurisdiction.  The  committee  on  petitions  reported  the 
resolution  unnecessary,  as  the  Grand  Sire  already  had  that  authority 
when  there  were  the  necessary  number  of  encampments  (five),  and  the 
report  was  adopted. 

At  the  institution  there  was  one  visitor,  Past  Chief  Patriarch  Frank 
G.  Dodge,  of  North  Star  Encampment,  No.  11,  of  New  Hampshire. 

Of  the  patriarchs  forming  this  Grand  Encampment,  four  became  Grand 
Patriarchs :  Frank  S.  Emerson,  David  S.  Dodds,  William  Blatt,  and  George 
W.  Snow.  Ralph  R.  Briggs  became  Grand  Scribe,  and  efficiently  per- 
formed the  duties  of  that  office,  —  except  one  year  when  he  was  reelected 
Grand  Representative,  —  until  the  formation  of  the  two  Grand  Encamp- 
ments, May  21,  1890,  when,  owing  to  his  removal  from  Sioux  Falls,  he 
had  to  decline. 

During  the  nine  years  of  this  Grand  body  the  patriarchal  Order  pros- 
pered. At  the  date  of  separation  there  were  twenty-eight  encampments 
with  a  membership  of  722 ;  of  which  twenty  encampments  remained  in 
South  Dakota  and  eight  joined  in  the  petition  for  the  charter  for  North 
Dakota. 

When  the  separation  took  place  a  division  of  the  property  was  made, 
and  the  following  resolution  spread  upon  the  records,  embodying  the 
feelings  of  the  patriarchs  who  had  withdrawn  to  form  the  new  Grand 
body :  — 


646  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEENITT. 

**  Reaolvedf  That  in  withdrawing  from  our  brother  patriarchs  of  Sonth  Dakota,  to  start 
npon  a  new  era  of  our  existence  as  a  Grand  body,  we  do  so  with  feelings  of  regret  at  parting, 
which  none  but  members  of  our  beloved  Order  know  or  can  appreciate.  We  shall  always 
remember  them  with  more  than  a  brother's  love,  and  do  now  express,  with  thanks,  our 
appreciation  of  the  courtesies  we  have  received  at  their  hands,  which  could  only  have  been 
prompted  by  Friendship  and  Love/' 

There  are  now  twenty-three  encampments,  with  a  membership  of  621. 

Sweden. — The  charter  for  Suecia  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Malmo,  was 
issued  February  25, 1891,  and  approved  September  24, 1891.  The  report 
of  its  institution  was  not  received  until  the  next  year,  when  it  was  found 
to  have  been  instituted  October  12,  1891,  by  Patriarch  Andreas  Hoick, 
Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  the  action  was  approved  September  23, 
1892.  Wasa,  No.  2,  at  Stockholm,  was  instituted  June  26, 1894,  by  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  Sire  Lycell,  and  his  act  was  approved  September  21, 
1894. 

Switzerland.  —  Eidgenossen  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Zurich,  was  insti- 
tuted May  6, 1888,  by  Patriarch  C.  Imfeld,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
and  its  warrant  was  confirmed  September  20, 1888.  In  1891  a  petition 
was  presented  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  askingfor  a  gucwt-independent 
Grand  Lodge  in  the  republic  of  Switzerland,  which  was  granted.  On  the 
13th  day  of  February,  1892,  the  present  Grand  Lodge  of  Switzerland  was 
instituted  at  Zurich,  by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Herman  Block,  Grand 
Representative  of  Iowa ;  and  his  work  was  approved  September  23, 1892. 

Tennessee. — The  patriarchal  Order  was  introduced  into  this  state  in 
1842,  and  under  difficulties  that  men  of  less  determination  would  have 
thought  insuperable.  Not  being  familiar  with  the  law  as  to  the  require- 
ments of  petition  and  qualification  of  petitioners,  the  brethren  desiring 
these  degrees  moved  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee  August  2,  1842, 
that  the  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Secretary  memorialize  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States  to  establish  an  encampment  in  the  city  of  Nashville, 
and  that  all  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  be  invited  to  sign  the 
petition.  The  vote  was  a  tie,  with  the  Grand  Master  voting  no!  At 
the  quarterly  session,  October  15th,  of  the  same  year,  the  subject  was 
again  before  the  Grand  Lodge,  with  this  addition,  that  the  petitioners  be 
composed  of  three  elected  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  one  each  from  Ten- 
nessee Lodge,  Nashville  Lodge,  Columbia  Lodge,  and  Spring  Hill  Lodge, 
making  seven  in  all.  On  this  proposal  the  vote  was  again  a  tie,  and  the 
Grand  Master  voted  no ! !  Brother  W.  H.  Calhoun  having  been  defeated 
on  the  first  resolution  in  August,  and  Past  Grand  Master  Timothy  Kezer 
defeated  in  the  vote  just  taken.  Brother  R.  A.  Barnes  moved  that  the 
Grand  Master  and  Grand  Secretary  be  requested  to  write  Grand  Secretary 
Ridgely  and  inform  him  that  no  disturbance  existed  in  the  lodges  in 
relation  to  the  establishment  of  an  encampment  in  Nashville.  It  was 
moved  to  lay  that  resolution  upon  the  table,  which  was  again  a  tie,  and 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  647 

the  Grand  Master  voted  no ! !  I  A  vote  on  the  original  motion  was  then 
taken,  with  the  same  result,  the  Grand  Master  voting  in  the  negative. 
(Our  notes  of  exclamation  here  "  ran  out.") 

WTiile  this  was  transpiring  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee,  seven 
members  of  the  Nashville  lodges  had  petitioned  Grand  Sire  John  A. 
Kennedy  for  an  encampment,  accompanying  the  petition  with  certificates 
from  their  lodges,  under  seal,  of  their  regular  compliance  with  the  law. 
The  dispensation  was  in  preparation  when  a  communication  reached  the 
Grand  Sire  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee  saying  that  the  lodges' 
attestations  had  been  illegally  obtained.  The  Grand  Sire  referred  the 
whole  matter  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  at  the  Sep- 
tember session,  in  1842,  the  following  report  of  the  committee  on  petitions 
was  adopted :  — 

"  That  the  petition  of  Past  Grands  Anthony  Blonville,  of  Tennessee  Lodge,  No.  1 ; 
George  R.  Forsyth,  of  NashyiUe  Lodge,  No.  2,  and  five  others,  for  a  charter  to  open  an 
encampment  in  Tennessee;  and  the  protest  of  Grand  Master  Harris  and  the  Past  Grand 
Master  Kezer,  of  Tennessee,  because  the  brothers  had  not  received  the  approval  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  or  the  members  of  the  Order,  had  been  considered ;  and  they  were  informed 
that  the  petition  did  not  require  the  approval  of  any  Grand  or  subordinate  lodge.  The 
petition  was  returned  without  approval  for  the  reason  that  the  petitioners  were  not  of  the 
Royal  Purple  degree.'' 

October  22, 1842,  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee,  Past  Grand  Mas- 
ter Timothy  Kezer  laid  before  the  brethren  this  decision,  whereupon 
Grand  Master  J.  George  Harris,  respecting  the  authority  of  the  sovereign 
body,  took  the  floor  in  favor  of  an  encampment,  and,  in  a  resolution,  asked 
the  Grand  Sire  to  authorize  a  visiting  patriarch,  C.  F.  Haberlie,  of  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky,  to  confer  the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  seven  Odd  Fellows 
in  Nashville,  so  as  to  enable  them  to  petition  for  an  encampment.  The 
resolution,  seconded  by  a  Brother  Ireland,  was  adopted  with  but  one  dis- 
senting vote.  Brother  W.  H.  Calhoun  then  moved  that  Lodges  Nos.  1 
and  2  elect  three  members  each,  and  those  six  elect  one  other  to  receive 
the  degrees,  and  petition  for  an  encampment ;  and  the  motion  was  adopted. 

The  Grand  Lodge  continued  determined  to  secure  a  grip  on  the  patri- 
archal Order,  and  thus  dictated  the  petitioners  for  the  first  encampment. 
The  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  duly  certified  to  the  Grand  Sire,  and 
in  due  time  the  petitioners  received  the  degrees,  and  an  encampment 
was  instituted  which  has  survived  to  this  day :  Ridgely  Encampment, 
No.  1,  instituted  December  20, 1842,  by  Patriarch  C.  F.  Haberlie,  Special 
Deputy.  Its  warrant  was  confirmed  September  22, 1843.  Of  the  affairs 
of  this  encampment  Grand  Sire  Kennedy  said :  — 

**  He  issued  a  commission  Octobei^  25, 1842,  to  Patriarch  Haberlie  to  confer  the  patri- 
archal degrees  upon  Brother  James  M.  Scantlan  and  eight  others  residing  in  Nashville ; 
that  there  was  strong  opposition  to  the  dispensation,  because  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennes- 
see or  its  subordinates  had  not  selected  these  candidates,  and  that  they  were  yet  discussing 
the  matter,  notwithstanding  the  tact  that  the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 


648  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

States  settled  that  question."  He  farther  reported  that,  "Patriarch  Haberlie  had  faith- 
fully performed  the  duty  asked  of  him ;  having  conferred  the  degrees  upon  the  petitioners 
November  8, 1842,  and  instituted  Ridgely  Encampment,  No.  1,  December  20, 1842." 

Pending  the  motion  to  adopt. the  report  of  the  committee  on  petitions. 
Past  Grand  Master  Timothy  Kezer,  Grand  Representative  of  Tennessee, 
asked  that  a  special  commission  be  appointed  to  examine  into,  and  report, 
the  condition  of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  Tennessee ;  which  motion  was 
laid  on  the  table. 

In  1872,  Ridgely  Encampment  consolidated  with  Olive  Branch,  No.  4, 
and  two  others,  taking  the  name  by  which  it  is  now  known,  "  Nashville," 
and  retaining  its  "  No.  1.'^ 

The  dispensation  of  Washington  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Columbia, 
was  issued  August  1,  1843,  to  Patriarch  Henry  Wade  and  six  others 
on  the  recommendation  of  Ridgely  Encampment;  and  Patriarch  J.  M. 
Scantlan,  of  that  encampment,  was  commissioned  to  institute  it,  which 
was  done  September  11, 1843.  The  warrant  was  confirmed  September  22, 
1843. 

An  effort  was  made  to  secure  an  encampment  in  Nashville,  in  1844, 
through  Deputy  Grand  Sire  William  S.  Stewart,  of  Missouri,  who  was 
recommended  to  Grand  Sire  Howell  Hopkins  with  the  request  that  he  be 
authorized  to  confer  the  degrees  upon  a  number  of  brethren,  so  as  to 
qualify  them  to  become  petitioners.  The  Grand  Sire  decided  that,  there 
being  encampments  in  the  state,  he  did  not  have  the  authority  to  grant 
their  request ;  but  the  Grand  Lodge  thought  otherwise,  the  next  year  the 
dispensation  was  granted,  and  Gayoso  Encampment,  No.  3,  was  instituted 
in  January,  1845.  The  warrant  was  confirmed  September  17,  1845. 
Patriarch  W.  K.  Poston,  one  of  the  charter  members,  became  Grand  Mas- 
ter in  1848,  and  was  known  as  a  public-spirited  citizen  and  a  noble  Odd 
Fellow. 

September  23, 1846,  warrants  were  confirmed  for  two  encampments, 
the  dispensations  for  which  had  been  issued  during  the  recess  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  They  were:  Olive  Branch,  No.  4,  at  Nashville,  which 
lived  until  1872,  when  it  was  consolidated  with  Nashville,  No.  1 ;  and 
Jackson,  No,  5,  at  Franklin.  The  latter  was  an  active  body  for  a  time, 
but  became  defunct  during  the  civil  war.  They  had  an  excellent  room 
at  Franklin,  as  we  well  know,  having  seen  the  same.  From  these  five 
encampments  the  Grand  Encampment  was  constituted,  Grand  Sire  Thomas 
Sherlock  having  issued  a  dispensation  therefor  during  the  recess  of  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Tennessee. — This  Right  Worthy  Grand  body 
was  instituted  July  21, 1847,  in  the  city  of  Nashville,  with  Tal.  P.  Shaff- 
ner,  Grand  Representative  of  Kentucky,  as  the  officer  officiating.  It  is 
unnecessary  to  tell  any  reading  patriarch  who  Tal.  P.  ShafEner  was.     S\if* 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BT  JURISDICTIONS.  649 

fice  it  to  saj  that  his  name  is  a  household  word  in  all  the  Odd  Fellow 
bodies  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  and  it  is  known  wherever  Odd  Fellow- 
ship is  practised. 

The  patriarchal  Order  was  never  very  strong  in  this  state,  yet  it  has 
had  a  larger  membership  than  at  present.  It  has,  however,  been  wonder- 
fully strong  in  the  individuality  of  its  members.  To-day  the  Order  leans 
largely  upon  its  Grand  Scribe,  Doctor  J.  E.  Harwell ;  Patriarchs  J.  L. 
Weakley,  Colonel  Halbert  B.  Case,  and  a  few  others :  while,  in  the  dark 
days  of  the  early  sixties,  we  recall  E.  B.  Farnsworth,  late  Grand  Sire ; 
General  Thomas  T.  Smiley,  Thomas  C.  Coleman,  John  F.  Hyde,  R.  H. 
Barry,  and  William  A.  Barry  j  Thompson,  and  others,  whom  we  often  met 
in  the  perilous  years  of  our  country's  history,  and  we  know  of  the  work 
those  faithful  patriarchs  did.  We  well  remember  securing  for  them  free 
passes  at  all  hours  to  the  army  hospitals,  and  witnessed  their  untiring 
devotion  and  attention  to  the  sick  and  wounded  Odd  Fellows, — Feder^ 
and  Confederate  soldiers  alike. 

This  Grand  Encampment  meets  biennially,  the  only  one  we  recall 
which  does,  but  it  has  not  done  so  a  sufficient  length  of  time  to  prove  the 
value  of  the  new  departure,  except  that  it  saves  expense. 

Tennessee  has  twenty-seven  working  encampments,  with  a  member- 
ship of  673 ;  paid  for  relief,  $1159 ;  revenue,  $3383 ;  total  assets,  in  1894, 
$15,124. 

Texas. — Lone  Star  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Galveston,  was  instituted 
November  23, 1847,  the  warrant  having  been  issued,  during  the  recess  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  by  Grand  Sire  Horn  E.  Kneass ;  and  that  action  was  ap- 
proved September  21, 1848.  To  whom  we  should  give  credit  for  this  work 
we  have  yet  to  learn,  which  we  regret,  as  it  was  good  work,  the  encamp- 
ment never  having  failed  to  make  its  reports,  and  is  working  at  this  date. 

During  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  1850-51, 

Grand  Sire  Eobert  H.  Griffin  issued  dispensations  for  two  encampments, 

one  of  which  was  constituted  and  the  other,  although  the  fee  was  paid, 

seems  to  have  been  still-bom  and  never  had  an  existence :  Eio  Grande, 

Ko.  2,  at  Brownsville,  instituted  in  1850  or  1851,  and  its  warrant  confirmed 

September,  1851.     This  encampment  is  not  now  on  the  roll.     Augustine, 

Ko.  3,  referred  to  above, — 1850-51.     The  committee  on  petitions  in  the 

Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  reported  of  this  body :  — 

"  That  the  warrant  was  not  forwarded  in  consequence  of  there  being  no  patriarch, 
within  the  district,  known  to  be  qualified  for  opening  the  same." 

We  presume  that  it  never  was  "opened,"  as  we  find  no  further  men- 
tion of  "No.  3." 

During  the  recess  of  1852-63,  warrants  were  issued  for  three  encamp- 
ments, one  of  which  was  named  after  Past  Grand  Master  Anson  Jones, 
the  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.     They  were  as  follows:    Application 


650  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

had  been  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1852  for  a  warrant  for  Anson  Jones 
Encampment,  Ko.  4,  at  Washington ;  but,  as  no  withdrawal  cards  accom- 
panied the  petition,  the  subject  was  referred  to  the  Grand  Sire  with  power 
to  grant  the  warrant  when  the  proper  requirements  had  been  fulfilled. 
This  being  done  the  warrant  was  issued,  the  encampment  was  instituted 
during  the  recess,  and  the  charter  was  confirmed  September  10,  1853. 
This  encampment  has,  also,  ceased  to  work  and  is  no  longer  on  the  roll. 
Johnson,  No.  5,  at  Austin,  was  instituted  in  1852-53,  and  its  warrant  was 
confirmed  September  10,  1853.  This  encampment,  though  it  is  still  on 
the  roll,  is  weak  in  membership.  Huntsville,  No.  6,  at  Huntsville,  was, 
also,  instituted  in  1852-^3,  and  its  warrant  confirmed  in  1853,  but  it  is 
not  now  on  the  roll. 

September  6, 1853,  Representative  Anson  Jones  presented  the  petition 
of  three  encampments:  Lone  Star,  No.  1;  Rio  Grande,  No.  2;  and  Anson 
Jones,  No.  4,  praying  for  a  Grand  Encampment,  which  was  granted.  The 
record  states  that  "  a  charter  was  duly  prepared  and  signed  on  the  10th 
of  September,  1853."     This  was  the  day  it  was  granted. 

At  the  session  of  1853,  a  petition  was  presented  for  an  encampment  to 
be  located  at  La  Grange;  but,  owing  to  the  granting  of  the  charter  for 
a  Grand  Encampment,  the  petitioners  were  requested  to  withdraw  their 
papers  and  present  them  to  their  own  Grand  body  "when  it  shall  have 
been  organized." 

Grand  Encampment  of  Texas.  —  December  5,  1853,  the  Right  Worthy 
Grand  Encampment  was  instituted,  in  form,  in  the  Grand  Lodge  hall,  in 
Galveston,  by  that  efficient  patriarch  Anson  Jones,  District  Deputy  Grand 
Sire.  Among  the  first  acts  of  the  Grand  Encampment  was  the  issuance 
of  charters  for  Hopkins  Encampment,  No.  7,  at  La  Grange,  and  for  De- 
Saussure,  No.  8,  at  Paris. 

This  Grand  body  held  annual  sessions  until  February  6,  1860,  when 
it  ceased  to  meet.     We  find  the  following  record :  — 

"  From  the  session  of  Febraary,  1860,  to  that  of  February,  1866,  a  period  of  fire  years, 
including  the  war,  no  session  of  the  Grand  Encampment  was  held,  but  the  sessions  were 
resumed  February  7, 1866,  daring  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  officers  and  members 
meeting  together  for  that  purpose,  —  at  the  call  of  Past  Grand  Patriarch  G.  H.  Leonard,  — 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  hall,  during  a  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge." 

In  that  brief  session  several  members  were  admitted,  the  Grand 
Encampment  degree  was  conferred,  and  the  officers  were  elected  and 
installed. 

The  records  of  this  Grand  Encampment  until  1870  are  very  brief,  and 
we  can  learn  very  little  of  its  doings. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  this  state  held  annual  sessions  during  the  civil 
war,  and  passed  an  act  of  secession  in  February,  1862, — repealed  in 
August,  1865.     Some  of  the  legislation  during  that  period  is  amusing, 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  651 

but  as  the  Grand  Encampment  held  no  session  for  fire  years  we  have  no 
history  of  the  doings  of  the  patriarchs. 

Among  the  foremost  workers  in  Texas  we  place  Grand  Sire  Fred 
Garleton,  for  many  years  Grand  Eepresentative,  and  cannot  fail  to  remem- 
ber L.  F.  Delesdernier,  M.  D.  Herring,  and  others  of  the  past.  It  is  also 
pleasing  to  note  the  active  interest  taken  in  the  patriarchal  Order  by 
Columbus  A.  Keller,  a  Past  Grand  Master  of  Illinois,  now  a  resident  of 
San  Antonio. 

There  were,  in  1894,  forty-six  working  encampments,  with  a  member- 
ship of  1104,  and  the  Order  enjoys  a  healthy  growth. 

Utah.  —  Oquirrh  Encainpment,  No.  1,  at  Salt  Lake  City,  was  insti- 
tuted July  15,  1873,  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge, — the  warrant 
having  been  issued  June  4th,  and  its  charter  was  confirmed  September  20th 
of  that  year. 

At  this  session  a  petition  was  received  from  £.  M.  Bamum,  Chief 
Patriarch  of  No.  1,  asking  that  the  encampment  be  placed  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  California,  and  it  was  so  ordered. 

The  charter  of  Unity  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  the  same  place,  was 
approved  September  19,  1884,  on  the  recommendation  of  Oquirrh,  No.  1, 
and  it  was  also  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  California, — by  mutual 
agreement.  This  body  was  duly  instituted  November  10,  1884,  by  Fred- 
erick H.  Auerbach,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire.  Wasatch  Encampment, 
No.  3,  at  Park  City,  was  instituted  June  11,  1887,  by  Special  Deputy 
Grand  Sire  Alexander  Rogers,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September 
23,  1887.  An  effort  was  made  at  this  session  to  secure  a  Grand  Encamp- 
ment for  this  territory,  but  as  there  was  not  the  necessary  number  of  subor- 
dinates (five),  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  declined  to  grant  the  request. 

During  the  recess,  1887-88,  Grand  Sire  John  H.  White  issued  a  dis- 
pensation for  two  additional  bodies,  and  for  the  Grand  body,  as  follows : 
Excelsior  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Bingham,  instituted  September  17, 
1887,  by  Patriarch  Alexander  Rogers ;  Winta,  No.  5,  at  Ogden,  instituted 
September  30, 1887,  by  the  same  deputy;  and  both  charters  were  confirmed 
September  20,  1888. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Utah.  —  Utah  having  five  organized  subordinate 
bodies,  the  energetic  special  deputy  secured  a  dispensation  for  a  Grand 
Encampment;  and,  on  February  22,  1888,  in  Salt  Lake  City,  the  Grand 
Encampment  was  organized,  the  officers  were  elected  and  installed  by 
Alexander  Rogers,  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  that  action  was 
approved  September  17,  1888.  The  encampments  which  had  been  under 
the  care  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  California  became  a  part  of  the  new 
Grand  body,  and  are  still  on  the  roll, —  Oquirrh,  No.  1,  with  its  77  mem- 
bers, being  the  largest  encampment  in  the  jurisdiction,  with  Wasatch, 
No.  3,  second. 


652  V  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Vermont.  —  To  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Rev.  Albert  Case,  of  South  Caro- 
lina, is  awarded  the  honor  of  introducing  the  patriarchal  degrees  into  the 
Green  Mountain  State,  the  first  encampment  having  been  instituted  by 
him  in  the  beautiful  city  of  Montpelier.  Winooski,  No.  1,  was  instituted 
July  14,  1846,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  23,  1846. 
Ascutney,  No.  2,  at  Windsor,  was  instituted  November  11,  1847,  and  its 
warrant  was  confirmed  September  20,  1848.  This  encampment,  like 
No.  1,  worked  only  a  few  years,  and  then  disappeared,  their  places  and 
numbers  being  taken  by  Columbia  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  St.  Albans, 
and  Minnehaha  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Barre,  each  of  which  was  formed 
less  than  ten  years  ago. 

Green  Mountain  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Middlebury,  was  instituted 
June  15,  1848,  by  Eli  Ballou,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire;  and,  it  not 
thriving,  by  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  was 
removed  in  1858  to  Burlington,  where  it  remains  and  is  doing  well,  with 
a  membership  of  64. 

Excelsior,  No.  4,  at  Bennington,  was  instituted  April  14,  1857,  by 
Past  Grand  Representative  James  Mitchell,  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
assisted  by  several  patriarchs  from  New  York  and  Massachusetts.  The 
warrant  was  confirmed  September  24, 1857.  This  encampment  in  a  few 
years  became  dormant;  was  revived  and  moved  to  Factory  Point  (now 
Manchester  Centre),  thence  to  East  Dorset,  and  at  last  to  Bondville, 
where  it  ceased  finally  to  exist.  During  a  checkered  career  of  thirty 
years  it  was  revived, — existing  at  varying  periods,  —  and  its  condition 
of  life  or  death  became  a  subject  of  annual  inquiry  at  the  sessions  of  the 
Grand  Encampment.  Its  effects  were  eventually  received  by  Past  Grand 
Representative  Egerton,  then  Grand  Scribe,  in  a  casket-box,  the  package 
being  reported  as  "  a  corpse  for  you  at  the  depot."  Excelsior's  organiza- 
tion was  unique.  The  seven  patriarchs  from  abroad,  —  of  the  eight  who 
signed  the  petition,  —  did  not  take  cards  from  their  encampments,  and  but 
OTie  of  the  petitioners  (the  Benningtonian)  had  a  withdrawal  card.  This 
fact  was  not  discovered  until  the  election  of  oflScers,  when  the  candidate 
for  Chief  Patriarch  received  one  vote.  The  High  Priest  received  one 
vote.  An  inquiry  showed  the  facts ;  and,  as  the  newly  admitted  patri- 
archs could  not  vote  on  the  night  of  their  initiation,  according  to  the 
by-laws  then  in  vogue,  there  was  but  one  present  qualified  to  vote.  The 
dilemma  was  solved  in  about  the  same  way  the  independent  state  govern- 
ment of  Vermont  was  first  formed,  —  on  the  Ethan  Allen  plan,  —  and  the 
election  continued,  one  vote  being  cast  for  each  officer.  The  patriarchs 
who  had  loaned  their  names  required  no  further  action  than  to  return,  so 
far  as  we  have  ever  learned,  —  they  went  home  and  held  their  peace,  their 
standing  never  being  questioned  because  of  their  brief  absence.  Ross 
Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Island  Pond,  took  Excelsior's  number  in  1890. 


^*  ^*-.j(F.j(F.j(»  .jj*  .jj*  .jj*  .jj.  .jj[.  .jjj.  . jj.  . jj.  . jj.  . j^  . jj. 


654  TBS  TBREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

There  are  twenty-two  working  encampments  with  a  membership  of 
1167,  the  yearly  revenue  of  which  is  $2918,  and  assets  $3055. 

Vlr^U. — The  introduction  of  the  patriarchal  Order  into  this  jurisdic- 
tion was  entirely  different  from  that  of  any  other,  even  of  the  older 
states.  It  was  a  clear  case  of  asking  for  one  thing  and  getting  another; 
or,  as  is  sometimes  the  case,  a  man  asks  for  more  than  he  expects  so  as  to 
get  what  he  wants.  October  6,  1835,  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Robert  Neilson 
presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  the  petition  for  a 
Grand  Encampment  of  patriarchs  to  be  located  at  Wheeling,  signed  bj 
seven  brethren  of  that  city.  It  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  peti- 
tions and  reported  adversely,  October  9th,  for  the  reason  that  there  was 
no  encampment  within  the  state,  and  the  constitution  forbade  the  issue 
of  such  a  charter  unless  there  were  two  or  more  subordinate  encamp- 
ments within  the  state  or  territory.  The  committee,  however,  reported 
the  following  resolution,  and  it  was  adopted:  — 

"Resolved,  That  the  petitioners  be  granted  a  charter  for  a  subordinate  encampment  to 
be  opened  at  Wheeling,  to  be  called  Encampment,  No.  1,  of  Virginia." 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  brethren  who  petitioned  for  a  Grand 
Encampment  received  a  charter  for  a  subordiiiate.  It  was  instituted  as 
Abrams  Encampment,  Ko.  1,  January  11,  1836,  with  a  charter,  issued 
direct  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and  remained  under 
the  Grand  Encampment  of  Virginia, — when  formed,  —  until  the  institu- 
tion of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  West  Virginia  December  5,  1865,  and 
is  No.  1,  on  that  roll,  with  membership  the  fifth  in  the  jurisdiction. 

Xeilson  Encampment,  No.  2,  at  Richmond,  was  instituted  August  16, 
1837,  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Wildey,  and  its  charter  was  confirmed  October 
3,  1837.     In  his  report  of  this  encampment  the  Past  Grand  Sire  says :  — 

"  On  the  16th  of  Angnst  this  interesting  ceremony  was  performed,  and  the  oiBoen  dtdy 
installed ;  ten  members  were,  also,  initiated  into  the  encampment." 

Wilder  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Portsmouth,  was  instituted  December 
14,  1837,  by  Special  Deputy  George  M.  Bain,  Grand  Representative  of 
Virginia.  This  encampment  and,  also,  Neilson,  No.  2,  are  in  existence, 
and  both  are  on  the  roll  of  this  Grand  Encampment.  No.  3  has  been 
"  bunied  out "  and  all  its  property  destroyed,  but  it  is  vigorous,  and,  with 
its  ninety-one  members,  is  the  second  largest  encampment  in  Virginia. 

Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  4,  at  Norfolk,  was  instituted  December 
13,  1837.  This  body  is  on  the  Virginia  roll,  and  is  the  largest  encamp 
ment  in  the  Old  Dominion,  with  127  members.  The  charter  was  granted 
for  Widows'  Friend  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Winchester,  October  3,  1838. 
This  encampment  lived  nearly  twenty  years.  Its  number  is  now  filled 
by  Mount  Horeb  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Covington,  which  is  not  strong 
in  membership. 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS.  655 

The  charter  for  Washington  Encampment,  No.  6,  at  Fredericksburg, 
was  voted  April  22,  1840.  This  body  lived  less  than  two  years  and  was 
not  in  existence  when  the  Grand  Encampment  was  organized.  Its  vacant 
number  was  filled  by  the  acquisition  of  Marley  Encampment,  No.  2,  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  —  given  No.  6.  As  will  be  seen  in  the  history 
of  that  Grand  jurisdiction,  the  federal  government,  in  1846,  had  returned 
that  part  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  in  which  Alexandria  was  situated, 
to  Virginia  which  brought  Marley  Encampment  under  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  Virginia  as  before  related. 

Glazier  Encampment,  No.  7,  at  Petersburg, — the  charter  of  which 
was  voted  on  the  same  date  as  that  of  Washington,  No.  6,  —  is  still 
on  the  roll,  though  near  the  bottom  of  the  list,  and  cannot  live  long 
unless  it  adds  largely  to  its  members;  which  we  are  glad  to  note  it  is 
doing,  having  increased  fifty  per  centum  during  the  past  term.  The 
dispensation  for  Virginia  Encampment,  No.  8,  at  Lynchburg,  was  issued 
May  16, 1841,  to  the  Deputy  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  several  other  brethren ;  and  a  commission  was  issued  to  Patri- 
arch George  J.  Roach,  —  a  past  grand  of  Richmond,  —  who  immediately 
proceeded  to  institute  this  body,  the  warrant  of  which  was  duly  confirmed 
September  21, 1841. 

September  24, 1841,  an  effort  was  made  by  a  minority  of  the  existing 
encampments  to  secure  a  charter  for  a  Grand  body,  —  to  which  there  was 
a  strong  opposition,  —  and  they  were  informed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States  that  they  could  have  a  charter  "  when  petitioned  by  a 
majority  of  the  encampments." 

Damascus  Encampment,  No.  9,  at  Smithfield,  was  instituted  February 
16,  1842,  by  Past  Grand  Representative  Bain,  and  its  charter  was  con- 
firmed September  22,  1842.  This  body  survived  three  years,  and  then 
surrendered  its  charter.  Ridgely  Encampment,  No.  9,  at  Newport  News, 
fills  the  vacated  number.  Salem,  No.  10,  at  Hampton,  received  its  dis- 
pensation and  had  its  warrant  confirmed  at  the  same  date  as  Damascus, 
No.  9,  and  lived  a  year  longer  than  that  subordinate,  when  it  passed  from 
the  roll,  and  its  number  is  now  vacant. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in  1842,  Grand 
Sire  Kennedy  reported  the  receipt  of  a  petition  from  six  encampments  in 
Virginia,  asking  for  a  dispensation  to  constitute  a  Grand  Encampment ; 
and,  that,  owing  to  the  annual  session  being  so  near  at  hand,  it  had  been 
held  for  reference  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  On  the  22nd  day  of  September, 
the  committee  on  petitions  made  a  report,  and  the  following  resolution 
was  adopted :  — 

"RcBolved,  That  a  charter  be  granted  to  Neilson  Encampment,  No.  2;  Wildey  Encamp- 
ment, No.  3;  Jernsalem  Encampment,  No.  4;  Glazier  Encampment,  No.  7;  Damasciu 
Encampment,  No.  9 ;  and  Salem  Encampment,  No.  10,  for  opening  a  Orand  Encampment  of 


656  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITY. 

patriarchs,  under  the  style  and  title  of  Qrand  Encampment  of  Virginia,  to  be  located  where 
a  majority  of  the  encampments  in  the  state  may  determine." 

It  will  be  seen  by  this  resolution  that,  after  seven  years'  labor  and  the 
organization  of  ten  subordinate  bodies,  the  patriarchs  were  now  to  receive 
that  for  which  they  had  petitioned  in  1835. 

Grand  Encampment  of  Virginia.  —  This  Grand  Right  Worthy  body  was 
instituted  in  the  town,  —  now  city,  —  of  Portsmouth,  November  15,  1842, 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  George  M.  Bain  officiating.  A  constitution 
was  adopted,  some  other  preliminary  business  transacted,  and  the  Grand 
Encampment  adjourned.  There  had  been  a  preliminary  meeting  held  in 
Odd  Fellows'  hall,  in  Richmond,  October  10, 1842,  at  which  the  representa- 
tives of  seven  encampments  were  present,  and  the  officers  were  selected, 
but  owing  to  the  absence  of  several  of  them  at  the  time  of  constituting  the 
Grand  Encampment,  changes  had  to  be  made. 

Widows'  Friend  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Winchester,  having  declined 
to  join  in  the  petition  for  a  Grand  Encampment,  and,  after  the  formation 
of  that  body,  refusing  to  submit  to  its  government,  in  September,  1843,  it 
"  was  expelled  for  rebellion." 

We  had  supposed  that  the  first  rebellion  in  Old  Virginia  was  John 
Brown's,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  but  it  seems  from  this  record  that  it  was  the 
patinarchs^  at  Winchester!  The  membership,  however,  soon  became  peni- 
tent, and  a  new  charter  was  issued  to  them  August  5, 1845.  The  present 
body  is  known  as  Golden  Rule,  No.  28. 

April  13, 1860,  was  the  annual  session  of  this  Grand  Encampment  pre- 
ceding the  war,  the  jurisdiction  extending  over  what  is  now  Virginia  and 
West  Virginia,  and  there  were  thirty-two  subordinate  encampments,  with 
1078  members,  —  political  feeling  ran  high,  yet  peace  was  found  in  all 
its  tents ;  and  that  the  ties  of  our  fraternity  held  all  in  its  strong  hands  is 
evidenced  in  the  following  remarks  by  Grand .  Representative  Israel 
Robinson,  of  Mount  Horeb  Encampment,  No.  13,  now  of  West  Virginia, 
at  the  Richmond  session  of  that  date :  — 

**  It  is,  indeed,  a  matter  of  pride  and  congratulation  that,  while  our  country  has  been, 
from  time  to  time,  distracted  by  the  agitation  of  sectional  questions,  sometimes  threatening 
the  disruption  of  the  republic,  and  the  destruction  of  all  that  was  held  good  and  sacred  by 
its  founders,  there  is  a  grand  national  conservative  institution  which  knows  no  East,  no 
West,  no  North,  no  South,  that  can  meet  once  a  year  in  its  legislative  assembly,  its  harmony 
undisturbed  by  sectional  warfare,  its  prosperity,  its  greatness,  its  glory  unaffected  by  sec- 
tional discord  and  strife.  Even  the  religious  world  has  not  escaped  the  curse  of  sectionalism. 
It,  too,  has  been  shaken  several  times  to  its  centre,  by  the  fell  spirit  of  sectional  discord ; 
but  amid  all  the  storms  and  tempests  which  have,  from  time  to  time,  surrounded  this  great 
institution,  it  has  never  found  its  way  into  its  sacred  temples,  —  and  we  believe  our  beloved 
Order  is  destined  thus  quietly  to  pursue  the  peaceful  tenor  of  its  way,  until  the  '  coming  of 
that  period  yet  hidden  in  the  womb  of  time,  to  which  hope  looks  forward  with  ardent  joy, 
when  one  law  shall  bind  all  nations,  tongues,  and  kindreds  of  the  earth,  and  that  law  shall 
be  the  law  of  universal  brotherhood.'  " 


JURISDICTIONS. 


657 


■^.'BlC^,  1S61,  this  distinguished  brother, 
rm9  ill  ^^^1  although  state  after  state 
■sessioa  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
among  other  things,  said :  — 

iU  session  at  Nashville,  tit  a  time  ot  hish 

PresidenUal  contest,  —  repteseDting  a 

session,  however,  will  witness 

Confederacies,  —  and  it  remains 

distDibed  by  the  political  revolution 

illowshlp  that  it  was  so  constltnted 

ivolsiooa.    We  see  no  good  reason 

inr  Order  a  future  as  prosperous  and  glori- 


g#%^0ittlS^Vi(S%30(vas  by  the  fiery  element  which  had 


658  TBE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

unanimously  adopted,  as  had  been  those  of  1862,  and  with  a  much  better 
feeling :  — 

**  Whereas,  By  the  decision  of  the  sword,  this  state  is  restored  to  its  former  nation&l 
connection,  and  no  cause  now  exists  why  this  Grand  Encampment  should  not  resume  its 
former  connection  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 

**  Resolved  (1),  That  all  resolutions  passed  by  this  Grand  Encampment  during  the  late 
war,  tending  to  separate  us  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  be  now  and  are 
hereby  repealed. 

"  Resolved  (2),  That  this  Grand  Encampment  will,  at  this  meetings  elect  a  representa- 
tive to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States." 

The  resolutions  were  submitted  by  Past  Chief  Patriarch  (Jeorge  W. 
Dame,  of  Wildey  Encampment,  No.  5,  at  Portsmouth. 

Notwithstanding  the  sad  effects  of  the  war  in  this  jurisdiction, — 
Virginia  having  been  the  great  battle-field  for  the  preservation  of  the 
Union,  —  and  the  division  of  the  state  (and  the  creation  of  the  state  of 
West  Virginia  from  the  western  half),  the  Order  is  doing  well,  numbering 
as  many  patriarchs  as  it  did  in  1860,  with  twenty-six  encampments,  —  an 
increase  in  the  average  strength  of  those  bodies. 

That  our  Virginia  patriarchs  love  the  old  ways  and  permanency  is 
evidenced  in  the  fact  that  the  constitution  of  1847  was  only  modified  and 
changed  to  meet  new  conditions  in  1895. 

The  total  receipts,  for  1894,  were  $3691,  and  there  was  voted  for  relief 
$2774.  Judge  Edward  H.  Pitzhugh  and  Hugh  Latham  were  of  the  num- 
ber of  the  faithful  patriarchs  of  this  Grand  jurisdiction,  and  Thomas  V. 
Tumey  is  its  efficient  Grand  Scribe. 

Washington.  —  To  Grand  Representative  A.  Noltner,  of  Oregon,  was 
assigned  the  duty  of  instituting  the  first  encampment  of  patriarchs  in 
this,  —  Northwestern  territory,  then,  —  state  now, — of  the  United  States, 
thus  helping  to  place  the  patriarchal  Order  in  that  distant  jurisdiction 
upon  its  present  firm  basis.  Alpha  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Olympia,  was 
instituted  April  14, 1875,  by  Grand  Representative  Noltner,  Special  Deputy 
Grand  Sire,  assisted  by  a  delegation  of  patriarchs  from  Oregon,  and  the 
warrant  was  confirmed  September  24, 1875. 

Unity,  No.  2,  at  Seattle,  was  instituted  August  24,  1877,  by  Special 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  H.  G.  Struve,  Grand  Representative,  of  Oregon.  To 
this  patriarch  Grand  Sire  John  W.  Stokes  issued  a  commission  to  confer 
the  patriarchal  degrees  upon  ten  brothers  of  the  Scarlet  degree  so  as  to 
qualify  them  to  petition  for  an  encampment.  The  degrees  were  accord- 
ingly conferred,  and  the  encampment  was  instituted  on  the  date  above 
named,  —  two  patriarchs  with  cards  uniting  in  the  petition,  —  the  officers 
installed,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  20,  1877.  Walla 
Walla  Encampment,  No.  3,  at  Walla  Walla,  was  instituted  March  28, 1881, 
by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  W.  D.  Plants.  The  petitioners  were :  One 
by  card,  and  seven  upon  whom  the  degrees  had  been  conferred  to  enable 


m 


^  ^  iS'!FiM'^>'£''MAtt'fi'tt'n  ^^°  ^^J  t^^si^  were  nine  brethren 
""    ^^'.^vmtM^^^^&^mTSm^S^^  ^^^^^  whicli  this  encampment 
irgest  in  membersMp  in  the  state. 
m,  1881- 

I  at  Fort  Gamble,   was  instituted 

l»*STand  Sire  H.  G.  Struve,  of  Oregon, 

I^Hember  23,  1881.     The  petitioners 

ilSk  the  degrees  had  been  conferred 

_  JaKiNo,  S,  at  Puyallup,  was  instituted 

Wfirff'A'^'dl^'^lV^^'^^^'^  ^''^  Stnive,  —  who  was  duly 
_48kM¥l|kWLOTigti'l'P°'^  ten  Scarlet  degree  members, 
i&tj'^jtllrw  e«tlStfi|thi8  eacampmeDt. 
f-— ■•?H^'Spi((^&ffj)Mtt  Spokane  Falls,  was  instituted 

*  H^'^^i^^^'V'^^^  ^'  ^'  ^°^°'^^>  Special  Deputy 

l^jtt^Srffi  wa^VJPp^ed  September  19, 1884.    Three 

'   "       "      "^  seven  were  Third  degree  members 

B'erred  upon  them.     Yakima,  No.  7, 

'jj3884,  by  Patriarch  William  James, 

■arrant  was  confirmed  September  Id, 

_    ,95i  eight  members,  three  of  whom 

Jtj^SgSes  conferred  upon  them  by  special 

"-      -instituted  during  1883-84,— 

^C^lll|^e  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  £n- 

li^nization  of  the  Grand  £ncampment 

,    s*  z    ^^^^*V^S^&!>'^  ^K^^**  °^  ^^^  latter  body. 

;_^  ■_■■  i*ii^^ii^ni^i^»^ell  located  and  have  been  thiifty, 

[:the  Grand  Encampment,  and  are  as 

It  was  on  their  petition  that 

■<'|g»iS."body  of  which  they  are  now  such 

l^dglgcb^^^  The  warrant  for  this  Grand  body 

'"""*  jj3i^^;h  April  19,  1884,  and  it  was  organ- 

[n^ji^'VSsIpproved  September  19,  1884.     The 

""^^R  V.  Weeks,  Special  Deputy  Grand 

M.  Swan,  of  Alpha  Encamp- 

;i<^.  No.  2;  H.  E.  Holmes,  Ed.  Bau- 

Walla,  No.  3.     The  constitution  of 

'as  adopted,  until  a  new  one  could 

for  Tacoma  Encampment,  No.  8, 

f^C^^the  encampment  was  instituted  by 

'^^•^f^S  24, 1884,  with  eleven  members. 


660  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

This  jurisdiction  began  with  seven  encampments  and  191  patriarchs. 
Four  encampments  instituted,  in  6ritis];x  Goluinbia,  were  temporarily 
attached  from  1886-87  to  1891,  when  they  passed  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  their  own  Grand  body,  which  was  formed  that  year.  This  took  160 
members  from  Washington,  and  yet  the  membership  increased  over  one 
hundred.  The  year  1891  was  the  most  prosperous  in  this  jurisdiction,  the 
increase  being  eight  in  encampments  and  267  in  members. 

There  are  now  on  the  roll  of  the  Grand  Encampment  thirty-six 
encampments,  with  1272  members;  the  annual  gross  income  of  which  is 
$5571;  expended  for  relief,  $981  ;  and  the  assets,  in  1893,  were  $15,766. 

It  is  to  the  credit  of  this  jurisdiction  that  every  encampment,  borne 
upon  its  roll,  is  a  living  active  body  with  no  evidences  of  early  decay. 

West  Virginia.  —  The  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  creat- 
ing the  state  of  West  Virginia,  passed  December  31,  1862,  a  measure 
growing  out  of  the  civil  war,  of  necessity  led  to  the  formation  of  another 
Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  in  the  territory  previously  forming 
a  part  of  the  state  of  Virginia.  A  petition  was  filed  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  at  the  session  of  1863,  asking  for  such  Grand  bodies. 
To  that  request  of  eleven  lodges  and  five  encampments  the  Grand  Lodge 
returned  answer,  that  it  would  be  inexpedient  and  that 

**  No  action  should  be  had  that  wiU  in  any  manner  prejudice  our  brethren  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Virginia  against  the  action  of  this  Grand  Lodge," — assigning  other  reasons, 
among  which  were  the  foUowing :  "  That  the  question  of  the  constitutionality  of  the  admis- 
sion by  Congress  into  the  Union  of  the  state  of  West  Virginia  has  already  been  submitted, 
or  is  about  to  be,  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  and  should  their  decision  be 
adverse  to  the  action  of  Congress,  we  might  find  ourselves  with  two  Grand  Lodges  in  the 
same  state,  the  jurisdiction  of  one  including  that  of  the  other." 

The  lodges  and  encampments  were  then  put  under  the  immediate  care 
of  the  Grand  Sire,  and  he  was  directed  to  appoint  a  district  deputy  grand 
sire  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  same. 

The  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  having  sustained  the  validity 
of  the  act  of  Congress,  in  admitting  the  state  of  West  Virginia  into 
the  Union  of  states,  and  the  civil  war  being  ended,  Grand  Sire  Isaac  M. 
Veitch,  in  September,  1865,  called  attention  to  the  situation  and  asked 
the  Grand  Lodge  to  consider 

<*  Whether  the  supervision  of  the  lodges  and  encampments  therein  should  n<St  now  be 
relinquished  to  their  respective  jurisdictions,  or  whether  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  will  erect  a  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  in*West  Virginia,  petitioned  at  the 
session  of  1863." 

Grand  Representative  Edward  H.  Fitzhugh,  of  Virginia,  asked  and 
obtained  leave  to  withdraw  the  petitions  presented  in  1863,  and  immedi- 
ately reidled  the  same  when  they  were  referred.  September  23,  1865,  the 
charters  were  granted.^ 

^  See  page  205  of  this  volume. 


juBismCTioys. 


^ _. ,  ^ ^Vortunes  of  war  Wheeling  received 

J>^iitt)lS^iil'W'B^w  nO^dndwas  granted  a  Grand  Encamp- 

latJrJMwIlBaigBiwlEl'wgMiiB'iBB  —  Iq  granting  the  charter  for  this 


S1I        .^,        ^ 
( gi^Bt  fl'tWiliB^BJ  jSjht  subordinates  were  transferred 
ilS&S^£(MiH*1^at  of  West  Virginia,  the  first  of 
llt'^iS^ilB  ||'^.9,<^  January  11, 1836.     The  follow- 
'^'W'A-*S'^'^*-^«^C9'3f  ^°'  ^1  at  Wheeling;  Jefferson, 
l^d'Xi'JStSl''''  ^^'  ^^  Paikersbuig;  Eumenia, 
L.,.-.^B»i£^„^^V(,_  26,  at  Fairmont;  Valley,  No. 
fl^«'!SlS»-H  at  Wheeling;  Wolford,  No. 

pSf|Wl  S^Hi.tfufn>tSLf Slstitution  was  held  in  Odd  Fellows' 

^SiiC^Ri§|lC^  Bittiarch  Thomas  G.Steele,  Special 

^^tmiim^My^miMlpment  was  duly  constituted.     The 

.      »_.^.        .„-_,^^^^^  upward,  in  the  order  named 

^^ihis  day. 

Siwhich  changes  take  place,  and  the 

ii'the  elders  lay  it  down,  we  note  the 

|"reeords  of  tiiia  Gi-and  body.     One 

y  years,  the  faithful  Grand  Scribe 

:  at  the  institution  of  the  Grand 

^rand   Scribe,  to  fill  the  Tacancy 

^jbe  William  W.  Blanchard,  in  1866, 

S;^hiB  faithful  service  is  due,  largely, 

'"'.  the   patriarchal  Order  in  West 

vG^^°ca™pi°^°'^i  withl273metuber8} 
lOgi'ere  expended  for  relief. 

highly  honored  in  having  the 
3^?  the  father  of  Odd  Fellowship  in 
Jgiidey,  then  the  "travelling  t^ent" 
^Ces. 

'i^il  degrees  having  been  conferred  is 
Ley  to  the  Grand  Lodge  October  1, 

_ ,. ,_»-.  -^itoffi  JrBfct ,  ia  Iowa.    [It  had  become  the  tetdtor;  of 

^^MSv^d^bm^Bpo^j^Illie  teiritory  of  Michigan.]    In  this  teFri- 

>'-  -I^&^^S^KJ|K'i&!^&^  ^""^  '^''^  '^'  '^  InstltDtloDB  of  a  new  and 

..-.-^■^^■^iJfAli'^l^^ifiSi-^Derally  well-informed  In  the  work,  and 

iS*^S^^%§''4&''3^^^f'4^''^'  ""'^  ^  '  much  better  condition  than  I 

^■tll^>aKAIIie«UiMffii»051Meel  an  eneamDment.  and  an  addltioDBl  nubor. 


662  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  encampment  here  instituted  was  Wildey,  No.  1.  It  was  instituted 
August  4,  1838,  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey.  This  encampment 
was  borne  on  the  rolls  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  Jive 
years,  when  it  disappeared;  but  it  left  an  unique  record  behind,  such  as 
none  other  has  done  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 

Accompanying  Father  Wildey,  from  Galena  to  Mineral  Point,  were 
those  two  (already)  veteran  workers,  John  G.  Potts,  formerly  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  Past  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania,  Frederick  G.  Schwatka, 
formerly  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  then  a  member  of  Wildey  Encampment, 
No.  1,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  other  patriarchs  of  Galena,  to  assist  in 
the  work.  The  petitioners  for  the  patriarchal  degrees  and  an  encamp- 
ment met  in  Odd  Fellows'  hall,  at  Mineral  Point,  on  the  evening  of  August 
4,  1838,  where,  after  an  address  on  the  beauty  of  these  degrees,  by 
the  Past  Grand  Sire,  the  patriarchal  degrees  were  conferred  upon  nine 
brothers.     The  work  of  the  evening  being  concluded  it  was 


"  Resolvedf  That  the  encampment  adjourn  to  Snnday  morning  next,  at  10  a.i 


tt 


This  is  not  the  way  they  do  now  in  the  Leadmine  country,  but  it  was 
common  in  societies  at  that  time;  as  there  were  few  if  any  churches,  and 
the  miners  always  went  to  the  villages  and  postal  towns  to  trad^  on  that 
day.  They  were  honest  men,  lovers  of  social  order  and  rdligioij,  practis- 
ing the  golden  rule  rather  than  professing  it,  and  doing  unto  others  as 
they  would  be  done  by, — but  to  the  record,  and  we  quote  from  it  although 
we  have  had  the  story  from  one  or  more  who  were  there :  — 

"  Sunday  Mornino,  10  o'clock  a.m. 

**  The  encampment  met  according  to  previous  arrangement  at  the  hall,  the  following 
applicants  being  in  waiting  for  an  election,  which  resulted  In  their  election :  Robert  W.  Gray, 
Andrew  Leonard,  and  Joseph  Bailey. 

"  The  encampment  then  moved  to  Brother  Sterling's  grove,  and  regularly  initiated  the 
applicants  for  the  degrees  of  the  encampment.  The  dues  coUected  were  as  follows :  Brothers 
Sterling,  Burris,  Rich,  Harris,  Polkinhorn,  Code,  and  Vivian,  each  $5.00,  making  $35XX). 

'*  Nothing  more  appearing  before  the  encampment,  it  was  closed  in  the  usual  form. 

^    ••  (Attest)  M.  V.  Burris,  Scribe.  " 

There  1  you  have  the  idea  of  the  father  as  to  the  proper  place  in  which 
to  confer  the  patriarchal  degrees.  What  a  glorious  outfit  for  the  Royal 
Purple,  and,  in  fact,  the  Patriarchal  and  Golden  Rule, —  nature's  Aborigi^ 
nes  in  nature's  groves ! 

Wisconsin  Encampment,  No.  1,  at  Milwaukee,  was  instituted  August 
2%^  1846,  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  by 
District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  William  Duane  Wilson,  whose  active  work 
is  to  be  found  in  Michigan  and  Illinois,  and  the  warrant  was  confirmed 
September  23,  1846.  Wilson,  No.  2,  at  Southport,  now  the  city  of 
Kenosha,  was  instituted  June  12,  1847,  by  District  Deputy  Wilson,  and 
the  warrant  was  confirmed  September  21,  1847. 


.3fS-^-^-.j^-^-.jr. 


•S^WS^at^l^S^*-^  Jf^SI8DICTI0N8.  663 

ilS^i$  il? u^*''^'-''-'^'^^^  ^  December,  1S47,  by 
h<iB.*?.\.JLft?»  ajjij  tijg  warrant  was  confirmed 


Ijllf If 


others,  all  of  which  were 
Wilson,  of  whom  Grand  Sec- 


£Aie  district  is  divided  between  District 

Si  William  Daane  Wilson,  ot  Uilwaukes. 

— '\  noUce  of  the  Ot&od  Lodge  ol  Uie  United 

more  active,  eealoos,  and  laborioos 

Id  Lodge  o[  the  United  Statw." 

No.  4,  at  Kacine,  instituted 
led  September  20,  1848;  Wal- 
in  the  spring  of  1848,  and  its 
iil^'ear. 

■©menta, — Wildey,  No.  1,  at  Min- 

__    exist,  and  Wisconsin,  No.  1,  of 

3l|§umber, — a  warrant  for  the  Grand 

orn  B.  Kneass. 

^E^^his  Right  Worthy  Grand  body 

iha,  March  8,  1849,  and  the  war- 

lat  year.     Fast  Grand  Bepresen- 

t  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  offtciated. 

Page,  afterward  iiecame  Grand 

while  William  Duane  WUson, 

rand  Lodge  of  Wisconsin,  and  of 

was  highly  honored  in  Illinois, 

At  times  the  patriarchal  Order 

Ind  again  it  has  had  its  gloomy 

l^Rpatftarchal  circle  legislation  did 

!ois,  and,  particularly,  Michigan, 

|btate  was  the  most  seriously  hurt, 

being  active  members  of  the 

ler  the  aggressive  and  yet  earnest, 

Lcr  names  which  will  return  to 

_  .  circle? 

ilglhe  encampments  are  recovering 

^'trom  the  large  drain  made  upon 

le  losses  in  our  civil  war.     May 

in  this  jurisdiction.     Some  have 
The  whole-souled  L.  B.  Hills, 


-  ■  S^3i^^^&j^%'^^i"'i8ley,  Doctor  John  H.  Vivian, 


664  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Samuel  Ryan,  Jr.,  John  W.  Hudson,  Richard  Hoe,  Werden  Reynolds, 
George  E.  Weatherby,  the  present  Grand  Scribe  L.  0.  Holmes,  with  L. 
Silber,  and  a  score  of  others  whose  names  occur  to  the  writer,  are  worthy 
of  especial  mention  did  our  space  permit. 

There  were,  January  1,  1895,  seventy-five  encampments,  with  2465 
members;  assets,  $19,149;  and  annual  receipts,  $5314. 

Wyoming.  —  The  information  relative  to  the  introduction  and  growth 
of  the  patriarchal  Order  in  this  young  jurisdiction  is  very  meagre  and 
unsatisfactory.  We  only  know  that  the  warrant  for  the  first  encamp- 
ment was  issued  by  Grand  Sire  E.  D,  Famsworth  during  the  recess  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  1869-70,  and  that,  at  the  session  of  1870  a  petition  was 
presented  asking  that  a  Grand  Encampment  be  instituted  for  the  territory 
of  Colorado  and  Wyoming,  whenever  there  was  a  sufficient  number  of 
encampments  in  those  territories.  To  this  the  Grand  Lodge  decided  that 
it  would  be  "  inexpedient "  to  unite  two  different  jurisdictions  under  one 
Grand  body. 

Wyoming  Encampment,  No.  1,  was  instituted  at  Laramie,  in  the  month 
of  September,  1870  ;  Hope,  No.  2,  at  Cheyenne,  with  a  warrant  that  was 
confirmed  September  22, 1871 ;  Harmony,  No.  3,  at  Fort  Laramie,  July  9, 
1881,  by  Special  Deputy  Grand  Sire  L.  Kabis.  The  warrafit  was  con- 
firmed September  23,  1881. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  1881,  Grand  Representative 
Henry  Altman,  of  Wyoming,  presented  a  petition,  signed  by  the  three 
encampments,  asking  that  a  Grand  Encampment  be  established,  which 
was  granted  with  the  proviso :  — 

"  That  no  expense  for  representation  be  incurred  by  this  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  until 
there  shaU  be  five  subordinate  encampments  in  that  territory." 

Grand  Encampment  of  Wyoming.  —  The  conditions  above  stated  were 
accepted  by  the  patriarchs,  ^d  a  dispensation  was  issued  by  Grand  Sire 
Luther  J.  Glenn  November  22,  1881.  Grand  Representative  Henry 
Altman,  being  commissioned  as  special  deputy  grand  sire,  this  Grand 
body  was  instituted  November  29,  1881,  at  Cheyenne,  and  the  warrant 
was  confirmed  September  22, 1882.  W.  L.  Kuykendall  was  elected  Grand 
Patriarch.     Two  encampments  were  organized  the  first  year. 

There  are  now  six  encampments  with  a  membership  of  183. 

Patriarch  Lewis  Miller,  who  was  the  first  Grand  Scribe,  became  Grand 
Patriarch  in  1886,  has  been  Grand  Representative,  and  is  again  the 
efiicient  Grand  Scribe. 

Conclusion.  — With  Wyoming  concludes  our  history  of  "The  Encamp- 
ment Branch,"  in  whitsh  we  have  endeavored  to  trace  its  origin  and  growth, 
from  the  adoption  of  its  first  degree  until  the  present  day.  In  our 
researches  we  have  been  compelled  to  write  hundreds  of  letters  and 


PATRIARCHAL  ORDER  BY  JURISDICTIONS. 


666 


examine  every  book,  journal,  and  paper  we  could  find  bearing  upon  tlie 
patriarchal  Order. 

That  the  story  is  far  from  being  complete  we  are  well  aware,  and  are 
content  if  we  have  but  laid  the  foundation  for  other  and  more  thorough 
work.  The  great  lack  of  local  or  jurisdictional  histories  makes  the  writ- 
ing of  a  general  history  of  the  Order  very  difficult  as  well  as  unsatisfactory 
to  the  writer.  Experience  has  taught  us  that  many  letters  go  unanswered 
though  the  information  sought  be  of  more  interest  to  the  jurisdiction  about 
which  inquiry  is  made  than  to  the  inquirer  or  the  general  reader. 

Acknowledgment.  —  Many,  however,  have  been  the  kind  answers  re- 
ceived and  the  assurances  given  of  a  desire  to  aid  in  the  effort  to  secure 
historical  facts  relative  to  the  Order,  and  to  all  such  correspondents  we 
return  our  fraternal  thanks.  Among  so  many  with  whom  we  have  had 
occasion  to  correspond,  we  would  do  an  injustice  to  our  own  feelings  did 
we  not  mention  Patriarchs  Theodore  A.  Ross,  the  efficient  late  (and  for 
many  years)  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge;  Colonel 
William  H.Barnes,  Grand  Scribe,  of  California;  Edwin  Hirst,  Grand 
Scribe,  of  Delaware;  John  Medole,  of  New  York;  Doctor  J.  R.  Harwell, 
Grand  Scribe,  of  Tennessee  ;  T.  V.  Turney,  Grand  Scribe,  of  Virginia; 
John  H.  Seiffert,  Grand  Treasurer,  of  the  District  of  Columbia;  Freder- 
ick Botsford,  Grand  Scribe,  of  Connecticut;  R.  G.  Elliott,  Grand  Scribe, 
of  Kentucky,  and  Edwin  H.  Whitney,  Grand  Scribe,  of  Michigan.  There 
are  others  who  equally  merit  our  thanks;  and,  if  unspoken,  they  are  none 
the  less  sincere. 

Statement  of  Motives.  —  It  has  been  our  aim  to  write  facts  and  to  rescue 
from  oblivion, — as  far  as  space  would  admit, — the  names  of  the  early 
workers ;  not  only  in  the  Order,  .but  in  each  jurisdiction  and  wherever  the 
patriarchal  tents 'have  been  pitched.  That  other  and  more  exhaustive* 
works  will  hereafter  be  written,  we  do  not  doubt;  but  for  these  we  have  ' 
blazed  the  way,  and  if  we  should  have  been  found,  —  with  the  aid  of  the 
Editor-in-Chief,  Patriarch  H.  L.  Stillson, —  to  hav#  marked  the  road  over 
which  others  may  travel,  and  laid  secure  the  foundation  upon  ^hich  they 
may  build,  we  are  content. 

In  Conclusion. —  We  would  affectionately  join  in  forming  the  fraternal 
ohain  according  to  the  ancient  form  of  the  patriarchs,  and  bid  one  and 
^11  a  God-speed  in  all  their  laudable  undertakings. 


^^^^^^^  ^£^^^^l^?f  4&^UUl/AC^ 


•«^i> 


.^Ni!f**r^iSr^  J^B^rfBJVirr. 


E  TO  TRUTH. 

>H,  FAITH,  HOPE,  CeAHITT, 


,3:,       tJMJTH: 

••l8tP«ffS«f  la»  ""« i"Pii"i 

CO  OS'  ^hII  "^^  great  commatid ; 
M^^gVfil,  9t^S^  and  in  the  ikles, 
,^,iK4(|^i(jaglvtoreversUuid. 

fgfjMl^fgnWttribiite  of  God; 
I^SiSk'B^VB^""'^'*  life's  long  m 

i'lfStB"'"""'^- 


ienisl  years; 
§|ever  in  hit  bceut, 
Is  life  nnmoTed  bj  leftra, 
ending  rest. 


c^-^  ^^y^. 


DIVISION   XL 

THE  MILITARY  ARM. 

RISE  OF  THE  DISPLAY  ELEMENT  IN  ODD  FELLOWSHIP;  FUNERAL 
REGA^.IA  AND  PUBLIC  PROCESSIONS;  UNIFORMED  ENCAMPMENTS 
AND  STREET  UNIFORMS;  MILITARY  ORGANIZATION  DEMANDED, 
AND  EFFORTS  MADE  TO  SECURE  IT ;  UNIFORMED  DEGREE  CAMPS 
ESTABLISHED;  THE  PATRIARCHS  MILITANT;  HISTORY  OF  THE 
DEGREE  AND  LEGISLATION ;  DECORATIONS  OF  CHIVALRY  ;  GRAND 
PROCESSION  IN  BOSTON ;  CODES  OF  189S-00 ;  PERSONAL  COMMENTS. 

By  John  H.  Albin,  Past  Grand  Master  ;   kUe  Judge  Advocate-General 

of  the  Patriarchs  Militant. 


CHAPTER   I. 

LEGISLATION  OF  THE  SOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE. 

Introductory.  —  The  military  display  feature  of  our  Order  is  of  very 
recent  growth,  and  yet  the  tendency  toward  street  parade  and  display 
was  for  a  long  time  developing  before  it  finally  culminated  in  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Patriarchs  Militant. 

The  Manchester  Unity,  from  which  American  Odd  Fellowship  sprang, 
was  in  no  sense  given  to  display.  While  it  was  organized  to  aid  and 
help  those  who  were  in  need  of  its  protection  and  assistance,  its  social 
qualities  and  features  were  equally  prominent  traits.  It  was  organized 
to  do  its  work  and  fulfil  its  mission  in  a  quiet  and  orderly  way,  with- 
out parade  or  unnecessary  publicity.  Its  meetings,  which  were  secret, 
were  not  only  for  the  purpose  of  discharging  its  legitimate  duties  and 
obligations,  but  also  for  the  purpose  of  cementing  the  ties  and  relation- 
ship of  its  members,  the  one  with  the  other,  through  the  instrumentality 
of  its  social  qualities. 

.  Before  referring  to  the  legislation  of  the  Ord^r,  which  preceded 
and  led  to  the  adoption  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant  degree,  it  is  well 
to  consider  the  condition  of  the  times,  which,  undoubtedly,  had  a  great 

667 


668  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

influence  in  developing  a  desire  for  display,  and  ultimately  made  the 
degree  a  necessity.  The  tendency  and  inclination  of  the  American 
people  toward  parade  and  display,  especially  since  the  close  of  the  late 
civil  war,  had  been  growing  and  developing  to  a  marked  degree.  Our 
fraternal  bodies  have  differed  from  those  of  the  Manchester  Unity  in 
this  respect:  there  has  been  no  tendency  to  conviviality;  and  while 
we  believe  in  fulfilling  our  duties  and  obligations  to  one  another  to 
the  very  letter,  a  strong  tendency  toward  street  parade  and  brilliant 
display  has  been  gradually  developed  in  our  Order.  It  is  a  significant 
fact  that,  with  the  exception  of  the  Ejiights  Templar,  all  of  the  other 
semi-military  organizations  in  this  country  have  come  into  existence 
since  the  close  of  the  war.  It  is  also  a  fact  that  there  are  but  very 
few  existing  military  organizations  in  the  United  States  that  antedate 
the  commencement  of  that  war. 

It  is  apparent  why  this  condition  of  things  should  exist.  Before  our 
late  civil  war,  the  nation  had  been  at  peace  for  many  years.  There  had 
been  no  general  conflict  upon  American  soil  since  the  birth  of  any  person 
then  living.  The  attention  of  our  young  and  middle-aged  had  never 
been  attracted  in  the  direction  of  military  life. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  there  was  a  vast  number  of  men,  all  over  the 
country,  north,  south,  east,  and  west,  who  had  returned  from  the  army 
to  their  homes  and  families;  and  their  chief  delight,  ever  after,  centred 
in  recounting  the  glories  and  excitements  of  their  military  experience; 
their  long  marches,  brave  charges,  brilliant  parades,  with  drums  beating 
and  colors  flying;  their  dazzling  receptions,  amid  the  plaudits  of  admir- 
ing multitudes  of  spectators.  To  perpetuate  these  glories  in  the  North 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  founded;  and  in  the  South  the 
Confederate  Veterans'  Association  was  organized.  Both  of  these  asso- 
ciations have  since  been  maintained,  all  of  the  time  gaining  in  influence 
and  popularity.  Military  organizations  began  to  be  organized  through- 
out the  whole  country;  and  legislation  was  had  in  nearly  every  state, 
establishing  a  national  guard,  and  providing  for  annual  encampments  of 
the  same.  In  an  atmosphere  of  this  kind  the  boys  of  these  veteran 
soldiers  grew  to  manhood,  and  "  went  out "  into  the  world,  proud  of  the 
laurels  their  fathers  had  won,  and  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  love  of 
military  display. 

When  the  American  branch  of  Odd  Fellowship  was  established  at 
Baltimore,  as  is  well  known,  it  was  the  work  of  Englishmen  who  had 
become  connected  with  the  Order  in  the  old  country,  and  attached  to 
the  institution  there  by  reason  of  its  fidelity  to  its  principles  and  teach- 
ings. They  had  removed  to  this  country  permanently,  but  they  missed 
their  lodge.  They  knew  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  understood  it  exactly 
as  it  was  known  and  understood  in  the  mother  country.     They  knew  it 


i 
"11 


'•vQ  IM  Bfift '  eVj^nJi  .- 


LEOISLATION. 


Scap^ithoat  any  tendency  toward  display, 

jlV^  i*8  members,  and  for  the  cementing 

■■  in  ^^fttBfeqf^^^iV  ro  gg^f^^Pta^^ty  of  its  social  attractions. 
'ii»'*^g3S45Vc5}&f$C^S^fca-'^  the  Order  began  to  grow  in  this 
•/IS^I^jJS'4^tttXt'tt'2'^W'^'$i''*'l'^^'^'^'  -^ftera  time,  however,  an 
Nl^W'tC?Biil'^'^/F)j8hS'*l^^  which  became  somewhat  inclined 
..^_A.«>  '^[JB'^ft^Sj  *iid  more  conservative  membership 
^^StSfiQii*  ^^^  direction,  but  little  by  little 
~ll$tience,  and  step  by  step  the  change 


lltllftl 


mi 


JA'.  in  1SS4,  aided  as   it  was  by  the 

■pftlhis  country,  resulting  from  the  civil 

.  —   —  IJj'iormatiOD  of  other  semi-mUitary  and 

'i8^|ws9l>ecame  an  established  fact,  and  the 

^fl^.was  the  result. 

nftowth  of  the  tendency  in  the  direction 

,  first  made  itself  manifest  in  1S41, 

*  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant  degree  in 

|b:ltpeded  its  progress. 

^on  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 

_    S|se  as  to  whether  Grand  Lodges  and 

„^icE'^3Eftquired  to  strictly  prohibit,  in  their 


^^r^^f^f^f^f^ 


,^.  .^.  .^  .jj^  .jj^  .jj^  .jj^  .jj. 


670  THIS  TRBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

the  United  States,  as  the  respective  state   Grand  Lodges  and  Grand 
Encampments  might  determine. 

Thus  the  matter  stood  until  the  session  of  1855,  when  an  attempt  was 
made  to  change  the  funeral  regalia  so  as  to  make  it  consist  of  a  black 
cripe  rosette,  with  a  centre  of  the  color  of  the  degree  the  wearer  had 
attained,  and  below  which  might  be  suspended  the  jewel  that  past  or 
present  officers  might  be  entitled  to  wear. 

A  funeral  regalia  had  previously  been  established;  but  the  advocates 
of  this  change,  evidently,  wanted  something  that  was  more  attractive  to 
the  eye.  The  effort  to  bring  about  this  change  failed,  and  the  resolution 
was  defeated. 

It  will  be  seen  by  this,  that  so  strong  was  the  opposition  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States  against  any  public  display  whatsoever,  that 
it  took  from  1841  until  1855  to  permanently  establish  a  policy  in  favor 
of  allowing  encampments  and  lodges  to  appear  publicly  in  an  appropriate 
regalia,  even  at  the  funeral  of  a  deceased  member. 

Enlarged  Powers  demanded. — The  next  attempt  made  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  looking  toward  public  display,  occurred  at 
its  session  of  1864.  This  was  practically  at  the  close  of  the  war.  At 
that  time  an  effort  was  made  to  permit  subordinate  lodge  and  encamp- 
ment members  to  attend  anniversaries  or  other  celebrations,  balls  and 
parties  in  the  regalia  of  the  Order,  but  the  Grand  Lodge  determined  that 
the  regalia  could  not  be  used  on  such  occasions,  or  the  name  of  the  Order 
assumed  without  first  having  obtained  the  written  consent  of  the  Grand 
Master  or  the  Grand  Patriarch  of  the  jurisdiction. 

During  the  recess,  following  the  session  of  1864,  the  Grand  Sire,  hav- 
ing been  requested  to  interpret  the  legislation  of  the  previous  session, 
held,  in  effect,  that  this  legislation  was 

**  Not  intended  to  prevent  lodges,  or  encampments,  from  Joining  in  pnblic  processions  in 
regalia  when  invited  to  do  so  by  the  civil  authorities,  in  connection  with  other  organizations, 
and  that  permission  for  that  porpose  might  be  obtained  from  the  respective  jurisdictions 
under  snch  regulations  as  they  might  prescribe." 

This  construction,  given  by  the  Grand  Sire,  was  approved  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  at  the  session  of  1865.  This  action  of  the  Grand  body  was 
the  first  recognition  of  the  right  of  subordinate  lodges  and  encampments 
to  appear  in  public  parade  in  regalia,  when  permitted  so  to  do  by  their 
respective  jurisdictions,  and  shows  how  tenaciously  the  conservative  ele- 
ment clung  to  the  idea  that  nothing  should  be  known  of  the  Order  outside 
of  the  lodge-room. 

Growth  of  the  Display  Element.  —  During  the  next  five  years  succeeding 
the  session  of  1865,  the  desire  for  street  parade  and  display  seems  to  have 
strongly  increased  its  hold  upon  the  younger  members  of  the  Order;  and, 
while  no  special  uniform  had  been  adopted  for  street  display,  outside  of 


l^mS^&^mt'^tiSi'n^'mf^o  that  Oran^  Sire  Famsvorth,  in 
~^-'^'i?i|Miltt'iK'''0l'°°sd  as  his  fourth  decision:  "That 


LEOISLATION. 


9«BiA>ordinate  lodges  and  encampmeDtB, 
lorookB,  swords,  and  belts  were  fre- 


law;  chapeanx,  crooks, 

iphetnalia  not  ao  prescribed  are 

ruling  was  referred  to  the 

reported  approving  the  same, 

adding  at  the  end  thereof  the 

!  approved  by 


,  „.,  JkAS^S^t  t^e  next  session,  that  of  1871, 
^«¥it?#96SiiS||StBjaW  the  foregoing  decision  of  Grand 
&K  M^S|^^tl*ASr%ni*linomioed  that  he  had  "been  asked 
^'IS^^Ry^S^'^t^^'^seTeral  others,  for  an  opinion  and 
s-*j-^J.?j!*Ci.._.-ffijjajj^  yiolation  of   Grand  Sire  Fams- 
Ete|§cder  persisted  in  wearing  chapeauz, 
jff^^^aphemalia).     "I  replied  that  suoh 
!§*S^)d  that  suoh  articles  of  costume  or 
jrwere  illegitimate." 
■y  say  that,  in  the  face  of  his  deci- 
S"of  certain  patriarchs  to  wear  such 
i-dress.     For  this  reason  he  had 
Ey  forbidding  the  wearing  of  oha- 
1  other  military  paraphernalia,  in 
JCe  Grand  Sire  then,  in  strong  Ian- 
ghat  "neither  respect  for  yonr  Grand 
5p  he  is  the  representative  head,  nor 
!  some  of  our  brethren  from  appear- 
t  swords,  belts,  and  gauntlets."    He 
^-  saying  that  he  was  in  favor  of  an 
g^branch,  especially  in  the  matter  of 
^*ie  subject  be  referred  to  a  special 

.lit 

0$erred  the  foregoing  portion  of  the 

^4)^  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  sustained  the 

Lat  the 


^'^Ri^'tXfSI'W^S"'^!'^  1^^  Order,  wu  a  flagnat  rioUtioD  ot  ths 
^•$Mmkuv3i^4^i^>iS£3ae  to  ths  chief  «ieaatlve  of  Um  Older,  and 


'f^w^wjwjw^^'f^^f7^f^^'^!^r^!^r^^~t''~t''~t''~i''~?'^ 


672  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  committee,  however,  recommended  that  no  further  action  be  taken 
at  present  than  to  adopt  their  report,  for  the  reason  that  they  believed 
that  this  decided  expression  of  the  views  and  opinions  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  would  be  sufficient,  when  made  to  a  membership  so  law-abiding 
as  that  belonging  to  the  Order,  to  put  down  anything  like  insubordina- 
tion and  disobedience  to  law.  When  this  report  of  the  committee  came 
before  the  Grand  Lodge  for  consideration,  there  seems  to  have  been  quite 
a  discussion,  and  as  a  result  tiie  word  ''  chapeaux  "  was  stricken  out,  and 
with  this  amendment  the  report  was  adopted.  By  this  action  the  censure 
related  only  to  the  "wearing  of  swords,  belts,  and  gauntlets";  and  the 
wearing  of  chapeaux,  though  not  legalized,  was  not  censured. 

These  facts,  coming  from  the  sessions  of  1870  and  1871,  are  exceed- 
ingly interesting,  for  we  shall  have  occasion  to  note,  hereafter,  how 
history  repeated  itself  in  1881  to  1885,  inclusive. 

The  First  Uniform.  —  Matters  stood  in  this  way  until  the  session  of 
1872,  when  Eepresentative  Band,  of  Massachusetts,  introduced  the  fol- 
lowing preamble  and  resolution:  — 

"  Whs&eas,  The  wearing  of  a  uniform  style  of  dress  on  occasions  of  street  parades  by 
the  encampments  of  several  jurisdictions  has  proved  a  great  success  in  securing  membership, 
inspiring  interest,  and  adding  largely  to  the  financial  operations  of  this  branch  of  the  Order ; 
therefore, 

** Resolved,  That  encampments  be  permitted  to  wear  such  a  style  of  street  uniforms,  on 
parade,  as  may  be  sanctioned  by  the  Grand  Encampments  of  their  respective  jurisdictions." 

This  was  referred  to  a  special  committee,  which,  later,  during  the 
same  session,  favorably  reported  on  the  subject  with  the  provision,  that 
"under  no  circumstances  shall  the  funds  of  any  encampment  be  appro- 
priated to  meet  expenses  incurred  thereby,''  and,  as  thus  amended  by  the 
committee,  the  resolution  was  adopted. 

Upon  the  adoption  of  this  legislation,  for  the  first  time  the  higher 
branch  of  the  Order  was  permitted  to  appear  on  public  parade  in  a  uni- 
form of  its  own,  the  sanction  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  the  jurisdic- 
tion, in  which  the  parade  was  to  take  place,  having  been  first  obtained; 
but  no  style  of  regulation  uniform  was  prescribed,  and  hence  parades 
in  different  jurisdictions  under  such  circumstances  might  be  wanting  in 
uniformity,  to  say  the  least. 

At  the  session  of  1873  a  memorial  was  presented  from  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  Missouri,  which,  after  referring  to  the  legislation  of 
1872,  among  other  things,  made  use  of  the  following  langpiage :  — 

"  In  presenting  this  memorial,  we  respectfully  and  earnestly  call  the  attention  of  your 
Right  Worthy  body  to  the  importance  of  a  prescribed  style  of  parade  dress  for  the  entire 
body  of  patriarchs.  The  law  at  present  leaves  the  question  entirely  to  the  state  jurisdictions 
and  will  undoubtedly  result  in  endless  confusion.  It  is  the  conviction  of  your  memorialists 
that  any  badge  to  be  worn  by  an  Odd  Fellow,  as  such,  should  be  as  universal  as  the  mystical 
language  of  our  Order." 


THE  MILITARY  ARM:   LEGISLATION.  673 

This  memorial  was  referred  to  the  legislative  committee^  and  it  seems 
that  the  committee  were  so  radically  opposed  to  the  extension  of  the 
authority  already  given,  and  so  fully  determined  to  restrain  the  further 
progress  of  the  Order  in  this  direction,  that  they  reported,  as  the  result 
of  their  deliberations,  it  was  ''inexpedient  to  legislate, '^  and  the  Grand 
Lodge  adopted  their  report. 

While,  during  the  session  of  1873,  matters  were  progressing  in  this 
way  with  the  encampment  branch  of  the  Order,  the  tendency  toward  dis- 
play had,  also,  been  at  work  in  the  subordinate  lodges;  and,  as  a  result 
of  which,  Eepresentative  Medole,  of  New  York,  presented  the  following 
resolution,  which  was  referred  to  the  legislative  committee :  — 

**  Resolved t  That  subordinate  lodges,  when  they  appear  in  pabUc,  may  wear  snch  uniform 
or  regalia,  suitable  for  public  parade,  as  may  be  approved  by  the  Qrand  Lodge  of  the  juris- 
diction." 

From  the  journal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  it  appears 
that  the  committee  reported  ''that  this  request,"  —  in  brother  Medole's 
resolution, — 

**  Coming  alone  from  a  single  jurisdiction,  is  of  too  general  a  character  to  justify  the 
legislation  asked  at  present,  and  for  this  reason  they  requested  to  be  discharged  from  the 
further  consideration  of  the  subject." 

The  report  of  this  committee,  although  finally  adopted  by  the  Grand 
body,  did  not  "sail  along"  without  objection, . for  Representative  Porter, 
of  California,  moved  to  recommit  the  report  to  the  committee,  with  in- 
struction to  report  in  conformity  with  the  spirit  of  the  resolution,  which 
motion  was,  likewise,  refused.  The  friends  of  the  uniform  and  of  the 
right  to  appear  in  public  parade  in  a  befitting  and  becoming  manner 
determined  not  to  let  the  matter  rest  here,  for  later,  during  the  session. 
Representative  Turner,  of  Ohio,  moved  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted:  — 

"Resolved,  That  a  special  committee  of  five  be  appointed,  by  the  Grand  Sire,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  report  to  this  Grand  body,  at  its  next  session,  a  suitable  street  uniform 
which  may  be  used  by  subordinate  lodges  and  encampments  on  parade,  in  order  that  street 
uniforms  for  lodges  and  encampments  be  the  same  in  aU  jurisdictiohs." 

The  special  committee  of  five  created  by  this  resolution  was,  accord- 
ingly, appointed,  of  which  Brother  Turner  was  made  chairman. 

At  the  session  of  1874  the  special  committee  of  1873  reported  that  so 
much  of  their  time  had  been  devoted  to  the  consideration  of  the  portion 
of  their  work  which  related  to  the  encampment  branch  of  the  Order,  that 
they  had  not  been  able  to  agree  upon  a  suitable  uniform  for  the  use  of 
members  of  subordinate  lodges,  and  asked  leave  to  be  continued,  which 
was  granted. 

The  Encampment  Uniform  adopted. — This  committee  at  the  same  ses- 
sion reported  a  uniform  for  the  patriarchal  branch  to  be  worn  on  public 


674  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

occasions^  consisting  of  chapeau,  fatigue  cap^  baldric,  gauntlets,  belt, 
sword,  coat,  and  pants.  The  same  uniform  was  provided  for  officers, 
with  certain  distinguishing  featiires  added. 

The  uniform  thus  reported,  with  some  minor  modifications,  was 
adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  further  provided  that  it  should 
be  worn  by  none  but  Royal  Purple  degree  members.  This  legislation 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  operated  to  repeal  the  legislation  of  1872,  and 
abrogated  any  law  of  a  state  jurisdiction  in  conflict  therewith. 

Uniform  for  Subordinate  Lodges.  —  At  the  session  of  1875  the  special 
committee,  appointed  at  the  session  of  1878,  reported  a  uniform  for  the 
use  of  subordinate  lodges  when  on  street  parade,  consisting  of  a  cap,  sash, 
gloves,  coat,  and  pants,  and  that  officers  and  past  officers  should  wear  the 
jewels  of  office  attached  to,  or  suspended  from,  the  left  lapel  of  the  coat; 
but  the  Grand  Lodge  indefinitely  postponed  the  whole  subject. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  thus  far  the  general  policy  of  the  Order  had 
been  to  thoroughly  oppose  anything  like  public  display,  or  parade,  on  the 
part  of  the  members  of  subordinate  lodges  or  encampments,  and  yet,  little 
by  little,  there  had  been  a  growing  sentiment  in  favor  of  it. 

At  the  session  of  1876  there  seemed  to  be  a  somewhat  middle  class, 
coming  forward  in  the  encampment  branch  for  the  first  time,  who  desired 
to  appear  in  public,  and  yet  who  were  not  disposed  to  go  to  the  full 
extent  of  wearing  what  was  then  the  established  street-parade  uniform. 
The  friends  of  this  movement,  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
succeeded  in  securing  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  three,  who  were 
instructed  to  report,  at  the  next  session,  a  regalia  or  costume  to  be  worn 
on  public  occasions  by  patriarchs  who  might  not  wish  to  appear  in  the 
uniform  as  then  authorized. 

At  the  session  of  1877  this  committee  reported  that  they  had  given 
the  matter  considerable  thought,  solicited  suggestions  and  specifications 
from  a  number  of  brethren,  and  were  "  unable  to  submit  anything  defi- 
nite " ;  and,  therefore,  asked  further  time  to  complete  their  work.  Their 
request  was  granted ;  but  the  committee  was  so  changed  as  to  consist  of 
five  members  instead  of  three,  of  which  the  eminent  Taliaferro  P.  Shaff- 
ner,  of  Kentucky,  was  made  the  chairman. 

Regulation  of  Processions.  — While,  prior  to  the  session  of  1876,  step 
by  step  the  Grand  Lodge  had  been  reluctantly  led  to  permit  public  pro- 
cessions, and  had  established  a  patriarchal  uniform,  no  action  whatso- 
ever had  been  taken  to  regulate,  officially,  the  formation  of  processions,^ 
whether  made  up  of  lodges  or  encampments,  or  both. 

1  Note  hy  the  Editor-in-Chief.  —  In  1862  (see  p.  119),  it  had  been  provided  that  while  the  encamp- 
ment usually  took  precedence,  yet  the  matter  was  to  be  controlled  by  circumstances.  Again,  in  1860,  a  form 
was  incorporated  in  a  ceremony  for  '*  Laying  d^omer-stones,"  but  the  manner  of  forming  processions  was, 
generally,  relegated  to  the  directions  given  in  the  various  "Manuals,"  etc.,  pabUahed  by  private  enterprise, 
80  that  this  statement  is  not  susceptible  of  challenge. 


^w^t  time  steps  vers  taken  in  that 
five  was  appointed,  with  instrnc- 
!|fpWBMKS^CII4d^!^MIi  an  amended  form   to    regulate 

'^'i*tillStin&'<]^^^;e  with  the  report  of  the  said 

L«lli(lMl7ti|4Me||ii€>^ioiiB  of  the  Order  were  adopted. 

iftgi&Bjtjl gf  WlnSyw tfli uniform  was  ignored,  for  do  pl^e 

tt  ■ » 'OlS  ^5i  M  E&^^°'^°^  °^  ^^^  encampment  author- 

n«ttltSflBilcSriKi6,«distinct  from  the  patriarch  in  the 

Le  instability  of  this  legislation  is 
of  patriarchs,  some  wearing 


—  The  friends  of  that  measnre,  not 

?Iere,  brought  the  subject  t>efore  the 

Sf  C^  committee  of  three  was  appointed 

"^pication,  a  suitable  street  dress  for 

3  committee  reported  in  1877,  pro- 

Sid  dress  worn  upon  such  occasions 

$»Mdual  subordinate  lodge,  but  that, 

!Lbe  enjoined  and  observed.     Plain 

ftm  of  a  "jewel  collar"  t 

*^^iked  from  the  collar,  of  white  metal. 

'"  g  to  the  patriarchal  branch  to  wear 

fellow  metal  J  and  for  officers  and 

1  addition  thereto,  such  jewels  as 

,, Jjrhere  in  conformity  with  existing 

^^■gieeial  committee,  appointed  at  the 

•&iSaeT  was  chairman,  insisted  that 

iJcLl  committee,  which  related  to  the 

SMt^Jy  brothers  belonging  to  the  patri- 

iM^|B^S2ir  committee.     Brother  Shaffner's 

2^:ls<IlSnodificatiDn,  the  report,  —  of  the 

g^ajmembers  of  subordinate  lodges, — 

jTiD^Bie  close  of  the  session. 

asi^&  Stebbins,  of  New  York,  presented 

^cJ^red  to  the  legislative  committee : — 


676  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

**  Resolved,  That  Grand  Encampmenta  be  and  they  are  hereby  empowered,  when  they 
shall  deem  it  expedient,  to  issne  charters  to  subordinate  encampments  when  instituted  as 
uniformed  encampments." 

Upon  this  resolution  the  committee  reported  that  further  legislation 
in  this  direction^  in  their  opinion,  was  unwise  and  inexpedient,  etc. ;  and 
the  report  of  the  committee  being  adopted,  the  legislation  was  defeated. 

At  the  session  of  1880  the' judiciary  committee, —  in  approving  by  its 
report  of  that  portion  of  the  Grand  Sire's  annual  address  wherein  he  said 
that  at  the  "last  session  we  refused  to  permit  Grand  Encampments  to 
charter  subordinate  encampments  as  uniformed  encampments,"  —  said 
that  "the  wearing  of  uniforms  is  purely  a  voluntary  matter,  and  any- 
thing which  would  directly  or  indirectly  compel  members  to  procure 
them  would  be  highly  objectionable."  This  decision  of  the  committee 
was  adopted  by  the  Sovereign  .Grand  Lodge. 

Military  Organization  demanded.  —  In  the  meantime,  —  more  especially 
throughout  the  Middle  and  Western  states,  — the  tendency,  among  the 
members  of  the  Order,  toward  display  had  been  rapidly  growing  and 
developing.  This  was  noticeably  true  of  the  younger  men  in  the  Order. 
They  had  witnessed  the  formation  and  growth  of  many  semi-military 
organizations,  where  the  brilliant  uniform,  the  band  of  music,  and  an 
attractive  street  parade  had  made  a  splendid  appearance  in  public.  They 
had  attended  balls  given  by  similar  organizations  in  full  dress  and  glit- 
tering uniforms.  The  military  spirit  which  had  come  down  to  them,  as  a 
result  of  the  civil  war,  had  tended  to  develop  and  strengthen  a  desire  for 
military  display. 

As  semi-military  bodies  such  organizations  had  been  formed  with  a 
military  head,  and,  to  some  extent,  were  subject  to  a  military  form  of 
government.  They  had  not  yet  come  to  that  condition  in  life,  either 
physically  or  financially,  where  the  financial  relief  furnished  by  our 
Order  to  its  members  had  become  necessary,  and  the  idea  of  the  display 
feature  appeared  to  them  the  more  attractive. 

Such  an  element  in  Odd  Fellowship,  gradually  growing  and  develop- 
ing, had  been  struggling  during  all  these  years  against  the  determined 
opposition  toward  display  which  had  descended  as  a  legacy  from  the 
Manchester  Unity;  and  yet,  after  all  of  this  effort  and  perseverance,  they 
had  simply  succeeded  in  securing  the  right  to  appear  in  public  in  a  uni- 
form which,  when  brought  into  contrast  with  the  uniforms  of  rival  semi- 
military  organizations,  appeared  to  them  tame  and  unattractive.  They 
had  been  given  neither  standing  nor  individuality,  and  the  provisions 
made  for  them  were,  therefore,  not  satisfactory. 

It  was  "  Young  America  "  struggling  in  this  way  for  a  recognition  and 
privileges  which  they  believed  would  become  of  manifest  advantage  in 
the  direction  of  promoting  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  Order. 


THE  MILITABT  ABM:  LEGISLATION.  677 

They  had  witnessed  their  own  associates,  many  of  them  sons  of  Odd 
Fellows,  going  into  rival  organizations,  thereby  aiding  in  building  them 
up,  when  Odd  Fellowship  should  have  had  the  advantage  of  their  mem- 
bership. They  realized  that  this  resulted  from  an  omission  on  the  part 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  furnish  what  the  boys  wanted. 

The  Patriarchal  Circle.  —  Some  of  the  leading  and  progressive  spirits  in 
and  about  Milwaukee  conferred  together  as  to  how  this  difficulty  should 
be  overcome.     They  were  loyal  at  heart,  true  Odd  Fellows  to  the  core. 

The  attention  of  these  brothers  had  been  called  to  the  fact  that  in 
Freemasonry  the  display  element  of  the  Order  had  an  organization  of  its 
own,  independent  of  the  other  Masonic  bodies,  whether  grand  or  subordi- 
nate, and  the  suggestion  naturally  arose:  Why  may  we  not  organize  in  a 
similar  way  as  Odd  Fellows?  They  saw  no  good  reason  why  they  could 
not  be  organized  as  a  semi-military  body  in  a  similar  way,  and  proceeded 
to  execute  this  idea,  making  good  standing  as  a  Boyal  Purple  degree 
member  in  the  encampment  branch  of  the  Order  the  requisite  qualifica- 
tion for  admission  and  retention  of  membership;  and,  because  they  were 
Odd  Fellows  of  the  patriarchal  branch,  banded  together  for  the  advance- 
ment of  these  ideas,  they  called  themselves,  as  a  body,  the  ^^  Patriarchal 
Circle,"  and  their  local  bodies  were  called  ''Temples."  They  established 
organizations  in  various  localities  in  the  West,  gradually  extending  thence 
eastward. 

It  was  under  these  circumstances  that,  at  the  session  of  1881,  Grand 
Sire  Glenn,  in  his  annual  report,  called  the  attention  of  the  Grand  body  to 
the  fact  that  a  circular  had  been  sent  to  him  from  a  Western  jurisdiction, 
under  the  caption:  "Supreme  Temple,  Patriarchal  Circle,  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin."     "This  'circular,' "  —  the  Grand  Sire  proceeded  to  say, — 

**  Seeks  to  enlist  members  in  the  establishment  and  propagation  of  new  degrees  for 
uniformed  patriarchs.  Believing  that  the  brothers  engaged  in  this  work,  however  land- 
able  the  motives  which  prompt  them,  are  treading  npon  fatal  if  not  forbidden  ground, 
I  deem  it  my  duty  to  bring  the  matter  to  the  attention  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 
in  order  that  you  may,  if  in  your  judgment  deemed  necessary,  take  proper  action  on  the 
subject." 

This  matter  having  been  introduced,  and  brought  to  the  attention  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  developed  no  little  discussion,  and  hence  it  is  interest- 
ing to  note  what  followed.  That  portion  of  the  Grand  Sire's  report  was 
referred  to  the  special  committee  on  the  patriarchal  branch  of  the  Order 
of  which  Representative  ShafEner,  of  Kentucky,  was  chairman.  The 
committee  reported  that  the  subject  had  been  considered  by  them  and 
made  the  substance  of  another  report,  which  would  be  presented  at  that 
session,  and  asked  to  be  discharged  from  further  action  on  the  subject. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  "  other  report "  referred  to  was  never  pre- 
sented.    When  the  report  of  the  committee  was  considered,  the  question 


678  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

being  upon  its  adoption,  Eepresentative  Foster,  of  Connecticut,  moved  to 
"recommit  the  report."  Eepresentative  J.  H.  White,  afterward  Grand 
Sire,  moved  to  lay  the  motion  to  recommit  upon  the  table,  which  was 
"agreed  to."  The  question  recurring  on  the  report,  Past  Grand  Sire 
Sanders  moved  to  postpone  the  further  consideration  thereof  until  the 
next  annual  session,  which  was  "not  agreed  to."  The  question  again 
recurring  on  the  report,  it  was  adopted. 

By  this  time  it  had  become  apparent  to  the  leading  members  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  that  there  was  a  respectable  element  in  the  patri- 
archal branch  of  the  Order  who  were  determined  to  obtain  something  more 
than  the  Grand  Lodge  had  theretofore  given  them.  Under  these  circum- 
stances Representative  Shaffner  moved  the  appointment  of  a  committee 
of  five :  — 

"  To  consider  and  report  npon  such  matters  as  shall  be  referred  to  them  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  respecting  the  patriarchal  branch  of  the  Order,  with  power  also  to  report  upon  such 
measures  as  they  shall  deem  promotive  of  that  department  of  the  Order." 

Brother  Shaffner's  motion  was  adopted,  and  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed, of  which  he  was  made  chairman. 

Efforts  made  toward  a  Uniformed  Degree.  —  At  the  same  session  (1881), 
Representatives  Crocker,  of  Illinois,  and  Elliott,  of  Wisconsin,  moved  the 
following,  which  was  referred  to  the  special  committee  on  the  patriarchal 
branch  of  the  Order ;  — 

"  Whereas,  There  is  a  great  desire  among  the  members  of  the  patriarchal  branch  of 
the  Order,  that  some  legislation  be  had  by  this  body,  providing  an  additional  degree  in 
which  the  uniform  heretofore  adopted  may  be  appropriately  used,  therefore  be  it 

"  Resolved f  That  a  special  committee  of  seyen  members  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  Sire, 
to  consider  and  report  at  our  next  session  suitable  work  for  such  degree." 

On  the  same  day  Representative  Crocker  moved  the  following,  which 
was,  also,  referred  to  that  committee :  — 

"  Whereas,  The  Grand  Encampment  of  Illinois  has  instructed  its  Grand  Representatives 
in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  introduce  such  legislation  as  will  authorize  Grand  Encamp- 
ments to  charter  uniformed  encampments  whenever  application  is  made  for  the  same,  there- 
fore be  it 

"Resolved J  That  the  above  request  be  referred  to  the  committee  on  the  patriarchal 
branch  of  the  Order." 

The  resolution  was  adopted.  On  the  same  day  Representative  Apper- 
son,  of  Oregon,  submitted  an  abstract  from  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand 
Encampment  of  Oregon,  which,  in  strong  language,  called  upon  the  rep- 
resentatives of  that  jurisdiction  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  use 
every  honorable  means  to  have  all  of  the  existing  legislation  on  the  sub- 
ject repealed,  and  to  urge  the  necessity  of  establishing  a  higher  degree  in 
the  patriarchal  Order. 

Subsequently,  later  in  the  day.  Representative  Elliott,  of  Wisconsin, 


»l 


iiMifiiaijATiva. 


by  the  Grand  Encampment  of 


ttg3it|K»M3rS^  u«  hereby  instnicted  to  use  tbelr  belt 

I  <^^  JUiMe'S  ^flftd  Lodge,  to  bave  ttw  nuitter  ot  •  Fourth  or 

ol  Gnnd  EnounpnieDt  reprewDtetiTe*, 

meeting  ol  the  SoTereign 

J|lf[B^Bf||#Alify'«T)^  Uaiformed  degree  for  the  encampmeiit." 
PMiMliaiNlfilSijgllll'rand  Encampmenta  of  Oregon  and 
L^M|^B^^Ba,MiH-|ig^jCOLhe  special  committee  on  the  patri- 
^nt^Q  flBlStHu^l^ringthe  session,  the  special  com- 

~~~"  jB'l&t^  ''  *°^  ^^  action  taJten  thereon 

^  3y^^--w  '^^t  y**^  ^^reign  Grand  Lodge  on  this  subject 

~°^{  BSb-^^z&'^'wt'ffif'b  measure  which  existed,  as  well 

f'fC^lW^ '^^%^^  "*  ^^  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 

JjKt^Vltee  on  patriarchal  afUia,  to  whom  -^ 

^  ^r  l^dd  Bncampmente  oC  Wieconiln,  Dllnoli,  and 

"■^■"""'"!  legislation  authorizing  the  chartering  ot 

for  the  tame  ahall  be  made,  and  for  the 

l^lli^rined  patriarohi,  reipecttull;  report ;  — 

iformed  eDcampmeDts  was  enacted  by  the 
e  that  action  as  granting  the  desired  object. 
lor  a  Bpedal  degree  to  be  need  bj  bodies  ot 

theappolDtmentot  a  special  coQunitlee,  to 

Me&port  to  this  Grand  Lodge  at  its  next  session 
|t>7^5**  desired,  conditional,  howerer,  that  the 

lVh^ABif£e  said  degree  shall  be  the  possession  ol  the 

lC{?9k^iI*<uple  members  to  take  the  degree. 
nSt  ^&il>ershlp  In  Qiand  Encampments  and  In  the 

Eepresentative   White,   of  New 

raed  until  the  next  <^niinitl  session, 

_      _        the  affirmatiTe,  and  fifty- 

i^SJS^S^entlj  Representative  Johnson,  of 


680  THJE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

"Resolved,  That  the  adoption  of  these  resolutions  shall  in  no  way  commit  this  Grand 
Lodge  to  the  adoption  of  a  degree  for  uniformed  patriarchs,  nor  shall  any  expense  be 
incurred  for  the  production  of  the  said  degree  by  this  Grand  Lodge." 

This  amendment  was  accepted  by  the  committee.  Eepresentative 
Price,  of  Missouri,  moved  to  strike  out  the  "  second  paragraph "  of  the 
report,  which  was  accepted  by  the  committee.  The  question  then  recur- 
ring on  the  adoption  of  the  report,  it  was  resolved  in  the  affirmative. 
The  chair  appointed  the  following-named  persons  as  the  special  com- 
mittee provided  by  the  adoption  of  said  report,  viz.:  Representatives 
Crocker,  of  Illinois;  Elliott,  of  Wisconsin;  Albin,  of  New  Hampshire; 
Golledge,  of  the  District  of  Columbia;  Heeseman,  of  South  Carolina. 

In  passing  by  this  last  report  of  the  special  committee  on  the  patri- 
archal branch  of  the  Order,  I  fail  to  agree  with  the  committee,  that  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  in  1880,  authorized  the  chartering  of  uniformed 
encampments.  I  do  not  think  that  the  report  of  the  judiciary  committee, 
to  which  reference  is  made,  page  8345,  Journal  of  1880,  is  susceptible  of 
any  such  construction. 

During  the  year  following  the  session  of  1881  the  patriarchal  circle 
grew  rapidly,  and  succeeded  in  establishing  its  branches  or  "temples"  in 
nearly  every  state  from  Maine  to  the  Missouri  River.  Its  members  ap- 
pear to  have  been  thoroughly  in  earnest  in  building  it  up  and  increasing 
its  membership.  At  the  same  time,  —  at  this  distance  in  time,  and  after 
thorough  investigation,  —  I  believe  they  intended  to  be  thoroughly  loyal 
to  the  best  interests  of  Odd  Fellowship.  They  believed  that  they  were 
contending  for  a  principle. 

They  continued  to  make  membership  in  full  standing  as  a  Royal 
Purple  degree  member  of  our'  Order  the  qualification  for  obtaining  and 
retaining  membership  in  the  patriarchal  circle.  They  were  appearing 
on  parade  and  in  public  in  the  uniform  which  had  been  established  in 
1874.  They  had  little  faith  that  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  next 
session,  would  adopt  any  degree  for  uniformed  patriarchs.  It  did  not 
occur  to  them  that  there  was  anything  especially  questionable  in  the 
course  they  were  pursuing,  for  it  seemed  to  them  that  it  was  just  as 
consistent  in  Odd  Fellowship  to  build  up  a  semi-military  organization 
outside  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  as  it  was  for  the  Knights  Templar 
organization  in  Freemasonry  to  maintain  its  independent  constitution. 
In  some  of  the  jurisdictions,  Grand  Representatives  to  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge,  prior  to  the  session  of  1882,  liad  become  members  of  the 
patriarchal  circle,  and  in  interest  were  identified  with  it.  It  was  under 
circumstances  like  these  that  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  convened  that 
year. 

Uniformed  Degree  Camps  established.  —  The  Grand  Sire  in  his  report^ 
under  the  head  of  "supreme  temple,"  said:  — 


V&  S  &"«i''$/S'  —"5' 
gISVAlt  J|pj^C8-1|M^ByV4thIs«ab]act  WM  preaeoted,  and  relerred 
^flft  HdS)t?i)nieB|SM(fi!K^iot  the  Order.    The  committee  reported 
Ew>  V^^aSs^enS^— ^F*'  ^^  ^^  committee  and  made  the  sab- 

ll^c  MqjIHm  that  alDce  your  last  sessioD,  '  temples ' 

■""  —"  -^^ew  York  to  California.    I  know  nothing 

g;alai  labmitted  to  you  a  year  ago,  hence 


tha  Grand  Sire's  address  waa 
!9il  wjQge,  wMch  was  adopted,  said ;  — 

iUB  '  temples,'  relerred  to,  are  not  antborlzed 

's^reme  authority  in  Odd  Fellowahip.     In 

|K|||iyiioent,  the  Sovereign  Qnnd  Lodge  has 

'  ''^iiottwihood  in  that  partlcnlar,  and  tn  the 

l^ee  for  nniformed   patrlardu  has  given 

ider  theae  drconutancet  it  teenu  at  least 

lorage  the  organization  to  which 

l^l!*I  tbig  leuioD  lUTing  eitablUbed  a  degree 

.S^. "--It  all  loyal  mem  berg  of  the  Order 

ilin  to  the  ritual  and  lawt  ordained  by  the 

^ItfaQ^iRMlCmo  Iwue  a  circniar-lettsr  to  the  encampment 

„  I  ^tB^irfi^a^"  of  the  degree  for  uniformed  patriarchs, 

^«'li^vW%tWfi?W4^ui%anizatlona  outside  of  the  Order,  and  ihe 

>^ib<|&»^&d(^niii^^  any  direction  or  regulation  not  recognized 

_  _,tfctee,  —  appointed  at  the  previous 

'tS3«cgai^^|S*>  for  uniformed  patriarchs,  —  had 

™  """  'K'rand  Lodge,   reporting  a  degree 

^j^ber    22,  1882.     Because    of   the 

-^JO^e  session  of  1881,  and  so  little 

1,  the  friends  of  the  move- 

y.-..h  Thich  the  committee  might  re- 

4^pted. 

1^3^  session  of  1881,  had  given  the 

"'.li^  leitislation  whatsoever  to  carry 


682  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

bers  of  encampments  as  might  be  elected  members  of  uniformed  degree 
camps;  and  they  were,  also,  empowered  to  elect  and  appoint  their  own 
officers,  to  provide  by-laws,  to  establish  dues,  to  prescribe  when  those  in 
arrears  "might  be  dropped,"  all  to  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
Grand  Encampment  to  which  they  were  subordinate. 

Grand  Encampments  were,  likewise,  authorized  to  issue  charters  for 
uniformed  degree  camps;  and  good  standing  as  a  Royal  Purple  degree 
member  in  the  subordinate  encampment  was  made  necessary,  in  order  to 
obtain  or  retain  membership. 

The  special  committee,  who  had  prepared  the  degree,  were  continued  in 
office  with  instructions  to  report  at  the  next  annual  session  such  changes, 
if  any,  as  they  might  deem  necessary  to  perfect  the  work  of  the  deg^e. 

Uniformed  Degree  Camps :  Patriarchal  Circle.  —  After  the  session  of 
1882  closed,  the  patriarchal  circle  grew  very  rapidly,  so  that  before  the 
session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  September,  1883,  the  number 
of  its  temples  had  been  very  largely  increased,  and  its  membership  had 
grown  correspondingly. 

The  degree  for  uniformed  patriarchs  was  not  acceptable  to  tiie  patri- 
archal circle  members.  In  very  many  localities  where  uniformed  degree 
camps  had  been  instituted,  patriarchal  circle  members  united  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  control  of  them,  and  then  went  ddibercUely  at  work 
to  wreck  and  bring  them  into  disrepute.  Notwithstanding  these  circum- 
stances, the  new  degree  had  been  introduced  into  twenty-seven  of  the 
forty -one  jurisdictions. 

As  a  rule,  wherever  the  uniformed  degree  camp  had  been  introduced, 
outside  of  territory  already  occupied  by  the  patriarchal  circle,  it  had 
worked  fairly  well  and  served  to  check  the  further  progress  of  the  patri- 
archal circle,  thereby  demonstrating  the  fact  that  a  degree  with  a  ritual 
properly  written,  backed  by  suitable  and  necessary  legislation,  was  de- 
manded, and  would  prove  a  valuable  adjunct  to  Odd  Fellowship;  so  much 
so,  that  the  special  committee  on  the  Uniformed  degree  at  the  session 
of  1883,  in  commenting  upon  this  fact,  and  noting  the  favor  with  which 
the  degree  had  been  received  by  the  uniformed  patriarchs,  closed  their 
report  by  saying,  they  were  "  more  confident  than  ever  that  the  Order  did 
demand  such  a  degree  to  emanate  from  the  only  legitimate  source  of  true 
Odd  Fellowship,  to  wit,  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge." 

When  the  session  of  1883  convened  the  Grand  Sire,  in  his  annual 
report,  had  much  to  say  relative  to  the  "patriarchal  circle,"  and  ifecom- 
mended  that  the  whole  matter,  with  all  papers  and  documents  bearing 
thereon,  be  referred  to  a  special  committee,  — 

"  With  inBtructions  to  fully  examine  into  and  report  at  this  session  the  original  object 
and  present  statates  of  the  patriarchal  circle,  so  far  as  may  be  necessary  to  show  its  relation 
to,  or  infringement  of,  the  laws  and  regulations  of  our  Order.*' 


,^mySJiSiMM>  ^m  LEGISLATION.  md 

'f^S^jg^SlSltt^B^'fi  adopted,  and  the  special  com- 

imlB'lJt|||^iflfr*]|^&fcd.    The  special  committee  made 

^■|iiand  accompanied  with  it  certain 

'"'"""  reoommended.     Their  report  is 

but  will  bear  a  careful  perusal, 

!62,  9363,  Journal  of  the  Sover- 

wrted  were  adopted  after  some 

■^el^M^e^laiKn  'SS^iiNftt  the  uniform  for  the  uniformed 
^  BbtlkCBiWk^'-w^'Bito^^ly  established  for  the  patii- 
l'(eir||'in.f|Kl8ll|^tit0i;)fficers  should  be  designated  by 
B'c^l0.£OV^SkBt<9s;  and  a  banner  was  provided. 

i7ii?iM'iililII«'.ci 


liiliii 


::.■■■■■ _;— - J  instructed  to  report  a 

:Mtinft«i|H|iie^  AlU'the  next  session. 

'  ~  -**-"■  .S^Ji^iJlj^^.—  The  session  of  1884  was  held 

"^""***  "^KS  of  events  which  led  to  the  final 

year  later,  and  the  struggle 

lalf  of  the  display  element  in  the 

rtant  of  any  that  had  ever  been 

ing  of  the  end.     It  was  appar- 

l^at  a  satisfactory  degree  must  be 

_      such  legislation  as  was  calcu- 

i^SJnong  the  degrees  of  the  Order,  or 


_      informed  the  Sovereign  Grand 

■^•uained  about  the  samej  that  the 

l^^embers;  that  the  chief  officer  of 

^^.hat  for  a  new  circle  all  of  the 

jSf ©I Purple  degree;  that  the  advance 

igfc  been  somewhat  checked,  as  was 

fhE|iiew  temples  had  been  instituted, 

■    "'■'ithree  in  Minnesota,  and  one   in 

■fl'Ihftir  charters,  one  of  whinh  was 


684  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  seven  to  meet  a  like  committee  from  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  for 
conference  upon  the  subject  of  bringing  about  a  union  of  the  patriarchal 
circle  and  uniformed  degree  camps.  This  communication  was  referred  to 
the  committee  on  the  patriarchal  branch  of  the  Order,  which  committee, 
in  making  its  report,  said :  — 

**  The  patriarchal  circle,  as  appears  by  the  report  of  a  special  committee  of  this  Grand 
body  at  its  last  session  and  from  testimony  presented  to  your  committee,  was  never  organized 
subordinate  to  this  Grand  Lodge,  but  with  the  express  intention  and  determination  to  be 
independent  thereof,  and  in  no  sense  amenable  to  its  reasonable  rules  and  regulations.  It 
has  always  attempted  to  build  itself  up  and  increase  its  membership  and  influence  at  the 
expense  of  our  Order.  Its  members  have  invariably  totally  disregarded  and  treated  with 
contempt  the  various  proclamations  of  the  Grand  Sire,  and  the  enactments  of  this  Grand 
body  in  relation  to  the  propriety  of  members  of  our  Order  holding  membership  therein. 
For  these  reasons,  it  is  not  becoming  the  dignity  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  receive  the 
communication,  or  to  treat  with  the  patriarchal  circle  or  any  of  its  representatives  in  rela- 
tion to  the  subject-matter  therein  contained." 

This  report  was  adopted.  The  legislation  of  the  session  finally  cul- 
minated in  the  adoption  of  a  report, — made  by  the  committee  on  the 
patriarchal  branch  of  the  Order, —  in  which  the  committee  set  forth  the 
fact  that  a  large  number  of  memorials,  petitions  and  resolutions  had 
been  referred  to  them,  relating  in  various  ways  to  legislation  for  the 
Uniformed  degree  and  its  government,  thereby  showing  a  great  interest 
in  the  matter,  and  an  imperative  demand  for  a  degree  such  as  should 
meet  the  needs  and  necessities  of  the  Order;  and  that  such  an  under- 
taking could  not  receive  the  careful  attention  which  its  importance  de- 
manded, by  reason  of  the  shortness  of  the  session  and  the  large  amount 
of  work  entrusted  to  the  committee,  either  at  that  or  any  other  session. 
They  recommended,  therefore,  that  the  whole  subject-matter  be  referred 
to  a  committee  of  three,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  Sire,  with  instruc- 
tions to  give  the  Uniformed  degree  and  all  of  the  legislation  heretofore 
adopted  in  relation  thereto,  careful  consideration,  ascertain  what  changes, 
revisions,  alterations,  amendments,  and  legislation  were  necessary  in  order 
to  make  the  degree  as  satisfactory  and  effective  as  possible,  and  report 
their  conclusions  at  the  next  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  adopted,  and  the  chair  appointed  a 
special  committee  as  follows,  viz. :  Representatives  Albin,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire; Underwood,  of  Kentucky;  Stevens,  of  Minnesota.  Subsequently 
all  matters  of  street  regalia  and  military  tactics  were  referred  to  this 
committee. 

Patriarchs  Militant.  —  This  action  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  prac- 
tically committed  it  to  the  adoption  of  a  proper  degree  for  the  display 
purposes  of  the  Order,  and  suitable  legislation,  regalia,  etc.,  to  make  the 
degree  effective,  and  to  give  it  an  honorable  rank  and  standing,  not  only 
in  the  Order  itself,  but  also  among  all  of  the  semi-military  organizations 


THE  MILITARY  ABM:    LEGISLATION.  686 

in  the  land.  I  believe  it  was  the  want  of  action  of  this  kind  that  had 
prompted  the  friends  of  the  patriarchal  circle  to  bring  their  organiza- 
tion into  existence,  and  to  persist  in  maintaining  it  at  all  hazards,  not- 
withstanding that  it  had  been  put  under  ban  by  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  and  its  members  had  been  censured  and  proscribed  for  adhering 
to  it.  So  great  had  been  the  ardor  and  zeal  of  its  members  as  to  induce 
many  of  them  to  come  from  a  distance  for  the  purpose  of  attending  the 
session  which  had  just  closed.  They  had  openly  avowed  their  love  for, 
and  interest  in,  Odd  Fellowship,  but  declared  their  determination  to 
''stand  by"  the  patriarchal  circle,  even  at  the  expense  of  their  standing 
in  Odd  Fellowship,  unless  they  could  get  what  they  had  so  long  asked, 
and  had  been  hitherto  unable  to  obtain. 

It  now  remained  to  be  seen  whether  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
would  take  the  desired  action;  and,  whether,  if  such  action  was  taken, 
the  patriarchal  circle  members  would  renew  their  allegiance  to  Odd  Fel- 
lowship by  accepting  such  a  degree  as  the  Grand  Lodge  might  adopt,  and 
sever  their  connection  with  the  independent  body.  This  portion  of  our 
sketch  being  devoted  to  the  legislaJtion  which  resulted  in  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Patriarchs  Militant,  we  will  pass  to  the  session  of  1885. 
This  was  held  in  Baltimore.  Members  of  the  patriarchal  circle  were 
there  in  large  numbers,  coming  (principally)  from  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
Wisconsin,  and  Minnesota,  manifesting  great  interest  in  the  question  as 
to  whati  was  to  be  the  special  committee's  report,  and  what  disposition  of 
it  was  to  be  made  finally  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  In  some  of  the 
^Northwestern  jurisdictions,  notwithstanding  the  legislation  adopted  at 
Providence,  in  1883,  and  reenacted  and  reenforced  at  Minneapolis,  in 
1884,  thereby  branding  the  patriarchal  circle  as  an  institution  hostile  to 
the  best  interests  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  relations  between  encampments 
and  temples  were  intimate  and  friendly.  While  by  this  legislation  the 
taking  of  membership  in  that  body  by  an  Odd  Fellow,  or  continued 
allegiance  thereto,  worked  a  forfeiture  of  his  standing  as  a  brother  in 
Odd  Fellowship,  yet  the  members  afiUiated  together,  and  were  in  per- 
fect sympathy  and  harmony  with  one  another, —  a  condition  of  things 
which  in  effect  set  at  defiance  all  of  the  legislation  of  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  upon  that  subject. 

So  marked  had  been  this  disregard  of  the  legislation  enacted  by  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  that  the  Grand  Sire  in  his  annual  report,  at  the 
session  of  1885,  in  commenting  upon  this  condition  of  affairs,  said  that 
the  law,  as  laid  down  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  ''provided  for  a 
complete  and  final  separation  of  its  members "  from  the  patriarchal 
circle;  and  "required  the  prompt  action  of  subordinate  and  Grand 
Lodges  and  Grand  Encampments  to  execute  its  provisions;  nevertheless, 
the  law  had  been  utterly  inopportune  and  of  no  effect. ''    The  Grand  Sire 


686  THE  THREE- LINK  FRATERNITY. 

incorporated  in  this  report  certain  correspondence  between  himself  and 
the  Grand  Master  of  Iowa,  in  relation  to  a  celebration  at  the  preceding 
anniversary  of  the  Order  at  Des  Moines,  at  which  eight  subordinate 
lodges  took  part;  and  the  mayor,  in  his  address  welcoming  the  visiting 
lodges,  prefaced  his  remarks  by  saying:  — 

"  Brothers  of  oxjb  Citt: — Allow  me  to  congratulate  yon  npon  yonr  brotherly  love 
and  good  judgment  in  extending  an  invitation  to  the  patriarchal  circle  to  participate  in  the 
pleasures  of  this  occasion." 

In  referring  to  the  legislation  at  Providence  and  Minneapolis,  the 
Grand  Sire  proceeded  to  say  that  it  ^^  required  a  complete  separation  of 
every  member  of  our  Order  from  said  organization,  and  no  public  asser- 
tion to  the  contrary  should  be  tolerated. ''  So  strong  was  the  feeling 
against  the  patriarchal  circle  that  the  committee  on  credentials  reported 
that  one  of  the  Grand  Representatives  accredited  to  Wisconsin  and  three 
from  the  jurisdiction  of  Minnesota  were  members  of  the  patriarchal 
circle;  and,  referring  to  the  Grand  Sire's  report,  the  committee  said  that 
it  appeared  that  these  jurisdictions  had  failed  to  enforce  the  law  in  regard 
to  membership  in  the  patriarchal  circle,  and  they  submitted  the  question, 
by  their  report,  as  to  the  right  of  these  four  members  to  a  seat  in  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

After  a  lengthy  discussion  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  voted  to  admit 
these  brothers  to  seats,  "  until  the  final  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  a 
determination  to  the  contrary,  is  made  known,"  and  the  questi(yi  as  to 
their  right  to  seats  was  referred  to  the  judiciary  committee.  These  refer- 
ences to  the  Grand  Sire's  report  and  to  the  action  of  the  committee  on 
credentials  plainly  indicate  how  impassable  the  gulf  between  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge  and  the  patriarchal  circle  had  become. 

On  the  first  day  of  the  session  the  chairman  of  the  special  committee 
on  revision  extended  an  invitation  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  be 
present  at  the  New  Assembly-rooms,  on  the  corner  of  Lombard  and  Hano- 
ver streets,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  that  evening  at  7.30  o'clock,  for  the 
purpose  of  witnessing  an  exemplification  of  the  revision  of  the  Uniformed 
degree  which  the  committee  had  decided  to  report.  The  invitation  was  ac- 
cepted, and  the  exemplification  was  made,  — of  which  we  will  speak  later. 

That  part  of  the  committee's  report  relating  to  the  ritual  and  the 
secret  work  was  considered  in  secret  session,  as  we  are  informed  by  the 
journal  of  proceedings  of  that  session,  and  was  adopted. 

That  portion  of  the  committee's  report  relating  to  the  legislation  for 
the  new  degree  was  "  taken  up  "  in  open  session  and  adopted  with  very 
little  change.  This  legislation  was  very  extensive,  providing  everything 
the  committee  at  that  time  thought  to  be  necessary  for  the  successful 
working  of  the  degree,  and  covered  all  questions  of  organization,  govern- 
ment, parade,  regalia,  etc. 


'^^ilWl^^S'^'^  ££GISL^r/OJr  687 

9  ^^'S^3^ W^ B  B|gpl * Ibn,  the  Sovereigo  Grand  Lodge 
^'^9.'n^^lk#31f^^  should  not  be  that  of  the 
SvS^flfRt^R  K't^jSf^  tietween  Odd  Fellowship  and 
Bf'CBf'W'w^S^^S^'^finVrP^'^^  3^*^  distinct. 
""  ^iSISIi^lNSvsi'S'^^'^  ^^^  wtion  of  the  committee 

.  JivBiSf  Wi9'^J|^Wl^'^^'^^  Lodge,  in  relation  to  the 

tt^S^'tt^WiiS^tt'tM'^^  of  Minnesota  and  Wisconsin, 
lR^B^*«^«^KtV'''^^  refeicBce  has  been  made, 
jSb^^^ ' t8^  ? »OT  bS'*"'  its  inception  an  active  mem- 
ge^lH'  M.lJjl|lHi)U§j||the  highest  office  in  the  circle  "; 
I'ti  ^y^n^jlMi m  >?!> {ifi^hat  juiisdiction  had  never  been 
^'^BtttBi'.1fiitBi.jJ^i|0tiat  the  third  was  then,  and  had 
hlTlSl^'w'CS  <Sf'^^  i^  ^^^^  organization;  that  the 
:£ —  '~T]7r69^S^6l'l$&  connected  with  the  patriarchal 
'^"^'^S'^J^JE-^^^''^^^  *^^  ^^^  ^^^^  since  the 


688  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

To  avoid  any  errors  that  might  have  been  made,  and  to  make  sucli 
further  modifications  as  might  be  found  necessary  when  the  degree  and 
its  legislation  should  be  in  active  operation,  the  special  committee  on 
revision  were  continued  another  year,  clothed  with  power  to  correct  and 
supervise  the  printing  of  all  books,  documents,  etc.,  relating  to  the 
degree,  and  to  have  a  supervisory  control  of  the  degree. 

In  this  historical  sketch  we  have  followed  the  legislatwn  of  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge,  step  by  step,  from  the  time  when  legislation  was 
first  asked  permitting  its  membership  to  appear  in  public  in  regalia, 
and  we  have  followed  the  tendency,  step  by  step,  as  it  had  gradually 
developed  and  manifested  itself,  until  it  finally  culminated  in  a  com- 
plete and  perfected  degree,  equipped  with  all  of  the  legislation  and 
authority  necessary  to  give  that  degree  a  position  and  standing,  second 
to  none  other  semi-military  organization  in  the  land. 

In  the  next  chapter  we  shall  consider,  among  other  things,  the  ques- 
tion as  to  whether  those  who  had  been  contending  for  action  of  this  kind 
on  the  part  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  were  sincere  in  their  profes- 
sions and  were  loyal  to  Odd  Fellowship. 


CHAPTER  IL 

MILITABY  DEGREE   OF   PATRIARCHS  MILITANT. 

Special  Committee  on  Uniformed  Degree.  —  The  special  committee  of  five 
appointed,  at  the  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  1881,  with 
instructions  to  prepare  and  report  to  that  Grand  body  at  its  next  session 
a  degree  suitable  and  appropriate  for  uniformed .  patriarchs  were  widely 
scattered.  The  jurisdictions  of  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  New  Hampshire, 
District  of  Columbia,  and  South  Carolina  furnished  the  five  members 
of  that  committee.  The  session  of  1881  closed  and  its  members  sepa- 
rated for  their  respective  homes  without  that  committee  having  been 
called  together,  and  without  any  consultation  or  interchange  of  ideas 
relative  to  the  work  committed  to  their  charge. 

In  the  spring  of  1882  there  being  much  said  in  the  fraternal  journals 
of  the  Order,  and  otherwise,  with  reference  to  the  progress  made  by  the 
patriarchal  circle,  its  increase  in  membership,  and  the  effect  of  such 
growth  upon  the  Order,  the  writer  of  this  article,  from  a  sense  of  duty, 
was  led  to  address  a  letter  to  the  chairman  of  the  special  committee, 
making  inquiry  with  reference  to  the  duties  of  the  committee,  and 
if  he  had  any  work  outlined  which  he  proposed  to  present  to  them  for 


'SZB  JIILITAST. 


S  tSh'm  uBJied  by  Usuiog  a  call  for  a  com- 
HLjMflQfjPf  Ghio^o,  on  a  certain  date  then 
M  "Cf  U'wicot  very  little  consideration,  and 


iB^Aiston^ttP^Wwi  the  patriaichs  in  Ketr  England 


ivMrf^JlSlnn  ii>^<"^''^^ti°i>  with  reference  to  the 


^  B-  —  jBAW^*'  to  tlie  Grand  Patriarch  of  each 

'^*  iSy^'i^W  jl  IWW  B8  .MapmentB)  calling  attention  to  the 

'SrCf  ittf  BKCT  IJodge  at  its  last  session,  and 

^tBif|lWHKviil«hla4€E^)  whether  the  patriarchs  wished 

if^^naM'w'fMilRW^  patriarchs,  and  if  so,  requesting 

_j' .W.-Jftt Ifcll' iii  I W  Jm jffl^d  be,  and  what  was  required  in 

:B|» A  m0  MevM^^n^  S I H ^    patriarchs,    generally,    in    his 


690  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Saturday  were  spent,  and  the  week  closed  without  anything  having  been 
accomplished  in  the  direction  of  definitely  solving  the  problem  as  to 
what  the  degree  should  be,  or  how  or  by  whom  it  should  be  prepared. 
The  committee,  however,  closed  the  week  with  the  understanding  that 
tliey  should  meet  on  the  first  of  the  following  week,  at  which  time  each 
member  should  present  a  skeleton  of  a  degree.  When  the  committee 
convened,  in  accordance  with  its  adjournment,  each  member  presented 
his  outline  of  a  degree,  the  merits  of  which  were  freely  and  fully  dis- 
cussed; until,  finally,  the  outline  prepared  by  the  writer  was  adopted 
by  the  other  two  members  of  the  committee,  and  Brother  Albin  was 
requested  to  draft  a  degree  in  accordance  therewith.  It  was  then 
arranged  that  Brother  Elliott  should  prepare  that  portion  of  th^  ritual 
which  related  to  the  "opening  ceremony,"  and  Brother  Crocker  should 
prepare  that  relating  to  the  "  closing  ceremony  "  of  the  degree ;  that  the 
work  of  each,  in  the  furtherance  of  the  common  plan,  should  be  for- 
warded to  the  other  two  members  of  the  committee  for  suggestion  and 
criticism;  and  that  the  committee  would  next  meet,  for  conference,  at 
the  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  be  held  in  September,  1882. 
The  three  members  of  the  committee  at  once  turned  their  attention  to  the 
work  in  hand,  performing  the  parts  assigned  to  them;  and  each  took  the 
manuscript  covering  his  portion  of  the  work,  under  that  arrangement, 
with  him  to  the  committee  meeting  as  agreed. 

Two  serious  obstacles  lay  in  the  way  of  the  success  of  this  undertak- 
ing :  While  the  ritual  in  all  of  its  parts  provided  for  the  forms  and  out- 
lines of  the  floor-work,  yet  no  military  commands  could  be  inserted  for 
the  correct,  proper  military  formations;  and,  second,  no  authority  or 
instruction  had  been  given  to  the  committee  to  prepare  the  legislation 
with  which  to  set  the  degree  in  operation  and  secure  its  successful 
working.  In  case  of  its  adoption,  the  military  orders  could  not  be 
inserted  in  the  ritual,  for  the  reason,  as  before  stated,  that  no  member 
of  the  committee  felt  that  he  possessed  adequate  knowledge  of  military 
evolutions  to  enable  him  to  properly  insert  the  commands,  and  no  author- 
ity had  been  conferred  upon  the  committee  to  call  upon  any  one  for 
such  assistance. 

The  legislation  had  not  been  prepared,  for  the  reason  that  the  com- 
mittee were  not  authorized  or  instructed  to  prepare  it.  So  strong  and 
determined  had  been  the  stand  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  against 
adopting  such  a  degree,  that  the  friends  of  the  measure  had  little  faith 
that  any  degree  would  be  favorably  received,  and  the  committee  had  no 
hope  or  expectation  that  eithei?  the  degree  reported  by  them,  or  any  other 
degree  for  uniformed  patriarchs,  would  be  adopted.  The  session  of  1882 
was  held  in  Baltimore.  At  its  opening  there  seemed  to  be  a  strong  oppo- 
sition, among  the  members  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  to  the  adop- 


lt'iP  i/STc^goftgy owth  of  the  patriarchal  circle,  as 
;Bf^ji7lii!4^Aoin  the  report  of  the  Grand  Sire, 
pS4Sk)*rMxilllihe  friends  of  the  patriarchal  circle 
I'  |ia4ilkik^g|nBiformation  that  came  to  the  Grand 
^l^'^EiattWgOSLt  weight  in  conviacing  members 
btttrKivV^iwJtcessary  that  something  should  be 
I  fwp B  teSiffrtg&Tger  element  in  the  Order  would 

i<viililrl""°''' 

t£W&J^lBk£iiese  circumstances,  together  with 

I^W'Srifif  H4&|i>f  the  movement  advocated  their 

f^K&ingiWlMimembers  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 

-  '^M^JfiiilBf"'^''  ^^'  ^^^^'  ^^^  *^^^  question 

-  W'^y  »Jt»  -  jJalU*  adopt  the  degree  and  ritual  which 

'■He£&bRK.H.tMbU  in  the  affirmative,  and  22  in  the 

l.'Z.'&.tA.iamSft.U.^      -Jl-_j..j  mi.:.      Ji ___■!_ 


692  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

superior  to  the  new  degree  adopted  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 
They  seemed  to  be  impressed  with  the  idea  that  it  had  been  established 
by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  as  a  club  with  which  to  beat  out  the  exist- 
ence of  the  patriarchal  circle,  and  that  there  was  nothing  about  it  at  all 
indicative  of  stability.  It  is  not,  therefore,  to  be  wondered  that  in  many 
localities  the  Royal  Purple  degree  members,  who  were  also  members  of 
the  patriarchal  circle,  made  application  for  charters  for  uniformed  degree 
camps  for  the  purpose  of  controlling  them. 

They  had  witnessed  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  at  each  of  its  pre- 
vious sessions,  becoming  more  and  more  severe  towards  the  patriarchal 
circle  and  exhibiting  a  determination  to  either  force  them  to  abandon 
their  organization,  or  to  separate  themselves  absolutely  from  Odd  Fellow- 
ship. Under  these  circumstances  a  hostile  spirit  manifested  itself  in 
many  localities  between  the  loyal  element  in  Odd  Fellowship  and  the 
friends  of  the  circle.  It  is  to  the  credit,  however,  of  the  circle  members 
that,  until  the  end  finally  came  in  1885,  they  still  clung  to  Odd  Fellow- 
ship to  the  extent  of  making  membership  in  it  a  necessary  qualification 
for  membership  in  the  patriarchal  circle,  when  they  might  have  separated 
themselves  by  renouncing  Odd  Fellowship.  The  adoption  of  the  new 
degree,  however,  in  localities  where  the  circle  had  not  obtained  a  foot- 
hold, had  a  tendency  to  check  the  onward  progress  of  the  patriarchal 
circle.  It  was  met  with  a  strong  argument  in  the  fact  that  the  uniformed 
degree  camps  had  the  advantage  of  a  "degree"  legally  adopted;  author- 
ized under,  and  recognized  by,  the  laws  of  the  Order;  the  degree  was  a 
component  part  of  legitimate  Odd  Fellowship,  and  its  members  could 
legally  visit  a  subordinate  encampment  in  a  body  in  full  uniform.  These 
arguments  were  so  potent  that  many  who  would  otherwise  have  become 
members  of  the  patriarchal  circle  desisted  from  that  purpose  and  adopted 
the  new  degree,  crude  as  it  was. 

Personal  Tribute.  —  I  cannot  pass  the  adoption  of  the  Uniformed  de- 
gree ritual  without  a  word  in  commemoration  of  my  associate  upon  that 
committee,  the  late  Theodore  B.  Elliott.  From  our  intimate  relations 
with  each  other  he  became  very  dear  to  me.  He  was  thoroughly  devoted 
to  Odd  Fellowship;  a  gentleman  of  culture  and  refinement,  progressive 
in  his  opinions,  and  beloved  by  every  brother  who  knew  him.  He  early 
became  interested  in  attempting  to  secure  a  substantial  recognition  of  the 
wants  of  the  display  element  in  the  encampment  branch  of  the  Order. 
Living  as  he  did  in  Milwaukee,  the  birthplace  of  the  patriarchal  circle, 
he  realized  and  appreciated  the  importance  to  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  of  taking  immediate  steps  in  that  direction.  Brother  Elliott's 
death  was  occasioned  by  the  burning  of  the  hotel  in  which  he  resided,  on 
the  morning  of  January  10, 1883.  "The  last  official  act  of  his  life,"  says 
his  biographer,  "  was  to  aid  in  the  institution  of  a  uniformed  degree  camp 


illiiMifJia 


7irS  MILITAST. 


of  January  9th,  retummg  to 

time  to  face  the  direful  calamity 

sad  catastrophe  the  Sovereign 

ialeoted  members,  and  the  Order  at 

jifitances,  the  charters  for  temples  were 

iUfgltaking  the  new  degree  and  institut- 

""  "Tte  thereof.     Posaeased  of  all  the  fore- 

[Irchal  circle  had  been  steadily  gaining 

tgree,  for  the  reasons  already  stated, 

er  what  its  friends  had  hoped.     It 

hro  years,  that  the  degree  must  be 

IfQ'^ggpossesBed  not  only  of  the  advantages 

!ii6^4S'^  already  had  over  the  patriarchal 

'^^tt^Sf"^  "^  ^^  Grand  Encampments,  and 

^/[^J9;s,  or  it  would  never  be  accepted  by 

~!S|itiies  with  the  patriarchal  circle.     The 

J^M  to  recognize  the  patriarchal  circle 
—        ••■•  S*^^^^*^*^^'P'  '*  ^^  ^''^  amenable  to 
^^^^I^Id|>f^^K^tot  to  its  control  and  supervision.     It 
,-*— ,-jrt'j^SP^*^^*^S'*^*S»  **  iiiake  the  Uniformed  degree  what 
l^jE«Nl,;^ta^«fekf?it;^:i^owBhip  must  follow.     Such  a  result 


lmttf|i^iJpBd|g^^b^j|^o  years,  that  the  degree  must 


'*"'"""'■■*■*■  'Tjowg  was  well  received,  and  while  the 

'BUii^,  under  any  circumstances,  to 

|i~  i0r^,||to niid,  however,  adopt  a  report  of  the 

iimiU^U^S&^Hjljof  the  Order,  which  recommended 

E'Ji'1SC~!  SiW* * 4 W F^^  ^^^^  ^^^  most  ample  authority  to 

|ill\^f^|Bi}S|RSUMIWSl'onned  degree  ritual,  so  as  to  make 

^*'^i,|0]Jg|A!u||^fl||g^1e  with  all  of  the  legislation  ueces- 

>j8^^-94fl{fl  ifti^ttm,  including  full  power,  so  far  as 

sSi^im  »»iS9SAmxa,  and  everything  relating  thereto 

m8|t^lftJ<Ni1#|jt,i*i*B**i  fli-esult  of  this  legislation,  on  Satur- 

MI^SO  B  Q  ^H^l^jc^fumittee  of  three,  provided  bj  said 

~   "■"""'"  |nd  Sire,  consisting  of  EeprescDta- 

ierwood,  of  Kentucky  j  and  Stevens 

iC^^^ternoon  of  their  appointment,  the 

""  *tl  finally,  adjourned  to  meet  at  the 

>Iowing  Monday,  fully  determined  to 

of  performing,  to  the  best  of  their 

the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

iarchal  circle,  in  attendajice  upon 

realize  that  the  time  had  now  come 

the  various  interests  of  the  display 

_  ed.     So  earnest  were  they  in  this 

'Obeyed  to  Chicago,  and  there  met  the 

t  and  freest  opportunity  to  express 

id  in  order  to  make  any  legislatioo, 

'■might  adopt,  satisfactory  to  them- 

i^fommittee  would  not  be  disposed  to 

ItCJt  became  their  urgent  desire  that 

id  incorporated  into  the  new  work, 

committee  did  not  feel  that  this 

reason  that  the  Sovereign  Grand 

1881,  had  so  firmly  set  its  face 

le  adoption  of  any  portion  of  its 

'so  thoroughly  unacceptable  to  the 

the  adoption  of  any  degree  which 

1,  whether  that  degree   possessed 

lese  considerations  the  committee 

^s||xie  patriarchal  circle  members,  and 

'c!^*dopted  or  reci^nized  by  the  com- 

jeommittee  were  divided  between  the 

^it^an  was  to  make  the  entire  revision 


-^    BB^s»»^«- 


, jj».g.  .jj.  .5(.  ,jj(.  ,jj(.  .^  .|.  -g-  -g-  -g-  -^- 

:gr!*|^a6a:^||"ABRAHAM. 


S^$Ki 

fe-^«  -S»-s'— '-  •'-  •*■  -*■  -*■  -*■  -*■  •*- 

1 

^^p 

%i'«^fiM^i**^i^  A  #  «^#  «^»  *A*  *A*  *A*  *A*  *if 

THJE  PATRIARCHS  MILITANT.  695 

of  the  degree,  including  all  of  the  formations  and  floor-work  features 
thereof;  (b)  Representative  Underwood  was  to  furnish  the  military  com- 
mands to  be  inserted  in  the  ritual,  to  carry  those  floor-movements  into 
effect,  and  the  diagrams  required  by  the  ritual,  illustrative  of  the  mili- 
tary formations.  He  was,  also,  to  prepare  all  of  the  legislation  apper- 
taining to  the  degrjee. 

This  legislation  was  not  only  such  as  was  necessary  to  control  and 
govern  the  degree,  but  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  committee  that  it  should 
be  a  complete  code,  broad  enough  to  embrace  the  organization  of  the 
members  accepting  the  degree,  upon  a  military  basis,  and  to  provide  for 
necessary  revenue,  uniforms,  colors,  banners,  tactics,  etc. 

The  committee  were  very  fortunate  in  having  Representative  Under- 
wood as  one  ot  its  members;  a  man  of  military  experience  and  learning, 
well  qualified  in  every  respect  for  the  arduous  and  important  task  which 
he  had  taken  upon  himself  to  discharge  as  his  part  of  the  work  of  the 
committee.  In  this  respect  the  committee  possessed  great  advantage  over 
the  committee  who  had,  in  Chicago,  the  preparation  of  the  Uniformed 
degree  ritual. 

With  the  work  of  the  committee  thus  planned,  an  adjournment  was 
made,  and  no  other  meeting  of  the  committee  was  held  until  the  next 
session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  at  Baltimore,  except  that  from 
time  to  time,  as  occasion  required.  Brothers  Albin  and  Underwood  met 
for  the  purpose  of  criticising  each  other's  work  and  settling  the  ques- 
tions of  doubt  and  uncertainty  that  had  arisen. 

The  Scriptural  Lesson.  —  It  is  well  known  that  all  of  the  degrees  in 
Odd  Fellowship,  whether  in  the  subordinate  lodge,  the  Rebekah  degree, 
or  the  subordinate  encampment,  are  founded  upon  scriptural  narratives, 
and  are  calculated,  thereby,  to  impart  some  important  principle  or  teach- 
ing. That  there  might  be  uniformity  in  this  respect.  Genesis  xiv.  was 
selected  as  the  chapter  furnishing  the  historical  incident  upon  which  the 
new  degree  should  be  founded.  After  the  ritual  had  been  completed,  its 
author  was  by  no  means  certain  that  the  ''  working  of  the  degree  "  would 
prove  satisfactory.  Upon  conference  with  Brother  Underwood  it  was 
determined  that  an  organization  of  Royal  Purple  degree  members  should 
be  formed,  who  would  obligate  themselves  to  become  organized  under 
the  degree  (should  the  degree  be  adopted),  procure  such  uniforms  as 
might  be  prescribed,  and  put  themselves  in  training  so  as  to  properly 
exemplify  the  degree  and  military  tactics,  and  thereby  enable  the  authors 
to  make  such  corrections  in  the  ritual  and  military  commands  as  might 
be  found  necessary  and  expedient. 

The  Volunteer  Canton.  —  For  such  an  "  exemplification  of  the  work  "  a 
band  of  Royal  Purple  degree  Odd  Fellows,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  ten- 
dered their  services.     They  were  a  splendid  body  of  military  men;  not 


696  THE  THBEE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

only  able,  but  capable  of  discoyering  any  defects  that  might  exist  in  the 
floor-work  or  other  features  of  the  degree;  and  to  them  the  writer  of  this 
article  accords  great  credit  for  the  assistance  which  they  rendered.  These 
brothers  put  themselves  in  thorough  training;  and,  from  time  to  time, 
made  such  suggestions  as  they  thought  expedient  with  reference  to  the 
military  features  of  the  work. 

The  Organization. — In  the  meantime  Brother  Underwood  was  dili- 
gently turning  his  attention  toward  the  preparation  of  the  constructive 
legislation.  By  it  he  provided  that  the  name  of  the  organization  should 
be  the  "Patriarchs  Militant,"  the  interpretation  of  which  was  "a  peace- 
ful ruler  serving  as  a  soldier."  The  title  of  the  rank  and  flle  members 
of  the  degree  was  "chevalier";  properly  interpreted  it  was  intended  to 
convey  "an  idea  of  the  honorable  and  military  teachings  of  the  degree." 
The  motto  of  principle  was  "justitia  universalis,"  which  interpreted 
meant  "  universal  justice  " ;  and  the  battle  cry  of  action  was  to  be  "  pax 
aut  bellum,"  which  interpreted  meant  "peace  or  war."  The  name  of  the 
individual  or  subordinate  organization  was  "canton,"  which  was  assumed 
to  be  a  military  term  for  a  division,  "  and  in  Switzerland  is  the  common 
name  for  a  district  and  small  community  or  clan." 

The  term  "cantonment"  was  defined  as  being  "a  village  or  portion  of 
the  town  assigned  as  quarters  for  troops,"  and  "cantoned "  as  the  military 
term  for  expressing  the  "housing  of  soldiers."  A  canton  consisting  of 
not  less  than  fifteen  members,  who  were  designated  as  "chevaliers,"  was 
made  the  unit  of  the  organization.  The  great  body  of  cantons  was 
"  organized  into  an  army,  with  various  gradations  of  corps,  having  appro- 
priate staffs  and  suitable  officers  commanding." 

This  army  of  cantons  was  organized  into  battalions,  regiments,  bri- 
gades, divisions,  and  an  army.  Four  cantons  constituted  a  battalion; 
twelve  cantons,  or  three  battalions,  constituted  a  regiment;  three  regi- 
ments a  brigade;  three  brigades  a  division;  and  the  army  at  large 
embraced  "the  entire  rank  and  file  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant." 

The  Command  by  Gradations.  — The  Grand  Sire  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  was,  ex  officio,  commander-in-chief.  The  commissioned  officers 
were  a  lieutenant-general,  who,  as  representative  of  the  Grand  Sire,  was 
the  active  commander  of  the  army;  a  captain-general,  the  second  in  com- 
mand and  chief-of -staff.  It  was,  also,  provided  that  a  major-general 
should  command  a  division;  a  brigadier  should  command  a  brigade;  a 
colonel  should  command  a  regiment ;  a  lieutenant-colonel  should  be 
second  in  command  of  a  regiment;  a  major  should  command  a  battal- 
ion; a  captain  should  command  a  canton;  a  lieutenant  should  be  second 
in  command  of  a  canton  ;  and  an  ensign  should  be  third  in  command  of 
a  canton.     Non-commissioned  officers  were,  also,  created. 

A  staff  for  the  lieutenant-general  and  for  all  of  the  other  generals  and 


THE  PATBIABCHS  MILITANT.  697 

officers  in  command  of  divisions,  brigades,  and  battalions  was  estab* 
lished.  Provision  was  made  for  the  election  and  appointment  of  officers. 
Departments  were  organized.  A  military  council  was  created,  which  was 
authorized  to  originate  such  legislation  —  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the 
Patriarchs  Militant — as  it  might  deem  for  the  best  interests  of  that 
branch  of  the  Order^  and  report  its  proposed  legislation  to  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  for  its  approval. 

Provision  was,  also,  made  for  warrants  or  charters  for  cantons,  for 
officers'  commissions,  etc.,  and  a  scale  of  fees  established  as  a  means  of 
raising  revenue  for  the  government  of  the  army. 

A  Patriarchs  Militant  banner  for  each  canton,  when  on  parade;  also. 
Patriarchs  Militant  colors^  markers,  jewels,  etc.,  were  prescribed  by  the 
regulations. 

The  Uniform. — Early  in  the  preparation  of  this  legislation  Brother 
Underwood  called  to  his  assistance  Brother  James  Pettibone,  of  Ohio,  a 
gentleman  admirably  fitted  for  the  position,  tp  aid  him  in  the  preparation 
of  the  uniform.  Great  expense  and  labor  were  expended  in  designing  it, 
and  the  fraternity  at  large  are  under  great  obligations  to  these  two  broth- 
ers^  they  having  produced  the  finest  and  most  attractive  street  uniform 
that  ever  has  been  adopted  by  any  organization.  It  is  a  uniform  that 
has  become  a  matter  of  pride  to  every  Odd  Fellow  who,  as  a  member  of 
the  Patriarchs  Militant,  is  entitled  to  wear  the  same.  The  legislation 
establishing  this  uniform,  —  including  all  the  insignia  of  rank,  the  vari- 
ous gradations  of  officers,  from  the  lowest  to  the  highest,  with  the  fullest 
possible  details  as  to  banner,  colors,  markers,  jewels,  sword-knots,  sashes, 
gloves,  buttons,  and  saddle-housings, —  is  laid  down  in  this  code  with  the 
greatest  care  and  minuteness,  and  is  in  force  to-day. 

The  Bzemplification  of  the  Ritaal  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant. — The  session 
of  1885  began  on  Monday,  September  21st,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  On 
that  day  the  chairman,  in  behalf  of  the  committee,  extended  an  invita- 
tion to  the  members  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  be  present  at  the 
New  Assembly-rooms  that  evening  at  7.30  o'clock,  for  the  purpose  of 
witnessing  the  ^'exemplification  of  the  degree,"  which  had  been  thus 
prepared.     This  invitation  was  accepted. 

The  brethren  from  Louisville  were  "  on  hand  "  prepared  to  exemplify 
the  proposed  degree,  arrayed  in  the  uniform  now  adopted  as  that  of  the 
Patriarchs  Militant.  They  were  equipped  with  the  complete  parapher- 
nalia, which  the  work  of  the  proposed  degree  required;  all  of  which 
had  been  designed  as  above  stated,  at  a  very  large  expense.  True 
to  their  promise,  they  were,  also,  ready  to  be  mustered  into  the  ranks 
as  Canton  Excelsior,  No.  1,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  upon  the  event  of 
the  adoption  of  the  degree  and  legislation.  The  members  of  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge  came  early  in  full  numbers,  and  occupied  the  galleries 


698  THE  THBEE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

of  the  Assembly-rooms^  while  Canton  Excelsior  exemplified  the  degree 
and  work  upon  the  spacious  floor.  The  degree  was  worked  better 
than  it,  probably,  ever  has  been  since,  for  the  brothers  who  exemplified 
it  were  of  thorough  military  training,  and  specially  drilled  for  this  occa- 
sion. The  floor-movements  were  perfect.  It  was  apparent  that  the 
degree  and  its  exemplification  were  satisfactory  to  the  members  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  This  was  on  Monday  night,  and  the  ritual  of 
the  degree  was  not  considered  for  final  action  and  disposition  until  the 
Thursday  following,  when  it  was  adopted  without  a  dissenting  vote.  It 
stood  for  eleven  years  without  alteration  or  modification,  either  in  the 
ritual,  floor-work,  uniforms,  banners,  colors,  or  general  outline,  as  pre- 
pared by  the  committee;  and,  in  1896,  a  new  ritual  was  adopted,  in 
conjunction  with  the  other  branches  of  the  Order  ;  which  very  materially 
changed  the  work  in  the  old  rituals. 

The  special  committee  was  continued  another  year,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  its  ordinary  supervisory  duties  was  authorized  to  prepare  a  code 
of  tactics  for  the  use  of  cantons.  Having  thus  adopted  a  degree  for  the 
benefit  of  the  display  element  in  our  Order,  it  remained  to  be  seen  whether 
the  degree  would  be  accepted  by  the  patriarchal  circle  members,  thereby 
verifying  the  truth  of  their  repeated  declarations  of  loyalty  and  fidelity 
to  the  Order.  During  the  contention,  as  is  abundantly  shown  by  the 
proceedings  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  it  was  the  belief  of  many 
that  it  was  the  real  purpose  and  intention  of  the  leaders  of  the  patri- 
archal circle  movement  to  induce  a  large  number  of  Odd  Fellows  to  unite 
with  the  circle,  and  when  the  proper  time  came  to  separate  from  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  and  thereby  create  and  establish  an  independent 
institution  as  the  result  of  such  a  schism  in  the  Order.  However  this 
may  have  been,  I  do  not  believe  that  the  rank  and  file  shared  in  any 
like  design. 

The  Command  of  the  Army.  —  Having  created  the  degree  of  Patriarchs 
Militant  and  established  proper  legislation  necessary  therefor  the  ques- 
tion that  then  presented  itself  was :  Who  shall  become  the  acting  com- 
mander of  the  Patriarchs  Militant  army?  It  was  admitted  by  all  that  he 
must  be  a  brother  of  pleasing  address,  of  military  knowledge  and  experi- 
ence, of  good  executive  ability,  and,  above  all,  one  eminently  qualified  to 
smooth  the  way  for  the  return  of  the  patriarchal  circle  members  to  their 
loyalty  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

Grand  Representative  Underwood  of  the  special  committee,  who  had 
prepared  the  legislation  for  the  degree,  received  the  unanimous  vote  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  for  lieutenant-general.  He  immediately 
tendered  his  resignation  as  a  member  of  the  special  committee  on  revi- 
sion, which  was  accepted,  and  Eepresentative  John  U.  Perkins,  of 
Alassachusetts,  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 


THE  PATRIABCH8  MILITANT.  699 

Having  been  elected  as  commander,  (General  Underwood  proceeded  to 
organize  his  staff  by  the  appointment  and  commissioning  of  the  follow- 
ing: Major-General  William  Ryan,  of  Kentucky,  chief -of -staff;  Brigadier 
Oliver  J.  Semmes,  of  Alabama,  adjutant-general;  Brigadier  Francis  E. 
Merriman,  of  Massachusetts,  inspector-general;  Brigadier  I.  A.  Shepard, 
of  Pennsylvania,  quarter-master-general,  ex  officio;  Brigadier  S.  H.  Kel- 
sey,  of  Kansas,  commissary-general ;  Brigadier  James  Pettibone,  of  Ohio, 
chief-of-equipment ;  Brigadier  William  H.  Iszard,  of  New  Jersey,  sur- 
geon-general; Brigadier  John  H.  Albin,  of  New  Hampshire,  judge-advo- 
cate-general. He  divided  the  army  into  four  divisions,  as  follows:  the 
"  Division  of  the  Lakes  " ;  the  "  Division  of  the  Atlantic  " ;  the  "  Division 
of  the  East";  the  "Division  of  the  Ohio";  he  also  created  the  "Grand 
Department  of  the  Pacific." 

The  First  Year's  Results. — The  Patriarchs  Militant  met  with  great 
favor  from  the  moment  of  its  acceptance.  Its  brilliant  uniforms,  its 
attractive  banners,  and  its  perfect  military  code  of  tactics  made  its 
members  the  most  beautiful,  attractive,  and  imposing  procession  possible. 
Its  jewels  and  decorations  were  magnificent.  Its  military  features  were 
the  most  perfect  and  modern  of  any  semi-military  association  in  the  coun- 
try. It  was  established  upon  a  strictly  military  basis,  with  a  military 
head  of  its  own,  and  that  military  head  was  the  Grand  Sire  of  the  Sov- 
ereign Grand  Lodge.  At  the  end  of  the  first  year  the  Patriarchs  Militant 
army  embraced  three  hundred  and  fifty-seven  cantons,  with  an  active 
membership  of  some  fourteen  thousand.  From  the  little  band  of  thirty 
members  who  had  met  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  on  the  21st  of  September, 
1885, —  Canton  Excelsior,  No.  1,  of  Kentucky, —  to  exemplify  the  revised 
degree  and  display  the  new  uniforms  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  had 
sprung  this  army  within  the  limits  of  a  single  year. 

There  was  another  fact  resulting  from  this  new  work  that  was  equally 
remarkable.  At  the  close  of  that  year  the  lieutenant-general  was  able 
to  report  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  that  "three-fourths  "  if  not "  four- 
fifths"  of  the  circle  patriarchs  had  renounced  their  allegiance  to  that 
institution,  had  enrolled  themselves  with  cantons,  and  were  at  that  time 
acting  in  full  harmony  as  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Patriarchs 
Militant,  thereby  fully  establishing  their  repeated  assertions,  that  the 
patriarchal  circle  was  composed  of  men  loyal  to  Odd  Fellowship;  that 
they  had  gone  into  the  circle  movement  with  honest  intentions,  and  had 
created  for  themselves  what  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  had  never  before 
given  them,  without  an  intention  of  retarding  the  onward  march  of  Odd 
Fellowship.     In  his  report  the  lieutenant-general  says :  — 

"  In  conseqaenee  of  the  enthnsiastic  and  united  moyement,  among  the  display  element 
of  the  Order,  to  embrace  the  degree  of  Patriarchs  MiUtant,  made  manifest  by  the  promptness 
and  readiness  of  the  uniformed  degree  camps,  temples  of  the  i>atriarohal  circle,  and  uniformed 


700  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

patriarchs  of  encampments,  to  obtain  warrants  and  organize  cantons,  it  is  believed  that  the 
semi-military  problem,  which  has  for  so  long  agitated  Odd  Fellows'  circles,  has  at  last  been 
satisfactorily  solved." 

At  the  session  of  1886,  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  adopted  the  tactics 
prepared  under  the  supervision  of  the  lieutenant-general^  and  ordered  that 
the  same  be  sold  as  supplies.  In  the  legislation  of  the  session  the  Patri- 
archs Militant  uniform  was  denominated  as  regalia,  and  as  such  was 
authorized  to  be  worn  by  chevaliers  when  visiting  lodges  and  encamp- 
ments; all  the  applicants  for  warrants  to  establish  cantons  after  January 
1,  1887,  were  required  to  possess  regulation  uniforms  and  to  appear 
dressed  in  the  same  upon  the  mustering  of  the  cantons;  the  lieutenant- 
general  was  clothed  with  additional  powers  and  an  appropriate  ceremony 
was  provided  to  be  used  at  the  dedication  of  public  edifices  by  the  Patri- 
archs Militant. 

The  Army  in  Boston.  —  During  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  which 
was  held  in  the  city  of  Boston,  on  Wednesday,  September  22,  1886,  a 
parade  took  place  consisting  of  the  Order  in  Massachusetts,  the  New 
England  states,  and  visiting  brothers  from  a  distance,  escorted  by  the 
Patriarchs  Militant.  The  day  was  fine  and  all  that  could  be  desired  for 
such  an  occasion.  The  procession  was  one  of  the  longest,  and  more 
attractive  than  anything  of  its  kind,  surpassing  all  parades  that  had 
taken  place  in  that  city,  and  was  witnessed  by  more  people  than  any 
other  that  had  before  occurred  in  Boston.  From  the  newspapers  printed 
in  that  city,  commenting  upon  the  Patriarchs  Militant,  and  the  proces- 
sion, we  quote :  — 

"  The  bearing  of  every  chevalier,  patriarch,  and  brother  in  line  was  in  keeping  with  their 
loyalty  to  the  principles  of  the  Order,  and  in  this  respect  the  organization  won  the  lasting 
regard  of  Boston  citizens,  and  all  who  had  the  honor  of  witnessing  the  display. 

**  The  grand  pageant  proceeded  on  its  way,  and  thousands,  — who  thronged  every  avail- 
able foot  of  space  to  witness  the  spectacle,  —  gave  vent  to  their  enthusiasm  in  cheers  and 
other  manifestations  of  delight.  The  rays  of  the  sun  shed  a  mellow  radiance  and  added  a 
polished  lustre  to  the  long,  golden  column  as  it  arose  and  f  eU  in  attractive  harmony  with  the 
martial  music.  The  gleaming  swords,  at  a  carry,  added  to  the  beauty  of  the  spectacle,  and 
shone  like  magic  wands  of  silver  upon  golden  shields  of  glittering  and  dazzling  waists  and 
cross  belts,  shoulder-knots,  and  chevrons. 

''A  sea  of  plumes  of  rich  and  varied  colors, — of  royal  purple,  red,  yellow,  and  white, 
emblematic  of  the  degrees  of  the  Order, — danced  in  the  sunlight  as  they  waved  in  cadence 
to  the  step  of  chevalier  and  patriarch.  The  royal  and  richly  wrought  silken  banners  and 
flags,  emblazoned  with  golden  symbols  and  emblems  of  the  Order,  added  to  the  effect. 

"In  advance  of  all  came  the  grand  standard, — of  purple  silk,  —  of  the  lieutenant- 
general,  the  commander  of  the  chevaliers,  and  following  it  the  beautiful  colors  of  the  great 
army,  a  tri-color  of  purple,  white,  and  red,  heavily  fringed  in  gold,  and  inscribed  with  the 
renowned  crook  and  sword  under  a  silver  and  gold  embroidered  crown  of  glory  in  a  white 
centre-field.  The  magnificent  banners  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant  are,  unquestionably,  the 
handsomest  ever  seen  in  the  streets  of  Boston.  The  front  consists  of  white  silk,  with  purple 
silk  velvet  lambrequin,  trimmed  with  gold  lace,  fringe,  and  tassels.  The  top  of  the  escutcheon 
shields  is  of  black  velvet  as  background,  and  bearing  a  gold-embroidered  eye  and  rays  of 
light,  and  the  historic  three-links.     The  '  peace  '-quarter  is  of  blue  silk  velvet  ground, 


HS^R^SK^^  iriLITANT.  701 

jllSf  SJrl'^'xat'MRt^mr'-qaarter  of  scarlet  illk  velvet  gioaad, 
j^A&.CO  j^Rd  tt  8£sAjBafi|bK0ld  gronnd  bMn  the  embioidered  motto, 
'iVB^h' ■■''" dSkaua ■?''  ^'^  velvet  ground,  bears  eight  gold- 
i^H  fl- W  UgAJM  ■  P gptiaU  of  the  Order,  in  large  letters  of  gold, 
IW&^jjygMSJ  jjltW^ljfigold,  and  licblj  worked,  appears  the  title 
lfWli^^$fl9^2^:::t''BB^i°l'">ideted  scarlet  eltk  and  silver  bulUon; 
r^fPjIIOaBl'A'V&'lKuHaiid  bearing  the  motto,  jiutftta  univertiUu, 

AWJ  M  tf^-"CTjJ??i'W TO fr  appreciated,  from  the  natare  of  the  case, 

iBIRvRrGSAnf  S  |Bep£|:>  of  design  and  almilarlty  of  material  used, 

|,i^Bj8S^$^Sl||£t^fiv  ^B  another  Id  tiohnesB  and  elegance.    On  some 

*  ^^BF*«v|lK^Ji^Kp^*^'^  worked  with  marvelloos  skill  and 

mrSirSktm^ *  1  #  ^B pt  species  of  hard  woods,  highly  polished. 

rl^^l^lilBfi^fpiCflilBjbe  and  crown.    These  banners  were  varied 

" W  'Sk^ftS^r^^" *  f  MtSi "'  dlflerent  colors,  sewed  together  so  that 

'      V^^flB'i^BJlMliOB  Cftiilly  contained  the  letters,  worked  in  gold, 

:^f^.H.)£in  ^?Vem  of  the  Order  between  them. 

ifaail'^ iiM^;i^B  jgnuMa   of  the  varlons  cantons,  brigades,  and 

fi  JlM  »S^flar' Jwg  S  pdeed  a  Qtting  escort  to  the  Qrand  Encamp- 
liflfl>UB««&^&iaW'rching  was  snperb,  and  all  along  the  line  of 
i|i^*^k^^a^^>||>^^iaB>^'  upon  roand  ol  cheeis." 

— :s::s:|;:r 

H  .,,..''^'^£^''^^9^''^  grand  proceBsioa  to  pass  any 
:^^^^a^:|:3|tf^as  estimated  at  15,000,  of  which 
-*--^J5g5J^a«t-j^S^te  were  one  hundred  and  forty-two 


702  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

in  uniforms  and  arms  was  estimated  at  $1,161,970.29 ;   the  amount 
invested  in  banners,  flags,  etc.,  amounted  to  $44,378.02. 

Change  of  Government.  —  At  the  session  of  1893  the  Grand  Sire,  in  his 
report  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  informed  that  body  that  there  had 
been  some  agitation  in  favor  of  giving  the  chevaliers  more  complete  con- 
trol of  their  own  affairs,  under  a  form  of  constitution  similar  to  that  of 
the  lodge  or  encampment  branch,  but  he  advised  great  care  and  impartial 
consideration  in  taking  action  with  reference  to  this  matter,  as  any  legis- 
lation might  be  far-reaching  in  its  effects  upon  the  Order,  and  he  desired 
to  impress  upon  the  Grand  Eepresentatives  the  gravity  of  the  situation, 
and  the  serious  questions  involved  in  its  settlement. 

In  accordance  with  this  suggestion,  the  special  committee  on  Patri- 
archs Militant  laws  presented  a  "revised  code"  for  the  government  of 
that  body,  which,  with  certain  amendments,  was  adopted  by  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge.  By  this  legislation  the  oflBlce  of  lieutenant-general 
was  abolished,  and  all  cantons  and  forces  then  or  thereafter  to  be  organized 
were  placed  under  the  immediate  supervision  and  control  of  the  depart- 
ment commander  of  the  jurisdiction,  wherever  located,  subject  to  such 
rules  and  regulations  as  might  be  prescribed  by  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge;  and,  also,  subject  to  the  orders  and  commands  of  the  Grand  Sire, 
who  was  made,  ex  offlciOf  commander-in-chief  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant 
throughout  the  world.  It  was  further  enacted  that  each  department  be 
made  separate  and  distinct  from  every  other  department,  subject  to,  and 
governed  by,  such  laws  as  the  Spvereign  Grand  Lodge  might  enact;  the 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  was  made  the  adjutant- 
general  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant;  all  warrants  for  cantons  were  to  be 
"  applied  for  "  through  the  department  commander,  issued  by,  and  in  the 
name  of,  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge;  nine  chevaliers  in  a  canton  were 
made  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business ;  provision  was  made  for 
honorary  membership ;  to  every  chevalier  was  given  the  right  to  vote  for 
all  the  officers  of  any  organization  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant  of  which 
he  might  be  a  member,  and  regulations  were  made  for  the  return  of  such 
votes  and  the  ascertaining  of  the  result  of  an  election;  and  it  became 
the  duty  of  the  department  commander  to  install  and  muster,  or  designate 
some  officer  to  install  and  muster,  the  officers  of  each  canton  in  his  juris- 
diction. It  was,  also,  expressly  provided  that  no  officer  in  any  one 
department  should  have  authority  or  command  in  any  other  department, 
or  of  the  troops  therein,  except  such  as  might  be  given  by  orders  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  in  case  of  general  parades  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant. 

Commissions  in  each  department  were  to  be  issued  by  the  commander- 
in-chief,  attested  by  the  adjutant-general,  and  countersigned  by  the 
department  commander  of  the  respective  departments.  The  right  to 
confer  the  "Decoration  of  Chivalry"  upon  a  lady  was  modified^  and  any 


THE  PATRIABCH8  MILITANT.  708 

chevalier  in  good  standing  in  his  canton  was  made  eligible  to  receive 
such  decoration  to  the  extent  of  allowing  the  canton  to  confer  the  same 
upon  one  such  person  each  year,  selected  out  of  every  fifty  members  or 
the  major  fraction  thereof. 

A  trial  code  was  adopted^  and  provisions  made  for  the  furnishing  of 
supplies.  The  price  to  be  paid  for  warrants,  commissions,  etc.,  was 
specified,  and  a  department  council  was  established  in  each  department 
for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  welfare,  interest,  and  military  spirit  of 
this  branch  of  the  Order  in  the  several  jurisdictions,  to  such  extent  as  it 
might  deem  expedient  and  necessary  for  the  best  interest  of  the  Patriarchs 
Militant. 

Amendments.  — Judging  from  the  information  found  in  the  report  of 
the  Grand  Sire  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  a  year  later  (1894),  it  may 
be  inferred  that  the  new  code  of  legislation  did  not  work  as  satisfactorily 
as  had  been  anticipated.  The  Grand  Sire  informed  the  Grand  Lodge  that 
this  code  was  capable  of  considerable  improvement;  that  it  was  "only  a 
modification  of  the  old  system  without  the  advantages  of  a  competent  and 
efficient  stafE  at  headquarters  for  the  general  management.  There  had 
been  a  form  of  self-government,  but  more  a  form  than  a  reality."  The 
Grand  Sire  proceeded  to  say  that,  with  the  present  system,  he  had  been 
required  to  do  the  work  which  had  devolved  under  the  former  organiza- 
tion upon  the  lieutenant-general,  in  addition  to  the  regular  work  of  his 
own  office ;  and  that,  too,  without  being  provided  with  the  necessary  help 
to  discharge  these  increased  responsibilities. 

There  had,  also,  by  that  legislation  been  put  upon  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary the  labor  which  formerly  took  the  time  and  services  of  three  or  four 
clerks,  without  any  appropriation  having  been  made  with  which  to  pay 
for  these  additional  duties.  He  thought  that  these  labors  could  not  be 
performed  by  the  Grand  Sire  and  Grand  Secretary,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Patriarchs  Militant,  without  neglecting  the  work  of  the  Order  at  large, 
unless  they  should  be  supplied  with  special  clerks,  paid  for  their  services ; 
and,  even  if  this  additional  assistance  was  sufficient,  he  was  in  doubt  as 
to  whether  the  system  would  prove  satisfactory.  He  suggested  that  there 
were :  — 

*'  Two  plans  only  for  the  proper  management  of  an  organization  of  this  kind :  (a)  One, 
a  centralized  government  with  a  strict  military  discipline ;  (6)  the  other  a  complete  local 
goYemment,  subject  only  to  general  law.  The  first  plan  was  tried  for  seyeral  years,  and  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  concluded  that  it  was  more  expensive  than  efficient. 

"  Without  expressing  any  opinion,  I  may  assume  that  we  are  not  prepared  to  return  to 
the  old  system.  Let  us  then  try  the  other  plan :  give  the  chevaliers  in  each  department  as 
absolute  control  of  their  own  affairs  as  is  consistent  with  the  interests  of  the  Order ;  instead 
of  trying  to  keep  up  the  idea  that  the  Patriarchs  Militant  is  a  military  organization,  whose 
government  must  be  based  on  military  law,  let  us  be  content  with  considering  it  an  auxiliary 
of  Odd  Fellowship  for  purposes  of  display,  using  military  emblems,  but  governed  by  princi- 
ples similar  to  those  of  any  voluntary  association. 


704  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

"  I  would  recommeDd,  therefore,  that  we  adopt  for  the  Patriarchs  Militant  a  plan  of 
government  similar  to  that  of  subordinate  lodges  or  encampments,  by  placing  the  cantons 
in  each  department  under  the  complete  control  of  a  representative  department  council, 
and  for  that  purpose  I  submit  a  modification  of  the  present  code,  and  recommend  its  adop- 
tion." 

The  code  submitted  by  the  Grand  Sire,  as  a  substitute  for  that  of 
1893,  was  substantially  the  same  as  that  of  the  previous  session,  with 
such  alterations  and  amendments  as  were  necessary  to  carry  out  the 
suggestions  contained  in  his  report. 

The  above  portion  of  the  Grand  Sire's  report  was  referred  to  the 
committee  on  Patriarchs  Militant,  and  that  committee  subsequently 
reported,  recommending  the  adoption  of  the  code  presented  by  the  Grand 
Sire,  and  the  report  was  adopted  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  without 
amendment. 

We  assume  that  the  amended  code,  of  1894,  did  not  prove  thoroughly 
satisfactory,  for  the  Grand  Sire, —  in  his  report  at  the  session  of  1895, 
after  it  had  been  in  existence  one  year, —  conveyed  the  following  infor- 
mation to  the  Grand  Lodge :  — 

"  The  same  causes  that  have  led  to  doubt  and  uncertainty  under  the  Bebekah  code,  exist 
in  the  code  for  the  government  of  the  military  branch.  The  repealing  clause  leaves  nothing 
but  the  code  for  its  government,  except  '  the  ceremonies,  ritual,  secret  work,  military  tactics, 
uniforms  and  equipment,  not  inconsistent  with  the  code.'  A  sweeping  repealing  clause  like 
the  one  above  referred  to  is  dangerous  legislation  to  attach  to  any  new  law." 

The  Grand  Sire  proceeded  to  state  sundry  questions,  which  had  been 
submitted  to  him  for  decision  disclosing  many  of  the  deficiencies  and 
inconsistencies  of  the  code  as  it  then  stood,  and  which  ought  to  be  reme- 
died. Upon  the  whole,  however,  he  conveyed  the  information  that,  in 
his  opinion,  the  code  was  proving  quite  acceptable,  and  that  the  Military 
Arm  was  acquiring  unity,  strength,  and  efficiency  under  it,  and  that  "  no 
effort  should  be  spared  to  perfect  it  in  every  detail  as  a  most  necessary 
and  indispensable  adjunct  in  the  growth  of  the  Order." 

At  the  session  of  1896  the  Grand  Sire  reported  a  large  increase 
in  membership  in  the  Patriarchs  Militant  branch.  The  code,  which 
had  received  numerous  amendments  in  1895,  was  further  perfected  and 
made  more  consistent  with  the  present  form  of  government  of  the 
military  branch.  These  amendments  to  the  code  are  too  numerous  to 
give  here,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  will  prove  satisfactory  to  the  army 
generally. 

The  Form  of  Government.  —  The  law  governing  the  legislation  of  the 
Patriarchs  Militant,  as  it  was  adopted  in  1885,  and  modified  by  subse- 
quent action  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  was  the  logical  outcome  of 
the  discussions  leading  thereto.  The  usual  powers  inherent  in  the  office 
of  Grand  Sire  had  been  increased  from  time  to  time,  as  has  been  stated 


p^A^^ 


gWJ||i>£W'M*W^  MILITANT.  705 

^S'l3vi?tfwviiff!C9fi'@''^'  became  clothed  with  autocratic 

^i^Mt  m  w^t-UvfljAAie  most  stringeiit  character.     This 

|3S|Jg|^||fg|||j^8B^]g|  Encampments,  ae  well   as    grand 

"^iflSk©  ©-^itti^d  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 

f<<»KA^||l4ltti41ous  powers.     The  display  branch 

^  V9'  w '  'IfS  itPh'*?'?  ^^^  midst  of  ineubordi  nation  in 

^SlJltw^io'^'^*  "^  arbitrary  characteristics.     A 

|iiSagijfiiH>1|fiTlepartmeDts  to  cope  with  the  dis- 

_^^iS?1^f£[>B  |§>fe8sions  of  loyalty,  had  diluted  the 

'  ^li^SfifSf  ^  ^S^l  ij^tps.  and  it  was  feared  would  now 

,(~/-n|^^ S rB''a^|^£^'branch  just  formed.    Our  Order's 

"""^  ^^gljnstified  the  means.     In  the  words 

~~  Grand  Lo<^  in  1892:  — 

j|f§'^0|tnuted  to  one  of  our  own  selection.  .  .  . 

i^,^Q^B|B^one>  tbe  sequel  hui  dsmonstrated.    Ooly 

IbM'^RS^^RAi^^se  several  laws,  embiaclag  the  ooe  clothing 

.^jlaj^S^C^OSSM^^  this  Qiand  bod;,  — a  power  never  before 

■»£^^iiiU^bl^^^l?Kft  be  repeated,  — were  repealed.    The  crUll 

~'i9^li*r'!9^£B*M<>8Br  threatened  bad  become  a  thing  of  tbe 

ill,  in  his  annual  report  of  1893, — 

fUg  action  on  the  part  of  the  Sover- 

/fell-timed.     It  may  yet  be  a  serious 

1  Lodge,.by  destroying  the  central- 

ii.ch^rman  of  the  special  committee 

I  believe  conserved  the  princij^e  for 

{ided),  may  not  have  so  far  weakened 

^i^  Order  more  than  the  expense  nec- 

'  Seneral  office  would  have  cost  under 

¥^hethe^  by  that  legislation  the  Sov- 

Hl^d  the  foundation  for  the  redpening 

^ent  time,  which  the  creation  of  the 

^Si  time  when  what,  to^lay,  is  the 

ue  so  strong  aa  to  be  able  to  sue- 

I  Grand  Lodge,  and  that,  too,  to 

4s  that  time  only  can  determine. 

wJSic^r^St  I  have  to  say  upon  this  subject,  I 

'*™"'**!*S**'  ss'^'ic^s  rendered  both  to  the  Sov- 

VM^^i'l^lM'chs  jMilitant  by  my  principal  asso- 

j|3*j^a|S^riod.    The  Sovereign  Grand  liodge 


^^"wAH<@a<^ 


Sl(U»  nuds  TMentl7  by  ■  rlnl  Ordar,  [n 
^to  jtnov  vheKof  he  Bfflrmi,  inak»  tLtu 
«1  mdlnf  mlf  ht  lug^it ;  but  hit  oloilaf 


706 


THS  THREE- LINK  FRATERNITY. 


was  threatened  with  the  danger  of  losing  a  large  portion  of  its  member- 
ship,—  young  men  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  so  situated  as  to  be  capable  of 
lending  valuable  aid  and  assistance  to  Odd  Fellowship.  The  loss  of  these 
men  would  have  been  sadly  felt,  and,  in  a  few  of  our  larger  jurisdictions, 
the  Order  would  have  been  badly  crippled.  These  young  brothers,  at 
that  time,  looked  upon  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  as  hostile  to  them; 
as  unwilling  to  give  them  that  which  they  felt  it  could  give  as  well  as 
not, —  and  that,  too,  without  in  any  way  jeopardizing  the  best  interests 
of  the  institution;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  they  believed  that  by  the 
giving  of  what  they  wanted  Odd  Fellowship  would  be  greatly  benefited 
and  reinforced.  The  feeling  had  become  very  bitter.  The  severe  legis- 
lation passed  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  at  Providence,  Boston,  Min- 
neapolis, and,  later,  at  Baltimore,  had  no  grains  of  comfort  for  them. 
They  regarded  the  resolutions  then  adopted  as  resolutions  of  extermina- 
tion. This  was  the  element  that  General  Underwood  was  commissioned 
to  harmonize  and  to  restore  to  the  Order  as  contented,  loyal,  and  satis- 
fied members.  How  well  and  admirably  he  succeeded  in  that  direction 
is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that,  out  of  nothing,  in  a  single  year  he  cre- 
ated an  army;  and,  at  the  close  of  that  first  year,  leading  members  of 
the  patriarchal  circle  were  found  holding  high  official  positions  in  the 
Patriarchs  Militant,  working  as  earnestly  and  loyally  for  its  progress  as 
they  had  previously  labored  to  its  disadvantage. 

Crises.  —  In  all  great  crises,  whether  within  or  without  our  Order, 
history  proves  that  there'  are  provided  the  proper  means  to  meet  the 
issues  and  avert  the  threatening  evil.  Such  seems  to  have  been  the  case 
in  Odd  Fellowship.  God  rules  and  governs  the  affairs  of  men;  and, 
knowing  this  to  be  true,  we  press  onward,  assured  that  our  cause  is  just, 
and  that  in  the  end  all  will  redound  to  the  perpetuation  of  the  Order  we 
cherish  so  highly. 


^^uvuP^a^^ 


/^^^^ 


iiIIn  XII. 


■^IC:^i\^^i^iZf^:iZf^^i;^^^^^'^^^^r:^^r:^^r^'^r^'^r^'^r^'^r^'^^ 


708  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Egypt  show  that  every  one  of  the  spiritual  precepts  of  the  Mosaic  writ- 
ings were  taught  in  Egypt,  more  than  five  hundred  years  before  Moses  was 
born.  About  the  year  2034  b.c,  according  to  RoUin's  "  Ancient  History," 
the  "  shepherd  kings,"  supposed  to  be  from  Arabia,  conquered  the  greater 
part  of  Lower  Egypt,  including  Memphis.  These  Arabians  were  idola- 
ters, and  carried  their  idolatrous  notions  and  worship  with  them  into 
Egypt.  It  is  supposed  that  the  royal  family,  philosophers,  and  priests  of 
Egypt  invented  these  mysteries  to  prevent  the  extinction  of  their  spiritual 
philosophy.  Similar  mysteries  extended  through  various  parts  of  Asia 
and  Europe.  The  most  celebrated  of  these  were  the  Eleusinian  mysteries. 
In  the  course  of  time  the  Egyptian,  as  well  as  the  other  mysteries,  became 
corrupt  and  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  idolatry.  From  these  ancient  mys- 
teries women  were  excluded,  as  they  have  been  from  most  secret  societies 
until  within  recent  years. 

Woman's  Relation  to  the  Race.  —  That  woman  has  occupied  a  subordinate 
relation  to  man  in  the  past  cannot  be  denied.  That  she  is  now  coming  to 
the  front  is  equally  true.  In  the  earlier  ages  war  was  regarded  as  almost 
the  only  honorable  pursuit  in  which  men  could  engage.  Whoever  was  not 
qualified  to  be  a  soldier  was  considered  fit  only  for  an  inferior  station  in 
life.  Woman's  strength  was  not  adequate  to  the  fatigues  of  the  march 
and  the  strife  of  battle.  Her  nature  was  not  adapted  to  the  hardships 
and  cruel  scenes  of  war.  She  was,  therefore,  regarded  as  entitled  only  to 
a  subordinate  relation.  As  nations  grew  and  accumulated  wealth,  cities 
were  built,  extensive  fortifications  and  palaces  erected,  and  great  public 
and  private  improvements  constructed.  This  required  wisdom  to  plan 
and  skill  to  execute  that  secured  to  the  architect  as  much  honor  as  was 
accorded  to  the  soldier ;  but  it  required  labor  for  which  woman's  strength 
was  not  adequate ;  she  was,  therefore,  regarded  as  inferior  to  and  less  use- 
ful than  man.  The  religion  of  the  times  was  a  religion  of  caste,  leading 
to  politics  of  caste,  implying  superior  and'inferior,  privileged  and  unprivi- 
leged classes.  The  ideal  of  worship  among  the  heathen  was  power  suffi- 
cient to  subjugate  and  control  others.  Such  power  was  regarded  as  a  gift 
of  the  gods,  and  therefore  proper  to  be  used.  Any  one  destitute  of  such 
power  was  considered  inferior  to,  and  properly  subject  to  the  control  of, 
those  who,  possessed  it.  It  was  thought  that  woman's  physical  weakness 
rendered  her  unable  to  compete  with  man,  and  made  her  dependent  upon 
him  for  protection  and  support,  thereby  unfitting  her  for  equality  with 
him,  and  that  she  should,  therefore,  be  content  with  a  subordinate  position 
in  the  privacy  of  home. 

The  general  idea  was  that  woman  being  inferior  to,  and  dependent 
upon,  man,  it  was  not  necessary  that  she  should  know  anything  more  than 
how  to  take  care  of  the  affairs  of  the  household.  Hence  her  education 
was  sadly  neglected.     There  have  been  women,  however,  in  those  ancient 


BEBEKAH  DEGBEE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  709^ 

times  who  were  not  content  to  remain  in  ignorance,  and  who  became  highly- 
educated  and  attained  to  a  commanding  influence ;  but  as  a  rule  it  was 
thought  unnecessary  to  educate  her.  The  ancient  idea  of  woman's  relation 
to  man  was  not  in  accordance  with  the  Divine  plan.  In  the  account  of 
creation  given  in  Genesis  i.  26,  27,  both  sexes  are  included  in  the  word 
"man," — one  is  as  much  in  the  image  of  God  as  the  other,  —  and  one  as 
much  endowed  with  dominion  over  the  earth  as  the  other.  The  history 
of  woman  shows  that  she  was  created  with  every  element  of  intellectual 
power  that  belongs  to  man.  The  Jews  imbibed  the  notion  of  woman's 
inferiority  to  man  from  the  Egyptians,  as  they  did  the  spirit  of  idolatry 
and  many  other  errors.  Yet  woman  ranked  higher  among  the  Jews  than 
in  any  other  nation  of  ancient  times.  When  aai  error  has  become  deeply 
seated  in  the  human  heart,  and  widespread  throughout  the  race,  it  can  be 
eradicated  only  by  ages  of  progressive  education.  By  this  means,  God  led 
the  Jews  to  abandon  the  practices  of  polygamy,  slavery,  and  many  other 
things  not  in  harmony  with  his  will,  on  their  own  voluntary  motion,  long 
before  the  coming  of  Christ.  The  apostle  says :  "  And  the  times  of  this 
ignorance  God  winked  at ;  but  now  commandeth  all  men  everywhere  to 
repent "  [or  turn  from].  —  Acts  xvii,  SO. 

Many  practices  once  universal  would  not  now  be  tolerated.  The  deep- 
seated  and  widespread  error  as  to  woman's  inferiority  has  been  gradually 
giving  way  before  the  educational  influences  of  the  religion  of  the  Bible, 
which  Odd  Fellowship  regards  as  an  integral  part  of  itself.  Increasing 
facilities  for  education  are  at  her  command,  wide  and  numerous  fields  of 
useful  work  and  business  are  opening  to  her.  Her  equality  with  man 
is  more  and  more  recognized.  Pulpits  are  filled  by  her,  she  occupies 
a  prominent  place  upon  the  rostrum,  as  a  lecturer,  and  as  the  representa^ 
tive  of  powerful  organizations.  Churches  have  put  her  into  office  and 
created  offices  for  her,  and  she  is  being  extensively  employed  in  evange- 
listic work. 

In  the  days  of  chivalry  woman  was  raised  to  a  high  state  of  senti- 
mental exaltation.  Many  of  the  knights  of  great  renown  were  the  special 
champions  of  beautiful  ladies  of  high  degree.  The  gloves  of  high-born 
ladies  were  carried  on  knightly  shields  and  the  names  of  ladies  of  noble 
blood  were  used  as  war-cries  by  distinguished  knights  on  fields  of  battle. 
Woman  exerted  a  powerful  influence  in  the  courts  of  kings,  and  knights 
to  secure  promotion  sought  her  favor,  and  sometimes  on  bended  knees. 
In  those  days  woman  was  almost  worshipped;  but  it  was  the  homage 
paid  to  beauty  of  form  and  feature,  to  grace  and  elegance  of  manners, 
and  to  rank  in  social  life,  rather  than  to  intellectual  development  and 
power.  In  after  ages  we  find  woman  in  Europe  honored  not  so  much  for 
external  beauty  and  elegance,  as  for  mental  acquirements  and  intellectual 
endowments.     The  scUonSy  or  parlors,  of  intellectual  women  in  Paris  were 


M     tes 


im^U^Bay!ffMK^^9estf^9iiJ>  fellowship.  711 

.  .^.— ..-«.     ^[(Il^gii  by  her  past  experience  in  the 

li^^fl  learned  the  best  course  to  pursue 

g[|There  is,  ordinarily,  more  tender- 

^■svwwwjtiP  ^^^  of  men;  she  is,  therefore, 

i^'?%§  4j|  .?CT®"'^B  ""^'^  *'^^  ^^^  own.     There 

j(^fB<^8  thoughtfulness  and  delicate  cau- 

J&'''fVwiSt^^  *  magnetism  to  her  touch  as 

sCfi^Sf^BwIfiffi*  '^^J  ^  ^itid  and  attentive  to 

-^^^^>ijKH<l|^side  and  minister  to  their  wants, 

CS^S^W))«lS§Ct'*^  delicate  tact  characteristic  of 

g  she  does,  and  even,  often, 

1  successful  nurses  in  the  city 

:  our  civil  war,  many  of  the 


>u2^iu^w£i^nrsi,wsv2f5^3f5^3f5^3f •  -Sf •  -'£•  •'£•  •'£•  •'£•  ''£•  •'£• 


712  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

to  comfort  as  well  as  pity.     If  she  has  herself  passed  through  the  vale 
of  sorrow,  she  knows  still  better  how  to  comfort  another  in  affliction. 

The  Influence  of  Woman  on  the  Members  of  Subordinate  Lodges. — That 
woman  is  more  refined,  naturally,  and  of  purer  tastes  than  man,  is 
admitted  by  all.  The  men  who  most  associate  with  ladies  are  the  most 
refined  and  gentlemanly  in  conduct.  No  better  education  in  refinement 
and  the  proprieties  of  life  can  be  had  than  by  constant  association  with 
refined  and  sensible  women.  We  refer  not  to  the  affected  elegance  and 
external  cultivation  to  be  met  in  certain  circles  of  what  is  called  fashiona- 
ble life,  but  that  natural  politeness  inspired  by  a  kind  and  amiable  spirit, 
and  a  desire  to  contribute  to  the  pleasures  of  others ;  a  feeling  of  good- 
will and  of  deference  to  the  opinions  and  wishes  of  others.  This  is  not 
confined  to  those  who  are  educated  in  the  schools.  Many  who  have  had 
no  opportunity  for  such  an  education  are  more  refined,  and  exhibit  better 
taste,  than  some  who  have  had  all  the  advantages  of  the  best  schools. 
The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state  to  which  the  writer  belongs  (Iowa)  has 
always  been  noted  for  the  respectable  character  and  good  conduct  of 
the  men  composing  it,  yet  it  has  been  visibly  improved  in  all  that 
constitutes  true  taste  and  refinement,  since  it  has  had  associated  with  it 
the  State  Assembly  of  the  Eebekah  degree.  The  introduction  of  ladies 
into  the  Order  will  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  tend  to  increase  the 
culture  and  refinement  of  the  brothers.  A  mother  could  ask  no  better 
place  of  social  enjoyment  for  her  son  than  in  a  lodge  where  ladies  meet. 

Much  has  been  said  of  the  beauty  and  accomplishments  of  women, 
and  many  are  very  beautiful  and  accomplished,  but  these  are  not  all  we 
admire  in  women.  We  admire  them  for  their  high  moral  tone  and  sense 
of  right,  for  their  love  of  the  pure  and  good,  and  their  abhorrence  of  the 
vile  and  gross.  There  are  vastly  more  women  who  belong  to  the  different 
churches,  and  live  religious  lives,  than  there  are  men;  there  are  fewer 
criminals  and  violators  of  the  laws  of  the  land,  of  morality  and  social 
life.  They  are  generally  on  the  moral  side  of  all  questions,  and  if  they 
had  an  equal  voice  in  civil  government  with  men,  vice  and  crime  would 
be  greatly  diminished.  Woman  is  capable  of  the  highest  moral  heroism ; 
she  will  brave  any  danger  to  relieve  the  suffering,  and  for  the  sake  of  the 
right.  Many  instances  occurring  during  our  civil  war  prove  this  to  be 
true.  We  find  this  fact  exemplified  in  all  phases  of  public  and  private 
life,  where  woman  has  taken  an  active  part,  and  in  very  numerous 
instances  where  she  has  unflinchingly  suffered  martyrdom  rather  than 
deny  her  allegiance  to  God.  We  are  not  speaking  of  all  classes,  but 
of  the  true  woman,  to  be  found  every  day  in  ordinary  life.  Woman 
showed  her  fidelity  to  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  by  being  the  "last  at 
the  cross,  and  the  first  at  the  sepulchre."  With  woman  in  the  lodge, 
there  will  be  increased  refinement  and  an  uplift  in  moral  tone. 


m\ 


II 


l^i^jtecedented  success  of   Bebekati 

factor  Id  secret  societies.     Sub- 

'.tkM  y  ^IJ^mrisli  most  where  there  are  good 

""   **,(iSBiJen  are  more  enthusiastic  in  their 

^ftrallT  than  men  are.    The  history 

*l  brought  into  closer  and  more 

2^K^  thoroughly  adapted  to  every 

"^     as  much  ability  after  a  short 

ibekah  lodges  as  men  have  in 

^tfe^^ges.     Indeed,  the  business  of 

"" " ""    improved  by  the  introduction 

»Jer  are  as  well  informed  in  the 

l^^minent  and  experienced  men, 

""fecarded  as  of  eaual  anthoritv. 


714  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 


CHAPTER  I. 

mSTOBY  OF  THE  REBEKAH  DEGREE. 

Origin  of  the  Degree.  —  The  degree  of  Kebekah  was  founded  in  1851. 
Like  all  other  institutions  which  have  struggled  through  adversity  to 
ultimate  success  and  honor,  various  claims  of  authorship  have  been  made. 

From  different  lodges  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  have  these 
claims  been  advanced,  with  circumstances  and  dates  which  are  so  accu- 
rately verified  by  lodge  records  that  little  doubt  can  be  entertained,  in  any 
candid  mind,  that  many  years  before  the  foundation  of  the  degree,  there 
were  brothers  of  the  Order  who  sought  to  widen  the  scope  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, and  broaden  its  field  so  as  to  include,  at  least,  the  wives  of  members 
in  good  standing  of  subordinate  lodges.  But,  notwithstanding  all  these 
claims,  and  notwithstanding  all  these  facts  and  circumstances,  the  real 
author  and  founder  of  the  degree  stands  out  so  prominently  and  with 
such  undying  fame,  that  whenever  the  word  "  Rebekah  "  is  mentioned  to 
an  Odd  Fellow,  his  mind  at  once  associates  with  that  word  the  name  of 
our  well-beloved  brother,  Hon.  Schuyler  Colfax.  Other  brothers  may 
have  entertained,  and  even  sought  to  promulgate,  ideas  of  a  degree  or 
association  of  some  kind  for  the  female  relatives  of  members  of  the  Order, 
and  other  brothers  may  have  introduced  in  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States  the  first  resolutions  looking  toward  the  formation 
of  such  a  degree;  but  the  master-mind  that  grouped  all  these  ideas  into 
one,  and  the  master-hand  that  smoothed  out  the  ruffles  and  irregularities, 
and  shaped  all  these  crudities  into  a  woven  fabric,  that  at  once  chained 
the  attention  and  fascinated  the  world  of  Odd  Fellowship,  was  Brother 
Colfax.  If,  after  a  few  years  of  struggling  existence,  this  beautiful 
degree  had  been  overwhelmed  with  the  Bpirit  of  opposition ;  if  the  Right 
Worthy  Grand  Lodge,  in  its  wisdom,  had  seen  fit  to  have  repealed  the  law 
creating  it,  and  hurled  it  into  the  vortex  of  oblivion,  with  the  stigma  of 
failure  attached  to  its  memory,  none  other  than  his  name  would  have 
been  associated  with  such  failure.  He  so  linked  his  name  and  fame  with 
the  degree  that  he  never  could  have  escaped  the  obloquy  its  failure  would 
have  entailed. 

His  adaptation  to  the  work  in  hand  was  peculiarly  fitting  in  every 
respect.  Genial,  companionable,  an  entertaining  conversationalist,  with  a 
firm  will  to  carry  out  his  purposes  and  convictions  when  once  established 
in  his  mind,  he  seems  of  all  others  to  have  been  the  one  to  launch  forth  on 
the  sea  of  humanity  the  culmination  of  the  hopes  and  desires  of  those  whose 
intimate  connection  with  the  members  of  this  great  brotherhood  had 
led  them  to  seek  a  part  in  the  practical  workings  of  its  undying  principles : 


>  -^*  ■^»  -4j-  -i-  -i-  - jjj.  -g-  -g-  -g-  -g; 

■»•■»•■»•■*■ 


REBEKAH  DEGREE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSBIP.  716 

Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth.  The  work  of  the  formative  period  of  its  his- 
tory seems  to  have  been  to  Brother  Colfax  a  labor  of  love,  and  its  comple- 
tion and  adoption  seemed  to  £11  his  cup  of  happiness  almost  to  overflowing. 
In  a  conversation  with  the  writer  on  March  1, 1877,  Brother  Colfax  said 
that  the  most  impressive  ceremony  he  ever  witnessed  was  the  conferring  of 
the  degree,  shortly  after  its  adoption,  upon  seventy-five  ladies  at  one  time 
in  the  City  hall  at  Indianapolis. 

The  early  legislation  relative  to  the  degree,  by  the  Eight  Worthy  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  was  necessarily  slow,  as  every  step  had  to  be 
stubbornly  fought  in  order  to  break  down  the  barriers  of  prejudice  which 
had  descended  from  generation  to  generation,  opposing  every  measure  tend- 
ing toward  the  advancement  of  woman,  —  a  feeling  not  confined  to  our 
Order  by  any  means,  —  and  all  this  in  a  spirit  of  gallantry  and  to  conserve 
the  sanctity  of  the  home  circle. 

Primary  Legislation.  —  Having  thus  briefly  outlined  the  formation  of 
the  degree  of  Rebekah,  let  us  next  review  the  record  of  the  Right  Worthy 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  —  now  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  — 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

The  first  reference  to  the  female  relatives  of  the  members  of  the  Order, 
so  far  as  legislative  action  was  concerned,  appears  in  a  resolution  offered 
by  Representative  Williamson,  of  Alabama,  on  September  18, 1845,  which 
read  as  follows :  — 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  for  the  Grand  Lodge  to  adopt  some  measure  by  which  the 
wiyes  of  Odd  Fellows  may  be  enabled  to  make  themselves  known  to  members  of  the  Order, 
and  prove  themselves  when  among  strangers." 

This  resolution  was  referred  to  a  special  committee.  On  the  afternoon 
of  the  same  day,  a  majority  of  the  committee  reported :  — 

"  That  it  is  expedient  for  this  Grand  Lodge  to  adopt  some  means  by  which  the  wives  of 
Odd  FeUows  may  be  enabled  to  make  themselves  known  to  the  members  of  the  Order,  and 
prove  themselves  when  among  strangers." 

A  minority  report  was,  also,  submitted  adverse  to  the  resolution. 
Representative  Magruder,  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  offered  a  substitute, 
prescribing  the  form  of  a  certificate.  The  previous  question  having  been 
moved,  a  call  of  the  yeas  and  nays  was  ordered,  which  resulted  in.  the 
rejection  of  the  majority  report  by  a  vote  of  17  yeas  to  25  nays.  Repre- 
sentative Magruder  then  renewed  his  substitute  in  the  form  of  a  resolution, 
as  follows :  — 

• 

"Resolved,  That  each  subordinate  lodge  may,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  its  members 
voting,  grant  a  card  to  the  wife  of  any  member  who  may  apply  for  it,  signed  by  the  officers 
of  the  lodge,  and  countersigned  by  the  recipient  on  the  margin,  and  to  remain  in  force  not 
more  than  one  year,  and  that  similar  cards  may  be  granted  to  the  widows  of  Odd  Fellows, 
to  remain  in  force  as'  long  as  they  shall  remain  such. 

"Resolved,  That  the  form  of  the  card  shall  be  as  foUows,  viz.:  — 


716  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

''Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth. 
"Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

**  To  all  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greeting : — 

'*  This  certifies  that ,  whose  name  is  indorsed  on  the  margin 

of  this  card,  in  her  own  proper  handwriting,  is  the  wife  of  our  well  beloved  brother 

,  who  is  a  member  of Lodge,  No , 

held  at  ,  and  working  under  authority  of  a  charter  duly  g^ranted  by 

authority  of  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  the 

**  We  therefore  recommend  her  to  your  friendship,  aid,  and  protection,  wherever  she  may 
be  throughout  the  world,  for  the  space  of ,  and  no  longer. 

**  In  witness  whereof,  we  have  subscribed  our  names, 

" ,N.G. 

" ....,V.G. 

" Secy. 

*'  When  the  card  is  granted  to  a  widow,  it  shall  be  so  stated,  and  the  card  shall  be  made 
to  conform  to  the  requirements  of  the  first  resolution." 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  called,  it  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  the  resolu- 
tion by  a  vote  of  23  yeas  to  21  nays. 

The  first  action  of  the  Eight  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  looking  toward .  the  establishment  of  a  "  Lady's  degree  "  was  by  a 
resolution  of  Representative  Smith,  of  Northern  New  York,  on  Septem- 
ber 16,  1860,  which  read  as  follows :  — 

"Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order  inquire  into  the  propriety  of 
instituting  appropriate  honorary  degrees  as  follows :  One  for  the  wives,  and  daughters  of  age, 
of  Scarlet  degree  members ;  also,  one  for  the  wives  and  daughters  of  past  officers." 

This  resolution  was  referred  to  the  conimittee  on  the  state  of  the 
Order,  and  afterward  it  seems  to  have  been  "  turned  over  "  to  the  legisla- 
tive committee,  although  the  proceedings  are  silent  as  to  its  re-reference. 
The  legislative  committee  was  composed  of  Representatives  Colfax,  of 
Indiana;  Kennedy,  of  Southern  New  York;  and  Larue,  of  Louisiana. 
September  18,  1850,  Representatives  Larue  and  Kennedy  presented  a 
majority  report :  "  That  the  institution  of  such  degrees  is  unadvised  and 
inappropriate  " ;  Representative  Colfax  presented  a  minority  report,  and, 
after  an  able  and  exhaustive  argument  favoring  the  establishment  of  sudh 
a  degree,  offered  the  following :  — 

"Resolved,  That  a  special  committee  of  three  members  be  appointed  to  prepare  an 
appropriate  honorary  degree,  with  an  accompanying  sign  or  signs  and  password,  to  be  con- 
ferred upon  the  wives  of  Scarlet  degree  members  who  are  in  good  standing  in  the  Order ; 
and  that  said  committee  report  such  degree  for  consideration  at  the  next  communication  of 
this  Grand  Lodge.'' 

On  September  20, 1850,  the  minority  report  was  adopted,  and  Repre- 
sentatives Colfax,  of  Indiana ;  Martin,  of  Mississippi ;  and  Steele,  of  Ten- 
nessee, were  appointed  a  special  committee  "  to  prepare  an  appropriate 
hpnorary  degree,  to  be  conferred  on  the  wives  and  daughters  of  members 
of  the  Scarlet  degree." 


ODD  FELLOW  amp. 


iainale  degree,"  as  reported  by  the 

M  IGrand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

P4||^t  the  degree  of  Rebekah  was  an 

^tH^uboidinate  lodges  ought  to  be  in 

J  3  ^&fc  principle  that  they  are  required 
l^flt  to  their  official  stations.     It  vas, 
Hl^jiUPj^^ttlff  tthe  annual  password  of  the  degree 
___         J'U'JJ"i^5^l'«rs  at  the  outer  door,  and  that 
lg  -I  fij^iffl  Jtar^^e^^l  W^^ftes  could  be  sung. 
Pfi^^tH'^  Qiltt^hat  it  was  the  duty  of  the  Noble 
-^  ""  *l4BC@'^^S^''^  lodge  to  be  instructed  in  the 

'^n^—jill'f'lrf^aFfl.'^^^  session  the  ritual  was  authorized 

i^tr?/*ISL&H'*M''&'*i^^'  daughters  of  Kebekah  were 
*"      ^2«gl8)qjji^J|Jf|gJVith  the  Order  and  could  not  bo 

fHil^'^ffitt  a  state  Oiand  body  does  not  pos- 
~'~r^qgpn:Qe;:SS;^nbrdinates  to  require  any  pecuniary 
S^^^H^  of  Bebekah. 
""  ""        ■  '  "    "^  in  the  Bight  Worthy  Grand  Lodge 

ree  of  Bebekah  be  extended  to  the 
^hers  having  this  degree,  which  was 
Vho  reported  that  it  was  inexpedient 

ofiOS — In  1858,  pursuant  to  a  I'equest 
form  of  visiting  card  was  adopted 
lb,  similar  to  that  prescribed  for 

itest  and  by  reversing  the  action  of 

lat  it  was  legal  for  a  subordinate 

.ve  the  Bebekah  degree  conferred 

were  made,  but  the  Right  Worthy 

held  that  the  degree  of  Bebekah 

Tlet  degree  members  in  good  atand- 

t  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  refused  to 

ir  the  degree  of  Bebekah.     It  also 

.t,  after  application  in  open  lodge, 

le  widows  of  Odd  Fellows,  whose 

time  of  their  death. 

IE  resolution  was  introduced  iu  the 

flIciglJth  that  the  degree  of  Bebekah,  "  in 

|^^5^Je1£<^  far  as  practical  benefits  were  con- 


718  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

"That  the  legislatiye  committee  be  requested  to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  proyld- 
ing  some  means  by  which  ladies  in  possession  of  the  degree  may  form  themselves  into 
associations,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  more  fully  the  teachings  of  this  degree,  and 
cooperating  with  the  brethren  of  this  Order,  in  visiting  the  sick  and  relieving  suffering 
humanity." 

The  committee  reported  that  it  had  considered  the  same,  and  "  that  it 
is  inexpedient  to  authorize  the  forming  of  associations  as  proposed,  even 
had  this  Grand  Lodge  the  power  to  do  so,  which  it  evidently  has  not," 
and  this  report  was  considered  and  adopted. 

In  1865  the  Grand  Sire  decided  that:  "A  number  of  subordinate 
lodges  cannot  legally  establish  a  union  degree  of  Eebekah  lodge,  and  hold 
regular  meetings  thereof  for  conferring  and  working  that  degree " ;  that 
societies  of  the  degree  of  Eebekah,  composed  of  ladies  in  possession  of 
the  degree,  the  meetings  of  which  are  opened  in  that  degree,  the  regalia 
worn  and  the  work  of  the  degree  used,  are  irregular,  unauthorized,  and 
in  contravention  of  the  legislation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States. 

In  1866  the  Grand  Sire  called  attention  to  the  fact  that,  notwithstand- 
ing the  decisions  and  legislation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States^ 
there  still  existed  societies  of  the  degree  of  Eebekah,  and  recommended 
additional  legislation  on  this  subject ;  that  the  law  in  reference  to  union 
degree  lodges  was  totally  disregarded  in  some  localities,  and  evaded  in 
others,  and  calling  especial  attention  to  these  violations  of  the  law.  The 
committee  on  legislation,  in  reporting  upon  this  part  of  the  Grand  Sire's 
report,  stated,  that  if  the  safeguards  already  thrown  around  this  degree 
had  not  been  sufficient  to  prevent  the  irregularities,  they  were  at  a  loss 
what  further  action  to  advise,  and  closed  as  follows :  — 

"  Your  committee  would  ask  to  be  discharged  from  the  further  consideration  of  the 
several  communications  referred  to  them,  from  various  jurisdictions*  as  to  the  repeal  of  the 
degree  of  Rebekah,  and  that  the  whole  subject  of  repeal  await  the  action  of  this  Grand 
body  upon  the  report  of  a  former  special  committee  '  laid  over '  till  the  next  session." 

I  wonder  what  the  writers  of  "the  several  communications"  from 
"various  jurisdictions"  would  say  in  their  justification  if  they  could 
remove  the  veil  and  look  upon  this  beautiful  degree  with  its  army  of 
busy,  careful,  patient  workers  of  "  sweet  charity  "  as  it  now  exists ;  and 
then  contemplate  the  wreck  they  would  have  caused  could  their  selfish 
and  bigoted  hands  have  been  permitted  to  throttle  the  fair  neck  of  this 
blest  daughter  of  our  beloved  Order,  and  thus  to  have  strangled  her 
promising  life  in  infancy. 

In  1867  the  Grand  Sire,  in  his  report,  referred  to  the  fact  that  the 
degree  of  Eebekah  had  been  in  existence  about  sixteen  years,  and  the 
"experiment"  of  a  degree  of  this  character  had  been  fully  developed; 
that  some  jurisdictions  had  availed  themselves  of  the  degree  by  confer- 
ring it  on  thousands  of  wives  of  the  brethren,  and  in  other  jurisdictions 


BEBEKAH  DEGBEE  OF  ODB  FELLOWSHIP.  719 

it  had  never  been  recognized  or  received.  He  further  recommended  that  the 
time  had  arrived  when  the  degree  should  be  considered  one  of  the  degrees 
of  the  Order,  to  be  universally  recognized,  or  that  it  should  be  abolished. 
He  recommended  that,  if  the  degree  was  to  be  continued,  measures  should 
be  taken  to  establish  it  upon  a  more  permanent  basis,  with  power  to  elect 
its  own  officers  and  members;  provide  a  code  of  laws;  and  secure  a 
uniform  mode  of  operation  throughout  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

This  strong  recommendation  seemed  to  stir  up  the  lethargy  of  the 
members  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Those  who  had  been  the  ardent  sup- 
porters of  this  degree,  through  sunshine  and  storm,  received  renewed  life 
and  energy ;  and  the  clouded  views  of  those  who  had  opposed  the  degree, 
where  "the  slanders  of  prejudice  and  bigotry  assailed 'on  every  side," 
seemed  to  clear  away  in  the  flood  of  warm  sunlight  that  streamed 
through  the  love  and  prayers  of  the  thousands  of  faithful  wives,  mothers, 
and  daughters  whose  hearts  beat  responsive  in  the  great  battle  where 
Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth  sought  to  thaw  the  frozen  garb  of  selfishness, 
and  assist  in  the  ministrations  of  mercy  the  one  to  the  other.  Although 
the  fulness  of  time  had  not  arrived,  yet  such  a  spirit  had  been  awakened 
that  the  subject  was  discussed  during  the  recess,  and  the  members  came 
to  the  next  session  fully  armed  and  equipped  for  action. 

Rebekah  Degree  Lodges.  —  In  1868  a  special  committee  was  appointed 
to  consider  this  subject.  After  due  deliberation,  the  committee  reported 
the  following  resolutions :  — 

**  Besolved,  That  the  Grand  Lodges  subordinate  to  this  Right  Worthy  Qrand  Lodge  be, 
and  they  are  hereby,  authorized  and  empowered  to  institute  degree  lodges  of  the  daughters 
of  Rebekah  at  such  places  as  they  may  deem  proper  within  their  territorial  limits,  to  pos- 
sess the  powers  and  enjoy  the  priyileges  following  :  — 

*'  First t  To  confer  the  degree  of  Rebekah  on  such  Scarlet  degree  members  and  their  wives 
as  present  a  certificate  from  a  lodge  located  in  the  district  designated  in  the  charter  of  such 
degree  lodge,  and  also  to  confer  the  said  degree  on  widows  of  Odd  Fellows  presenting  cer- 
tificates from  lodges  to  which  their  husbands  were  members  at  the  time  of  their  decease. 

**  Second,  To  elect  and  appoint  their  officers  in  the  manner  prescribed  by  their  by-laws; 
the  elective  officers  to  consist  of  a  Noble  Grand,  Vice  Grand,  Secretary,  and  Treasurer, 
and,  if  so  provided  in  their  by-laws,  a  Financial  Secretary ;  the  appointed  officers  to  con- 
sist of  a  Warden,  Conductor,  Outside  Guardian,  Inside  Guardian,  Right  and  Left  supporters 
of  Noble  Grand,  Right  and  Left  supporters  of  Vice  Grand.  Any  member  of  the  lodge  shall 
be  eligible  to  any  office  in  the  lodge,  except  that  of  Noble  Grand,  which  office  shall  be  filled 
by  a  past  grand  in  good  standing  in  his  lodge,  and  except  Warden,  Outside  Guardian,  and 
Inside  Guardian,  who  shall  be  Scarlet  degree  members ;  all  officers  to  hold  their  offices  for  six 
months  or  one  year,  as  prescribed  by  the  subordinate  Grand  Lodge. 

"  Third y  To  hold  regular  and  special  meetings  as  provided  by  the  by-laws. 

*'  Fourth,  To  fix  and  establish  dues,  to  be  paid  monthly,  quarterly,  semiannually,  or 
annually,  as  the  by-laws  may  provide,  and  to  provide  by  by-laws  when  those  in  arrears  for  dues 
shall  be  dropped  from  the  roll  of  members.  Any  brother  or  sister  within  the  district  desig- 
nated in  the  charter  may  become  a  member  on  paying  the  dues  provided  by  the  by-laws ;  and 
any  brother  may  continue  such  member  so  long  as  he  remains  a  member  of  his  subordinate 
lodge  in  good  standing,  and  pays  bis  dues  to  the  degree  lodge ;  and  any  sister  may  remain 


720  TBE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

a  member  so  long  as  her  husband  is  entitled  to  remain  a  member,  or  so  long  as  she  remains 
his  widow  and  pays  her  dues  to  the  lodge.  All  degree  lodges  shall  consist  of  at  least  ten 
members,  five  of  each  sex ;  and  all  in  good  standing  shall  participate  in  the  proceedings  of 
the  lodge. 

"  Fifth,  To  pay  and  disburse  from  the  funds  of  the  lodge  for  the  relief  of  the  sick,  the 
destitute,  or  the  distressed,  from  time  to  time,  as  a  majority  of  the  members  present  shall  by 
YOte  determine,  or  as  shall  be  otherwise  provided  by  the  by-laws. 

**  Sixth,  To  establish  such  by-laws  and  rules  of  order  not  inconsistent  herewith,  or  with 
the  rules,  usages,  and  general  regulations  of  the  Order,  as  they  may  deem  proper,  subject, 
however,  to  the  approval  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  which  they  are  subordinate. 

*'  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Sire,  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  Grand  Corresponding  and 
Recording  Secretary  be  authorized  to  institute  degree  lodges  of  the  daughters  of  Rebekah 
in  any  territory  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  this  Bight  Worthy  Grand  Lodge,  and 
that  such  lodges  possess  the  power  and  enjoy  the  privileges  of  the  other  Bebekah  degree 
lodges. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  widow  of  an  Odd  Fellow  who  had  not  attained  the  Scarlet  degree, 
but  who  was  in  good  standing  at  the  time  of  his  death,  may  receive  the  degree  of  Rebekah 
at  the  option  of  the  lodge  of  which  her  husband  was  a  member  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Corresponding  and  Recording  Secretary  be  instructed  to 
prepare,  and  cause  to  be  printed,  certificates  of  membership  for  the  daughters  of  Rebekah, 
to  be  furnished  to  lodges  at  not  less  than  double  the  cost,  and  that  the  sum  of  $100  be  appro- 
priated for  that  purpose,  from  any  money  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated." 

These  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  surprising  vote  of  69  yeas 
to  28  nays. 

In  1869  the  Grand  Sire,  in  his  annual  report,  referred  to  the  degree  in 
the  following  recommendation :  — 

"The  degree  of  Rebekah,  which  was  adopted  in  1851,  has  ever  since  occupied  an  anoma- 
lous position  in  the  Order.  It  has  never  been  recognized  as  an  integral  part  of  the  work, 
and  exists  virtually  by  sufferance  of  the  state  Grand  Lodges,  since  it  depends  entirely  upon 
their  will  whether  it  shall  be  conferred  within  their  respective  limits.  I  submit, — now 
that  the  Grand  Lodge  has  formally  authorized  the  formation  of  lodges  of  the  daughters  of 
Rebekah,  —  that  the  time*  has  arrived  when  this  degree  should  be  placed  on  a  footing  with 
the  rest  of  the  work,  and  be  so  equalized  in  authority,  that  these  lodges  shall  be  established 
in  every  jurisdiction." 

He,  also,  made  a  strong  recommendation  in  favor  of  admitting  the 
daughters  of  Odd  Fellows  to  the  degree.  The  degree  of  Rebekah  had 
now  attained  such  prominence  in  the  Order,  that  a  number  of  resolutions 
were  offered  for  the  purpose  of  still  farther  enlarging  its  rights  and  privi- 
leges, as  well  as  looking  toward  the  revision  of  the  ritual,  and  extending 
its  membership  to  daughters  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Legislation  relating  to  Membership.  —  The  committee  to  whom  the  vari- 
ous resolutions  were  referred  made  a  very  full  report.  They  reported 
adversely  to  the  admission  of  unmarried  daughters  of  Odd  Fellows ;  also, 
to  the  recommendation  of  the  Grand  Sire  requiring  the  establishment  of 
the  degree  in  all  the  jurisdictions ;  ,but  they  coupled  with  this  refusal  the 
following  strong  recommendation :  — 

"We  are  firmly  convinced  that  it  would  be  for  the  interest  of  every  jurisdiction  to 
encourage  their  subordinate  lodges  to  adopt  and  perpetuate  this  degree;  and  we  believe 
that  its  merits  will  soon  find  favor  throughout  the  entire  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  body, 


REBEKAH  DEGREE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  721 

and  its  usefulness  and  practicability  fully  recognized."  [They,  alsOi  reported  adversely  to 
the  proposal  permitting  Rebekah  degree  lodges  to  ballot  upon  the  application  of  candidates, 
but  holding  to  the  doctrine]  :  *'  That  members  of  the  Scarlet  degree,  in  good  standing  in  their 
subordinate  lodges,  and  their  wives,  are  entitled  to,  and  may  receive,  the  degree." 

They  reported  in  favor  of  the  resolution  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson 
prescribing  the  regalia,  and  recommended  the  appointment  of  a  commit- 
tee to  select  appropriate  odes  for  Rebekah  degree  lodges. 

In  1870  the  Grand  Lodge  again  refused  to  allow  lodges  of  the  degree 
of  Rebekah  to  elect  applicants  for  membership  by  ballot,  or  to  admit 
unmarried  daughters  of  Odd  Fellows.  It,  also,  refused  to  adopt  a  resolu- 
tion for  the  continuance  of  the  membership  of  the  wife  of  a  member  who 
should  be  suspended  or  expelled  by  his  subordinate  lodge. 

To  any  member  who  views  the  present  condition  of  this  beautiful 
degree  in  the  light  of  past  legislation  it  would  seem,  at  first  glance,  to  have 
been  almost  an  impossibility  for  it  to  have  attained  its  magnificent  pro- 
portions, with  all  this  opposition;  yet  the  greatest  minds  of  the  world, 
and  the  greatest  institutions  and  governments  of  the  ages,  have  developed 
into  strength  and  grandeur  under  the  bitterest  opposition.  Every  friend 
of  the  degree  was  spiirred  to  renewed  activity  and  more  zealous  work 
until  the  temple  stands  in  bold  relief  against  the  dark  clouds  that  now 
form  only  the  background  of  the  picture. 

In  1871  the  resolution  to  authorize  lodges  of  the  degree  of  Rebekah  to 
elect  their  applicants  for  membership,  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  members, 
was  renewed,  and  this  time  successfully.  The  Grand  Lodge,  also,  decided 
that  applicants  who  should  be  rejected  could  renew  their  applications 
within  such  time  as  the  Grand  Lodges,  of  the  several  states,  should 
prescribe. 

Prior  to  the  year  1873  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  degree  of  Rebekah, 
in  thfe  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge,  were  referred  to  a  special  committee ; 
but,  at  the  1873  session,  it  was  provided  that  there  should  be  added  to 
the  standing  committees  of  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  a  "  committee 
on  the  degree  of  Rebekah,"  consisting  of  seven  members.  That  year,  also, 
marked  the  triumph  of  the  friends  of  the  degree  in  securing  the  oft-asked- 
for,  but  as  often  refused,  legislation  by  which  there  shoidd  be  no  more 
forfeitures  of  membership,  of  wives  of  brothers  by  reason  of  loss  of  mem- 
bership of  such  brothers  in  the  subordinate  lodge;  visiting  cards  were 
adopted  for  sisters,  and  an  "  order  of  business "  prescribed  for  Rebekah 
degree  lodges.  A  resolution  was  introduced  to  admit  daughters,  over 
eighteen  years  of  age,  of  Scarlet  degree  members  in  good  standing,  and  of 
deceased  Scarlet  degree  members  who  were  in  good  standing  at  the  time 
of  their  death ;  but  the  spirit  of  opposition  was  too  strong  to  admit  of  so 
radical  a  change,  and,  like  its  predecessors,  it  was  "inexpedient,"  — 
what  a  hicUits  there  must  have  been  in  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge 


Ill  ^H^l  ?€'^{i"C9'H'  FRATEBSITT. 

*'  '^"iWW'^ra^'B'^S^'ga^  Mtm^ttt^  kindness  of  his  heart,  iojected 
a<w%SKM)l8'^|a'i^VHVMfli^Qt;."     it  has  served  its  purpose, 

i'S  ^'  S^  ^ ' " '  ^i  i  C^' 
n«9'^|<^|»A^\S^JSl'^'3Sion,  permitted  the  granting  and 

^SI^NjM|||8ffl|a^|ij^'bordiuate  lodges. 

'sH'IntlKltt  R^^4S kittle  legislation  for  the  degree  of 

""jf»li1tl?lJ|''£|3St8|iture  of  charter,  —  failure  to  report 

.>tt'l0ttiRfi9J['B^S  Iking  the  final  returns. 

tl81iMlA9^flriQ''l^4t*Qd  appointiTB  officers  were  only 
i«4S'kN9fl|l(69'H  ftig  in  Bebekah  lodges,  except  that 
R**''fll  tt'l^^Bo&'ts^S^and  who  had  not  served  as  vice 
'^lSSffliiSaw4i?'||'  or  a  subordinate  lodge. 
'~^f(m!i^;i^t>H'IS,l»N)l  Service.  — At  the  session  of  1878, 
'^BlTM  *v^Sf  IftcQ^Tv^hat  caustic  report  of  the  Grand 
^~'      ^B'lJL^'StifW&^^e  of  Bebekah  lodges  "may  have 
P^M'H  9^a7  °^  ^^^  jurisdictions,  but  assuredly 
Ci<|S<Lrrant  the  continuation  of  a  system 
i^H^e  character  and  standing  of  the 
di^«ommittee  to  prepare  a  funeral  ser- 
~  evise  the  ritual,  and  designated  a 
t  by  far  the  most  important  legis- 
ee,  was  the  adoption  of  four,  out 
:  special  committee,  viz.:   a  semi- 
Jodges,  to  be  used  in  the  jurisdictiou 
e  of  the  annual  password  to  visiting 
■e  visitor  belongs,  and  in  instruction 
SClaughters  and  unmarried  sisters  of 
gibership ;  and  changing  the  quorum 
^brothers  and  five  sistors  to  seven 

had  given  the  subject  especial 
i*>^l^^l^l^S^^uwi*^!i^t  a  preamble  setting  forth  the  rea- 
^  between  the  reports  of  this  com- 
'fon  the  subject,  it  is  apparent  the 
B  to  thoroughly  inform  itself  upon 
niittee  said,  among  other  things :  — 

wes  of  Rebekah  has  hod  a  fair  trial,  and  la  a 
t  the  batf-besrted  support  the  degree  has 
ot  strengthening  It,  made  those  who  were 

..5^^  have  made  the  cheeks  of  the  repre- 

_     !5*>I^?;?to'^Icg2col lection  of  the  treatment  which 

fit^SE^'^^S'^StCidB^s ;  and  so  forcible  and  convincing 


REBEKAH  DEGREE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  723 

were  these  arguments,  that  when  the  resolution  extending  the  privileges 
of  the  degree  to  the  daughters  and  sisters  of  Odd  Fellows  ^^came  up" 
for  consideration,  it  was  adopted  by  the  surprising  and  overwhelming  vote 
of  90  yeas  to  20  nays. 

At  the  session  of  1879,  the  special  committee  on  a  burial  service  for  a 
daughter  of  Bebekah  was  granted  until  the  next  session  to  prepare  the 
same ;  subordinate  lodges  were  authorized  to  confer  the  degree  of  Kebekah 
upon  all  persons  who  should  be  qualified  to  receive  it,  and  all  laws  incon- 
sistent with  this  provision  were  repealed.    The  Grand  Lodge  decided :  — 

"  That  the  existing  law  permits  a  sister  of  the  degree  of  Bebekah  to  retain  her  member- 
ship, irrespective  of  the  standing  of  her  husband  in  the  Order,  and  the  membership  of  a 
sister  of  the  degree  of  Bebekah  who  may  marry  a  person  not  a  member  of  the  Order  should 
not  depend  upon,  or  be  governed  by,  the  relation  which  such  person  may  hold  to  the  Order." 

The  Grand  Lodge,  at  this  session,  more  fully  defined  the  legislation  of 
the  session  of  1878,  in  response  to  the  report  of  the  Grand  Sire,  in  which 
he  called  attention  to  great  differences  of  opinion  resulting  from  this  legis- 
lation, by  setting  forth  the  intention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  following 
particulars :  — 

First,  That  Grand  Masters  are  required  to  make  a  semiannual  password  to  be  used  as  a 
test  of  good  standing;  to  be  used  at  the  outer  door  of  Bebekah  degree  lodges  to  obtain 
admission  to  the  anteroom,  and  that  such  semiannual  password  shall  only  be  used  in  the 
jurisdiction  to  which  it  properly  belongs,  and  to  be  communicated  priyately  to  persons 
entitled  to  receive  it. 

Second,  That  the  annual  password  should  be  used  in  both  subordinate  and  Bebekah 
degree  lodges,  as  a  further  proof-test  of  membership  in  the  degree,  and  for  the  purpose  of 
visiting  subordinate  lodges  open  in  the  degree,  and  in  conjunction  with  a  card  in  jurisdic- 
tions other  than  that  to  which  the  visitor  belongs,  unless  the  Bebekah  degree  lodges  shall 
otherwise  provide. 

Third,  That  Bebekah  degree  lodges  shall  confer  the  degree  only  on  persons  applying  for 
membership  in  such  lodges,  and, 

Fourth,  Bepealing  all  legislation  inconsistent  with  the  foregoing  and  providing  that 
grand  officers  shall  not  be  prevented  from  visiting  Bebekah  degree  lodges  in  their  official 
capacity. 

At  the  session  of  1880,  an  amendment  was  adopted  making  an  unmar- 
ried daughter  of  an  Odd  Fellow  of  the  Fifth  degree,  of  the  age  of  eighteen 
years,  whose  parents  were  dead,  eligible  to  membership,  when  proposed  by 
the  noble  grand  of  the  lodge  of  which  her  father  was  a  member  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  or  by  a  member  of  a  lodge  of  the  degree  of  Rebekah, 
when  furnished  with  a  certificate  from  the  subordinate  lodge  of  which  her 
father  was  a  member,  that  he  had  attained  the  Scarlet  degree  and  was  in 
good  standing  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

At  the  session  of  1881,  the  law  was  still  further  amended  by  extending 
the  eligibility  of  unmarried  daughters  of  deceased  Odd  Fellows  to  the 
daughters  of  Odd  Fellows  whose  parents  were  dead,  whether  of  the  Scarlet 
degree  or  not,  when  proposed  by  the  noble  grand  of  the  lodge  to  which  the 
father  was  attached  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


724  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  committee  on  the  degree  of  Rebekah  was  allowed  until  the  next 
session  to  report  upon  the  subject  of  appropriate  jewels  for  officers  and 
past  officers  of  Rebekah  degree  lodges.  It  was  decided  that  "  unmarried 
daughters "  included  widows  of  persons  not  members  of  the  Order,  but 
whose  fathers  were  members  in  good  standing,  and  the  same  rule  applied 
to  unmarried  sisters  of  Odd  Fellows.  It  was,  also,  decided  that  where  a 
sister  had  been  suspended  for  non-payment  of  dues,  and  afterward  mar- 
ried a  man  who  was  not  an  Odd  Fellow,  she  could  not  be  reinstated. 

Revised  Rebekah  Ritual  and  Jewels.  — At  the  session  of  1882,  a  form  of 
charter  for  degree  lodges  of  the  daughters  of  Kebekah,  under  the  immedi- 
ate jurisdiction  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  was  approved.  Rebekah. 
degree  lodges  were  authorized  to  confer  the  degree  of  Rebekah  upon 
properly  qualified  persons  when  accompanied  by  a  certificate  from  the 
subordinate  lodge,  and  coupled  with  a  request  to  so  confer  the  degree. 
A  revised  ritual  was  adopted ;  and  the  Grand  Secretary  was  directed  to 
exchange  them  for  one  dollar  per  copy  as  soon  as  ready  for  distribution. 
Rebekah  lodges  were  authorized  to  use  the  funeral  ceremony  in  use  by 
subordinate  lodges  by  substituting  the  word  "sister"  where  "brother" 
occurs.     Jewels  were  prescribed  for  the  officers  of  Rebekah  lodges. 

Constructive  Legislation.  —  At  the  session  of  1883,  district  deputies  were 
instructed  to  give  special  attention  to  the  records  and  reports  of  Rebekah 
lodges,  and  to  instruct  and  assist  them  whenever  necessary.  A  special 
committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  suitable  form  for  a  public  installa- 
tion of  the  officers,  and  the  regalia  for  the  officers  was  prescribed-  It 
was  decided  that  District  Deputy  Grand  Masters,  of  degree  lodges  of  the 
daughters  of  Rebekah,  must  be  members  of  such  lodges.  It  was,  also, 
decided  that  lodges  of  this  degree  could  not  be  chartered  by  the  name 
or  title  of  any  living  person ;  that  an  unmarried  half-sister  of  a  brother 
was  eligible  to  membership;  that  a  brother  must  present  the  same  evi- 
dence of  membership  to  visit  a  Rebekah  lodge  as  a  sister,  and  that  the 
wife  of  a  Third  degree  member  was  eligible  to  membership  in  a  degree 
lodge,  although  the  husband  declined  to  take  the  degree.  The  ritual  was 
authorized  to  be  translated  into  the  Spanish  language. 

At  the  session  of  1884,  a  ceremony  for  public  installations  was  adopted- 
It  was  decided  that,  — 

"  Grand  Lodges  now  have  the  aathority  to  provide  that  organizations  may  be  formed 
in  which  representatives  of  degree  lodges  of  the  daughters  of  Rebekah  can  meet  annnally, 
for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  interests  of  that  branch  of  the  Order  and  for  social  inter- 
course." 

This  was  the  authority  under  which  the  State  Assemblies  were  first 
organized;  and  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  in  adopting  this  measure, 
earnestly  recommended  that  such  meetings  be  held,  in  order  that  the 
Rebekah  degree  might  be  placed  upon  a  more  solid  and  satisfactory  basis. 


)  FELLOWamP. 


a 

ei 


w_  «» '$* — '•••"•'  — '  A 

^'^^ — --' — ***■■■*  ■'*"^**-"'adopt«d,  the  degree  has  fiourished 
received  a  new  impetus,  and 
If^H^rest  has  been  the  result. 
ii^^a  adopted  providing  that  when 

-—„__„    .J MOi'spended  or  expelled,  their  wives, 

n  H  Hi^lSlSbttfthall  not  be  debarred  from  leceiv- 
-  — ^j>^II^A|^lf0|iHjrM|g  a  degree  lodge.     A  number  of 

Jii$#RfeglK|||^€(iHfB^  submitted,  a  special  committee 
l)|pe§i"IO  njS^V  M  PfSport  at  the  next  session.  At  this 
':Hlii|U^8ft8is^BiiSfewas  sought  to  be  delegated  to 
t!W§B»Sft- iBt*at?TO^8 k ■^flry  coQCessioQ  to  this  degree  had 
WW'^^wt  BfSt)M^4if  P*^i^t  ^^  gained,  it  served  as  a 
WI3^S|'B4ffil'wt3*jllS  old  forms  and  old  customs  had 
rWJibMggJBBaKinMj'ua  warfare  were  these  new  ideas 

■^^^?  l^i^aflc  t  m  V^led  in  the  husband,  and  not  in  the 

P'B-  ^Jfc'&lrPujCr^la.&fber,  his  wife  could  not  be  excluded 

C|B  this  it  was  held  that  half-breed 

tMualified  members  were  eligible  to 

^JiM  the  term  "subordinate  lodge" 

ighters  of  Bebekah. 

At  the  1886  session  a  revised 

,t  the  ritual  must  be  "conformed 

^ister  could  not  be  appointed  Dis- 

~  degree  lodges  or  officiate  as  G-rand 

rescribing  qualifications  for  mem- 

Jammarried  daughter,  or  unmarried 

e^  Truth,  who  had  attained  the  age 

i*^S*W-°f  might  receive  the  degree,  or  be 

tigree  lodge ;  and  the  qualifications 
include  the  mother  (if  a  widow), 
'"^"■Fellow. 

Grand  Secretary,  and  the  stand- 
showed  a  wonderful  growth  in 
of  the  Order.  The  liberal  legis- 
:e  appeared  to  have  given  a  very 
'here  the  proper  recognition  had 
'e  Grand  Lodges. 

:islation  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
the  members  of  that  Grand  body, 
libilities  of  the  degree,  if  favored 
[^vere  so  broadened  that  the  Grand 
^9  in  which  Bebekah  degree  lodges 


aUTESNITY. 


.^^I^S^Wtra  JSra'|*#^liW|Sfiea  from  amoi^  the  lady  past 


WD  FSLLOWSBIP. 


false  step,,  the  schemes  of 

lWpSj)^.^!!!ht  to  win  fame  and  notoriety  at 
fttMSftt^Ttof  every  principle  of  the  Order. 
'  ***        ~         ^"'"n  aconstitution  for  the  govern- 


Iflli: 


Mm^i 


it  good  standing,  as  instructors  in 
Uprisdictiona;     It  was  decided  that 
iloted  on,  and,  if  elected,  he  should 
tree,  and  be  required  to  subscribe 
It  was,  also,  decided  that  the 
f  with  the  ritual ;  and  that  the 
ifientitled  to  witness,  or  be  present 
HdVRgree,  unless  they  are  members  in 

■^bWiuttee  submitted  a  code  of  laws  for 
yges,  which  was  "  laid  over  "  until 
"  That  hereafter  no  National 
Kes  shall  be  held."  The  qualifica- 
Ican  unmarried  sister  of  a  deceased 
Dio  was  a  member  of  a  lodge  at  the 
^on  and  certificate, 
cing  Grand  Lodges  to  levy  a  per 
'l  Rebekah,  to  defray  the  expenses 
^decided  that  it  was  not  necessary 
^ived  the  degree  of  Bebekah  in  a 
Srlodge,  without  becoming  members 
pthe  new  work  of  the  degree.  An 
jiership  in  Bebekah  degree  lodges 
Jr  overwhelmingly  defeated.  It  was 
K  for  the  degree  is  admiesible,  pro- 
^  Bebekah  degree  ritual,  and  each 
SiCstrict  adherence  to  the  ritual. 
Sitle  of  a  Bebekah  degree  lodge  was 

^ebekah  Lodge,  Ko ,I.O.O.F." 

&Sah  Veteran  Jewel,  I.O.O.F.,"  was 

pig,  who  had  been  a  member  of  a 

'•Uive  years.     It  was  decided  that  no 

ujiah  except  applicants  for  admission 

°  it  Noble  Grand  "  was  prescribed  as 

Bsf  a  Bebekah  lodge. 

^were  authorized  to  deputize  sister 

)  institute  Bebekah  lodges  within 


728  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

their  respective  jurisdictions.  The  resolutions  fixing  the  terms  of  sub- 
ordinate lodges,  and  prescribing  the  qualifications,^  was  made  applicable 
to  Bebekah  lodges  as  far  as  consistent. 

Assured  Results.  —  The  seed  of  the  degree  of  Rebekah,  which  had  been 
planted  in  the  good,  rich  soil  of  Odd  Fellowship,  had  been  tended  and 
cultivated  by  loving  hands,  and  protected  by  sturdy  and  faithful  friends 
from  the  chilling  blasts,  now  seemed  to  have  grown  to  such  magnificent 
proportions  that  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  stood  amazed  at  its  rapid 
and  marvellous  growth,  for  it 

"  Resolvedt  That  this  Grand  body  learns  with  the  greatest  pleasure  of  the  growth  of 
this  branch  of  the  Order ;  that  we  sincerely  and  heartily  rejoice  in  the  -unparalleled  pros- 
perity of  the  degree  as  shown  by  such  reports,"  —  Grand  Sire's  and  Grand  Secretary's 
reports,  —  **  and  we  trust  that  its  march  will  be  onward,  until  all  worthy  citizens  shall  have 
embraced  the  immortal  sentiments  and  principles  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth.  To  say 
that  the  prosperity  has  been  unparalleled,  hardly  expresses  the  remarkable  and  wonderful 
growth  since  our  last  meeting ;  when  it  is  shown  that  more  than  twenty-two  thousand  were 
added  to  the  degree  of  Rebekah,  we  can  more  clearly  comprehend  the  popular  hold  it  is  tak- 
ing upon  the  public  mind.    *  Let  us  fail  not,  falter  not,  weary  not,  in  doing  well.' " 

A  special  committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  revise  and  collate  the 
laws  pertaining  to  this  degree,  and  to  report  at  the  next  session. 

Permanent  Codes,  and  Completed  Ritual.  —  At  the  1893  session  the  special 
committee  on  laws  of  the  Kebekah  degree  recommended  that  a  new 
committee  be  appointed  to  formulate  the  same,  with  power  to  meet  one 
week  prior  to  the  next  session,  and  the  recommendation  was  adopted  and 
the  committee  appointed. 

The  action  of  the  Grand  Sire  in  issuing  a  circular  for  a  National  con- 
vention at  Chicago,  September  26,  1893,  was  approved,  and  the  Order 
was  again  congratulated  on  the  success  and  progress  of  the  Rebekah 
lodges :  "  Due  to  the  enthusiasm  which  the  women  have  shown  in  their 
devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  Rebekah  degree." 

A  law  was  enacted  fixing  the  quorum  of  a  Eebekah  lodge  at  five 
members,  in  good  standing,  irrespective  of  sex,  including  one  qualified 
to  preside ;  and  providing  that  the  charter  of  a  Rebekah  lodge  could  not 
be  voluntarily  surrendered,  nor  the  lodge  dissolved,  as  long  as  five  mem- 
bers, in  good  standing,  desire  to  retain  the  charter  and  work  under  it. 

Rebekah  Assemblies :  the  "  Open  Door."  —  At  the  1894  session  a  «  code  " 
for  the  government  of  Rebekah  lodges  was  adopted.  At  last  Rebekah 
lodges  were  made  as  "  independent "  as  subordinate  lodges  and  encamp- 
ments, acknowledging  no  superior  authority  except  Rebekah  Assemblies, 
Grand  Lodges,  and  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  The  adoption  of  this 
code  provoked  a  vast  amount  of  criticism,  both  favorable  and  unfavorable, 
owing  to  a  radical  change  made  in  the  qualifications  for  membership  in 
the  following  particulars,  viz. :  — 

1  JoarnAl  of  the  Sovereign  Oraod  Lodge,  1889,  pp.  11,748-11,745. 


729 


fmmm 


—X'tt  Kf*  B'^^^'°C'^  ^  ^^jB^BS^"*""^  ^°  "K^  "'  elgbteSD  yean,  vho 
^^^B  S5<)9^CIPHt<l>tttVl*<  o'  tt>»  Universe,  and  who  are  at  good 

^||^'i|^^§f§!S^^''$*L^^^-     Strange  as  it  may  seem, 

.^— .^.       .^.       .^.        a>       ■' brothers,"  but  from  the  sisters 

_  lives  "come  up"  through  great 

I  tt'  w  $^@^.'ff  *S&'I  vbcichy  the  less  favored  mem- 

PJi^m^fftiy^'fi^ ?  If^^eir  own,  —  were  prevented  from 

**"""*"  ~||ier  father,  brother,  nor  husband 

9eat  Order.     However  muoh  this 

fise  provision,  as  time  will  tell, 

(''^S^JI?k4  'tt^'^S  ^°^  effect,  —  the  Grand  Master 
Jx&f  tt'Ht^€y^^S('^^  '■'^  BebeUah  lodges,  and  well 
I yfl^Sy W ^ # iff f IB' "dence  occasioned  by  this  code; 

I^yHf  jyiMfclBft^S^ilj^at  several  weak  and  struggling 
fi*iir*B~i%^£Ai$b'^  strong  through  its   beneficent 
''P^4'<^>^JI^WT^^^^^^^'^^  whose  lives  were  inspira- 
" "         -A  -■[-         -    -^^^jtiona  were  no  less  active  and  no 
£^w>se  who  had  male  relatives  who 

::t:L.l 

~|t^na^ttee  was  appointed  to  revise  tne 

JaT^l^rsesaion.     The  code  was  amended 

^ii^UaJHculara.    A  degree  for  the  use  of 

"*  ""  ""*fl6bekah  Assembly  degree,  —  was 

^  installation  of  the  officers  of  Re- 

_3  committee  to  report  at  the  next 

J*«So  had  been  suspended,  and  after- 

SxCS!  reinstated  in  her  Rebekah  lodge. 

^stration   of  the  radical   change 

r  this  degree,  it  is  only  neces- 

Smade  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 

ter  the  founding  of  the  degree, 

y  theory  that  all  the  qualifications 

?S^  she  had  no  individual  rights  of 

"~irision  in  1896 ;  — 


!s  of  opposition  and  unpleasant 
records  of  Odd  Fellowship  by 


730 


THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 


declaring  section  1174,  of  the  "  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  Digest,"  — which 
was  adopted  in  1851  and  reiterated  in  1860,  —  obsolete,  and  of  no  binding 
force  or  effect.    Said  section  1174  read  as  follows :  — 

"  1174 — A  side  degree :  a  majority  adopted :  a  majority  may  abolish.  —  It  is  a  side  degree 
having  in  view  a  special  object  without  any  unnecessary  connection  with  existing  work, 
written  or  unwritten.    It  was  adopted  and  may  be  expunged,  by  a  majority  vote.'' 

This  action  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  virtually  placed  the  Eebekah 
degree  upon  the  same  footing  as  all  other  degrees  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

The  Uniyersal  Sign.  —  The  Eebekah  ritual  was  revised  and  adopted,  and 
legislation  was  enacted  whereby  sisters  may  make  themselves  known  as 
members  of  Eebekah  lodges  to  any  member  of  a  subordinate  lodge. 

Conclusion —  It  may  be  that  in  the  coming  years  other  ladies'  societies 
may  be  established  that  may  make  more  show  and  display  than  the 
Eebekah  branch  of  Odd  Fellowship.  More  of  the  glitter  of  fashion  and 
of  worldly  attainments  may  be  displayed,  but  never  again  on  this  earth  will 
the  pink  of  affection  and  the  green  of  immortality  be  welded  in  the  fires  of 
purity  by  the  sacred  hand  of  Jehovah,  and  presented  to  as  worthy  a  band  of 
sisters  as  have  composed  the  degree  of  Eebekah.  Of  its  kindly  ministra- 
tions of  mercy  and  charity,  silently  bestowed ;  of  the  pleasures  of  social 
life  foregone,  in  order  to  visit  with  sisters  at  the  bedside  of  affliction ;  of 
the  gentle  smoothing  of  the  hot  pillow,  upon  which  rested  the  feverish  and 
throbbing  head  of  pain  and  sickness ;  of  the  quiet  and  loving  watchfulness, 
and  pouring  the  oil  of  comfort  into  the  expiring  lamp  of  life,  —  none 
save  the  eye  of  Omnipotence  will  ever  know. 

Daughter  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,  happy  was  the  day  of  thy 
birth!  Happy  was  the  day  that  from  thee,  in  thy  pristine pwniy,  with  the 
Lily  as  thy  signet,  we  first  learned  the  lessons  of  indttatry,  as  exemplified 
in  the  Beehive;  the  never  failing  order  which  pervades  all  nature,  as 
taught  by  the  Moon  and  Seven  Stars ;  and  the  meekness,  gentleness,  and 
pure-mindedness,  as  borne  aloft  on  the  wings  of  the  Dove. 

When  time  shall  be  no  more,  when  the  Great  White  Throne  is  set,  then 
will  this  working-band  hand  back  to  the  Master  this  precious  gift,  with  the 
declaration :  "  Lo !  I  have  gained  other  five  talents,"  and  receive  the  wel- 
come :  "Enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 


^'k.o^  /^^^,, 


BEBEKAH  DEQBEE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP,  781 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  BEAUTIFIED  WORK  OF  THE  REBEKAH  DEGREE. 

"  Neither  the  naked  understanding  nor  the  hand  left  to  itself  can  do  mnch ;  the  work  is 
accomplished  by  instruments  and  helps  of  which  the  need  is  not  less  for  the  understanding 
than  the  hand." — Bacon. 

The  Early  Work.  —  In  the  early  days  of  the  Rebekah  degree  the  question 
was  often  asked :  "  What  can  we  do  to  promote  the  growth  and  prosperity 
of  this  branch  of  Odd  Fellowship?  "  and  the  answers  were  as  varied  as  the 
dispositions  and  temperaments  of  the  people  who  replied.  It  is  interest- 
ing to  note,  however,  that  the  sisters,  with  wonderful  unanimity,  said : 
"  We  must  live  closer  to  the  teachings  of  the  ritual  and  prove  to  the  world 
that  we  are  worthy  to  be  co-laborers  with  those  who  have  pledged  them- 
selves to  *  visit  the  sick,  relieve  the  distressed,  bury  the  dead,  and  pro- 
tect and  educate  the  orphan.'  " 

With  this  thought  for  a  basis  the  beautiful  structure  of  the  Rebekah 
branch  has  been  builded,  and  earnest  thought  and  patient  painstaking 
work  have  made  it  a  noble  temple  wherein  dwells  Friendship,  Love,  and 
Truth. 

For  some  time  after  the  degree  of  Eebekah  became  an  entity,  it  seemed 
that  there  was  no  special  work  to  be  done,  and  the  "Lady's  degree"  was 
an  honorary  term  with  little  meaning;  the  brothers,  however,  were  glad  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  help  of  wife,  or  mother,  or  sister,  when  purchases 
were  to  be  made  for  the  family  of  some  needy  brother,  or  when  the  sick 
wife  and  little  children  needed  the  tender  sympathy  of  woman. 

The  "Beantlfled"  Fonn. — As  the  years  passed,  Rebekah  lodges  were 
regularly  chartered  and  equipped  for  earnest  work,  and  a  laudable 
ambition  filled  the  minds  of  the  sisters  to  do  with  their  might  what 
their  hands  found  to  do,  and  their  work  for  the  uplifting  and  better- 
ment of  humanity  became  widely  known;  but  to  Miriam  Rebekah  Lodge, 
of  Bennington,  Vermont,  belongs  the  honor  of  first  presenting  the  initia- 
tory work  of  the  Rebekah  degree  in  the  "Beautified  form,"  and  was  the 
result  of  a  "  happening "  which,  —  judging  from  the  consequences,  — 
might  almost  be  considered  providential.  We  quote  the  story  from  the 
Proceedings  of  the  thirty-seventh  annual  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Vermont :  — 

Vermont.  —  *'  The  institution  of  Miriam  Rebekah  Lodge,  and  events  prior  thereto,  was 
destined  to  exert  a  commanding  influence  upon  this  branch  of  the  Order.  The  formal 
organization  of  this  lodge,  December  13, 1882,  was  the  culmination  of  a  history  of  more  than 
a  year's  acts  then  previously  performed.  The  forty-four  charter  members  had,  for  nearly  a 
year  and  one-half,  met  regularly  at  least  once  a  month  with  Stark  Lodge,  No.  9,  opened 
for  their  benefit  in  the  degree  of  Rebekah.    The  officers,  who  were  engaged  upon  the  elabora- 


732  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

tion  of  the  new  ritual  of  the  suhordinate  lodge,  had  initiated  these  sisten  and  hrothen,  and 
from  the  very  nature  of  the  case  could  not  avoid  transferring  to  the  special  degree  of 
Rebekah  a  portion  of  the  manners  and  precision  attending  their  regular  work.  But  one 
result  might  have  been  predicted.  Becoming  accustomed  to  the  most  advanced  style  of 
rendering  the  ritual,  marching  upon  the  floor,  and  methods  of  transacting  business,  the 
floor-work  of  the  Vermont  *  Beautified '  degree  of  Rebekah  was  of  constant  practice,  and 
fully  perfected  before  their  organization  as  a  degree  lodge  in  1882.  The  costuming  for  this 
degree  arose  from  an  oversight  of  the  Outside  Guardian  of  Stark  Lodge.  One  of  these 
sisters  (Mrs.  Helen  Eenyon  Stillson),  wishing  to  call  her  husband  out  of  lodge  (one  evening 
while  it  was  in  session,  and  while  drilling  in  preparation  for  the  exemplification  of  the  First 
degree  before  the  Grand  Lodge  the  succeeding  February) ,  advanced  to  the  outside  door  and 
gave  the  usual  signal.  The  Guardian,  accustomed  to  admitting  these  Rebekahs  to  lodge 
meetings  heretofore,  thoughtlessly  opened  wide  the  door,  and  invited  the  sister  to  enter. 
She  did  so,  and  was  just  in  time  to  witness  a  procession  of  officers  in  full  First  degree  dress, 
as  they  emerged  from  their  preparation  room  to  enter  the  hall.  The  hint  was  improved 
upon,  with  results  following,  and  from  Maine  to  California  has  the  work  spread." 

We  have  given  this  incident  in  full,  as  it  appears  that  this  was  really 
the  beginning  of  the  beautified  form  of  initiation,  and  from  this  work  all 
others  have  been  adapted,  changed,  modified,  and  elaborated,  but  having 
for  a  basis  the  idea  given  to  the  Bebekah  degree  by  Miriam  Lodge. 

New  York.  —  The  action  of  Stark  Lodge,  opening  in  the  degree  of 
Eebekah,  and  allowing  the  sisters  to  fill  the  chairs,  taking  only  the  pre- 
caution that  the  vice  grand  of  the  subordinate  lodge  administer  the 
obligation,  had  its  counterpart  in  an  organization  in  Eochester,  New 
York,  that  in  1868  became  Monroe  Eebekah  Lodge,  No.  1;  and  in  the 
seventeen  years,  dating  from  1851,  the  year  of  the  adoption  of  the  law 
that  there  might  be  a  Eebekah  degree,  these  brothers  and  sisters  had 
really  maintained  a  Eebekah  degree  lodge,  which,  in  1868,  was  regularly 
chartered,  and  was  among  the  first  to  adopt  the  beautified  work. 

Massachusetts.  —  We  find  on  history's  pages  everywhere  records  of  the 
service  of  woman  for  those  who  are  under  her  care,  and  the  work  of  the 
Eebekah  branch  seems  peculiarly  adapted  to  those  who  take  for  their 
examples:  Euth,  the  faithful;  Esther,  the  devoted;  and  Hannah,  who 
gave  her  best  to  the  service  of  the  Infinite ;  and  following  in  the  footsteps 
of  those  who  gave  of  their  richest  treasures  for  the  benefit  of  others,  the 
earnest  women  of  Morning  Star  Eebekah  Lodge,  of  Springfield,  Massachu- 
setts, determined  to  lift  high  the  banner  of  progress,  and  began  to  agitate 
the  question  of  presenting  the  beautified  work.  On  consultation  with  the 
brothers  of  the  lodge,  many  were  found  to  be  opposed  to  so  radical  a 
change;  but,  as  is  usually  the  case,  those  who  were  in  favor  of  better 
methods  of  work  won  the  day.  The  plan  of  the  work  was  formulated  by 
the  brothers  of  De  Soto  Lodge,  and  adapted  from  that  of  the  subordi- 
nate lodge.  It  was  first  presented  in  September,  1883,  and  had  several 
tableaux  and  very  elaborate  floor  movements;  and  in  view  of  the 
increased  membership  and  added  interest,  those  who  'had  opposed  the 
work  at  first  finally  became  its  staunch,  strong  supporters. 


REBEKAH  DEGREE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  738 

Albany,  New  York.— In  1884  Albany  Eebekah  Lodge,  No.  9,  of  Albany, 
New  York,  was  instituted,  and  in  the  same  year  visited  Miriam  Lodge,  of 
Bennington,  Vermont,  to  witness  their  work ;  and  they  were  so  favorably 
impressed  and  interested  that  they  determined  to  organize  a  staff  without 
delay.  Material  for  robes  was  purchased,  and  the  sisters  wrought  dili- 
gently to  make  them  attractive  and  suitable.  When  the  paraphernalia 
was  completed,  the  work  was  placed  upon  the  floor  under  the  supervision 
of  brothers  who  were  accustomed  to  the  dramatic  form  of  the  subordinate 
lodge ;  and  so  well  did  they  succeed  that  they  presented  the  work  before  the 
Grand  Lodge  at  its  session  in  Syracuse,  in  1885.  Such  interest  was  mani- 
fested and  so  great  was  the  crowd,  that  the  doors  were  closed  at  7.30  p.m. 
This  work  was  adapted  from  that  of  Miriam's,  of  Bennington,  Vermont, 
and  the  lecture  of  the  past  noble  grand  was  illustrated  by  fifteen  tableaux. 
This  lodge  presented  the  work  before  the  Eebekah  State  Assembly  in 
Albany,  in  1886,  and  before  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  1888,  and  is  still  active 
in  the  work. 

Silver  Star  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  94,  was  organized  with  twenty-six 
members  from  Albany  Lodge,  as  a  nudeiLSf  they  believing  that  another 
Rebekah  lodge  would  be  of  benefit  to  the  Order.  They  were  granted  a 
charter,  and  the  lodge  was  instituted  on  the  22nd  of  February,  1886.  It  is 
a  fact  worthy  of  note  that  this  lodge  was  in  possession  of  a  complete  set  of 
robes  and  regalia  on  the  day  of  institution,  and  worked  in  full  beautified 
form,  using  forty-eight  views  to  illustrate  the  lecture  of  the  past  noble 
grand,  instead  of  tableau  characters.  These  lodges  drew  inspiration  and 
help  from  Miriam  Lodge,  of  Bennington,  Vermont,  from  which  the  first 
ideas  were  received.  They  have  been  elaborated,  and  with  the  views 
added,  the  work  is  beautiful  indeed. 

Other  States.— It  seems  that  a  sameness  of  purpose  characterized  the 
work  of  many  of  the  brothers  at  nearly  the  same  time,  for  to  them  the 
Rebekah  lodges  are  indebted  for  the  success  which  has  crowned  their 
efforts  in  the  production  of  the  beautiful  drama,  which  impresses  the 
candidates  so  deeply  with  the  solemnity  and  earnestness  of  the  work 
upon  which  they  are  entering;  and,  in  the  years  from  1882  to  1890,  an 
electrical  current  of  thought,  along  this  line,  went  from  one  state  to 
another,  and  though  invisible,  "  stirred  up  "  ideas,  and  caused  marvellous 
progress. 

Ohio.  —  Not  long  after  Miriam  Lodge  had  presented  the  work  in  Ver- 
mont, a  brother  in  Ohio  was  "  touched  with  fire  from  off  the  altar,"  and  the 
result  of  his  work  is  given  in  the  interesting  story  which  is  quoted  from 
a  letter  written  by  Brother  Adam  Frank,  of  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  21, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Ohio,  who  was,  also,  a  member 
of  Grace  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  39,  and  which  seems  to  have  been  the  first 
lodge  in  Ohio  to  present  the  work  in  beautified  form :  — 


784  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

"  One  eveninj^  in  the  winter  of  1882-83,  when  I  was  leaving  home  to  go  to  my  saboidinate 
lodge,  my  wife,  who  was  the  organist  of  our  Bebekah  lodge,  requested  me  to  bring  home  a 
copy  of  the  odes,  so  that  she  could  practise  the  music.  On  my  return,  in  taking  the  card 
from  my  pocket,  my  eyes  caught  the  words,  *  Thus  of  old,  Rebekah  stood.'  The  idea  then 
'  struck  me ' :  Why  not  put  such  a  representation,  with  some  other  characters,  on  the  floor, 
as  a  part  of  the  initiatory  ceremonies  ?  I  went  to  bed,  but  the  idea  had  taken  such  a  hold  on 
my  mind  that  I  could  not  sleep.  I  remained  awake  until  about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
The  next  day  was  spent  in  reading  up  the  subject,  and  fixing  details.  During  the  next  week 
I  wrote  out  the  work  as  I  had  it  arranged  in  my  mind.  A  few  days  afterward  I  met  a  num- 
ber of  the  sisters  for  consultation,  and  submitted  my  work  to  them,  asking  if  they  were 
willing  to  put  it  on  the  floor ;  they  agreed  to  do  so,  pro  Tided  we  could  secure  the  necessary 
costumes.  This  part  was  soon  arranged  and  we  then  agreed  to  submit  the  work  to  the  lodge 
for  its  approval,  before  making  further  arrangements  in  relation  thereto. 

"At  the  meeting  held  January  25,  1883,  the  work  was  submitted  to  the  lodge,  and 
approved.  While  we  have  made  numerous  additions  to  the  Work,  and  materially  changed 
the  manner  of  putting  it  on  the  floor,  the  same  general  ideas  and  representations,  as  first 
adopted,  are  still  retained.' 

*'  I  had  never  heard  of  a  beautified  form  prior  to  ours ;  consequently  I  had  nothing  to  go 
by  in  the  preparation  of  our  work." 

From  the  foregoing,  it  may  be  concluded  that  Grace  Bebekah  Lodge 
was  the  pioneer  of  the  beautified  form  in  Ohio. 

Maine. — While,  many  were  pleased  with  the  advancement  and  pros- 
perity of  the  lodges  which  had  adopted  the  new  form,  the  efforts  of  the 
members  in  Maine  did  not  meet  with  success  for  a  while,  some  objections 
being  made  by  those  not  in  favor  of  it,  and,  prior  to  1884,  all  efforts  to 
add  new  features  were  suppressed;  but  finally  the  work  was  begun,  and  at 
the  present  time  a  large  majority  of  the  Eebekah  lodges  in  the  Pine  Tree 
State  confer  the  degree  in  the  beautified  form,  using  paraphernalia  suitable 
for  the  purpose.  In  Rhode  Island  no  set  form  has  been  adopted,  each 
lodge  choosing  the  method  best  adapted  to  itself.  Many  of  them  have 
very  beautiful  and  costly  paraphernalia,  while  others  have  adopted  the 
plan  of  wearing  simple  black  dresses  and  white  gloves. 

California.  —  From  New  England,  across  the  continent  to  California  is 
but  a  step  in  thought,  and  the  bright,  brisk,  thoughtful  brothers  and  sisters 
of  Myrtle  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  15,  of  Vallejo,  being  electrified  with 
the  spirit  of  progress,  in  1885  were  taking  thought  as  to  the  condition, 
government,  and  work  of  the  Rebekah  branch  in  that  jurisdiction.  The 
Grand  Lodge  deemed  the  matter  of  sufficient  importance  to  appoint  a 
committee  to  ascertain  as  nearly  as  possible  the  condition  of  this  impor- 
tant branch,  and  what  was  most  needed  to  advance  its  interests. 

After  careful  investigation  and  correspondence  with  other  state  juris- 
dictions, the  committee  decided  that  a  dramatic  form  of  work  would 
infuse  new  life  into  the  Order  and  contribute  in  a  high  degree  to  its  good 
and  welfare,  and,  after  some  time,  the  "California  Beautified  form," 
arranged  by  H.  D.  Richardson,  District  Deputy  Grand  Master,  under 
direction  of  Edward  P.  Smith,  Grand  Master,  —  and  as  exemplified 
before  the  Grand  Lodge  by  Myrtle  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  15,  of  Vallejo, 


REBEKAH  DEGREE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  785 

with  some  changes  in  floor  movements,  —  was  adopted  by  that  body  in 
May,  1886.  This  work,  also,  was  adapted  from  that  of  Miriam  Eebekah 
Lodge,  of  Bennington,  Vermont. 

Pennsylvania.  —  In  1887  the  members  of  Alice  Carey  Eebekah  Lodge, 
No.  120,  of  Pennsylvania,  hearing  of  the  new  form  of  work,  were  eager  to 
adopt  it ;  but  knowing  nothing  of  the  mode  or  manner  of  procedure,  were 
hindered  for  some  months.  Through  the  efforts  of  Brother  M.  D.  Wiley,  a 
member  of  the  lodge  and  past  chief  patriarch,  they  finally  procured  a  copy 
of  the  California  work  from  H.  D.  Richardson,  of  Myrtle  Lodge,  and 
proceeded  to  learn  it  with  the  help  of  the  diagrams  and  instructions; 
and  had  made  considerable  progress  when  it  was  decided  to  change  this 
form  to  that  of  the  "  Pennsylvania  work,"  which  had  been  prepared  by 
Past  Grand  Sire  James  B.  Nicholson.* 

This  work  is  composed  of  the  best  features  of  the  system  as  the  distin- 
guished brother  had  seen  it  exemplified  in  the  jurisdictions  he  had  visited 
from  Massachusetts  to  California.  The  aim  in  the  Pennsylvania  work  is 
to  make  the  members  of  the  staff,  in  their  attire,  represent  the  different 
characters  and  conditions  of  the  early  Jewish  life. 

The  staff  has  twenty-eight  characters  and  the  work  is,  in  some  degree, 
more  elaborate  than  that  of  California.  The  sisters  found  some  difficulty 
in  adapting  themselves  to  the  changed  conditions,  but  earnest  attention  to 
details  and  a  desire  to  excel  soon  overcame  every  difficulty  5  and,  in  1890, 
this  lodge  presented  the  Pennsylvania  work  for  the  first  time  before  its 
Grand  Lodge,  and  received  the  commendation  and  approbation  of  that  body. 

Other  lodges  quickly  "  took  up  "  the  idea,  and  at  the  present  time  fifty 
of  the  Eebekah  lodges  in  Pennsylvania  are  fully  equipped,  and  are  pre- 
senting the  work  in  the  beautified  form.  A  majority  use  the  Pennsyl- 
vania work  and  the  remainder  have  adopted  other  forms,  and  thus  the 
interest  is  "  kept  up,"  and  the  work  never  grows  monotonous. 

Idaho. — After  this  time  the  idea  of  presenting  the  initiatory  service 
in  a  dramatized  form  spread  rapidly,  and  the  various  states  adopted  such 
forms  as  seemed  to  them  best  adapted  to  themselves.  Idaho  and  Montana 
coming  into  line  about  the  same  time.  Harmony  Eebekah  Lodge,  No.  3,  of 
Montana,  exemplified  the  degree  before  the  Grand  Lodge  of  that  juris- 
diction, in  1890;  and,  again,  in  1891  and  1892;  and  Unity  Eebekah  Lodge, 
No.  8,  of  Bois^  City,  Idaho,  in  1892. 

^  Nbts  by  tJU  JSditor-in- Chief.  —  In  the  proceedings  of  the  annual  session  of  1896,  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania,  pp.  490-1,  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson  reported  on  this  subject:  "The  Pennsylvania 
Beautified  work  that  was  at  first  introduced  into  Theresa  Bebekah  Lodge,  and  has  siDce  been  introduced  into 
other  lodges  in  different  portions  of  the  state,  has  created  a  desire  for  its  publication.  This  was  delayed  for 
several  causes  from  time  to  time  until  last  September,  when  the  work  was  taken  to  Ghattan9oga  to  the  session 
of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  It  was  there  referred  to  a  committee  who  reported  flivorably  upon  its  publi- 
cation. It  was  not  desired  to  conflict  with  any  other  work  published  by  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  and  it 
was  not  intended  to  enter  into  competition  with  any  form  of  Beautified  work  that  other  states  might  have, 
but  it  was  desired  only  to  publish  it  among  the  Pennsylvania  Bebekah  lodges.  This  permission  was  given 
and  it  has  been  published,  and  a  few  copies  have  been  presented  to  the  Grand  Bepresentatlves  and  others  In 
difTerent  Jurisdictions  who  were  anxious  to  see  a  copy  of  the  work." 


T86  TKE  THRXS'LINK  FRATEMyiTT. 

Nebraska. — Of  the  fifty-five  Bebekah  lodges  in  Nebraska,  thirty  use 
some  form  of  the  beautified  work. 

Other  Jtuisdictiona.  —  And  so,  from  state  to  state,  from  mind  to  mind, 
has  the  innovation  spread.  The  pebble  of  progress  cast,  by  Miriam  Lodge, 
into  the  great  sea  of  work  which  belongs  to  the  women  who  are  affiliated 
with  the  great  Order  which  bears  on  its  banner  the  cheering  motto: 
"  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,"  has  caused  ripples  which  have  spread  in 
ever-widening  circles  until  in  time  all  lodges  will  have  come  into  its  mag- 
netic influence.  '<  Wondrous,  truly,  are  the  bonds  that  unite  us  one  and 
all ;  whether  by  the  soft  binding  of  love,  or  the  iron  chaining  of  necessity 
as  we  like  to  choose  it,"  and  thus  the  Bebekahs  go  forth,  teaching  l^ 
beautiful  symbols  and  lessons  the  high  and  holy  principles  of  the  Order. 
Bound  together  by  the  influences  of  Love,  and  Friendship,  they  unite  to 
release  those  who  are  bound  by  the  **  iron  chaining  of  necessity,"  and  'Mead 
them  beside  the  stiU  waters"  of  happiness  and  in  the  <' green  pastures '^ 
of  peace. 


Paet  Y. 


THE  RITUAL  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP,  BIOGfiAPHY  OF  MEMBERS 

OF  PREEMINENT  RANK,  JURISPRUDENCE  OF  THE 

ORDER,  AND   THE  LITERATURE   OF  THE 

THREE-LINK   FRATERNITY. 


DIVISION  XIIL 

RITUAL  AND  BIOaRAPHT. 

THE  FIRST  BrrUAL  AND  ITS  SUBSEQUENT  ENLARGEMENT  BY  ADDI- 
TIONAL DEGREES;  CHRONOLOGICAL  ORDER  OF  GROWTH,  AND 
THE  AMERICAN  REVISIONS  OF  THE  CEREMONIES  OF  ODD  FELLOW- 
SHIP, TOGETHER  WITH  THE  HISTORICAL  EVENTS  DEMANDING 
THESE  CHANGES ;  THE  AMERICAN  RITUAL  OF  THE  INDEPENDENT 
ORDER  OF  ODD  FELLOWS,  AND  ITS  TRANSLATIONS  INTO  OTHER 
LANGUAGES;  BIOGRAPHY  OF  SOME  OF  THE  BROTHERS  WHOSE 
CHARACTERS  SEEM  TO  HAVE  BEEN  INDELIBLY  STAMPED  UPON 
ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 


INTRODUCTION. 

Credit  to  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson.  —  The  large  library  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Pennsylvania,  together  with  the  invaluable  private  collection 
of  documents  of  Past  Orand  Sire  Nicholson,  were  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  the  Editor-in-Chief  to  enable  him  to  write  this  ritual  division,  —  a  cour- 
tesy appreciated,  hereby  acknowledged,  and  of  which  the  brotherhood  will, 
undoubtedly,  reap  the  benefit.  It  is  not  the  intention  to  repeat  what 
appears  in  consecutive  order,  in  other  portions  of  this  book.  There  is 
not  an  article  of  any  length  that  does  not  give  some  of  the  dates  of  the 
introduction  of  the  several  degrees  of  the  Order,  and  there  is  quite  a  dif- 
ference of  opinion  as  to  origin  and  authorship.  This  might  have  been 
expected,  when  the  eminent  and  positive  character  of  the  writers  is  taken 
into  consideration,  and  enhances  rather  than  detracts  from  the  value  of 
their  contention;  but  a  narrative,  written  with  a  view  of  producing  an 
attractive  word-picture  of  whatever  is  proper  to  give  of  the  ritual,  would 
seem  to  be  in  order,  and  is  herewith  submitted.       The  Editor-in-Chief. 

737 


SECTION  I. 

AN  EARLY  LODGE-ROOM  AND  ITS  ACCOMPANYING  "  WORK "  ; 
DESCRIPTION  OF  A  "MAKING,''  AND  LODGE  CUSTOMS  ;  AN  EXAMI- 
NATION OF  THE  POSSIBLE  ORIGIN  AND  EVOLUTION  OF  THE 
DEGREES  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP ;  LEGAL  STATUS,  AND  THE  GOV- 
ERNING POWER  OF  ENVIRONMENT;  AMERICAN  DEGREES  AND 
SUBSEQUENT  REVISIONS ;  THE  AMERICAN  AND  FOREIGN  RITUALS. 

By  the  Editor-in-chief. 


CHAPTER   I. 


THE  EARLY  RITUAL  AND  ITS  INFERENCES. 


The  Early  Ritual  in  its  Lods^e-room.  —  Of  what  did  the  early  ritual  con- 
sist? If  a  reply  to  this  question  could  be  definitely  given,  much  anti- 
quarian inquiry  would  be  set  at  rest.  In  pursuance  of  this  subject  a 
description  of  an  early  lodge-room  may  give  a  logical  interpretation  of 
some  of  the  fugitive  recollections  of  the  fathers  that  have  descended  to 
our  day.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Wildey  was  made  an  Odd  Fellow 
in  1804,  and  had  been  prominently  connected  with  the  Order  from  that 
time  until  he  came  to  America  in  1817,  consequently  a  lodge-room  "  laid 
out "  by  him  would,  probably,  be  modelled  after  the  pattern  to  which  he 
had  been  accustomed;  particularly  when  "ancient  usage"  was  the  law 
that  governed  his  actions.  Wildey's  lodge-room  was  in  harmony  with 
the  alleged  ceremony,  as  well  as  consistent  with  the  conviviality  attend- 
ing lodge  meetings.  The  plan  was  this:  an  oblong  room,  at  the  farther 
end  from  the  entrance  of  which  was  placed  the  Noble  Grand's  chair. 
On  either  side  of  that  officer  were  seats  for  past  grands.  There  is  consider- 
able evidence  extant  that  the  early  lodges  were  supposed  to  be  situated 
east  and  west  like  the  church  chancels  of  England,  religious  organiza- 
tions to  which  the  social  guilds  were  attached,  as  shown  in  Division  I.,  and 
of  which  these  lodges  may  have  been  the  successors.  Using  this  nomen- 
clature, —  the  Noble  Grand  in  the  East,  —  the  Vice  Grand's  place  would  be 
in  the  West,  the  Secretary  in  the  North,  and  the  Acting  Past  Grand  in  the 
South.  Between  these  stations,  along  the  sides  of  the  hall,  were  seats  for 
the  brethren,  before  whom  extended  long  tables.     The  entrance  and  bar 

738 


TBE  RITUAL  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  739 

were  in  the  Northwest,  and  the  "emblem  of  mortality  "  was  located  in  the 
opposite  corner,  completing  the  room.  One  thing  is  evident:  while  lodges 
conformed,  substantially,  to  one  plan,  yet,  like  the  present  day,  halls  were 
utilized  as  found,  —  hence  no  description  can  be  framed  to  fit  all  cases. 
It  is  suggestive,  however,  that  lodge-rooms  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic 
possessed  numerous  features  in  common,  the  one  with  the  other. 

A  "Straw"  from  Antiquity.  —  A  reference  to  antiquity  is  interesting. 
If  the  reader  will  turn  to  page  28,  of  this  work,  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
"Primitive  Theorem"  was  repeated  in  the  early  lodge-rooms.  In  the 
opening  ceremony  of  1797,  of  the  Patriotic  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
the  "Grand  Secretary"  being  asked  why  he  was  in  the  North,  replied:  — 

"  Because  the  Pole-Star,  that  never  changes  its  position,  is  there  fixed.  My  emhlem  is 
the  Seven  Stars,  representing  the  consteUation  of  Ursa  Major,  which  contains  the  pointers 
to  the  Pole-Star,  and  signifies  that  the  office  I  hold  is  to  record  with  truth  the  proceedings 
of  this  lodge,  that  future  generations  may  point  with  just  pride  to  them/' 

The  Order's  Snccession.  —  This  quotation  possesses  great  significance, 
because  it  is  probably  a  part  of  a  very  early  formula.  In  a  letter  to  Past 
Grand  Sire  Nicholson,  under  date  of  December  8,  1873,  James  Spry,  the 
historian  of  the  Manchester  Unity,  expressed  an  opinion  as  to  the  chrono- 
logical order  in  which  the  English  Odd  Fellows  were  organized.  From 
this  authority,  and  the  best  evidence  at  our  command,  we  venture  the 
opinion  that  the  succession  was  from  the  "  Antient "  Order,  changed  to 
the  "Improved"  Order,  then  the  "Patriotic,"  the  "Union"  or  "United" 
Order,  and  the  Loyal  Order;  and  Brother  Spry  was  confident  that  the 
Manchester  Unity  derived  its  authority  from  the  "Union"  Order;  and, 
if  so,  the  succession  to  the  "  Independent "  Order  is  clear.  Leaving  out 
of  the  consideration  the  various  schisms,  the  ritual  inference  would  imply 
that  our  contention  of  an  origin  in  the  famous  "  Antient "  Buck  Club  is  as 
fully  suggestive,  in  this  connection,  as  it  was  when  the  form  of  govern- 
ment was  under  consideration  in  Part  I.  This  would  appear  in  a  marked 
manner  were  the  ceremonial  correspondences  compared. 

Origin.  —  By  common  consent,  like  many  other  things  taken  for  gpranted, 
American  historians  have,  hitherto,  conceded  that  the  titles  of  the  officers 
of  a  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  were  taken  from  the  "Order  of  Gregorians," 
which  met  in  St.  Albans,  England;  according  to  a  reference  in  the  London 
Daily  Journal^  dated  May  8,  1736,  so  said  Brother  Spry.  This  may  have 
been  the  case,  and  it  is  only  fair  to  state  the  alleged  fact,  but  it  should 
be  borne  in  mind  that  many  documents  have  been  discovered  since  1873, 
—  through  the  patient  researches  of  the  select  circle  of  antiquaries  to  which 
credit  has  been  given.  The  constitutions,  ritual,  and  purported  history 
of  the  "Antient  Order  of  Bucks,"  are  very  complete  as  to  its  record,  as 
well  as  in  the  references  made  to  the  society  by  contemporaneous  authors; 
and  one  of  our  brothers  of  the  Quatuor  Coronati  Lodge  owns  a  copy  of 


FBATERNITT. 


^. __. ^M, says;  " The  secrets  of  that 

t)9l^hfia:tWhra?-iflil»A^lu3  Dlacea,  are  not  in  any  war  dU- 


THE  RITUAL  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  741 

Divested  of  "  fun  for  the  boys,"  it  is  not  altogether  certain  that  the  later 
ceremonies  (in  spirit)  are  improvements.  It  is  admitted  by  all  authorities 
that  these  "  makings  "  were  satisfactory  to  both  the  brothers  and  the  can- 
didates; and,  although  crude  in  the  form  enacted,  lofty  sentiments  and 
vital  truths  were  taught,  —  perhaps  in  this  fact  may  be  found  the  key-note 
of  the  survival,  to  our  day,  of  these  lodges  and  the  Order  in  question. 

The  candidate  having  been  prepared  in  the  anteroom,  by  means  of  a 
formula  that  has  descended  (substantially)  to  our  time,  he  was  admitted  to 
the  lodge-room.  He  was  received,  amid  oppressive  silence,  by  the  proper 
officer,  and  a  solemn  charge  was  delivered.  Then  the  transition  from  the 
sublime  to  the  ridiculous  must  have  produced  varying  results,  depending 
upon  the  temperament  of  the  neophyte.  In  some  lodges  he  was  suddenly 
told:  "Down  on  your  bended  knees  I"  This  was  soon  followed  by  the 
assertion  in  deep  tones:  "Here  is  fire  on  your  right,  water  on  your  left, 
behind  you  a  yawning  gulf,  and  before  you  sharp-pointed  instruments  of 
death."  Having  his  eyes  covered,  the  candidate  was  at  liberty  to  believe 
as  much  of  this  as  he  chose,  and  just  how  much  reason  he  may  have  had 
to  suppose  it  to  be  true  is  not  for  us  to  say.  In  some  of  the  lodges  there 
were  exclamations:  "  Stir  up  the  furnace!  Make  it  ten  times  hotter  than 
it  is  wont  to  be  made!    The  ponderous  chain  prepare! " 

This  would  appear  to  us  to  have  divested  the  ceremonial  of  all  its 
solemnity,  notwithstanding  the  address  that  followed,  in  one  of  the 
Orders,  that  the  journey  about  to  be  made  was  emblematical  of  life.  The 
entrance  to  the  lodge-room  symbolized  the  birth  of  man,  the  impediments 
he  encountered  were  reminders  of  the  troubles  incident  to  this  mortal 
existence,  and  the  fact  that  they  were  overcome,  denoted  the  victory  of 
soul  over  sense,  and  the  final  triumph  of  the  virtuous  over  the  wicked, 
although  the  two  must  dwell  together  in  this  probationary  state.  In  the 
words  of  the  ritual :  — 

"  Whence  man  by  his  free-will  is  either  confirmed  in  evil,  as  his  passions,  if  uncon- 
trolled, lead  him  captive,  and  thus  while  on  earth  he  becomes  fitted  to  dwell  with  demons ; 
or  else,  regenerated  by  a  belief  in  the  Word  of  God,  he  becomes  fitted  for  a  divine  inheri- 
tance in  the  regions  of  eternal  bliss.  The  hood-wink  was  placed  over  thine  eyes  to  denote 
that  in  onr  walk  through  life  we  are  in  darkness  with  regard  to  what  shaU  happen  on  the 
morrow.  The  two  cords  attached  to  thine  arms,  represented  the  good  or  evil  principles  that 
actuate  our  motives,  and  thus  preserve  us  in  a  general  state  of  equilibrium.  The  death- 
scene  is  intended  as  an  emblem  of  thy  death  to  former  principles,  and  that  henceforth  thou 
beginnest  a  new  life  of  usefulness,  keeping  the  great  end  of  living  in  view,  namely,  the  per- 
fect knowledge  of  thyself." 

The  brother,  who  had  been  obligated  during  the  initiation,  was  then 
told  to  "  look  about  you,"  and  he  then  discovered  some  of  the  "  odd  things  " 
attached  to  an  Odd  Fellows'  lodge,  as  stated  (p.  515  et  seq,),  in  other  parts 
of  this  volume. 

Convivial  Customs.  —  The   lodge   ^'proceeded  to   hatmony''    after  a 


"THE  RITUAL  OF  ODD  FBL 

CQ  Thau,  Mott  Moble  Grsad,  hast  actei 
Accept  the  trlbnte  of  each  graUtal  J 
Which  thoa  canst  never  deem  an  ho 
From  Odd  Fellows,  an  Odd  Fellows 

•^  Thou,  loo,  Vice  Grand,  httst  done  tb 
As  every  brother  here  is  proud  to  Ce 
V/b  give  thee,  and  we  deem  it  aa  tb} 
Thy  brethren  give  thee  an  Odd  Fell< 

Wt^  And,  Brother  Secretary,  too,  to  the< 
We  j^ti  our  thanks;  a  tribute  smal 
We'll  ne'er  refuse,  while  thon  dost  i 
Whene'er  we  part  an  Odd  Fellows'  i 

0^  And  ye,  Fait  Qrands,  who've  passed 
Worthy  are  ye  >  lliat  highest  badge 
To  honor  merit  still  onr  chief  deligb 
We  grataful  bid  an  Odd  Fellows'  go 

"^We  part  with  hopes  that  soon  again 
Yet  should  we  not,  'tis  a  remembrm 
91^  JS  (J^  ^^B^7  lodge,  who  act 
SS^M^HiwtS  no  more  to  say  gi 


D^APTER  II. 

THE  EVOLUTION  OP  THE 

*  '^^4^|l^9^^^al  Generis?  —  In  an  address 
_ili*»2X  iS:.^^^  (jy  Qeorge  Bertram  referenc 
l^^rand  Master  Bums  of  the  M 
Sij-*^  Directora  m  1846  when  the 
'*"^-i3ff*.^^^k  ^^  ^*^  conceded  hy  them  t 
^^  ^  s  •f'  ^^1"*  ^^^  '^^  further  nfom 
'  vrfK  i  -A-X*^  first,  con3  sted  of  a  select 
^i  of  spending  their  evenings 
)  to  wear  an  a  r  of  mystery 
were  a  current  use  Th  s 
iSctlows  —  although  t  had  1  ttl 
"^-i^  u/^^  t^ed  ts  members  naveryf 
C  ^jF'  ^^  \ifi:i'xnd.  and  before   t  was  six  ye 

,K.^e!^&^*||*ill  recall  what    s  stated  (p 
:^£^t^f£^ti£ftic  at  oQS    Q  England  of  which 
^J^lfiSit^A^t^^Q  ons  were  classed  by  the  g 
^id^^dS^^lrh  le  the  trade  un  ona  were  de 
^^*»"  |-tCI*  W"^  membersh  p  of  the  former 


»^»  .j(.  .jj.  .jj.  .jj.  .jj.  .jj.  .jj.  .jj.  .jj. 


744  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

Masonic  lodges,  and  the  Craft  generally.  Mr.  Bertram  especially  charges 
the  Odd  Fellows  with  copying  from  the  Masons  both  in  ritual  and  govern- 
ment. This  would  not  have  been  strange,  and  if  true  is  not  derogatory 
to  either  society.  About  every  writer  of  any  note  has  conceded  the  copy- 
ing of  Odd  Fellowship  from  the  "elder  brother";  but,  with  the  manu- 
scripts before  us  as  we  write,  it  is  far  more  probable,  in  our  opinion,  that 
the  rituals  of  the  two  grew  together,  taken  from  one  common  and  to  us 
(now)  unknown  source.  The  multiplicity  of  degrees  in  Freemasonry, 
noted  in  "The  History  of  Freemasonry  and  Concordant  Orders,"  ^  appears 
to  have  been  quickly  followed  by  a  like  experience  in  Odd  Fellowship. 
While  at  the  first  the  "  making"  was  the  only  ceremony,  there  soon  appeared 
"degrees,"  "lectures,"  and  the  like,  until  the  whole  were  formulated  into 
one  ritual,  revised  and  printed  for  private  use  by  the  Manchester  Unity 
in  1824,  and  by  the  American  branch  the  preceding  year. 

The  Legal  Status.  —  Mr.  Bertram's  historical  risumS  states  that  the 
laws  of  Britain  gave  "  exclusive  jurisdiction"  to  Freemasonry,  and  that 
the  campaign  which  led  to  the  repeal  of  the  acts  named,  and  the  enact- 
ment of  the  Friendly  Societies'  Acts  of  1850,  was  "  legislation  strictly  in 
the  interest  of  the  Odd  Fellows."  The  ritual  would  seem  to  bear  out  this 
statement.  The  early  Masonic  lodges  were  legal  meetings,  the  sheriff  or  his 
deputy  being  present  (see  Masonic  constitutions),  while  the  Odd  Fellow 
was  obligated  not  to  admit  "  an  apprentice,  bailiff,  or  a  bailiff's  follower  " ; 
and,  in  the  Patriotic  Order,  the  brother  was  further  sworn :  "  I  will  never 
act  as  a  bailiff,  a  bailiff's  follower,  or  be  a  tipstaff  or  marshalman."  This 
fact  is  a  powerful  side-light  thrown  upon  the  litigation  of  the  Manchester 
Unity,  in  1836-37  (pp.  69,  60),  in  view  of  which  the  results  were  wonder- 
fully favorable  to  the  preservation  of  the  Order  in  England. 

It  is  probable  that  the  courts  took  account  of  the  subsequent  ties  in  the 
obligation,  whereby  the  candidate  affirmed  he  would  do  justice  to  all  men, 
would  be  loyal  to  the  sovereign  of  the  realm  and  constitution,  and  "  pay 
all  due  respect  to  persons  set  in  authority  by  the  legally  constituted  rulers 
of  this  kingdom." 

Evolution  and  Degrees.  — This  had  been  the  declaration  from  the  earli- 
est time.  In  an  attempt  to  trace  the  evolution  of  the  "  degrees, "  the  his- 
torian finds  himself  very  much  in  the  dark.  The  growth  of  the  ceremonial 
was  parallel  to  the  improvement  in  lodge  customs,  and  between  the 
organization  of  the  Manchester  Unity  in  1813,  and  the  date  of  the  first 
completed  ritual  in  1823-24,  the  transition  story  and  experimental  nature 
of  the  "  degree  makers  "  would  be  of  great  interest  could  it  be  recalled. 
Several  lists  of  the  early  degrees  are  extant. 

Brother  Spry  gives  the  Patriotic  Order  these:  "Making";  Lectures 
of  the  Covenant,  Royal  Blue,  the  Merit,  and  Fidelity  degrees.     In  1875 

1  The  Fraternity  Publishing  Companj,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 


THE  RITUAL  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  745 

he  wrote,  that  in  1824  the  lectures  of  the  Manchester  Unity  had  been 
"revised  four  times  since  1816." 

The  first  printed  ritual  was  divided  into:  "Making";  First  degree, 
or  White;  Second  degree,  or  Royal  Blue;  the  Scarlet  degree,  or  Priestly 
Order;  Lecture  to  "  prove  a  Secretary  " ;  Lecture  to  "  prove  a  Vice  Grand  " ; 
Lecture  to  "prove  a  Past  Grand";  and  the  title  of  the  whole  was  "Lect- 
ure Book."  This  ritual,  with  such  additional  degrees  as  are  noted  in  the 
history  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  this  volume,  was  the  "  Charge 
Book,"  upon  which  has  been  constructed  the  ritual  of  the  American  Order, 
as  known  to  the  Odd  Fellows  of  to-day.  The  degrees,  originally,  were 
intended  merely  as  rewards  for  "meritorious  services." 

The  Governing  Power  of  Environment.  —  The  customs  surrounding  the 
evolution  of  this  "Lecture  Book,"  are  significant,  in  view  of  the  subse- 
quent history  of  Odd  Fellowship,  especially  in  the  United  States.  Some 
of  them  may  be  briefly  stated,  as  follows,  taken  from  the  original 
minutes :  — 

The  minutes  (of  the  Grand  Committee  of  the  Manchester  District),  of  January  21, 1814, 
required  each  brother  to  provide  himself  with  regalia,  and  that  he  contribute  one  shilling 
toward  the  purchase  of  funeral  regalia.  Lodges  were  required  to  close  at  precisely 
11  o'clock  P.M.,  unless  urgent  business  arose.  Every  brother  must  attend  the  funeral  of 
a  deceased  brother,  —  subject  to  a  fine,  —  unless  sick.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  noble  grand 
to  see  that  every  officer  was  perfect  in  the  delivery  of  his  charge ;  and  that  the  "  obeisancB 
be  omitted,  except  on  entering  or  leaving  the  lodge-room  the  first  and  last  time  of  the  even- 
ing." May  13, 1814,  the  brothers  were  required  to  settle  calls  for  relief  monthly  [weekly 
benefits  paid  monthly].  March  15,  1815,  this  was  further  enlarged  to  require  that  each 
lodge  relieve  its  own  sick ;  and  that  the  monthly  pass  only  be  given  in  open  lodge.  April  7, 
1815,  the  committee  resolved,  that  the  "  death  supporters "  carry  drawn-swords,  and  be 
attired  in  gowns  and  caps ;  that  none  but  **  death  supporters  "  and  tylers  walk  in  gowns  and 
caps  during  processions;  and  that  every  brother  appear  in  a  white  ''napkin,"  and  white 
stockings;  also  a  white  apron,  with  the  proper  colored  binding,— past  and  present  grands 
wearing  a  scarlet  sash,  with  mazarine  blue  [royal  purple]  rosette  on  the  shoulder,  and  tied 
with  mazarine  blue ;  mazarine  sashes  to  be  tied  with  sky,  sky  sashes  to  be  tied  with  maza- 
rine. Whether  these  regulations  were  public,  or  private,  does  not  appear.  In  this  con- 
nection the  brothers  are  noted  as  having  attended  Saint  Mary's  church  (place  not  stated). 
July  12,  1815,  it  was  enacted  that  every  officer  and  brother  must  subscribe  one  shilling 
toward  raising  a  funeral  fund,  and  if  not  paid  within  two  meeting  nights  he  should  not  be 
entitled  to  benefits.  June  2,  1818,  that  a  brother  shaU  have  been  initiated  three  months 
before  he  receives  the  First  degree;  six  months  before  he  receives  the  Blue,  or  Second 
degree;  and  one  year  before  he  is  decorated  with  the  Scarlet  degree,  or  Priestly  Order. 

As  late  as  1822, —  in  the  laws  of  Loyal  Platoff  Lodge,  No.  1,  Lidepen- 
dent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  held  at  the  "Sign  of  the  (Jolden  Lion," 
Ashton-under-Lyne,  England,  —  is  found  this  rule :  — 

"No.  5.  Any  brother  coming  into  this  lodge  with  colored  neck-handkerchief,  apron, 
jacket,  trousers,  servants'  livery,  or  any  dress  disagreeable  to  the  brothers  present,  shall  be 
fined.    No  naval  or  military  brother  can  be  admitted  with  side-arms." 

This  would  appear  to  set  at  rest  the  assertion  that  the  early  brethren 
wore  ridiculous  clothes  at  their  lodge  meetings;  and  to  indicate  that 
other  than  the  working  classes  had  been  attracted  to  the  society. 


:ATER]!tITr. 


»: 


.;.    'pl|f;if  I 

""ll^Mdttdllera'J^jllsBirlJi  a,  "symbolism  of  three,"  now 
l^3£|L|g{f}^V^g|g)j$t^^odge-room  was  foTQished  with 

IJpSflflilpS'''M^JIl'^BJHytf^si^iean  detn-ees  of  the  "Gove- 


John  Pawson  Entwisle,  were 
with 


^fSlSbSf'f  compositions,  together  wi 
^JliHLlS  iBpUie  Order  on  both  sides  of  t 


^-£7  ef  seq., — were  collated  into 
4U^3o.     The  schedule  in  the  lodge 

"the  degree  of  the  Covenant;  the 
if  of  Remembrance;  the  Scarlet 


^Mi  the  American  degrees  of  the 
proper  order.   Of  the  original 

authority,  ia  now  in  the  uohires  of 
intarmediiitM,  are  in  proper  position, 
.  printed  under  the  resolution  o(  A^ril 
and  ot  tbe  United  States.  It  was  an 
k  few  dollars  was  a  serious  burden." 
certainly  printed  in  1823." 
to  conform  to  this  American 
revision  of  1835  gave  as  the 
degree,  degree  of  tbe  Golden 

each  of  the  earlier  degrees, 
tgiif  candidates,  and  a  "lecture." 
"  the  lessons  taught,  and  is  still 
lecture  "  was  abolished  by  the 
_  stinctly  independent  ritual  in 
.5J845.       For    a    complete   expo- 
sition of  the  evolution  of  tbs 
^ncampment  ritual,  the  reader  is 
"referred  to  Section  I,,  Division 
SX.,  of  this  work.     In  1836  ap- 
g^ieared  the  colors,  — the  degrees 
gDiEcially    designated    by    color; 
jfcM,   for   example,   white,    pink, 
jilue,  green,  and  scarlet. 

The    Distinctively     American 

j^fatual.  — In  1845  the  American 

_;Stj^i^|£d  without  material  change  until 
l«4i^wt^4^5  operation;  the  principal  change 


748  THE  TBREE-LINK  FRATEHNITT. 

The  first  edition  (of  1816),  in  the  United  States,  was  issued  by  Wash- 
ington Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland;  and,  afterward,  the  per- 
fected "Charge  Book"  of  1823-24,  was  issued  by  the  Grand  Lodges  of 
Maryland,  and  the  United  States.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania 
was  accused  of  "tinkering  the  work."  It  is  evident  that  the  fathers  were 
so  particular,  that  the  slightest  change  was  called  "  tinkering  the  work  " ; 
when,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  the  rituals  themselves  show  that  these  changes 
would  now  be  considered  immaterial. 

The  Golden  Eule  degree  was  at  first  the  mere  skeleton  of  the  lesson 
taught  in  Saint  Matthew,  and  it  was  subsequently  enlarged.  Past  .Grand 
Sire  Stokes  wrote  that  its  origin  was  unknown;  Eidgely  ascribed  it  to 
England;  while  Past  Grand  Sire  Kennedy  agreed  with  Brother  John  Cor- 
son Smith,  in  Division  X.,  and  attributed  its  authorship  to  Entwisle.  A 
possible  solution  of  the  crux  may  be  the  suggestion  that  the  first  two  may 
have  referred  solely  to  the  "skeleton,"  while  the  others  (of  these  eminent 
authorities)  reviewed  the  degree  as  a  whole,  and  in  its  perfected  form. 
At  the  revision  of  1845,  the  noble  lesson  of  "  toleration  "  became  its  key- 
note, from  the  brain  of  a  Chapin,  a  Williamson,  a  McCabe,  or  a  Shaffner, 
—  destined,  we  believe,  to  be  taught  as  long  as  the  Order  exists. 

Brother  Tal.  P.  Shaffner  stated  (in  1874)  that  the  lectures  of  the  de- 
grees of  Odd  Fellowship  were  all  rewritten  in  1844-45,  and  improved, — 
wholly  original  in  design  and  language,  —  and  that  the  patriarchal  degrees 
were,  to  some  extent,  arranged  as  a  new  system.  This  is  evident  from  an 
examination  of  the  originals.  It  may  be  well  to  say,  in  passing,  that  the 
revision  of  1880  was  a  reatorationy  in  some  particulars,  of  several  of  the 
best  portions  of  the  work  of  1835,  both  in  the  lodge  and  encampment 
branches.  The  Past  Grand's  charge  is  the  creation  of  James  L.  Ridgely, 
and  the  original,  in  his  handwriting,  has  been  preserved. 

The  American  Ritual  Original,  and  Peculiar  to  itself.  —  It  is  stated  by 
Ridgely  in  his  history,  that  the  Covenant  degree  was  thoroughly  examined 
in  1845,  because  of  the  oft-repeated  accusation  that  the  work  of  Odd  Fel- 
lowship had  been  borrowed  from  Freemasonry.  This  degree  was  the 
main  object  of  attack  and  inquiry  in  that  direction.  The  committee 
exhausted  every  source  of  information,  and  as  a  result,  "laid  the  hand  of 
revision  tenderly  upon  it,  and  retained  *the  Covenant  ^  as  the  property 
solely  of  the  Order."  Those  who  have  followed  our  argument  and  refer- 
ences to  the  original  sources  of  inquiry  as  to  the  origin  of  the  Order, 
and  of  its  rituals,  will  see  how  little  f or^se  the  suggestion  of  borrowing 
possessed. 

If  it  were  proper  to  print  portions  of  the  first  ritual  in  comparison  with 
that  of  the  "  Antient "  Order  of  Bucks  now  before  us, — the  society  that  is 
conceded  by  eminent  English  Masonic  authority  to  have  been  the  greatest 
rival  Freemasonry  has  ever  known,  during  the  years  1722-80  (and  later), 


'.ATEBNirr. 


«i  'flv(Wttt'^'<^aaB  been  the  introduction  of  the 

;<j(^}Sknif  WtRaVither  by  translatioa  into  another 

wms 


i9j^*|pi'ff|l?9IVi1?^|lbL'e  early  ritnala,  in  England,  dis- 

Htmk^Te^S^ttiSii^^  prevail  there  rather  than  the 

*^^!fit9iiK^i&.  ttpMvt^Jtffa  hand,  in  the  nations  speaking 
'flp»l(g^liffi^^^B;ample,  —  the  orator  is  preferred 


[kSf ^g WSpl  W  Ag^JBl  BK  3  of  diverse  thought  have  been 

_|{§^H^jiffiii%i^||fl^lt|P)rother  of  Germany,  of  Spanish- 

n9^M*^^^''fii''S^Bt^'«&''^'  ^^^  ^  ^^  ^^°  satisfaction, 

"^f-^S  iE^P^^^S.^^^"^^  ^^^^°°^  '^^  Friendship,  Love, 

J%  ^^^''^iil^Mi^^fcl^j^K^^EfiBordinate  to  the  Sovereign  Grand 

'*  '^^  ^^^^^^^^^P^^P^^'^^  ^^  "beautified"  forms. 

k  J^^'^^''^^''w*'^KE*^e>'S^'AfW"^  ^'''''"''""^^'  TbeoamaUiywuapuisd 
^*M^'H4«£K:*@ii%i*^^t^^>SrHg*u>l'nj>b«n  apL«e  Df  reu^  Thli  chirm 
U  ^i('^slt''K^^3'*'@''n*^n*^Si'*IS'*  plongliHl  Dp  ud  dlMOTtred  hj  BiaUta  Chukw 
'  "tW*^  >E8*i«R"B»«®'.'^^S'(jneiiU)'  trunftmrf  to  tfas  o-nflrthfp  of  BwOier 
'B^yP'S'MW^W^S^^'StV'"  "'  ff"'"  *"  «'^°''l»=*  •""■  sTJdenOj,  of 
^.■"j.fiS.>5S..SS.,ggTa8itE&tiA'' wu  (bund,  b«v  d>t<»  of  1140.  IIM,  inA,uid 

iiftliU!lil'»*fll'li8iiiiiHi1uiili1,  iT I  ll r t fii  11 1.  jiliilii 

lAS«'«M*fk|ik'^A«^  uDt,  —  inil  lUinUqaarlu  lnt«r»t  codiIiU  In 
^9>fig>i«l^iiiSVlt  to  be  bettar  thu  ■  psrwul  lDBp«tl<iii  taaai 


«: 


#:'^5-: 


.A,  .A,  .A,  .A.  .A.  .A.  .A.  .ft.  .ft.  .ft.  .ft. 


^»^»^»::S»::S»::2»--*"  -S*  'S*  'S*  'S*  'S*  •£•  -S* 
.^».^».^».^».^».^».^.  .g.  .g.  .g.  .g.  .g.  .g.  .g. 


SECTION  II. 

THOMAS  WILDEY,  "FATHER,"  AND  FOUNDER  OF  AMERICAN  ODD 
FELLOWSHIP;  JOHN  PAWSON  ENTWISLE,  SCHOLARLY  CREATOR 
OF  DEGREES  AND  FORM  OF  GOVERNMENT;  JAMES  L.  RIDGELY, 
MASTER-BUILDER  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP  AS  NOW  KNOWN ;  JAMES 
B.  NICHOLSON,  ORATOR  PREEMINENT  OF  THE  ORDER,  ANl5  ITS 
STATESMAN;  ISAAC  MoKENDREE  VEITCH,  CONCILIATOR  OF  THE 
BROTHERHOOD  AT  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR;  JAMES  P. 
SANDERS,  DEFENDER  OF  LAW  AND  ORDER,  AND  CERBERUS  OF 
THE  TREASURY;  LUTHER  J.  GLENN,  LAWMAKER  AND  TYPICAL 
ODD  FELLOW ;  SCHUYLER  COLFAX,  AUTHOR  OF  THE  DEGREE  OF 
REBBKAH  UNITING  WOMEN  IN  THE  BONDS  OF  AN  UNIVERSAL 
SISTERHOOD. 

By  Fred  Garleton^  Ghrand  Sire, 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  Plan  Oatlined. — In  undertaking  to  prepare  biographical  sketcheB 
for  this  work  of  those  members  of  the  Order  who,  by  reason  of  preeminent 
rank  or  service  in  Odd  Fellowship,  seemed  to  be  entitled  to  places  in  such 
a  gallery  of  .portraiture,  it  appeared  to  be  intended,  as  a  rule,  to  commemo- 
rate only  those  who  had  passed  from  life ;  but  the  writer  obtained  the 
consent  of  the  Editor-in-Chief  to  relax  this  rule  to  some  extent,  and  he 
has,  accordingly,  presented  sketches  of  two  liying  men.  No  excuse  is 
deemed  necessary  for  making  this  exception, — when  it  is  said  that  the 
exceptions  are  Past  Grand  Sires  James  B.  Nicholson  and  James  P.  San- 
ders, —  for  among  the  noble  army  of  Odd  Fellows  who  still  live  and  labor 
for  the  great  cause  of  humanity  and  brotherhood,  none  stand  higher  in 
the  love  and  esteem  of  their  brothers,  and  of  the  outside  world,  than  these 
two  distinguished  men,  whose  impress,  from  early  life,  has  been  indelibly 
stamped  on  the  history  of  the  Order ;  and  who  have  been  connected  with 
every  improvement  which  has  been  made  in  its  regulations  and  usages. 

It  is  possible  that  the  reader  of  these  unpretentious  sketches  of  the 
founders  and  leaders  of  Odd  Fellowship  will  find  therein  opinions  with 
which  they  do  not  coincide,  so  it  is  proper  to  state  that  such  expressions 
are  purely  the  individual  views  of  the  compiler,  for  which  he,  and  he 
alone,  and  not  the  editor  of  this  work  is  responsible. 

761 


752  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

In  selecting  the  names  of  those  to  be  included  in  these  sketches^  a 
somewhat  different  idea  has  been  adopted  from  that  of  preceding  writers 
on  the  same  general  subjects.  It  has  seemed  to  the  writer  that,  probably, 
too  much  space  has  heretofore  been  given  to  the  early  associates  of  Thomas 
Wildey,  —  men  whose  principal,  if  not  in  some  cases  their  only  claim  to 
recognition  has  been  on  account  of  the  reflected  light  thrown  upon  them 
by  the  founder  of  the  Order  in  America,  without  regard  to  what  they 
themselves  accomplished  in  the  way  of  formative  work.  It  was  thought 
by  this  compiler  that  it  would  be  more  useful,  more  entertaining  to  those 
who  should  peruse  these  pages,  to  devote  the  larger  space  to  the  leaders 
known  to  the  present  generation,  and  who  were  connected  with  the  reforms 
and  improvements  in  the  lectures  and  charges,  as  well  as  with  what  might 
be  called  the  etkkcU  work  of  the  Order ;  those  who  have  built  up  what  may 
be  styled  "modern  Odd  Fellowship,"  as  contrardistinguished  from  the 
almost  purely  "«oaaZ  Odd  Fellowship"  of  the  days  of  WUdey  and  his 
compeers. 

With  this  in  view,  the  writer,  not  neglecting  entirely  the  father  of 
American  Odd  Fellowship,  has  thought  proper  to  call  attention,  by  sketches 
of  the  lives  of  several  men  of  this  and  the  preceding  generation,  to  the 
great  work  which  has  been  done  in  perfecting  and  beautifying  the  litera- 
ture of  the  Order ;  in  establishing  the  degree  of  Eebekah,  and  in  emanci- 
pating that  degree  from  the  absolute  control  of  the  subordinate  branch  of 
Odd  Fellowship.  The  work  of  the  men  who  promoted  these  great  improve- 
ments and  added  to  the  magnificent  proportions  of  the  temple  of  the  Order, 
it  seems  to  us,  is  as  important  as  were  the  labors  of  those  who  laid  its 
corner-stone. 

While  not  undervaluing  the  services  and  labors  of  a  Wildey,  a  Mathiot, 
and  an  Entwisle,  still  we  feel  it  is  to  Ridgely,  to  Colfax,  to  Nicholson,  to 
Garey,  and  to  many  others  who  have  labored  during  the  last  thirty  or 
forty  years,  that  the  Order  owes  its  greatest  debt  of  gratitude  in  formulat- 
ing its  beautiful  charges  and  lectures,  and  in  constructing  its  wise  system 
of  moral  and  ethical  laws. 

Again,  it  was  thought  well  to  include  in  this  collection,  and  to  present 
a  typical  Southern  Odd  Fellow,  such  as  Past  Grand  Sire  Glenn ;  separated, 
indeed,  from  where  the  American  Order  had  its  origin,  but  as  much  imbued 
with  its  grand  principles  of  humanity  as  any  who  drank  personally  from  the 
early  fountains  of  fraternity  at  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia. 

It  may  be  possible  that  the  writer,  having  for  many  years  been  placed 
in  intimate  and  loving  communion  with  the  leaders  of  the  latter  days  of 
the  Order,  is  influenced  by  his  personal  love  for  them ;  and  certainly  his 
love  and  esteem  for  those  with  whom  he  has  been  associated  can  never  be 
fully  told,  —  and  did  space  in  this  work  permit,  he  would  gladly  add  to 
these  brief  sketches  those  of  the  meek  and  amiable  Leech,  the  massive- 


egjigfAM  BEETCHES. 


E^gllP^- j|L||^|| Inland  Odd  Fellow,  CI.  T.  Campbell, 
^||4ll8B9tfn^B'^$<  ^  Busbee;  but,  alas,  how  oame 


>2jB^8i'^.^l3yty  to  accomplisli  such  a  purpose, 

^iBftslS^B^tt^t  ^^  ^^'^  method  of  teaching 

|ljffi .  ^}gS^^'<B|i^03e  who  hare  made  hietory,  as 

,    ^iM  !$hffi4$k'Ai'est  by  linking  it  with  some  well- 

■•,2^  D  J|  ||il|||bat  the  "  history  of  Odd  FeUow- 

Hc(SU?iSlal>l||^afpiiio>i^  *>f  the  men  who  made  Odd 

Ftfl  fp^^^^Wl^  ^ f fee  i^ear  future  loving  hands  may 
VO'I <Ht B <m'  -^^^W^Ji ^"-  ^^^  vith.  the  desire  that  the 

!S^Mj(«l»tt]rS'S%1SWein  feebly  portrayed  may  lead 
SlSjtS^^B^SiB'  task  of  the  writer  is  ended  and 
[siBlSlBltticSlils  brethren. 


■*'f?^:V:?--.-'^"  — 


AND  BIDGELT. 

1^  Thomas  Wildey,  whose  nune  is 
of  American  Odd  Fellowship,  as 

ipects  a  most  unique  and  singular 

lortray.     That  he  planted  the  seed 

ident  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  has 

have  existed,  is  probably  true ;  but 

of  men  better  qualified,  by  educa- 

mg  his  crude  ideas  into  shape,  it 

[agency  for  good  that  it  has.     The 

eTolred,  altered  from  ita  original 

L@.!and  beneficial  society,  built  upon, 

"em  thought  and  ideas,  so  that  ' 

live  to-day,  he  would  hardly  recog- 

whose  moral  code  and  high 

last  with  advanced  thought,  ever 

_  g  men,  even  those  not  connected 

r^o^  the  most  efficient  agents  of  the 

'I£'tS?™^6S  which  tend,  next  to  true 


SS'ESa'ESS'SSSfaS.iffiiffSifa 


754  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

as  he  existed  and  appeared  to  his  coutemporaries,  nor  does  the  history 
of  his  life,  aside  from  his  connection  with  Odd  Fellowship,  contain  such 
incidents  as  to  interest  and  entertain  the  student ;  for  he  made  no  mark, 
attracted  no  attention,  attained  no  celebrity  in  any  sphere,  save  as  an 
Odd  Fellow.  It  would  seem  that  one  who,  by  the  force  of  his  character, 
his  zeal  and  energy,  and  what  may  be  termed  the  masterfulness  of  his 
nature,  was  confessedly  for  a  long  period  the  head  and  front  of  a  great 
organization,  would  have  attained  some  eminence  in  other  fields;  and, 
naturally,  by  virtue  of  the  qualities  which  made  him  the  leader  of  lead- 
ers, have  impressed  himself  upon  the  life  and  history  of  the  community 
in  which  he  lived ;  but  such  was  not  the  case,  for  his  life  was  obscure, 
and  only  as  it  became  a  part  of  the  history  of  Odd  Fellowship  is  it  of 
any  interest. 

Thomas  Wildey  was  born  in  London,  England,  on  the  15th  day  of 
January,  1782,  of  humble  parents,  whose  names  even  are  unknown,  and 
of  whose  history  he  appeared  never  to  have  spoken  to  his  friends  in  this 
country.  He  attended  a  parish  school  in  London  for  some  five  years, 
where  he  seemed  to  have  acquired  the  merest  rudiments  of  an  education, 
and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  became  an  apprentice  to  learn  the  trade  of 
coach-spring  making,  duly  served  his  time,  —  probably  seven  years,  the 
usual  period,  —  and  at  the  end  was  released  from  his  indentures,  and  was 
recognized  as  a  skilled  workman  of  his  craft.  From  this  time,  until  the 
year  1817,  when  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  he  probably  had 
steadily  pursued  his  trade,  not  only  in  London,  but  in  various  towns  in 
England,  during  which  period  he  appeared  to  have  been  a  leader  among  his 
fellow  mechanics,  "looked  up  to"  by  them,  as  well  on  account  of  his  skill 
in  his  trade,  as  of  his  leadership  in  their  friendly  societies,  which  were 
then  quite  numerous  in  that  country, — many  distinct  and  separate  organi- 
zations of  Odd  Fellows  already  being  in  operation  there.  With  one  of 
these  bodies  of  Odd  Fellows,  Lodge  No.  17, — not  the  Manchester  Unity^ 
however,  which  was  formed  later, — Wildey  united  on  reaching  his  majority, 
and  rapidly  advanced  to  the*  highest  rank  in  its  councils,  passing  through 
all  the  chairs,  from  the  lowest  to  the  highest  in  less  than  three  years ;  and 
so  impressed  upon  the  brothers  of  the  lodge  the  sense  of  his  capacity  and 
zeal,  as  to  be  the  recipient  of  a  testimonial  of  their  esteem  in  the  shape 
of  a  valuable  silver  medal. 

After  remaining  a  member  of  this  lodge  for  about  three  years,  he 
determined  to  spread  the  Order  in  another  and  different  part  of  the  city 
of  London;  and,  entering  upon  the  undertaking  with  all  his  intense 
energy,  he  succeeded  in  organizing  Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  38,  of  which 
he  was  unanimously  elected  its  first  presiding  officer,  and  continued  an 
active  and  zealous  member  for  ten  years,  during  which  time  he  was  three 
times  selected  as  its  chief.    From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  he  had  already 


.,^,^,^~;„^™_.,g--=-.^.-=-;s;:*::s:;^; 


^jg^^^li^«$f«|£i:§EffiEJ!KjC?&RlCAN    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  755 

developed  in  his  native  land  those  qualities  which  came  to  their  full 
fruition  after  he  reached  the  United  States.  In  the  year  1817,  Wildey 
married,  and,  later  in  the  year,  sailed  for  the  United  States,  arriving  in 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  on  the  2nd  of  September.  At  the  time  Wildey  arrived 
in  Baltimore,  business  was  in  a  depressed  condition  and  employment  hard 
to  obtain,  yet  he  managed  to  get  work  at  his  trade,  being  recognized  at 
once  as  a  thorough  workman,  and  easily  supported  himself  and  family  in 
a  style  suitable  for  the  station  of  a  skilled  mechanic. 

With  Wildey's  disposition  and  love  of  company,  his  position  for  some 
time  after  his  arrival  in  America  must  have  been  unpleasant.  The  coun- 
try had  just  emerged  from  a  war  with  Great  Britain,  the  acerbities  of  the 
late  contest  had  not  had  time  to  disappear,  and  a  prejudice  and  dislike  was 
apparent  against  all  Englishmen,  as  a  class,  so  that  a  man  like  Wildey, — 
who  bore  upon  his  burly  form,  and  gave  in  every  accent  of  his  speech,  the 
evidence  of  his  nationality, — made  but  slow  progress  in  forming  acquaint- 
ances among  the  American  population  of  Baltimore.  This  may  have  been 
one  of  the  main  incentives  which  induced  him  to  ascertain  if  there  were 
any  Odd  Fellows  in  the  city,  and  if  so  to  endeavor  to  bring  them  together 
and  organize  a  lodge  for  their  mutual  benefit.  Among  the  acquaintances 
formed  by  Wildey  at  this  time,  was  John  Welch,  like  himself  an  English- 
man, and  like  himself  a  mechanic,  being  a  house  and  ship  painter. 
Thrown  much  together,  by  reason  of  their  nationality  and  occupation, 
they  mutually  discovered  that  each  had  been  connected  with  an  Odd 
Fellows'  organization,  which  fact  formed  a  fresh  link  to  bind  them 
together  as  friends.  After  this  discovery,  the  two  friends  concluded  that 
there  must  be  others  in  Baltimore  who,  like  themselves,  had  been  Odd 
Fellows,  and  who  would  probably  be  glad  to  meet  together  and  form  a  lodge ; 
so  Wildey  decided  to  publish  a  notice  calling  for  a  meeting  of  all  Odd 
Fellows  in  the  city,  for  the  purpose  of  consulting  together  as  to  the 
formation  of  a  lodge.  This  call  was  published  in  the  Baltimore  American, 
the  meeting  being  called  therein  for  March  2, 1819.  The  notice  appeared 
in  several  issues  of  the  paper,  and  elicited  responses  from  only  two  per- 
sons ;  but,  being  reinserted  on  March  27th,  three  persons  responded,  who, 
with  Wildey  and  Welch,  constituted  a  sufficient  number  to  organize  a 
lodge.  On  the  13th  of  April,  1819,  at  the  residence  of  Thomas  Wildey, 
the  five  persons  met,  being  John  Welch,  John  Duncan,  John  Cheatham, 
Richard  Rush  worth,  and  Thomas  Wildey  himself,  and,  mutually  satisfying 
themselves  that  each  was,  or  had  been,  an  Odd  Fellow,  arranged  to  meet 
and  organize  a  lodge  on  April  26th. 

This  meeting,  held  on  April  13th,  was  the  real  commencement  of 
American  Odd  Fellowship,  although  the  frail  craft  was  not  formally 
launched  until  April  26,  1819,  when,  at  a  tavern  known  as  "  The  Seven 
Stars,"  kept  by  one  William  Lupton,  the  five  English  mechanics  organ- 


756  THE  THREE-LINK  FEATEBNITT. 

ized  the  first  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  in  America^  electing  Thomas  Wildey, 
Noble  Grand,  and  John  Welch,  Vice  Grand,  the  remaining  brothers  fill- 
ing the  other  positions.  With  a  view,  possibly,  of  conciliating  the  general 
public  and  securing  its  favorable  consideration,  the  lodge  was  named  the 
"  Washington  Lodge ''  of  Odd  Fellows.  Thus,  then,  was  started  American 
Odd  Fellowship,  it  must  be  confessed  under  rather  unfavorable  circum- 
stances; every  member  of  the  lodge  was  an  Englishman,  all  were  uncult- 
ured mechanics,  with  no  social  standing,  and  in  a  community  where,  as 
already  stated,  their  native  country  was  decidedly  unpopular;  for,  while 
the  recollections  of  the  late  war  with  Great  Britain  still  rankled,  to  some 
extent,  in  the  minds  of  Americans  generally,  especially  was  this  so  with 
the  people  of  Baltimore,  who  had  heard  so  recently  in  their  city  the 
booming  of  British  cannon  at  Fort  McHenry,  and  whose  neighboring  city 
of  Washington  had  been  captured  and  partially  destroyed  by  the  same 
foe,  which  facts  made  them  look  with  great  dislike  upon  Englishmen. 

Under  the  circumstances,  it  is  not  strange  that  the  Order  did  not  increase 
with  any  great  rapidity,  although  by  the  earnest  efforts  of  Wildey, 
seconded  by  his  four  colleagues,  ten  persons  joined  the  original  five  within 
the  three  weeks  next  after  the  organization  of  the  lodge.  So  much  for 
the  story  of  Wildey's  connection  with  the  organization  of  Washington 
Lodge,  No.  1,  with  which  organization  begins  the  history  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  On  the  5th  of  February,  1821,  another 
lodge,  Franklin,  having  been  irregularly  instituted,  and  differences  hav- 
ing arisen  between  the  two  lodges,  the  details  of  which  it  is  unnecessary 
here  to  relate,  a  committee  of  past  grands  met  in  Baltimore,  to  consider 
the  propriety  of  establishing  a  Grand  Lodge,  and  at  this  meeting  it  was 
resolved  that  it  was  expedient  and  necessary  to  separate  the  legislative 
from  the  operative  portion  of  the  Order,  and  to  institute  a  Grand  Lodge. 
To  complete  the  organization  of  such  a  lodge,  the  meeting  proceeded 
to  the  election  of  grand  officers,  when  Thomas  Wildey  was  unanimously 
elected  Grand  Master  of  the  newly  created  "  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland 
and  of  the  United  States."  Several  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were 
held  during  the  year  1821,  as  its  rights,  duties,  powers,  and  officers  were 
not  clearly  defined,  and  it  was  necessary  to  fix  them  definitely.  So  at  its 
session  on  November  22,  1821,  a  constitution  was  adopted,  which  set 
forth  clearly  its  prerogatives  and  fixed  the  terms  of  its  officers,  the  Grand 
Master's  being  four  years. 

During  this  period,  the  Order  continued  to  grow,  and  Wildey  labored 
with  all  his  ability  to  further  advance  its  interests,  until,  finally,  the 
membership  having  spread  over  several  states,  it  was  deemed  advisable 
to  separate  the  existing  lodge  and  create  a  distinct  "  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States."  In  accordance  with  this  idea,  the  last  communication 
of  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States  "  was  held 


BIOGRAPHICAL  8KETCHS8.  757 

November  24, 1824,  when  steps  were  taken  to  organize  the  ''  Grrand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,"  leaving  the  parent  body  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Maryland.     At  this  session  it  was 

"Resolved,  That  Thomas  Wildey  be  presented  with  a  medal,  as  a  small  token  of  our 
respect  for  his  eminent  services,  his  indefatigable  zeal  in  spreading  the  Order  of  Odd 
Fellowship  throughout  the  United  States,  and  his  unexampled  assiduity  and  attention  to 
its  best  interests  while  Grand  Master  of  the  Qrand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United 
States." 

In  conformity  with  the  arrangement  made  by  the  Grand  Lodge  on 
November  24th,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  was  formally 
organized  January  15, 1825,  representatives  or  proxy-representatives  being 
present  from  New  York,  Maryland,  Massachusetts,  and  Pennsylvania; 
and  Thomas  Wildey  was  unanimously  elected  Grand  Master  of  the  body, 
which  position  he  held  until  the  session  of  1833,  when  he  retired  from 
office,  being  succeeded  by  James  Gettys,  the  title  of  Grand  Master  having 
been  changed  to  Grand  Sire  about  the  year  1826. 

At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  held  September  6,  1833,  ;t  was 

** Resolved,  That  a  oommittee  be  appointed  to  procure  and  present  to  Past  Grand  Sire 
Wildey  a  piece  of  plate  of  at  least  five  hundred  dollars'  value,  as  a  mark  of  the  respect  and 
regard  in  which  this  Grand  Lodge  holds  his  services  to  the  Order." 

This  testimonial  was  richly  deserved  by  Wildey,  as  he  had  for  years 
sacrificed  his  time  and  spent  his  money  in  spreading  the  Order.  Besides 
visiting  England  in  the  interests  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  various  reports 
and  addresses  issued  and  delivered  by  Wildey  show  that  during  his  term 
of  office,  as  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Maryland  and  of  the 
United  States,  he  had  organized  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
the  District  of  Columbia,  made  numerous  journeys  to  New  York  and 
other  points  to  organize  lodges,  and  that  during  the  year  1832,  while 
Grand  Sire,  undertook  a  long  and  tedious  journey  through  the  West  and 
South  for  the  same  purpose.  This  journey,  which  would  be  a  mere  trifle 
in  these  days  of  fast  express  trains  and  palace  cars,  was  at  that  date  of 
some  danger  and  great  fatigue.  It  lasted  from  November  22, 1832,  until 
February  21,  1833,  during  which  time  Wildey  visited  the  cities  of  Pitts- 
burg, Cincinnati,  Louisville,  and  New  Orleans,  being  received  everywhere 
with  high  honors  by  the  membership,  instituting  subordinate  lodges  and 
encampments,  and  organizing  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Louisiana.  This 
tour  was  productive  of  much  good  to  the  Order,  and  planted  it  firmly  in 
the  West  and  South. 

During  the  summer  of  1833,  at  the  request  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States,  Wildey  visited  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  to  settle 
some  differences  which  had  arisen  as  to  its  relations  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  which  by  his  exertions  and  personal  influence  were 
put  in  the  way  of  an  amicable  settlement;  he,  also,  visited  a  number  of 


758  THE  THREE-LINK  FEATEBNITT. 

lodges  in  Bhode  Island  and  Massachusetts,  reyiving  their  zeal  and  energy, 
and,  finally,  on  the  3d  of  August  instituting,  at  Trenton,  the  Grrand  Lodge 
of  Kew  Jersey.  This  work  was  accomplished  in  a  trip  which  occupied 
from  June  5th  to  August  16,  1833. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  Wildey  had  retired  from  the  position 
of  bead  of  the  Order,  he  continued  to  take  the  liveliest  interest  in  its 
welfare,  though  after  his  unremitting  service  of  twelve  years  at  its  head 
it  would  seem  that  he  was  entitled  to  rest  on  the  laurels  he  had  already 
won,  leaving  the  task  of  still  further  extending  the  Order  to  younger 
men;  yet  he  was  ever  ready  to  devote  his  time,  and  spend  his  moderate 
means,  to  aid  the  cause  to  which  he  had  consecrated  his  life. 

Knowing  his  willingness  and  devotion  Grand  Sire  Gettys  deputized 
Wildey  to  visit  such  lodges  lying  north  and  east  of  Baltimore  as  might 
need  encouragement,  or  in  which  disputes  had  arisen,  and  which  might 
be  settled  by  the  influence  and  counsel  of  so  revered  a  brother.  This  duty 
was  cheerfully  accepted  by  Wildey  and  occupied  considerable  of  his  time 
during  the  fall  of  1835. 

In  the  summer  of  1837,  Wildey  visited  Eichmond,  Virginia,  and  on 
August  20th  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia.  Having  been 
appointed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1837  as  travelling  agent  to  organize 
lodges  and  encampments  in  the  South  and  West,  and,  generally,  to  look 
after  the  interests  of  the  Order  in  those  sections,  with  unabated  energy 
Wildey  started  on  his  mission,  leaving  Baltimore  in  March,  1838,  and 
returning  there  on  October  1st;  during  his  absence,  as  is  shown  by  his 
report,  he  had  travelled  more  than  eight  thousand  miles,  instituted  and 
visited  lodges  and  encampments  in  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Virginia,  Ken- 
tucky, Tennessee,  Mississippi,  Louisiana,  Alabama,  Missouri,  Iowa,  and 
Indiana.  On  this  trip  he  also  instituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missis- 
sippi, on  the  4th  of  May;  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri,  on  the  13th  of 
June;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  on  the  22nd  of  August;  besides 
which,  while  in  New  Orleans,  he  granted  a  dispensation  to  organize  a 
lodge  at  Houston  in  the  republic  of  Texas,  the  first  organized  beyond  the 
limits  of  the  United  States, — and  which  was  instituted  July  2b^  1838,  as 
Lone  Star  Lodge,  No.  1. 

This  trip  resulted  in  much  good  to  the  Order,  and  indicates  the  zeal 
which  animated  Wildey,  then  over  fifty-six  years  of  age;  who,  supported 
by  his  indomitable  will  and  energy,  accomplished  a  journey  far  more 
arduous  and  exhausting  than  would  be  a  trip  at  the  present  time  around 
the  world,  or  to  Central  Africa  ;  but  he  recognized  no  obstacle  or  fatigue 
as  being  too  serious  where  the  good  of  his  loved  Order  was  concerned. 

This  journey  practically  closed  his  work  as  a  missionary  of  Odd 
Fellowship;  but,  though  no  longer  holding  high  of&ce  in  the  Order,  he  did 
not  cease  to  regularly  participate  in  the  councils  of  his  brethren.     Every 


BIOGBAFEICAL  8SET( 

Lodge  of  the  United  St 

'jsaij  as  ever  to  advise  aE 

him,  and  with  cheery  t 

issociates  of  his  early  day) 

18G1,  in  the  city  of  Eal 

'iBaed  to  that  eternal  rest 

lerish  their  fellow-men. 

death,  vhile  not  unezpi 

token  of  sorrow  for  h: 

id  and  associate,  James 

and  deep  pathos,  on 

Baltimore,  and  the  G 

,ted  a  plan  for  the  ere 

lldey  needed  no  monnme: 

Lstory  of  Odd  Fellowship 

one  of  the  central  figu; 

lid  not  permit  his  name  ai 

_:of  their  love  and  respect ; 

:^mbership,  a  stately  monui 

Ig  dedicated  on  September 


760  THE  TBBEE'LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

name  will  ever  be  remembered  as  the  founder,  or  ratber  as  he  who  laid 
the  corner-stone  of  the  temple,  of  American  Odd  Fellowship,  and  com- 
menced its  erection,  but  left  the  task  and  the  glory  of  designating  its  pro- 
portions,  and  elaborating  its  decorations,  to  other  hands  and  to  other 
brains. 

John  Pawson  Bntwialet  Past  Deputy  Grand  Haster.  —  Among  the  earli- 
est to  join  the  newly  instituted  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  Baltimore,  and 
one  who  seems  to  hare  been  better  acquainted  with  the  meagre  literature 
and  rituals  of  the  English  Order  than  most  of  his  compeers,  was  John  P. 
Entwisle,  who  became  a  member  in  the  year  1820,  joining  Washington 
Lodge. 

Little  is  known  of  his  early  history  or  parentage,  save  that  he  was  an 
Englishman,  and  had  been  more  liberally  educated  than  those  who  had 
hitherto  joined  with  Wildey  in  establishing  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  in 
the  United  States.  It  is  not  known  when  or  why  he  left  England  for  this 
country,  but  tradition  says  that  it  was  caused  by  a  disagreement  with  his 
family  on  account  of  an  early  and  imprudent  marriage.  This  event  caused 
him  to  be  diverted  from  the  career  in  life  marked  out,  which  was  that 
of  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  which  profession  it  seems  was  that  of  his 
father.  All  that  is  positively  known  about  him  is  that  he  arrived  in 
Baltimore,  where  he  obtained  employment  with  one  of  the  newspapers  of 
the  city,  in  what  capacity,  whether  as  a  part  of  the  editorial,  reportorial, 
or  mechanical  staff  cannot  be  stated,  although  he  styled  himself  simply 
"printer." 

His  nationality  and  natural  desire  for  some  associates,  led  him  to  join 
with  Wildey,  Boyd,  and  Welch, —  all  his  fellow-countrymen,  — who  had 
already  planted  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Baltimore,  and  it  was 
soon  discovered  by  them  that  with  his  facile  pen  and  literary  skill  he 
would  become  a  valuable  auxiliary  in  the  work  of  building  up  Odd 
Fellowship. 

It  is  uncertain  whether  he  had  attained  the  honor  of  past  grand  in 
England,  or  whether  he  passed  to  that  rank  in  Washington  Lodge.  It  is 
certain,  however,  that  in  1821,  as  a  past  grand,  he  attended  the  prelimi- 
nary meeting  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  Mary- 
land and  of  the  United  States,"  and  on  the  formal  organization  of  that 
body,  he  was  elected  Deputy  Grand  Master,  which  position  he  held  until 
February  22,  1823,  when  he  was  elected  Grand  Secretary,  a  position  for 
which  he  was  better  adapted  than  the  former  office.  His  services  to  the 
young  Grand  Lodge  and  to  the  Order  were  undoubtedly  of  great  value, 
for  there  was  no  one  who  did  more  in  a  short  time  to  improve  the  ritual 
than  did  Entwisle,  or  to  establish  rules  and  regulations  to  orderly  govern 
the  infant  Order.     He  died  sometime  in  the  month  of  June,  1824,  so  that 


•iSi^IOaBAPHWAL  SEET(      ! 

i^  ft^j^f JfrJ  jia*^B  nliahed  for  Ameiicaa  0 

'fi48(Bl^j£'s  Aiil  titc  young  Order     i 
* ""  ""        Tmaseatly  stunted  ;  for 

it  and  Bemembrance  de^ 
ingest  pillars  of  the  Or 
representation  in  the  G     i 
Grand  Lodge,  taking  a 
ate  of  the  United  States. 
le  of  Entwisle.    Wheth 
imam  mere  conjecture,  1 
iwsh  p  a  mete  fragment, 
a  fragment 
he  was  associated  and 
his  character  and  histo 
to  remember  him  with  t    i 
i^  oc  ates  and  co-workera.       i 
^tiiSe  stood  staunchly  by  Wil' 
^^ys  of  the  Order;  but  tha 
Eiewhat  apart,  is  undoubte 
of  a  most  robust  social  n^ 
jnse  of  humor    while  we  ] 
^l^^nan  ready  to  use  pen  an 
"  of  W  Idey  but  unable  i 
I  somewhat  oTOrbearing 
services  were  appreciate* 
imoumed   is  shown  by  th 
:iscloses  that  a  silver  me<  i 
im  at  the  session  of  the  G  i 
been  presented,  the  snn 
IS  widow. 


762  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

to  perceive  its  great  possibilities  and  that,  to  take  advantage  of  them,  it 
must  discard  the  mere  rude  and  convivial  features  which  formed  a  main 
attraction  of  the  earlier  lodges. 

In  this  respect  it  may  be  said  that  Augustus  Mathiot,  one  of  the  first 
native  American  Odd  Fellows,  preceded  him,  but  Bidgely  carried  to 
the  fullest  extent  this  idea  and  endeavored  to  make  the  moral  and 
the  intellectual  features  predominate  the  merely  social  and  beneficial^ 
although  he  desired  to  see  these  have  their  proper  and  due  recognition  in 
the  Order. 

James  L.  Eidgely  was  bom  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  on  the 
27th  of  January,  1807,  of  a  family  long  resident  in  Maryland,  and  which 
had  served  and  been  honored  in  the  state  by  various  prominent  positions 
of  trust.  His  father,  Lot  Eidgely,  had  been  a  prominent  merchant,  but 
through  various  reverses  had  become  reduced  in  fortune,  but  was  still  able 
to  give  his  son  the  advantages  of  a  finished  education.  Brother  Bidgely 
having  attended  St.  Mary's  College,  at  Baltimore,  and  completing  his 
college  course  at  Mount  St.  Marys,  Emmettsburg,  where  he  graduated 
with  high  honors. 

On  leaving  college  young  Bidgely  determined  to  adopt  the  profession 
of  law,  and  for  this  purpose  entered  the  office  and  studied  under  the  direc- 
tion of  David  Hoffman,  then  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  bar  of  Maryland, 
and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  June,  1828. 

While  his  career  as  a  lawyer  and  as  a  citizen  was  a  successful  one,  and 
he  earned  and  received  from  his  native  city  and  state  many  evidences  of 
their  esteem  and  confidence,  yet  it  is  by  his  work  as  an  Odd  Fellow  that 
his  name  will  be  longest  remembered  ;  although  the  mere  enumeration  of 
the  positions  he  filled  in  civic  life  will  indicate  the  general  respect  in 
which  he  was  held.  In  1834  he  was  honored  by  a  seat  in  the  common 
council  of  Baltimore;  in  1848  he  was  president  of  the  board  of  education 
of  Baltimore,  and  it  was  largely  through  his  efforts  that  the  present  sys- 
tem of  public  schools  in  that  city  was  adopted,  a  system  which  is  one  of 
the  most  complete  and  thorough  in  the  entire  country. 

In  1849  he  was  a  member  of  the  convention  elected  to  frame  a  new 
constitution  for  the  state;  became  register  of  wills  for  Baltimore  county 
in  1864,  which  office  he  held  until  he  was  appointed  collector  of  internal 
revenue  by  President  Lincoln,  being  retained  therein  during  the  adminis- 
tration of  President  Johnson. 

Among  the  business  community,  his  integrity  and  sterling  worth  were 
as  fully  recognized  as  were  his  abilities  as  a  legislator  and  a  lawyer  by 
the  mass  of  the  people  generally,  for  we  find  that  he  held  the  position 
of  president  of  the  Baltimore  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company, 
from  1855  until  his  death. 

In  the  sphere  of  Odd  Fellowship  his  career  was  still  more  distin- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  763 

guished;  for  to  him,  more  than  any  other,  is  due  the  evolution  of  the 
Order,  as  he  found  it,  from  a  society  having  conviviality  as  one  of  its 
marked  features,  conjoined  with  mutual  relief,  to  a  great  moral  and 
progressive  society,  attaining  almost  to  the  level  of  a  religion,  and  having 
as  its  chief  and  grand  aim  the  elevation  and  improvement  of  the  character 
of  man,  and  his  indoctrination  into  the  great  lesson  of  his  brotherhood 
with  all  who  were  created  in  the  likeness  of  the  Great  Creator. 

James  L.  Ridgely  became  a  member  of  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  3,  on 
May  27,  1829,  and  from  that  time  his  rise  was  rapid,  as  his  brothers 
recognized  his  merits  and  ability.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland,  in  1830,  and,  in  1831,  took  his  seat  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  as  representative  from  Maryland ;  and  from 
then  until  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis,  in  1879,  his  work,  both  with 
tongue  and  pen,  was  unceasing  to  make  the  Order,  what  it  has  become,  a 
ministering  angel  to  suffering  humanity,  and  one  of  the  greatest  moral 
forces  of  modern  civilization. 

The  lectures  and  charges  of  the  Order  having  grown  and  been  incor- 
porated into  the  ritual  without  proper  system,  and  without  adequate 
attention  being  given  to  their  literary  construction,  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  United  States,  at  its  session  in  1833,  appointed  a  committee  to  revise 
the  work,  which  committee  presented  their  report  for  action  in  1835;  and 
while  Ridgely  was  not  a  member  of  this  committee,  he  took  an  active  part 
on  the  floor  of  the  Grand  body  in  its  consideration,  so  that  while  this 
revision  was  not  entirely  what  it  might  have  been,  it  was  a  considerable 
improvement  on  what  the  ritual  previously  had  been. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  1836,  Ridgely  was  nominated, 
together  with  two  other  distinguished  brothers,  for  the  office  of  Grand 
Sire,  and  received  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast,  but  refused  to  accept  this 
distinguished  honor,  which  he  declined  in  favor  of  one  of  his  competitors, 
Samuel  H.  Perkins,  of  Pennsylvania.  At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States,  held  April  24,  1840,  the  office  of  "grand  corre- 
sponding secretary ''  was  created  and  it  was 

*' Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Corresponding  Secretary  be,  and  he  is,  hereby  directed  to 
prepare  and  print  an  abstract  of  such  subjects  contained  in  his  correspondence  as  may  be 
important  to  be  considered,  and  at  each  annual  communication,  hereafter,  to  make  a  detailed 
report  of  the  subjects  of  correspondence  requiring  the  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge." 

In  passing  this  resolution  the  Grand  Lodge  undoubtedly  had  Kidgely 
in  mind,  his  eminent  qualities  of  culture  and  literary  taste  fitting  him 
peculiarly  for  the  position,  to  which  he  was  accordingly  elected,  filling  it 
continuously  until  his  death,  the  office  of  "  grand  recording  secretary " 
being  united  with  it  in  1841,  and  he  holding  both  positions  from  that  time. 

The  Grand  Lodge  at  its  session  in  October,  1840,  determined  to  confer 
still  higher  honors  upon  him,  and  for  the  seconid  time  elected  him  Grand 


764  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

Sire,  which  he  again  declined,  preferring  to  fill  the  post  to  which  he  had 
previously  been  elected,  believing,  with  his  usual  devotion  to  duty,  regard- 
less of  honors,  that  he  could  be  of  more  service  to  the  Order  in  the  less 
prominent  station,  giving  his  reasons  for  such  declension  in  a  letter  which 
is  a  model  of  good  taste,  sincerity,  and  modesty,  and  in  which  he  said:  — 

"  In  laying  aside  the  highest  office  within  your  gift,  so  honorably  and  kindly  presented 
to  me,  it  is  due  to  myself  that  the  motives  which  have  inflnenced  my  fixed  determination 
should  be  clearly  stated,  lest  peradventure  this  second  declension  of  the  Grand-Sireship 
might  be  regarded  as  capricious  on  my  part  and  wanting  in  due  respect  to  the  representa- 
tives of  the  states.  Office  once  assumed  should  be  faithfully  administered,  and  its  honors, 
however  brilliant,  should  rather  by  the  efficient  discharge  of  its  duties  be  reflected  by  the 
officer,  than  be  shed  from  the  place  itself  upon  any  easy  and  inactive  incumbent.  Whatever, ' 
therefore,  of  gratification  to  individual  pride  the  acceptance  of  honor  accepted  would  afford, 
and  whatever  of  elevation  and  rank  and  title  in  the  Order  be  the  sacrifice  consequent  upon 
its  declension,  are  considerations  which  cannot  weigh  in  the  circumstances  in  which  I  am 
placed.  .  .  .  Regarding  the  office  of  Grand  Sire  as  thus  responsible,  and  believing  the  weal 
or  woe  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  all  its  details  throughout  your  jurisdiction  so  inseparably 
blended  with  such  a  faithful  and  efficient  discharge  of  its  duties  as  I  know  in  my  conscience 
I  cannot,  in  view  of  my  situation  in  life,  devote  to  its  functions,  I  am  compelled,  with 
profound  respect,  to  decline  the  honor  of  the  office." 

Thus  nobly,  and  from  a  pure  sense  of  duty,  did  Ridgely  put  aside  the 
highest  official  crown  which  his  loved  Order  could  bestow,  to  labor  in  a 
subordinate  position  in  order  to  better  subserve  its  interests  and  spread 
its  principles.  The  position  he  had  accepted  was  adapted  to  his  tastes, 
and  the  journals  of  the  Grand  Lodge  from  that  time  attest  how  well  its 
duties  were  performed.  The  routine  duties  of  this  post  were,  however, 
but  a  tithe  of  the  work  he  performed  for  the  brotherhood. 

When  the  secret  work  was  revised  in  1845,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
committee  on  revision,  and  the  Order  at  that  time  had  so  grown,  not 
only  in  numbers,  but  also  in  aspirations,  as  to  demand  broader  and  higher 
moral  teachings  to  be  embraced  in  its  ritual ;  and  to  Ridgely  is  largely 
due  the  construction  and  expression  found  in  the  language  of  the  ritual- 
istic work  of  1845,  and  to  his  pen  and  brain  we  owe  the  sublime  and 
beautiful  "Past  Grand's^  charge,"  which  will,  we  believe,  ever  stand  as  a 
true  expression  of  the  fundamental  principles  on  which  Odd  Fellowship 
rests  and  will  rest  until  time  shall  be  no  more. 

From  this  period  until  age  had  robbed  him  of  his  vigor  of  mind  and 
body,  he  continued  to  labor  for  the  advancement  of  the  Order,  always 
ready  to  advise  and  aid  those  who  applied  to  him,  and  with  gentle  and 
courteous  manner  to  heal  such  differences  as  sometimes  arose  in  the 
discussion  of  questions  in  the  councils  of  the  brotherhood. 

At  last  came  the  end  of  his  earthly  career;  .on  the  16th  of  November, 
1881,  he  passed  from  earth,  and,  attended  by  sorrowing  thousands,  was 

^  Note  by  tfte  Editor-in-Chief.  —  Having  seen  the  original  draft  of  this  classic,  in  the  kandxtriting 
of  Ridgely^  which,  with  yerj  slight  elimination,  is  rehearsed  to-day  as  the  distinguished  brother  wrote  it,  we 
are  prepared  to  indorse  all  that  the  Grand  Sire  says  in  relation  to  this  immortal  production. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  8K. 

Iw  fp.3Dg  place  in  Greetunoimt 
,iine  which  will  be  remei 

ast  domain  where  Odd  I 

et  to  testify  their  respect 
Wilmot  G.  DeSaussure,  1 
id  friendship  for,  the  hoi 
snts  was  delegated  the  pi 
lulogy  to  commemorate  hiE 
a  large  assembly  of  the  1: 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lo 
Bt  hnrch. 
E^dicated  with  eloquent  apt 
oportions,  commemorating 
irlem  Square,  Baltimore  :  1 


1  our  dead  brother  will  be 

louBaDdi,  and  b7  tboDsaods  yet  to 

the  blessings,  praises,  and 

iDDumecable  hearts  whose  sorrov 

whose  wants  reUeved  b;  Odd  T 

he  good  both  DOW  and  in  succai 

Is         to  building  up  a  temple  ■ 

od    t  man.'    Noc  marble  nor  brai 

and  his  deeds.    In  his  own  wo 


CHAPTER  I 

NICHOLSON,  VEITCH,   ANl 


766  THE  THBEE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

connected  with  his  work  for  fraternity ;  so  that  it  is  difficult  for  a  biog- 
rapher to  do  more  than  make  a  mere  sketch  of  his  history  unconnected* 
with  Odd  Fellowship. 

James  B.  Nicholson,  seventeenth  Grand  Sire  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  was  born  about  1822  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  when  it  was 
a  small  but  important  trading  post  and  town,  with  great  possibilities 
which  have  since  been  realized;  and  when  a  youth  removed  to  Philadel- 
phia, in  which  city  he  has  ever  since  resided  and  been  identified. 

He  became  connected  with  the  Order  ol  Odd  Fellows  in  April,  1845, 
being  initiated  into  Chosen  Friends  Lodge,  No.  100;  and  at  once  becom- 
ing imbued  with  its  noble  principles,  he  began  what  proved  to  be  his 
life's  work,  in  spreading  its  grand  doctrines  of  fraternity  and  humanity. 

With  his  earnestness  and  zeal  known,  his  brethren  did  not  long  suffer 
him  to  remain  in  the  ranks;  but  after  passing  through  the  various  sub- 
ordinate positions  in  his  lodge,  he  was  elected  its  Noble  Grand,  in  which, 
position  he  displayed  such  aptitude  for  its  duties,  and  such  knowledge  of 
the  general  laws  of  the  Order,  as  to  clearly  point  him  out  as  one  of  the 
future  chiefs  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

We  find  him  eager  to  learn  all  that  Odd  Fellowship  afforded,  in  those 
comparatively  early  and  crude  days  of  the  Order;  and  he  soon  united 
with  the  encampment  branch,  being  initiated  in  Mount  Olive  Encamp- 
ment, No.  6,  of  which  he  remained  a  member  for  many  years,  and  until 
he  joined  Palestine  Encampment,  No.  61,  of  which  he  is  still  a  member. 

He  became  a  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania  in 
1848,  and  to  the  Grand  Encampment  in  1849,  in  both  of  which  bodies  his 
merits  and  ability  at  once  were  recognized  ;  and  in  their  discussions  and 
deliberations,  he  immediately  found  his  opinions  and  views  were  given 
the  greatest  consideration  and  received  with  the  utmost  respect. 

Impressed  as  his  associates  were  with  the  sterling  qualities  of  his  heart 
and  brain,  it  was  natural  that,  without  effort  of  his  own,  he  should  pass  to 
the  highest  official  position  in  his  jurisdiction ;  and,  accordingly  we  find 
him,  after  serving  as  Grand  Warden  and  Deputy  Grand  Master,  in  1853 
elevated  to  the  honorable  position  of  Grand  Master  of  Pennsylvania,  then, 
as  now,  the  jurisdiction  having  the  largest  number  of  members  of  any 
tinder  the  banner  of  the  Order. 

In  1859  he  was  elected  Grand  Representative  from  his  Grand  Lodge 
to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  and,  as  in  his^Grand  Lodge,  at 
once  took  high  rank  in  that  body,  being  regarded  as  among  its  wisest 
legislators  and  its  most  polished  orator  and  debater. 

In  the  period  from  1859  to  1862,  during  which  he  served  as  a  Grand 
Representative,  he  was  honored,  or  rather  the  Grand  body  honored  itself, 
by  commanding  his  services,  first,  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on  appeals, 
and  during  the  remainder  of  the  time  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on  the 


:f:^;|te«:c^^«:^aTiNG  card.  i. 


I 

BIOGRAPHICAL  8Ki 

state  of  the  Order ;  and,  at  the  session  of  186 
as  the  seventeenth  Grand  Sire. 

Dark  and  gloomy  were  the  prospects  of 
B.  Nicholson  assumed  the  office  of  its  chief  < 
ciated  the  difficulties  of  his  position ;  but  r 
efforts  to  sustain  the  great  cause  of  fraten 
remarks  on  being  installed,  he  used  the  folio 
he  knew  the  dangers  and  did  not  fear  to  mee 

"  Our  work  is  not  done ;  we  are  stUl  stumbling  wit 
of  the  bridge  of  time ;  the  wail  of  the  fallen  and  sinkini 
we  must  help  them  or  they  perish.  There  is  a  mighty  m 
orphaned,  and  distressed  demand  our  care,  our  sympat 
worthy  of  you  — a  work  in  which  Wildey  in  his  youi 
from  hence  to  your  respective  jurisdictions,  thrust  yo 
human  benefaction,  and  reap  flowers  perennial,  that  will 
the  things  of  earth  shaU  have  passed  away." 

His  term  of  office  as  Grand  Sire  was  pa 
efforts  to  press  forward  the  banner  of  the  Or 
ship,  and  improve  its  laws,  in  spite  of  the  w 
him  and  the  Order  and  threatened  its  very  ' 
these  objects  he  visited  and  instructed  th 
Encampments  of  Wisconsin,  New  York,  and 
numerous  addresses  in  various  cities  throughc 
jurisdictions. 

His  administration  of  the  duties  of  Gran 
officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  i 
head  of  the  Order,  were  fulfilled  with  ability 
and  in  retiring  from  that  exalted  position,  i: 
record  surpassed  by  none  of  his  predecessors 
and  ability. 

At  the  close  of  the  terrible  civil  war,  in  1  : 
and  by  his  advice,  that  his  successor,  his  old  f  : 
souri,  issued  the  memorable  proclamation,  ii  i 
tions  to  send  representatives  to  the  next  se  i 
the  United  States,  as  their  seats  were  awaj  ; 
being  accepted,  at  once  reunited  the  whole  I 
at  the  ever-to-be-remembered  session  of  186. 

In  retiring  from  the  office  of  Grand  Sii  \ 
go  into  inaction  to  enjoy  the  honors  he  had  ' 
of  his  jurisdiction,  in  1869,  he  accepted  the 
and  Grand  Scribe  of  Pennsylvania,  and  has  i 
elected  to  these  two  positions;   for  which    i 
knowledge  of  the  laws  and  usages  of  the  Or( 
try  so  preeminently  qualify  him. 


768  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

But  Pennsylvania  alone  could  not  claim  a  monopoly  of  that  clear  and 
active  brain;  the  whole  brotherhood  demanded  and  received  the  benefit 
of  the  large  experience,  great  heart,  and  mature  mind  of  James  B. 
Nicholson.  In  response  to  this  call,  we  find  him  attending  every  ses- 
sion of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  since  1864,  where,  in  consulting  with 
old  associates,  or  in  kindly  advice  to  younger  members,  he  has  been  ready 
to  give  the  fruits  of  his  ripe  mind  to  every  measure  which  would  teud  to 
the  good  of  his  beloved  Order,  and  spread  the  gospel  of  the  Fatherhood  of 
God  and  the  brotherhood  of  man. 

Although  the  weight  of  years  is  pressing  upon  him  he  is  still  as  alert 
and  vigilant  to  defeat  injurious  legislation,  and  to  forward  good,  as  the 
youngest  member;  age  cannot  repress  the  noble  current  that  ever  throbs 
through  his  veins,  when  the  good  of  the  Order  is  concerned;  and  the  pre- 
tention of  many  injurious  innovations,  and  the  passage  of  many  glorious 
reforms,  have  been  largely  due  to  the  influence  of  this  beloved  brother. 

Always  for  progress,  never  for  mere  change  for  change's  sake,  he 
stands  at  once  the  bulwark  of  conservatism  against  dangerous  innova- 
tion and  destruction  of  ancient  landmarks;  and,  again,  as  the  champion 
of  radical  reform,  when  clearly  demanded,  to  make  more  perfect  the 
temple  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

The  legislation  of  the  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  of  1894, 
when  the  degree  of  Bebekah  was  remodelled,  and  all  unmarried  white 
women,  above  the  age  of  eighteen,  were  made  eligible  to  membership,  was 
so  great  a  departure  from  established  usages,  that  probably  no  man  but 
Brother  Nicholson  could  have  proposed  and  carried  it  through  to  adop- 
tion; some  indeed  favored  it  before  he  moved  to  make  it  the  law,  but 
knowing  the  conservatism  of  the  older  members  and  past  grand  sires, 
they  did  not  suggest  it;  and  it  was  left  for  the  Grand  Old  Man  Eloquent, 
James  B.  Nicholson,  to  propose  it,  and  by  the  weight  of  his  eloquence 
and  the  authority  of  his  long  services  and  devotion  to  the  Order  to  carry 
through  a  measure  which  has  revolutionized  the  degree  of  Kebekah,  made 
it  the  coequal  of  the  subordinate  lodge,  and,  in  the  judgment  of  many,  is 
the  most  important  legislation  accomplished  for  the  Order  in  twenty  years. 

No  branch  of  the  Order,  no  subject,  apparently,  too  trivial  which 
may  affect  the  good  of  Odd  Fellowship,  fails  to  engage  the  careful  atten- 
tion and  best  thought  of  this  mentor  of  the  Order :  the  relation  of  dues 
to  benefits;  the  organization  of  the  Patriarchs  Militant;  the  preservation 
of  the  visiting  card,  all  have  passed  through  the  crucible  of  his  mind, 
ever  with  the  result  that  his  ideas,  when  fully  matured  by  him,  have 
received  the  approval  of  the  Senate  of  Odd  Fellowship ;  and  though  with- 
out a  vote  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  simply  a  past  grand  sire,  a 
measure  that  has  his  support  is  almost  assured  of  success,  so  high  does 
tliat  body  esteem  the  wisdom  of  James  B.  Nicholson. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  769 

Accustomed  as  the  members  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  were  to 
see  the  stately  form  and  calm  countenance  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson, 
beaming  with  benignant  dignity  within  its  portals,  the  news  came  like 
an  electric  shock  to  them,  and  the  brotherhood  generally,  that,  on  the 
last  day  of  December,  1892,  while  at  the  post  of  duty,  preparing  to 
deliver  an  address.  Brother  Nicholson  had  been  stricken  with  paraly- 
sis, and  was  lying  prostrate,  with  the  angels  of  life  and  death  fighting 
over  his  form;  and  thousands  of  prayers  rose  from  city,  town,  and  vil- 
lage, and  from  many  a  country  home,  that  life  might  conquer  and  Nich- 
olson be  spared  yet  a  little  while  longer  to  continue  the  work  of  spreading 
the  gospel  of  fraternity  throughout  the  world. 

The  prayers  were  answered,  Nicholson  was  restored  to  friends,  coun- 
try, and  the  Order;  and  to-day,  though  his  form  shows  traces  of  the 
shock,  yet  the  God-like  part,  the  mind  and  brain,  are  still  as  vigorous  and 
the  thoughts  as  clear,  as  when  years  ago  his  physical  strength  enabled 
him  to  hold  listening  thousands  for  hours,  while  he  poured  forth  elo- 
quent words  and  sentences,  calling  on  mankind  to  go  forth  and  hasten 
the  coming  of  that  time,  when  one  law  shall  bind  all  nations,  tongues, 
and  creeds,  and  that  law  shall  be  the  law  of  universal  brotherhood. 

Brother  Nicholson  is  the  orator  preeminent  of  the  Order.  He  has 
delivered  more  addresses  on  subjects  pertaining  to  Odd  Fellowship  than 
any  other  man,  living  or  dead;  not  a  town,  city,  village,  or  hamlet, 
within  Pennsylvania,  but  has  been  charmed  by  the  magic  of  his  elo- 
quence, convinced  by  the  logic  of  his  arguments,  and  melted  into  tears 
by  the  pathos  of  his  sentences;  nor  has  his  work  been  confined  to  the 
state  of  his  adoption;  his  voice  has  resounded  over  all  this  land,  when- 
ever other  engagements  permitted  him  to  yield  to  the  solicitation  of 
the  brotherhood,  and  speak  upon  his  one  subject, — the  matchless  beauties 
and  benefits  of  Odd  Fellowship,  —  for  though  his  fame  as  an  eloquent 
speaker  extends  beyond  the  limits  of  Odd  Fellowship,  yet  he  will  only 
deliver  addresses  upon  that  subject,  and  never  takes  part  as  a  speaker  in 
the  purely  political  struggles  of  the  day. 

In  his  library  in  Philadelphia,  is  to  be  found,  as  the  result  of  his 
assiduous  collecting  of  more  than  half  a  century,  the  most  complete, 
indeed,  the  only  complete,  collection  of  books,  papers,  and  official  docu- 
ments relating  to  Odd  Fellowship;  and  among  them  sits,  in  all  the  glories 
of  an  old  age,  "frosty  yet  kindly,"  the  venerable  form  of  the  Nestor  of 
Odd  Fellowship,  surrounded  by  the  emblems  and  records  of  his  loved 
Order,  breathing  the  very  atmosphere  of  Odd  Fellowship;  and,  in  turn, 
emitting  with  every  glance  of  his  eye  the  very  essence  of  Friendship, 
Love,  and  Truth. 

May  his  life  be  prolonged  for  many  years  to  bless  his  friends,  his 
family,  and  his  Order,  and  when  the  end  shall  come,  as  come  it  must  to 


770  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

all,  may  it  come  like  blessed  sleep  from  heaven,  bringing  simply  repose, 
not  death.  Of  him  it  may  be  as  truly  said,  as  in  his  own  eloquent  lan- 
guage he  said  of  another :  — 

"  He  is  a  born  Odd  Fellow ;  he  received  the  principles  of  the  Order  into  his  heart ;  they 
became  ingrained  into  his  very  nature,  and  as  his  mind  expanded  and  his  character  devel- 
ox>ed,  the  principles  of  the  Order  became  more  and  more  a  part  and  parcel  of  himself.  His 
love  for  the  Order  is  constantly  on  the  increase.  In  his  later  days  he  loves  it  better  and 
more  deeply  than  in  his  youth.  His  youthful  enthusiasm  became  the  strong,  unending 
aspiration  of  his  manhood,  and  in  this  light  he  stands  among  the  foremost  benefactors  of 
the  Order.  On  the  other  hand,  as  a  reflex  action,  unconsciously,  perhaps,  to  himself,  he  is 
also  growing  better,  wiser,  more  liberal,  more  loving  and  more  worthy  of  the  tenderness 
and  affection,  the  unalloyed  love  that  now  enshrines  his  life." 

Isaac  McKendree  Veitch,  Past  Grand  Sire.  —  Isaac  M.  Yeitch,  eighteenth 
Grand  Sire  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  holding  that  dis- 
tinguished position  during  the  darkest  days  in  the  history  of  this  country 
and  when  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  had,  seemingly,  been  rent  asunder 
in  the  conflicts  of  civil  war,  held  the  honorable  distinction  of  having 
more  largely  contributed  than  any  one  else  to  the  reunion  of  the  severed 
fragments  of  this  great  brotherhood,  by  his  official  action  as  the  head  of 
that  great  fraternal  organization. 

Isaac  M.  Veitch  was  born  in  Alexandria,  Virginia,  on  the  20th  of 
July,  1816,  at  which  place  he  resided  until  he  attained  the  age  of 
twenty-five  years,  when  he  removed  to  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death. 

That  his  life  there  as  a  citizen  was  one  of  usefulness  and  honor,  is 
undoubtedly  true,  and  that  in  business  circles  he  ever  stood  as  a  man  of 
integrity  and  enterprise,  always  ready  to  aid  in  the  upbuilding  of  the 
community,  is  equally  true ;  but  in  this  brief  sketch  of  one  honored,  and 
deservedly  so,  by  the  great  Order  of 'Odd  Fellows,  only  his  work  and 
services  in  that  interest  can  be  named. 

With  a  kindly,  generous  heart,  and  imbued  with  a  true  fraternal 
love  for  his  fellow-man,  it  was  natural  that  Brother  Veitch  should  early 
seek  to  ally  himself  with  those  who  had  pledged  themselves  to  unite 
together  in  offices  of  human  benefaction,  so  we  find  that  shortly  before 
he  left  his  native  town  for  the  then  "far  west,"  he  became  a  member  of 
Potomac  Lodge,  No.  8,  at  Alexandria,  Virginia,  being  admitted  on  the 
29th  of  March,  1841. 

Soon  after  arriving  in  St.  Louis,  he  applied  to  and  was  admitted  a 
member  of  Wildey  Lodge,  No.  2,  on  the  29th  of  June,  1841. 

Always  earnest  in  the  advocacy  of  what  he  deemed  right,  he  became 
thoroughly  imbued  with  the  idea  that  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  was  an 
organization  which  could  successfully  propagate  his  views  of  social  frater- 
nity, and  to  it  he  gave  his  best  efforts.  As  the  result  of  his  devotion 
to  its  interests,  he  was  soon  prominent  in  his  lodge,  serving  it  faithfully 


'^m^f^i^ififkiAL  SKETi 

fSiiiial^roi'duia'te  offices,  paBsiog  1 

l^mitted  to  the  Graud  Lo 

^oiidence  and  esteem  of  1 

ft'ltPJo  any  work  that  devolrec 

SiWVMtin   that  body,   lie  was  ] 

■Ij^e  session  of  1846,  which 

■  k  a  short  time;  for,  byth 

. ._»  .  — ,  ^n&  was  told  to  "  go  up  high< 

^■SMB>:ffSC  Master  without  being  req 

l]EII|^'^i||iwft'ffkairs  of  the  G-rand  Lodge,- 


772  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

could  not  sever  the  hearts  and  hands  of  those  who  stood  upon  the  broad 
platform  of  a  common  humanity,  no  matter  what  differences  had  for  a 
time  separated  them. 

This  practical  lesson  of  toleration,  so  much  needed  at  the  time,  was 
exemplified  in  the  famous  proclamation,  and  in  the  subsequent  action  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  session  in  Baltimore,  the  succeeding  September. 
The  reader  is  referred  for  the  full  text  of  this  proclamation,  and  the 
impressive  scenes  that  followed,  to  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson's  contri- 
bution to  this  work,  Section  IV.,  Division  II.,  Part  II.,  the  whole  of 
which  will  be  found  to  be  of  absorbing  interest  to  read  in  connection, 
also,  with  these  biographical  sketches.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  invita- 
tion, so  cordially  extended,  was  accepted  in  the  same  spirit,  and  the 
chairs,  vacant  for  four  years,  were  filled  at  the  session  of  1865 ;  and  to 
Brother  Veitch  is  due  the  glorious  meed  of  praise  for  effecting  a  recon- 
ciliation in  so  complete  a  manner. 

At  the  expiration  of  Brother  Veitch's  term  as  Grand  Sire,  he  did  not 
rest  upon  the  laurels  won  and  worn,  but  continued  to  be  a  regular  attend- 
ant of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  the  journals  of  that  body 
showing  that  he  attended  every  session  but  four,  from  1866  to  the  date 
of  his  death.  His  labors  for  the  good  of  the  Order  never  ceased,  for  we 
find  that  when  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  —  the  successor  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States, — at  its  session  in  1879  raised  a  committee  to 
make  a  necessary  revision  of  the  entire  ritualistic  work  of  the  Order, 
he  became  an  active  and  influential  member.  He  sustained  Brother 
Henry  F.  Garey  in  remodelling  the  subordinate  lodge  degrees ;  also. 
Brother  Taliaferro  P.  Shaffner  in  the  revision  of  the  encampment  work, 
severally  adopted  at  Toronto,  in  1880. 

A  regular  attendant  of  the  sessions  of  his  state  Grand  Lodge,  death 
found  him  at  the  post  of  duty.  At  the  session  held  on  the  morning  of 
May  22,  1884,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri,  he  took  an  active  part  in 
the  discussion  of  a  report  of  the  committee  on  legislation,  of  which  he 
was  chairman,  and  appeared  to  be  in  his  usual  health.  Eetiring  to  bis 
office  during  the  noon  recess  of  the  body,  he  was  "  stricken  down "  sud- 
denly and  died  almost  instantly. 

To  most  men  "  sudden  death "  is  terrible,  but  to  Brother  Veitch,  the 
good  citizen,  upright  man,  true  friend,  devoted  Odd  Fellow,  and  sincere 
Christian,  it  had  no  terrors,  for  he  was  always  prepared  and  ready  to  meet 
that  Father  whose  mandates  he  had  ever  obeyed  and  whose  work  he  had 
sought  to  perform. 

Beloved  by  his  personal  associates,  revered  by  the  great  Order  he  had 
been  so  instrumental  in  reuniting  after  the  storm  of  turmoil  and  war  had 
passed  away,  the  name  of  Isaac  M.  Veitch  will  long  be  remembered  as 
the  "great  pacificator  of  Odd  Fellowship." 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  773 

James  P.  SanderSi  Past  Grand  Sire.  — James  P.  Sanders^  the  nineteenth 
Grand  Sire  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  James  B.  Nicholson,  the  oldest  living  Past  Grand  Sire,  was  born 
in  the  city  of  New  York  on  the  fifth  day  of  April,  1819. 

His  parents  died  when  he  was  quite  young,  leaving  him  to  the  care 
of  an  uncle;  who,  deeming  it  best  for  his  future  interests,  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  sent  him  to  Danbury,  Connecticut,  where  he  was  apprenticed  to 
learn  the  trade  of  a  hatter,  —  Danbury  being  then,  as  now,  a  leading  town 
in  that  industry  in  the  United  States. 

While  young  Sanders  did  not  fail  to  thoroughly  learn  the  details  of 
the  art  to  which  his  uncle  had  devoted  him  and  became  a  first-class  work- 
man, yet  he  had  ambition  beyond  becoming  a  mere  mechanic,  honorable 
though  it  is ;  and  we  find  him,  during  the  time  he  was  learning  his  trade  as 
a  hatter,  devoting  all  his  spare  moments  to  the  study  of  law.  So  well  did 
he  progress  that,  shortly  after  completing  his  apprenticeship,  he  finished 
his  law  studies,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  being  equipped  both  as  an 
artisan  and  a  lawyer. 

He  early  and  always  exhibited  true  grit  and  determination  to  succeed 
in  anything  to  which  he  put  his  hand ;  so  in  addition  to  the  two  vocations 
which  he  was  qualified  to  pursue  he,  also,  mastered  the  science  of  book- 
keeping, in  which  capacity  we  find  him  for  some  time  employed  in  the 
Courier  and  Erujuirer  office,  then  a  leading  newspaper  of  New  York  City, 
as  well  as  with  several  other  newspapers. 

During  this  early  period  he  was,  also,  settled  in  Peekskill,  New  York, 
in  the  business  of  a  hatter;  but  he  finally  determined  to  devote  his 
entire  energies  to  the  law,  in  which  profession  he  established  himself  in 
Yonkers,  near  the  city  of  New  York, where  he  has  ever  since  resided;  and 
where,  with  his  integrity,  industry,  and  zeal,  he  obtained  a  large  practice 
and  soon  became  known  as  one  of  the  heads  of  the  profession  in  that 
locality,  and  by  which  he  soon  secured  a  modest  competency. 

Brother  Sanders,  while  known  more  widely  as  an  Odd  Fellow  than  in 
all  other  capacities,  has  taken  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  which 
affected  his  community  and  country,  so  that  while  he  never  made  politics 
his  business,  yet,  like  every  true  American,  —  and  he  is  in  every  sense  a 
good  type  of  an  American,  —  he  has  always  been  interested  in  political 
questions.  He  has  been  often  importuned  to  be  a  candidate  for  public 
positions,  notably  in  1854,  when  he  was  "  prevailed  upon "  to  become  a 
candidate  for  attorney-general  of  the  state  of  New  York,  a  position 
to  which  he  was  not  elected  however,  his  party  being  in  a  hopeless 
minority. 

It  is  as  an  Odd  Fellow  that  Brother  Sanders  will  ever  be  best  known, 
and  it  is  in  this  field  that  he  has  received  and  deserved  the  highest  honors 
that  his  brothers  could  bestow. 


774  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

His  first  connection  with  the  Order  was  in  1843,  in  which  year,  on 
September  17th,  he  was  initiated  into  Samaritan  Lodge,  at  Danbury,  Con- 
necticut, soon  passed  the  subordinate  chairs,  and  was  elevated  to  the 
position  of  Noble  Grand.  In  1846  he  removed  to  New  York  City,  and 
soon  thereafter  became  a  member  of  Cortland  Lodge,  No.  8,  having 
already,  in  1844,  become  an  encampment  member. 

In  August,  1847,  although  a  comparatively  young  member,  he  was 
elected  to  represent  his  lodge  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York ;  and 
when  it  met,  the  trouble  arose  between  the  "  city ''  and  "  country  "  lodges, 
in  which  Brother  Sanders  joined  what  was  known  as  the  "hay-seeds," 
and  which  trouble  resulted  in  the  formation  of  two  Grand  Lodges  in  New 
York,  the  lodge  to  which  Sanders  belonged  joining  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Northern  New  York. 

In  1850  he  was  elected  Grand  Patriarch  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
Northern  New  York,  and  in  August,  1852,  was  honored  by  that  body, 
being  elected  its  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 
^  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  his  progress  in  the  Order  had  been  rapid,  and  he 
was  already  recognized  as  a  leader  in  its  highest  councils,  being  known  as 
a  man  of  decided  opinions  and  an  indomitable  and  unflinching  advocate  of 
any  question  which  he  might  espouse. 

In  1856  he  was  elected  to  the  position  of  Grand  Warden ;  in  1857  was 
made  Deputy  Grand  Master ;  and,  in  1858,  was  elevated  to  the  chair  of 
Grand  Master,  thus, —  in  the  fourteen  years  during  which  he  had  been  an 
Odd  Fellow,  —  having  been  honored  with  every  position  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  which  his  jurisdiction  could  bestow. 

Still  higher  distinction  awaited  him  in  the  broader  field  which  opened 
to  him  by  his  second  entrance  into  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
in  1861,  to  which  body  he  was  reelected  in  1863,  and  in  which  his  abilities 
and  zeal  were  at  once  fully  recognized.  He  was  placed  on  important  com- 
mittees, where  his  capacity  for  work  was  fully  demonstrated,  resulting  in 
his  appointment  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on  the  state  of  the  Order, 
which  position  he  filled  until  the  election  of  1864,  when  his  merits  were 
more  fully  recognized  and  rewarded  by  his  being  promoted  to  Deputy 
Grand  Sire,  from  which,  in  1866,  he  was  elevated  to  the  headship  of  the 
Order,  as  Grand  Sire. 

When  he  thus  assumed  the  position  of  executive  head  of  the  Order, 
the  war-clouds  which  had  shadowed  the  country  had  passed  away,  a 
brighter  day  was  dawning  for  Odd  Fellowship,  and  Brother  Sanders  used 
all  the  energy  of  his  nature  to  press  forward  the  banner  of  the  Order  and 
spread  its  doctrines ;  so  that  during  his  term  of  office  we  find  the  Order 
had  increased  from  189,128  to  255,322,  showing  that  his  efforts  had  been 
crowned  with  success,  and  he  left  the  Order  in  a  healthy  and  growing 
condition. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH} 

After  his  retirement  from  this  position,  he  s 
the  meetings  of  every  Grand  body  of  which  he  w 
not  to  labor  for  the  good  and  advancement  of  the  < 
every  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  sin< 
Grand  Sire  or  as  Representative,  having  been  ca] 
brothers  of  Kew  York  to  represent  them.  Nor 
attending  the  state  Grand  bodies,  where  at  everj 
figure  is  seen,  and  his  earnest  cheery  voice  is  heai 

A  hard  and  determined  fighter  in  the  halls 
hesitates  to  attack  any  position  or  opinion  if  not  fc 
on  sound  reason,  no  matter  how  fortified  by  ai 
strikes  sledge-hammer  blows  at  what  he  may  re 
he  is  in  private  one  of  the  warmest-hearted,  kin< 
of  men.  With  little  of  the  polish  of  the  rhetori 
forcible  speaker,  and  is  always  heard  with  close 
hear  him  know  that  what  he  states,  are  his  sin 
victions. 

In  the  general  legislation  of  the  Order,  he  has 
part,  and  is  noted  as  a  cerbertis  of  the  treasury;  no 
being  able  to  pass  his  searching  scrutiny,  or  propoi 
condemnation  and  denunciation. 

He  is  a  lover  of  truth  in  all  things  and  a  hi 
pretence  :  true  morality  and  fraternity  have  nc 
advocate. 

Of  a  warm  heart,  a  clear  head,  and  a  social  n 
make  him  the  noble  type  of  an  American  and  an  ( 
cialism  marks  or  mars  his  nature,  but  he  stands 
man,  loving  the  truth,  detesting  injustice  and  ^ 
affection  of  his  impulsive  and  fraternal  nature,  j 
within  the  broad  mantle  of  charity  and  toleranc 
knows  to  be  sinful  and  erring. 

Dearly  loved  by  all  with  whom  he  is  brought ; 
cation,  he  is  always  surrounded,  during  the  ses 
Grand  Lodge,  by  groups  of  loving  and  admiring 
long  as  he  will  talk,  to  his  store  of  anecdotes  of 
now  departed;  and,  with  his  wonderful  memory, 
encyclopaedia  of  Odd  Fellows'  lore. 

Of  vigorous  frame  and  imposing  presence,  tl 
beyond  the  "threescore  years  and  ten,"  being  o^ 
of  age.  Brother  Sanders  is,  nevertheless,  in  mine 
fifty ;  for  a  regular  and  sober  life,  temperate  in  al 
in  none,  has  preserved  his  bodily  health  in  almost 
an  evidence  of  the  sound,  healthy  life  of  this  grai 


•S-'*^' 


$^f$f$f$'iiT.9r.9r.9r.T.T.T.s7^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  777 

the  state;  and  so  won  the  confidence  and  regard  of  his  fellow -citizens,  as 
to  be  elected,  in  the  year  1847,  to  the  senate  of  his  native  state,  and  on 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  as  senator,  was  for  four  years  secre- 
tary of  that  body. 

In  1850  a  convention  of  the  state  having  been  convened  for  the  pur- 
pose of  framing  a  new  constitution  for  Georgia,  Glenn  was  honored  with 
a  seat  in  that  body,  by  his  constituents  of  Henry  county,  and  in  all  these 
positions  he  acquitted  himself  with  credit,  and  established  a  reputation 
as  an  able,  eloquent,  and  practical  legislator.  In  1854  he  removed  to  the 
city  of  Atlanta,  where  his  merits  were  recognized  and  his  abilities  brought 
into  requisition  by  the  citizens  of  that  place,  who  elected  him  their  mayor 
for  two  successive  terms,  in  1858  and  1869. 

When  the  clouds  of  civil  war  began  to  threaten  the  land,  he  was 
selected  by  the  people  of  Atlanta,  and  Fulton  county,  to  represent  them 
in  the  convention  which  subsequently  adopted  the  ordinance  of  secession 
and  placed  Georgia  side  by  side  with  her  sister  state  of  South  Carolina, 
and  in  opposition  to  the  national  government.  Beady  to  accept  the 
consequences  following  his  action  as  a  member  of  the  secession  convention, 
when  Georgia  called  on  her  sons  to  arm,  he  enlisted  in  the  Southern  army 
in  which  he  held  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  of  infantry;  and  in  this 
capacity  he  served  in  Virginia  until  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  where 
he  was  severely  wounded.  This  wound  terminated  his  active  military 
service ;  and,  with  the  cessation  of  hostilities,  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
law  in  the  city  of  Atlanta,  where  he  was  honored  by  its  citizenship,  in 
1872,  by  a  seat  in  the  state  legislature. 

Such  is  the  history  of  Luther  J.  Glenn,  both  in  military  and  civic 
life,  and  it  shows  the  estimation  in  which  the  people  held  him,  both  in 
peace  and  in  war ;  faithful  to  every  trust  reposed  in  him,  he  merited  and 
won  the  full  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  was  brought  in 
contact. 

His  career  as  an  Odd  Fellow  was  as  brilliant  and  honorable  to  him, 
as  his  life  as  a  citizen  and  a  soldier,  and  in  it  he  won  laurels  and  distinc- 
tion, the  highest  the  brotherhood  could  bestow.  He  was  initiated  into 
the  Order  in  1848,  entered  the  Grand  Lodge  of  (Jeorgia  in  1852,  and 
received  the  remarkable  compliment  of  being  elected  representative  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  at  the  first  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  his  state  which  he  ever  attended. 

He  was  reelected  Grand  Representative  in  1854,  retiring  after  that 
term,  to  be  elected  again  in  1869. 

On  becoming  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  in 
1869,  —  to  which  position  he  was  successively  elected  to  succeed  himself 
until  1878,  —  he  at  once  took  high  rank  in  that  great  body,  and  was  rec- 
ognized as  among  the  leading  members,  both  by  his  colleagues  and  the 


,^'^1  Nir?)'|P8l8l£BilE'  FRATEBSITF. 

L  muyjiflpi-y^' !^  '^Mg- itiy <  service  was  raxied  ajid  extensive, 

nllLtt^^^Jl'^S^K'^  ^^^^'  ^  ^^"'^^  ^^  '■^^  judiciar7 
~"  BiW-tift'^ed  on  the  committee  on  the  state  of 

l^H  of  the  committee  on  foreign  rela- 
ted on  the  committee  on  legislation; 
£48^pi^sentatire  during  the  years  1877 
gfiBBnittee  on  petitions. 

aments, —  and  they  included 

L*present  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, — 

B  (accurate  knowledge  of  the  varied 

t^&  that  great  senate  of  American  Odd 

, ^3- which  is  so  essential  to  him  who 

^  _  ._h(itil>tt4Sk>ositiou  of  Grand  Sire,  and  which 

ApV  m  ■llMU)ltfilk>£w^asurable-value  to  himself  on  attain- 

m  g  WpilEgirillllfse'JBItiithe  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  that  be 

"Jos^^^-^Jj^^and  heart  befitting  an  Odd  Fellow, 

-^_  _.      -  •=>■-=.         S^ition  of  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  at  the 

^Competitors,  among  whom  were  four 

5ce  attained  to  the  highest  honor  of 

ikSS  proper  here  to  state  that  this  was 

lataimination  for  that  office, — which  is 

Di^to  the  position  of  Grand  Sire, —  and 

isi^cr  is  elected  to  such  position  in  his 

^•li^kGlenD  at  the  time  and  in  the  manner 

^eat  and  unusual  honor.     The  duties 

|»ing  performed  to  the  satisfaction  of 

n^odge,  Brother  Glenn  waa  elected  by 

,  held  at  the  city  of  Toronto, 

jaition  of  Grand  Sire. 

rcise  of  the  duties  of  Grand  Sire  a 

^tive  work  belonging  to  the  head  of 

f  with  the  business  duties  which 

.  so  many  committees  in  the 

^ning  as  a  lawyer,  and  his  familiar- 

^rder,  it  was  natural  that  he  should 

er,  nor  did  he.      An  inspec- 

E^rand  Lodge,  during  the  years  1881 

^cedented  fact,  that  out  of  the  nu- 

^and  Sire,  all  were  approved  by  the 

^    ^      „j^*ing  officer,  he  was  a  model,  keeping 

jal^^^CI^Ef^cl^C^^^ill  often  overt^e  legislative  bodies ; 

■!.:■.:«.  :K..£<s-.m^^|^^ggygj.  pregi^g^  over  the  Sovereign 


BIOQBAPBICAL  SEETC 

mW  ^^  criticism  ox  gave  gieat 

Irand  Sire  Glenn'a  tenn 

compelled  to  cease  hi 

however,  retaining  his  i 

luced  by  sickness  long-c< 

June,  1886,  in  the  cit; 

Luther  J.  Glenn,  sur: 

itry  of  loving  friends,  1 

im  Him  who  never  forg< 

-lenn  possessed  the  quali 

sp  rit  and  in  truth;  v 

paladin  of  old  and  as  U 

tr  of  Grand  Sire  with  i 

Iroportioas  and  majestic 

IT  he  was  a  broad-gauged 

in  his  nature.     Leva 

Maternal  to  his  fellow-ma 

one  of  nature's  nobleme 

named  him  but  to  praise 

l^frice-Presldent  of  the  Nstii 

.^^1  cal  sketches  of  leadinj 

^at  of  Schuyler  Colfax,  t 

■Rtto&y  which  woman  was  broi 

illowa 

life  and  civil  services  i 

so  that  it  is  sufficient  1 

I  23d  of  March,  1823,  ai 

a     In  1841  he  was  appo 

ty    Indiana,  holding  tha 

was  the  editor  of  a  ne? 

int  al  Whig  journal  in  N 

.member  of  the  conventioi 

and  was  elected  to  Con 

lerve  in  that  position  i 

'as  its  Speaker  for  three  te 


^^^fJJj^Xvg.  .^£.  .^£.  .^£.  .^£.  .^£.  .^JH.  .w. 


780  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

It  is,  however,  his  life  and  character  as  an  Odd  Fellow  in  which  we 
are  most  interested ;  for,  though  his  career  as  an  editor  and  statesman  was 
filled  with  distinction  and  of  great  usefulness  to  his  country,  other  pens 
have  awarded  to  him  due  praise  for  his  merits  as  a  citizen. 

Brother  Colfax  was  initiated  in  South  Bend  Lodge,  No.  29,  on  the 
18th  of  February,  1846,  and  soon  afterward  became  a  member  of  the 
encampment  branch  of  the  Order.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  his  state  July  10, 1849,  having  received  the  Grand  Encampment 
degree  on  the  day  preceding.  He  was  elected  by  the  Grand  Encampment 
of  Indiana,  as  a  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
on  the  first  day  he  entered  its  portals,  showing  that  the  knowledge  of  his 
merits  had  preceded  his  entrance  to  the  Grand  Encampment.  He  served 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  until  his  election  to  Congress  in 
1855,  when  he  declined  a  reelection  as  Grand  Representative. 

His  services  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  were  marked  by 
industry  and  ability,  he  being  placed  on  many  leading  committees ;  and, 
at  the  session  of  1850,  when  at  the  head  of  the  legislative  committee,  he 
had  the  opportunity  offered  him,  by  which  he  became  famous  as  the  father 
of  the  Rebekah  degree. 

The  history  of  the  formation  of  this  degree,  and  the  connection  of 
Brother  Colfax  with  it,  is  briefly  stated  as  follows :  at  the  session  of  1850, 
Representative .  Smith,  of  Korthern  New  York,  offered  the  following, 
which  was  referred  to  the  legislative  committee,  although  it  seems  to  have 
been  intended,  originally,  for  another  committee :  — 

"Resolved,  That  a  special  committee  of  three  members  be  appointed  to  prepare  an 
appropriate  honorary  degree,  with  an  accompanying  sign  or  signs  and  password,  to  be  con- 
ferred upon  the  wives  of  Scarlet  degree  members  who  are  in  good  standing  in  the  Order ; 
and  that  such  committee  report  such  degree  for  consideration  at  the  next  communication 
of  this  Grand  Lodge." 

• 

The  legislative  committee  presented  a  majority  and  minority  report 
on  Wednesday  of  the  session,  the  minority  being  Schuyler  Colfax  alone : 
all  the  others  were  against  such  a  degree.  These  reports  were  considered 
on  Friday,  September  20th,  and  resulted  in  the  adoption,  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  of  the  report  and  resolution  of  Brother  Colfax  [for  details  of  this 
famous  contest,  the  reader  is  referred  to  other  portions  of  this  work] ;  and 
Brothers  Colfax,  Martin,  of  Mississippi,  and  Steel,  of  Tennessee,  were 
appointed  as  the  special  committee  provided  by  the  resolution. 

This  committee  carefully  studied  the  question  intrusted  to  them,  and 
the  result  of  their  labors  was  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its  session 
at  Baltimore,  in  September,  1851,  in  the  shape  of  a  full  ritual  for  a  new 
degree,  which  they  styled  the  degree  of  Rebekah,  and  which  was  adopted 
by  the  Grand  Lodge  in  secret  session.  While  all  of  the  special  committee 
were  in  favor  of  the  new  degree,  and  assisted  in  this  preparation,  yet  the 


*^OQRAPBICAL  SKETC 

and  ita  construction,  i 

B  the  great  honor  of  ■ 

addition  to  the  degri 

>ther  Colfax  as  an  Odd 

ish  this  degree,  althou) 

and  bless  his  name  fo 

aiGreasing  the  membei 

ratio  than  any  other 

!r  Colfax  accomplishe< 

^sponsible  and  arduous 

ident  of  the  United  ! 

Grand  Lodge  and  ( 

his  last  days  his  deep 

the  Jirat  Jritits  of  his  e: 

1885,  the  useful  and 

rcumstances  o£  peci 

ft  his  home  in  Indiana 

towu  of  Mankato  was 

nown  to  the  people  of  1 

'^^/t  the  local  lodge  of  Odd 

tender  care  to  his  home 

groundings  of  the  deatl 

iCiety  was  ever  genial, 

lamtaining  his  view 

with  undeviating  persisi 

;8t  charity  toward  thos 

:l  unvarying  good  tempi 

_    long  his  most  marked 

ri^^proaoh  by  hia  political 

will  do  justice  to 

[duty  wherever  placed,— 

'  to  any,  —  and  the  wom 

the  one,  above  all  oth( 


782  THE  THBEE'LINK  FBATERNITT. 


SUPPLEMENTAL  BIOGRAPHY. 

ELIAS  DRI66S  FABNSWORTEL 

Introductory.  —  The  journey  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
across  the  continent,  in  1869,  is  noted  both  in  the  EuLogium  and  Third 
Meridian  of  this  work.  It  seemed  fitting  to  the  author  of  the  latter 
Division  that  something  more  should  be  said  of  one  who  was  Grand  Sire 
on  the  occasion  of  the  grand  visitation  to  the  Pacific  coast.  That  which 
belongs  to  what  may  be  called  his  public  life  in  Odd  Fellowship  has  been 
treated  in  another  portion  of  this  volume,  but  the  personal  estimate  of 
the  man  and  his  work,  on  two  continents,  stands  enshrined  in  the  records 
of  this  great  Order. 

Elias  Driggs  Famaworth,  Past  Grand  Sire.  —  E.  D.  Famsworth,  twentieth 
Grand  Sire,  came  to  California  almost  unknown.  He  contributed  the  full 
share  pertaining  to  his  high  office  in  bringing  about  that  great  pilgrimage 
of  the  representatives  of  Odd  Fellowship,  in  enlightening  the  Order  in  the 
farther  West,  and  in  enlarging  the  sphere  of  the  usefulness  and  affection 
of  its  membership.  When  duty  here  was  done,  he  left,  no  longer  a 
stranger,  but  honored  and  beloved  by  thousands.  Surprising  all  others 
by  his  zeal  and  ability  in  the  great  work  of  Odd  Fellowship,  he  was  him- 
self surprised  by  having  placed,  as  if  by  magic,  at  his  command  the 
necessary  funds,  and  finding  here  competent. and  willing  aids,  to  plant 
the  Order  in  Germany  and  Switzerland;  a  work  which  he  had  scarcely 
hoped  to  see  accomplished  during  his  term,  for  want  of  necessary  means. 
He  often  said,  afterward,  that  this  result  of  his  visit  was  one  of  the  hap- 
piest events  of  his  life.  He  became  so  enamoured  of  California  that  when 
his  official  life-work  was  done  he  returned,  and  took  up  his  residence  in 
the  city  by  the  Golden  Gate,  where  he  became  a  member  of  Templar 
Lodge;  and  when  his  book  of  life  was  finished,  on  the  29th  of  March, 
1893,  the  Great  Grand  Master  called  him  home.  He  sleeps  in  peace,  in 
the  Odd  Fellows'  cemetery  in  San  Francisco,  in  full  view  of  the  Golden 
Gate,  close  beside  that  wondrous  semi-tropic  park  which  has  become  a 
place  of  daily  visitation  by  men  and  women  from  every  part  of  the  habi- 
table globe,  and  where  the  ocean  billows  never  cease  to  sound  their  restful 
requiem.  When  he  first  entered  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States, 
he  was  a  fairly  prosperous  citizen  of  Nashville,  Tennessee.  When  his 
official  life  was  done,  and  he  came  to  California  to  spend  the  remnant  of 
his  days,  he  was  a  poor  man,  dependent  upon  his  daily  toil  for  daily 
bread.  The  reason  is  illustrated  by  a  story,  told  the  writer  in  Washing- 
ton, by  General  John  F.  Miller,  then  a  United  States  senator.  The 
General  had  inquired  very  particularly  after  Brother  Famsworth,  and 


"^a*.  rfa».  rfa».  rfa»- 

m-vt'm  m-vt'm  «^»  «^0 


J 


784  THE  THRES'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

into  a  more  perfect  Union  than  ever  before;  let  us  rejoice  in  the  fact 
that  from  the  birth  of  our  beloved  Order  neither  war,  nor  systems  of  faith 
or  sect,  have  ever  disturbed  our  perfect  unity;  but  there  was  a  time  when 
Brother  Farnsworth  rendered  the  Order  a  voluntary  service,  known  to 
but  few,  the  memory  of  which  should  be  preserved.  All  that  should  be 
written  of  it  may  be  gathered  from  the  following  quotation,  from  aa 
appeal  made  by  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California,  to  its  subor- 
dinates, for  funds  with  which  to  erect  a  monument  to  his  memory :  — 

'*  *  Few  men  know  what  this  Otder  owes  to  thmt  man/  is  what  was  said  of  Brother 
Farnsworth  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Race,  of  Louisiana,  at  the  time  when,  as  Grand  Sire,  Brother 
Farnsworth  came  with  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  California.  He  had  then  only  partially 
made  his  record  as  an  Odd  Fellow,  hot  he  had  at  that  time  won  laorels  which,  among 
those  who  knew  the  record,  placed  him  in  the  front  rank  among  the  eminent  Odd  Fellows  of 
the  world. 

"  As  with  our  country,  Washington  had  been  the  father,  Jefferson  the  guide,  and  Lincoln 
the  preserver,  —  so  in  our  Order,  Wildey  had  been  the  founder,  Ridgely  the  guide,  and  Farns- 
worth the  preserver  of  our  unity.  While  Lincoln,  as  President,  was  sacrificing  his  life  to 
the  successful  preservation  of  the  Union,  Farnsworth,  holding  no  station  except  that  of 
membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  the  peril  of  life,  and  of  all  that  man  holds  dear,  made  a 
successful  tour  through  hostile  armies  and  throughout  the  jurisdictions  of  the  South,  for  the 
preservation  of  the  unity  of  our  beloved  Order.  This  aooompHshed,  he  devoted  his  energies 
and  all  his  worldly  substance  to  the  care  of  the  sick,  the  wounded,  and  the  dead  of  our  Order, 
on  and  around  the  battle-tields,  never  stopping  to  inquire  whether  they  wore  *  the  blue '  or 
'  the  gray/ 

**  Peace  and  nnity  restored,  he  became  Grand  Sire,  and  then  developed  the  great  propa- 
ganda of  our  Order,  carrying  its  flag  beyond  the  seas,  and  erecting  its  altars  in  Germany 
and  in  Switzerland,  in  which  work  he  had,  as  all  California  Odd  Fellows  will  remember,  the 
assistance  of  Past  Grand  Master  Morse  and  Brother  Frank  B.  Austin,  of  this  jurisdiction; 
and  which  work  was  made  possible  by  the  munificent  and  voluntary  contribution  of  Templar 
Lodge,  of  which  he  afterward  became  a  member,  and  under  whose  care  he  was,  when  old 
age  and  the  '  wasting  hand  of  disease '  was  upon  him,  and  when  death  called  him  to  his 
reward. 

"  He  belonged  to  the  Order,  and  not  to  Templar  alone, — she  strengthened  his  hands 
while  living,  and  buried  him  when  dead.  Alive,  he  gave  all  that  he  had  to  humanity.  Dead, 
he  leaves  no  estate  to  mark  the  spot  where  he  sleeps.  Let  the  Order,  which  owes  him 
so  much,  i)erpetuate  his  memory  by  placing  above  his  grave  a  monument  which  shall  desig- 
nate to  future  generations  that  the  spot  is  one  holding  the  sacred  dust  of  one  of  its  great 
benefactors." 

Suffice  it  to  say  the  appeal  was  successful,  and  its  object  accomplished. 
The  record  which  called  for  it  shows  a  noble  character,  moulded  and 
elevated  by  the  lessons  of  Odd  Fellowship,  never  walking  in  the  shadow, 
but  working  always  in  the  light  of  that  Truth  (page  ^66)  which  reveals  to 
us  Friendship  and  Love  as  the  solid  bases  of  the  great  arch  of  our  affinity. 


^^  i  «*^A./fc^.4«#%^'-^  ^ 


•ff »  "ff »  "ff »  "ff » ■ 


786  THE  THREE' LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

Practically  and  tersely  defined,  jurisprudence  "  is  the  science  of  law." 
It  embraces  alike  the  theory  of  the  law,  —  its  development  into  practical 
form,  —  its  adaptation  to  the  end  sought,  and  the  methods  of  its  enforce- 
ment. It  embraces,  therefore,  the  three  great  branches  upon  which  all 
governmental  authority  rests,  —  the  legidative,  judicialy  and  executive. 

Every  organization  must  have  its  jurisprudence.  The  more  perfect  it 
is,  upon  the  lines  above  indicated,  the  greater  will  be  its  longevity  and 
stability.  Indeed,  without  it,  no  organization  can  survive  its  formation. 
To  it,  therefore,  we  must  look  for  whatever  of  stability  the  organization 
may  possess. 

But  a  perfect  jurisprudence  will  not  alone  secure  stability  and  per- 
petuity. The  principles  that  underlie  the  organization  must  possess 
intrinsic  merit.  They  must  be  in  harmony  with  the  natural  relations 
of  man  to  his  fellow,  and  as  broad,  comprehensive,  and  equal  as  are 
those  relations.  It  matters  not  whether  it  be  a  voluntary,  or  forced 
organization;   the  same  law  prevails  in  all. 

In  organizations  like  those  of  nations,  where  constabulary  and  mili- 
tary force  is  employed,  and  jails  and  prisons  hold  the  refractory,  the 
organization  may  longer  survive  a  disregard  of  this  law;  but  sooner  or 
later  disaster  and  ruin  are  sure  to  follow. 

The  history  of  the  past  is  full  of  examples  and  warnings  of  a  dis- 
regard of  it.  Nations  have  been  rooked  to  their  centres.  Grovernraents 
have  arisen  and  fallen.  Churches  have  been  broken  into  fragments. 
Organizations  have  been  wrecked.  Like  successive  waves,  they  have  chased 
one  another  to  the  shore,  only  to  die  away  upon  the  breakers.  Too  often 
formed  for  selfish  ends,  or  with  a  jurisprudence  that  bore  unjustly  and 
unequally  upon  their  subjects,  in  the  administration  of  which  favoritism 
and  partiality  were  conspicuous,  sooner  or  later  destruction  was  inevitable. 

Voluntary  organizations  especially,  are  largely  dependent  for  continued 
existence  ui)on  the  practical  value  of  their  principles  to  the  membership. 
This  is  their  adhesive  force,  —  the  cement  and  strength  of  their  union. 
The  "mystic  tie"  that  binds  them  must  be  true  to  the  highest  type 
of  the  noblest  manhood.  Grovelling  selfishness,  petty  ambition,  self- 
aggrandizement,  whatever  tends  to  exalt  one  to  the  disparagement  of 
another,  cannot  for  a  moment  be  tolerated.  Loyalty  to  one  another, 
—  each  seeking  the  highest  good  of  all,  —  is  the  vital  force  in  all 
fraternal  organizations. 

There  would  seem  to  be  no  reason  why  a  jurisprudence,  resting  upon 
such  a  foundation  and  developed  upon  the  same  generous  lines,  ought 
not  to  give  to  the  organization  both  stability  and  perpetuity.  Manifestly, 
such  a  jurisprudence  can  only  be  the  result  of  growth.  Experience  alone 
can  be  its  safe  teacher.  Whatever  it  points  out  must  be  followed  step  by 
step,  until  it  shall  have  reached  a  perfect  stature.     It  cannot,  like  the 


THE  JURISPBUDENCE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  787 

fabled  Minerva  from  the  brain  of  Jupiter,  leap  full  clad  from  the  fertile 
brain  of  fine-spun  theory.  As  necessities  require,  it  must  be  gradually 
developed  by  no  forced  process,  save  the  urgent  demand  of  those  subject 
to  its  control. 

Application  to  the  Order. — Odd  Fellowship,  founded  as  it  is  upon  the 
immutable  truths  of  "  Holy  Writ,"  its  whole  aim  being  to  develop  a  higher, 
nobler,  practical  manhood  in  man,  and  to  lighten  his  burdens  when  in 
greatest  need,  is  essentially  the  child  of  experience.  Much  in  the  early 
allusions  to  the  Order,  as  in  that  of  most  secret  orders,  is  wrapped  in  the 
garb  of  speculative  mystery,  doubtless  with  a  view  to  add  to  its  impres- 
siveness.  Whether  by  such  means  the  end  sought  has  been  attained,  is  not 
within  the  scope  of  this  article  for  discussion.  That  a  degree  of  plausi- 
bility is  given  to  the  authenticity  of  these  fragmentary  allusions  to  the 
struggles  of  portions  of  the  race  for  closer  companionship  with  their  fel- 
lows, prompted  by  a  feeling  of  interdependence,  can  hardly  be  questioned ; 
but  these  dim,  shadowy  struggles  are  shrouded  in  such  extravagant  and 
unreal  surroimdings  as  belong  only  to  that  mythical  age  that  gave  them 
birth.  All  such,  therefore,  we  pass  by,  and  approach  directly  its  merge- 
ment  in  the  realm  of  authentic  history. 

Here  we  note  the  underlying  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship,  mark  their 
unf  oldings,  —  by  what  processes  they  have  sought  the  stability  of  sound 
legal  maxims  for  their  guidance  and  development.  Founded  as  they  are 
in  the  nature  of  man,  springing  from  a  God-implanted  yearning  for  sym- 
pathy and  aid  from  his  fellow  in  the  hour  of  adversity  and  distress, 
recognizing  and  voicing  man's  dependence  upon,  and  unity  with,  his  fellow, 
they  ignore  the  idea  of  his  independence  and  isolation,  and  declare  that 
"  no  man  liveth  to  himself."  Hence  Odd  Fellowship,  in  its  very  organic 
life,  antagonizes  selfishness  in  its  every  conceivable  form.  Between  it 
and  these  reciprocal  and  fraternal  duties  and  obligations,  imposed  by 
the  Order,  there  is  an  "  irrepressible  conflict,"  its  foundations  being  laid 
in  the  "  Brotherhood  of  Man,  the  Fatherhood  of  God." 

It  will  not  be  claimed  that  in  the  dawning  life  of  the  Order,  its  early 
founders  saw  all  that  lay  before  it,  or  fully  comprehended  its  great  des- 
tiny. Its  seven  cardinal  virtues,  if  at  all,  they  but  dimly  saw,  and  were 
quite  content  with  three  of  them,  —  "Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth." 
The  full  complement,  —  ^' Parity ,  Friendshipj  Love,  Truth,  Faith,  Hope, 
Chanty, ^^ — could  hardly  have  been  at  first  in  their  thoughts.  Those  virtues 
of  a  purely  reciprocal  nature  engrossed  their  attention.  At  length  those 
higher,  purer,  broader  duties  began  to  dawn  upon  them,  and  gradually, 
one  by  one,  were  received  and  ingrafted  upon  their  creed;  several  of 
which  were  practised  long  before  being  so  ingrafted. 

Crude,  fragmentary,  and  immature  in  its  origin,  and  with  a  full  con- 
sciousness of  it,  yet  satisfied  that  its  foundation  principles  were  the  per- 


788  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

f ection  of  Divine  wisdom,  rising  fax  above  finite  conception ;  it  recognized^ 
•  as  fundamental  to  its  existence,  that  it  must  be  "  progressive  in  character," 
of  which  truth  it  has  never  for  a  moment  lost  sight.  This  truth  has  held 
its  membership  open  to  change,  and  to  the  willing  acceptance  of  any 
improvement  in  its  practical  workings.  In  this  regard  it  may  be  safely 
claimed  to  be  the  pioneer  of  all  secret  orders.  From  its  crude  and 
isolated  system  of  "  self -institution,"  it  has  developed  into  a  united, 
combined,  and  harmonious  whole,  having  a  Sovereign  head,  world-wide 
in  its  jurisdiction  and  control;  to  whose  wise,  liberal,  and  fraternal 
behests,  every  loyal  member  (and  there  are  few  others)  yields  a  cheerful 
and  wUling  obedience. 


CHAPTER  II. 

DIFFERENTIATION  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP'S  JURISPRUDENCE. 

Three  Logical  Elements.  —  Three  elements  enter  into  the  jurisprudence 
of  every  organization.  They  are  the  legislative,  judicial,  and  executive. 
In  civil  governments  they  are  usually  lodged  in  three  separate  depart- 
ments, each  in  a  degree  independent  of  the  other,  yet  intended  to  act  in 
cooperation  with  each  other  for  the  general  good.  The  legislative  cannot 
adjudicate,  nor  execute.  It  can  only  enact  laws.  The  judicial  cannot 
enact  laws,  nor  execute  them.  It  can  only  interpret,  construe,  and  decree 
their  execution.  The  executive,  while  it  may  recommend,  cannot  enact 
laws,  nor  determine  their  meaning,  can  only  execute  them  as  construed  and 
determined  by  the  judiciary.  These,  acting  in  concert,  under  wise  and  just 
authority,  constitute  a  harmonious  whole  of  great  strength  and  efficiency, 
In  civil  government  submission  to  them  is  enforced  to  the  deprivation 
of  the  liberty,  and  even  the  life,  of  the  refractory. 

In  Odd  Fellowship  there  is  no  forced  obedience.  All  is  voluntary. 
Suspension  or  expulsion  from  its  councils  are  the  only  penalties  imposed. 
Pecuniary  obligations,  even  voluntarily  assumed,  are  not  prosecuted  before 
its  own  or  civil  tribunals,  except  in  cases  of  malfeasance  in  office,  which 
are  of  rare  occurrence.  Voluntary  obedience  to  the  mandates  of  the  Order 
is  the  only  condition  of  continued  membership. 

Excellence  of  Combination. — The  three  branches  of  government,  above 
mentioned,  are  all  centred  in  a  single  body,  —  the  Sovereign  Graiid  Lodge. 
As  will  be  seen  in  subsequent  chapters,  its  methods  of  discipline  are 
simple,  fraternal,  and  paternal.  It  is  a  unity  in  diversity,  a  centralization 
in  diffusion.  It  creates  certain  subordinate  bodies,  giving  to  each,  within 
certain  limits,  the  same  threefold  power  it  possesses.  Beyond  these 
limits  they  must  not  pass.    All  the  acts  of  the  subordinate  bodies  are 


TBE  JURISPRUDENCE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  789 

subject  to  review  by  the  Supreme  body,  with  the  reserved  power  to  affirm, 
modify,  or  reverse.  Thus  the  autonomy  of  the  Order,  through  all  of  its 
branches,  is  carefully  guarded  and  maintained. 

It  would  seem  that  such  a  system,  under  wise  and  prudent  manage- 
ment, ought  to  be  stable  and  lasting.  Certainly  under  it  no  collisions 
between  the  different  branches  ought  to  arise;  and  if  too  stringent  or 
extreme  measures  are  not  adopted  and  enforced,  no  schisms  or  ruptures 
ought  to  occur.  The  revolutions  and  rebellions  that  so  often  disturb 
churches  and  states,  and  even  sister  organizations,  threatening  their  dis- 
ruption and  often  accomplishing  it,  ought  not  to  disturb  the  peace  and 
harmony  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

The  history  of  the  past  records  the  fact,  that  so  mild,  fraternal,  and 
paternal  have  been  the  measures,  their  adjudication  and  enforcement,  in 
this  great  Order,  that  in  its  rapid  growth  and  marvellous  spread  in  so  brief 
a  period,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  has  never  suffered  a 
serious  revolt  or  disturbance.  Nor  has  the  Manchester  Unity, — from  which 
this  Order  sprang, — save  in  its  early  growth  into  a  defined  and  well-organ- 
ized jurisprudence,  which  has  enabled  it  to  overshadow  all  others  in 
that  country,  and  establish  a  reputation  world-wide,  ranking  it  among  the 
leading  fraternal  organizations  of  the  age. 

A  Common  Platform. — The  Order  is  based  upon  no  class  distinctions. 
It  courts  not  the  rich,  neither  rejects  the  poor.  It  opens  its  doors  alike  to 
the  high  and  the  low.  All  who  enter  are  placed  upon  the  broad  platform 
of  equality.  It  invites  all  loyal  workers  for  the  good  of  others.  It  invites 
no  drones.  It  demands  of  all  labor  and  self-sacrifice,  in  times  of  prosperity 
and  abundance,  and  in  return  promises  aid,  assistance,  and  sympathy  in 
hours  of  affliction  and  distress.  It  is  a  great  practical  organization  for  the 
great  middle  classes  that  practically  rule  the  world,  giving  to  the  Order 
strength,  character,  and  stability.  All  such  it  receives  with  open  arms, 
and  gives  them  a  most  cordial  welcome  to  its  labors  and  blessings. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  MANCHESTER  UNITY. 

The  Parent  Order.  — Springing,  as  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
did,  from  the  Manchester  Unity  in  England,  a  glance  at  its  jurisprudence 
is  necessary  to  a  complete  understanding  of  our  Order.  Long  before  its  for- 
mation, lodges  of  Odd  Fellows  existed  in  England  by  the  law  of  "  self- 
institution,'^  recognizing  no  guiding  head  save  their  own  free-will,  yet  recog- 
nizing the  mutual  obligations  to  one  another  in  all  the  fraternal  and  social 


790  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

relations  embraced  within  their  common  ceremonials  and  obligations.  Where 
these  common  ceremonials  and  obligations  originated  is  not  known  to  authen- 
tic history.  They  were,  however,  substantially  the  same  in  all  lodges. 
A  leading  purpose  of  them  is  expressed  in  the  following  brief  paragraph :  — 

"  To  uphold  the  dignity  of  the  sovereign  of  the  realm,  to  assist  one  another  in  times  of 
misfortune,  and  to  amuse  and  interest  one  another." 

The  presiding  officer  was  clothed  with  absolute  power  and  authority  to 
command  obedience  in  all  things,  for  the  general  good,  and  every  member 
called  upon  must  say  or  do  what  was  ordered,  or  forfeit  a  sum  to  "  the 
benevolent  fund."  Authentic  records  of  the  formation  of  such  lodges 
appear  as  early  as  1745,  and  members  of  any  of  them  appealing  for  aid, 
wherever  they  existed,  were  properly  cared  for. 

This  independent  power  of  organization  soon  led  to  local  combinations 
for  greater  efficiency,  and  to  the  formation  and  administration  of  laws  of 
a  more  general  character,  binding  on  each  so  associating.  Hence  arose 
a  large  number  of  local  organizations  in  different  parts  of  England,  each 
having  its  own  code  of  laws  and  methods  of  enforcement,  entirely  indepen- 
dent of  any  other. 

Government  by  Committee.  —  In  1825  there  were  no  less  than  seven  inde- 
pendent organizations,  among  which,  as  the  most  prominent  and  strongest, 
perhaps,  was  the  Manchester  Unity.  Their  systems  of  jurisprudence 
differed,  though  their  purposes  and  aims  were  the  same.  To  that  of  the 
Manchester  Unity  only  need  we  refer.  At  first  its  entire  system  of  govern- 
ment, including  the  adjudication  of  all  differences  that  arose,  was  left  to 
each  lodge.  Gradually  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  Grand  Master  or  District 
Grand  Committee  obtained,  and,  finally,  after  its  establishment,  to  the 
Annual  Movable  Committee.  Prior  to  the  establishment  of  the  Annual 
Movable  Committee,  lodges  at  a  distance  from  Manchester,  though  recog- 
nizing and  loyal  to  the  common  bond  of  brotherhood,  generally  acted  in  an 
independent  manner.  This  led  to  its  organization,  and  in  1822  it  became 
the  ruling  power.  Upon  it  was  conferred  the  power  to  adopt  or  reject  all 
laws  passed  by  the  subordinate  bodies  belonging  to  the  organization. 
Membership  in  it  was  confined  to  past  and  present  officers  of  districts  and 
lodges  that  acknowledged  allegiance  to  it.* 

Central  Government.  — In  1823  a  constitution  was  adopted,  and  thus  a 
"  central  government "  was  permanently  established,  limited  in  its  super- 
vision and  control  to  such  lodges  and  districts  as  should  voluntarily  sub- 
mit to  its  authority.  Many,  however,  adhered  to  their  local  Grand  Lodges, 
and  to  the  present  time  continue  in  their  local  isolation. 

The  primary  object  of  the  Order,  as  shown  in  its  laws  and  the  methods 
for  their  enforcement,  was  to  provide  relief  for  sick  and  disabled  members. 

»Spry's  •' History  of  Manchester  Unity,"  p.  10. 


792  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

right  of  appeal  to  the  District  Grand  Committee,  and  from  the  decision  of 
that  body  to  the  Annual  Movable  Committee,  or  board  of  appeals,  and  from 
its  decision  to  that  committee,  as  the  tribunal  of  last  resort,  gave  to  the 
membership  a  feeling  of  security,  and  candidates  by  the  thousands  sought 
membership. 

^o  rapid  had  been  the  increase  of  the  Unity,  from  1837  to  1843,  that 
money  in  large  amounts  had  poured  into  the  lodge  treasuries.  Many 
designing  persons,  seeing  this,  had  joined;  and,  gaining  the  confidence  of 
their  brethren,  had  sought  and  been  advanced  to  positions  of  trust,  and, 
obtaining  control  of,  had  grossly  misappropriated  the  funds. 

Origin  of  its  Jurisprudence.  —  Up  to  this  time,  the  Annual  Movable 
Committee  had  made  no  provision,  in  its  system  of  jurisprudence,  for 
obtaining  any  knowledge  of,  or  attempting  to  regulate,  the  finances  of  the 
lodges,  or  to  restrict  their  use  to  the  legitimate  purposes  of  the  Order. 
What  funds  the  lodges  had,  for  what  purposes  they  were  using  them, 
whether  meeting  their  obligations  to  their  membership  or  not,  were  sealed 
volumes  to  that  Grand  body,  except  as  occasional  bankrupt  lodges  sur- 
rendered their  charters,  or  suffering  members  made  complaint.  Sufficient, 
however,  came  to  its  knowledge  in  this  indirect  manner  to  show  that  the 
funds  of  the  lodges  were  being  misapplied,  and  that  large  additions, 
involving  radical  changes,  must  be  made  to  the  system  as  it  then  existed, 
in  order  to  save  the  Order  from  a  worse  disaster  than  the  one  that  had 
previously  threatened  it. 

This  subject  came  prominently  before  the  session  of  the  Annual  Mov- 
able  Committee  of  1844,  and  resulted  in  ingrafting  upon  the  system  the 
requirement  that  every  lodge  should  send  a  financial  statement  to  the  board 
annually,  that  its  real  condition  might  be  known,  so  that  such  monetary 
reforms  as  were  needed  could  be  made. 

To  this  change  great  opposition  soon  manifested  itself,  it  being  urged 
by  the  designing  ones,  that  the  purpose  was  to  rob  the  members  of  all 
control  over  their  own  funds,  and  to  destroy  their  independent  action. 
Many  lodges  and  districts  refused  to  make  any  returns  of  their  income  and 
expenditures  (although  the  larger  portion  did),  which  refusals  resulted  in 
the  suspension  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  lodges  and  three  dis- 
tricts, and  a  membership  of  15,840,  while  at  least  as  many  more  withdrew 
from  the  Order.  This,  however,  did  not  shake  the  stability  of  the  Order, 
nor  deter  the  management  from  perfecting  the  system,  the  door  to  which 
that  resolution  opened.  At  the  annual  session  of  1845,  the  following 
propositions  were  adopted,  which  may  be  said  to  be  the  first  systematic 
solidification  of  the  basis  of  the  government  that  has  since  given  to  the 
Unity  such  great  prosperity :  — 

"First,  AU  lodges  shall  have  the  power  of  fixing  the  amount  of  weekly  contributions  to 
be  paid  by  their  members. 


THE  JURISPRUDENCE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  793 

"Second,  The  whole  amount  of  the  initiation  money,  and  a  fixed  amount  of  contribution, 
shall  go  to  a  fund,  to  be  called  '  the  general  contribution  fund,'  of  the  lodge ;  which  fund 
shall  be  appropriated  exclusively  to  the  payment  of  sick  and  funeral  gifts. 

"Third,  All  lodges  shall  establish  a  fund,  which  shall  be  called  '  the  incidental  exi>ense 
fund,'  —  out  of  which  all  expenses  incurred  in  conducting  the  affairs  of  the  lodge  (oyer  and 
above  the  payment  of  sick  and  funeral  donations)  shall  be  paid. 

"Fourth,  For  the  sum  of  five  pence  per  week  contribution*  lodges  are  allowed  to  pay 
their  members  not  more  than  ten  shillings  per  week  during  sickness ;  which,  after  twelve 
months'  receipt,  shall  be  reduced  to  five  shillings  per  week,  and  they  may  pay  ten  pounds 
on  the  death  of  a  member,  and  five  pounds  at  the  death  of  a  member's  wife. 

"Fifth,  A  scale  of  contributions,  sick  gifts,  and  funeral  donations  shall  be  drawn  by 
the  Grand  Master  and  board  of  directors,  and  circulated  in  the  July  reports,  such  scale  to 
be  in  the  following  proportions :  for  every  half-penny  of  contributions  paid  weekly  by  mem- 
bers, and  which  is  apportioned  to  the  general  contribution  fund,  lodges  shall  be  allowed  to 
pay  their  members  one  shilling  weekly  for  sickness,  one  pound  at  the  death  of  a  member,  and 
ten  shillings  on  the  death  of  a  member's  wife." 

The  Test  of  Experience.  — Nothing  more  clearly  illustrates  the  mild  fra- 
ternal and  paternal  administration  of  the  laws  of  the  Order,  than  the  action 
of  the  Supreme  body  at  its  session  of  1845,  after  the  suspension  of  so  many 
lodges  and  members,  in  which  it  declared :  — 

"  That  all  lodges,  — who  have  sent  in  returns  since  they  were  suspended, — shall  be  rein- 
stated in  the  Order  immediately,  that  the  remainder  be  allowed  until  August  1, 1845  [the 
meeting  was  held  in  May],  to  comply  with  the  financial  resolution,  of  the  Annual  Movable 
Committee  when  they  shaU  be  reinstated ;  and  that  those  who  refuse  shaU  remain  suspended 
until  the  Annual  Movable  Committee  of  1846." 

Yet  nothing  so  manifests  the  firmness  and  determination  of  the  Order 
to  adhere  to  what  seemed  necessary  for  its  highest  good,  as  the  passing, 
in  the  face  of  all  the  discouragements,  at  the  same  session,  of  the  foregoing 
five  propositions. 

Many  of  the  lodges  took  advantage  of  the  easy  return  to  allegiance ; 
but  many  still  remained  obdurate.  The  passage  of  the  6fth  proposition 
especially  aroused  their  indignation.  Of  it  they  took  advantage  to  inflame 
the  passions  of  the  members  and  array  them  in  hostility  to  the  board,  the 
Grand  Master,  and  the  Annual  Movable  Committee.  Scurrilous  songs  and 
pamphlets  were  issued,  placards  and  offensive  bills  were  posted,  and  a 
determined  effort  was  made  to  destroy  the  Unity. 

The  law  and  the  action  of  the  oflficers  under  it  were  denounced  as 
"tyrannical,  oppressive,  and  unjust,  and  calculated  to  destroy  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  Order."  Other  suspensions,  especially  in  the  Manchester 
and  Salford  districts,  became  necessary.  Seven  lodges  in  the  former  and 
ttvo  in  the  latter,  together  with  a  number  of  members  of  other  lodges  who 
had  taken  prominent  positions  in  resisting  the  rebellion,  were  all  that  were 
excepted  from  that  suspension. 

Notwithstanding  this  opposition  and  the  organized  efforts  to  destroy 
the  Unity  during  this  most  trying  and  critical  year  in  its  history,  there 
was  an  increase  in  membership  of  3395,  demonstrating  the  inherent  value 


794  THIS  TBREJE'LINK  FRATESyiTT. 

and  virtue  of  the  principles  of  the  Order,  and  the  confidence  of  the  public, 
in  the  form  of  their  embodiment  and  enforcement. 

Repeal  of  the  Fifth  Clause. — During  the  session  of  1846,  the  fifth  clause, 
above  quoted,  was  repealed,  owing  to  the  discovery  of  its  unsoundness  as 
a  ratio  Ixisis  for  the  payment  of  dues  and  benefits  between  members  of 
different  ages.  From  time  to  time  the  foregoing  basis  has  been  modified 
to  meet  the  changed  conditions  of  the  Order.  Instructive  experience  tables 
have  been  obtained,  and  dues  and  benefits  have  been  graded  in  accordance 
therewith. 

Trust  Funds  and  Act  of  1850. — About  this  time  another  serious  questioa 
confronted  the  Unity,  —  the  proper  preservation  and  control  of  the  funds 
pledged  to  the  fraternal  purposes  of  the  Order.  They  were  now  in  the 
hands  of  trustees,  who  were  required  to  give  a  writing  that  though  held 
by  them,  they  were  held  in  trust  and  "  were  not  theirs  " ;  yet,  the  body  for 
which  they  were  acting  not  being  known  to  the  law,  they  could  set  their 
own  statement  at  defiance,  and  claim  the  funds.  Thus  the  lodge  or  district 
to  which  the  money  really  belonged  was  witliout  redress,  unless  resort  was 
had  to  a  Court  of  Equity,  in  which  case  every  member  of  the  lodge  or 
district  interested  must  be  made  a  party. 

The  trustees  of  many  of  the  lodges  and  districts  became  refractory, 
and  the  money,  when  needed,  could  not  be  obtained.  The  failure  of  the 
potato  crop  in  Ireland  and  parts  of  Scotland,  in  1846,  causing  great 
distress,  tlie  Unity  raised  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  a  large  sum  of 
money  the  following  year.  Much  of  this  fund  was  held  back  or  misappro- 
priated. 

This  state  of  affairs  led  the  Unity  to  a  combined  and  persistent  effort 
to  procure  from  Parliament  an  act  that  would  entitle  it  to  a  ^HegaV^ 
standing  in  court,  which  resulted  in  the  passage  of  "  Public  Act,  13  and  14 
Vic.  Cap.  115,"  on  the  15th  of  August,  1850. 

Previously  there  had  existed  "  Friendly  Society  Acts,"  and  "the  Cor- 
responding Societies'  Act,"  which  excluded  from  enrolment  all  secret 
societies  except  the  F'reemasons,  and  they  were  excepted  on  the  sole  ground 
that  the  charitable  object  of  their  Order  should  not  be  extended  to  such 
friendly  societies. 

The  ^lanchester  Unity  Odd  Fellows,  therefore,  by  their  energy  and 
perseverance,  without  the  aid  of  any  other  secret  organization,  obtained 
from  Parliament  the  act  of  August  15, 1850,  by  which  not  only  they,  but 
the  Foresters,  Druids,  Old  Friends,  and  all  kindred  organizations,  have 
been  enabled  to  protect  their  funds  against  fraud  and  refractory  officers; 
and,  at  the  same  time,  preserve  their  own  mode  of  internal  government, 
without  the  interference  of  others  in  their  management. 


THS  JURISPRUDENCE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  795 


CHAPTER  IV. 

AMERICAN  ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 

Self-instituted  Lodges.  —  The  same  general  law  of  "self-institution/' 
that  governed  the  early  formation  of  the  Order  in  England,  obtained  in 
America.  By  it  lodges  were  formed  in  New  York  City,  Baltimore,  Boston, 
and  Philadelphia,  and  I  believe  in  the  order  named.  The  first  one  organ- 
ized was  in  New  York  City  in  1806,  called  Shakspeare  Lodge.  The  second 
was  in  the  city  of  Baltimore  in  1819.  Others  were  also  organized  in  New 
York,  Brooklyn,  and  Baltimore  before  the  organization  of  any  Grand  Lodge 
or  the  obtaining  of  a  charter  from  any  source.  At  the  time,  those  in 
neither  city  knew  of  the  organization  or  existence  of  the  others.  Becoming 
known  to  each  other,  no  question  was  raised  touching  the  legality  of  their 
organization,  or  of  their  right  to  be  regarded  as  members  of  a  common 
family,  entitled  to  equal  rights  and  privileges. 

The  First  Charters — In  1819  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Baltimore, 
applied  for,  and  obtained,  a  charter  from  '^  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  held  at 
Preston,  in  the  county  of  Lancaster,  in  Old  England,"  February  1,  1820, 
as  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States  of  America.'' 
It  did  not,  however,  reach  Baltimore  until  October  23, 1820.  Shakspeare 
Lodge,  which  during  the  war  of  1812  had  suspended  its  meetings,  was 
revived  in  1818,  under  the  name  of  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows." 
Soon  after  several  members  withdrew ;  and,  on  the  27th  of  January,  1821, 
organized  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  2.  This  lodge  organized  two  others : 
Washington  Lodge,  No.  3,  November,  1821,  and  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  4, 
in  Brooklyn,  January  3, 1822.  Neither  of  these  lodges  possessed  charters, 
but  recognized  one  another  as  possessing  equal  rights  and  privileges,  each 
independent  of  the  other,  in  regard  to  all  matters  of  government  and 
discipline. 

In  1822  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  4,  applied  to  "  Duke  of  Sussex  Lodge, 
No.  2,"  at  Liverpool  district,  for  a  charter,  which  was  granted  November 
14, 1822.  This  charter  gave  it  power  to  open  and  charter  lodges,  with 
the  consent  of  the  "  Loyal  Philanthropic  District  Grand  Lodge,  No.  1,  of 
I.O.O.F." 

Thus  in  October,  1820,  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Baltimore,  received 
a  charter,  and  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  4,  in  1822,  both  issued  by  a  single 
lodge  in  England;  these  being  the  first  chartered  rights  held  by  Odd 
Fellows  on  the  American  continent. 

Herein  slumbered  the  elements  of  that  unity  that  afterward  arose  on 
this  continent.  Up  to  this  time  each  was  ignorant  of  what  the  other 
was  doing,  yet  all  were  laboring  for  a  common  purpose.    A  master  mind 


796  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

seemed  needed,  —  one  possessing  magnetic  power,  a  born  organizer, — to 
bring  these  lodges  in  their  isolation  into  legal  unity,  as  in  spirit  they  were 
in  fraternal  unity,  so  that  the  same  rules  of  action  should  govern  all. 

The  "Founder"  appears — Thomas  Wildey,  of  Washington  Lodge, 
No.  1,  proved  adequate  to  the  task.  Visiting  Massachusetts,  New  York, 
and  Philadelphia,  he  succeeded  in  inducing  them  all  to  take  charters 
from  the  chartered  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland.  Thus  was  laid  the 
foundation  of  chartered  lodges  on  this  continent,  —  after  which  no  lodge 
could  gain  a  legal  existence  by  the  ancient  law  of  "  self -institution,"  as  it 
thereafter  became  obsolete.  It  was  not,  however,  surrendered  without  a 
struggle. 

The  Germ  and  its  Development.  —  At  this  time  it  will  be  noticed  that 
the  lodge  was  the  Grand  Lodge.  All  the  members,  those  just  initiated, 
and  those  of  long  and  ripe  experience,  had  an  equal  voice  in  its  govern- 
ment. The  crude  and  discordant  elements  controlling  it  soon  gave  rise 
to  the  necessity  of  a  committee  of  the  older  and  more  experienced,  to 
whom  questions  of  difference  should  be  submitted.  For  this  purpose  the 
past  grands  were  selected.  Their  decisions,  however,  were  not  binding,  — 
merely  advisory.  The  lodge  or  members  might  abide  by  or  wholly  dis- 
regard them. 

It  soon  became  manifest  that  unity  and  harmony  could  not,  under  such 
an  administration,  be  long  preserved.  The  committee  of  past  grands  soon 
prepared  and  submitted  a  plan  of  reorganization,  such  as  would  lodge 
authority  in  the  higher  body ;  and,  on  February  7, 1821,  at  the  last  meet- 
ing held  by  them,  prepared  and  subsequently  submitted  to  Washington 
Lodge,  No.  1,  a  request  that  it  surrender  to  the  past  grands  "the  sole 
possession  of  the  charter  received  by  said  lodge  from  England.'' 

The  First  Grand  Lodge.  —  February  22nd,  —  the  anniversary  of  Wash- 
ington's birthday,  —  was  selected  for  action  upon  the  proposition.  At 
that  meeting  the  noble  grand,  instructed  by  the  lodge,  made  a  formal  sur- 
render of  the  charter  or  warrant  to  the  past  grands  present,  who  there- 
upon organized  "  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States," 
and  elected  Thomas  Wildey  Grand  Master,  filling  all  the  other  offices  in 
due  form. 

Being  fully  organized,  that  Grand  )3ody,  six  in  membership  and  all 
having  an  office,  —  it  requiring  that  number  to  officer  a  Grand  Lodge, — took 
the  initial  steps  toward  the  formation  of  that  jurisprudence  which  has  since 
grown  to  such  a  state  of  perfection :  the  gradual  development  of  which  we 
shall  carefully  trace.  The  first  act  was  to  grant  a  charter  to  Washington 
Lodge,  No.  1,  which  was  cheerfully  accepted  by  that  lodge.  The  second 
was  the  adoption  of  a  system  of  finance,  which  was  a  tax  of  ten  per  centum 
upon  the  gross  receipts  of  subordinate  lodges,  and  $30  for  the  warrant  and 
charge  books  in  the  institution  of  new  lodges. 


TEE  JURI8PBUDENCE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  797 

The  First  Constitution.  — At  its  annual  meeting  February  22, 1822,  the 
Grand  Lodge  adopted  a  constitution  of  twenty  articles,  which  was  the  first 
written  constitution  ever  adopted  by  a  Grand  Lodge  or  Grand  Committee 
of  Odd  Fellows,  all  having  previously  been  guided  by  "ancient  usage." 
Even  the  Manchester  Unity  was  without  any,  groping  its  way  in  the 
dim  light  of  "  ancient  usage "  for  precedents  to  guide  it  in  disposing  of 
the  perplexing  questions  constantly  arising.  At  the  semi-annual  session 
August  22, 1822,  a  charter  was  granted  to  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  2,  at  Balti- 
more, and  both  were  presented  to  the  two  lodges,  soon  thereafter.  The 
form  then  adopted  has  continued,  with  slight  modifications,  to  the  present 
time.  The  past  grands  of  these  two  lodges  constituted  the  entire  Grand 
Lodges  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States.  Doubtless  in  the  twenty 
articles  of  the  constitution,  provision  was  made  for  appeal  to  it  from  the 
subordinate  lodges  and  their  members,  and  making  its  decisions  of  bind- 
ing force,  for  such  was  the  practice  under  them :  and  one  of  the  chief 
objects  in  framing  and  adopting  the  constitution  was  to  make  binding  on 
the  subordinates  what  was  only  advisory,  as  previously  determined  by  the 
committee  of  past  grands.  Whether  such  provision  was  contained  in  them, 
however,  is  left  wholly  to  inference  from  the  practice ;  as  that  constitu- 
tion is  not  preserved  among  the  records  of  the  Order. 

Axiomatic  Results.  —  Up  to  this  period  the  lodges  in  Massachusetts, 
New  York,  and  Pennsylvania  were  still  organizing  under  the  law  of 
"  self-institution,"  and  governing  themselves  by  the  law  of  "ancient  usage," 
and  no  question  was  raised  as  to  the  regularity  or  legality  of  either. 
Even  the  lodges  in  Maryland, — existing  now  under  charters  regularly 
granted,  —  received,  affiliated  with,  and  admitted  to  their  councils  their 
members.  A  marked  illustration  of  this  was  in  the  case  of  James  Wilson, 
belonging  to  a  lodge  in  Boston.  In  January,  1823,  on  a  visit  to  Baltimore, 
he  was  received  in  the  most  cordial  manner  as  a  brother,  and  the  interme- 
diate degrees,  which  had  originated  in  Maryland,  were  conferred  upon  him. 
On  his  return  to  Boston,  so  glowing  was  his  account  of  his  reception,  and 
the  superior  condition  of  the  Order  and  its  methods  of  working  in  Balti- 
more, that  "  Massachusetts  Lodge,"  on  the  28th  of  March,  1823,  applied 
for  a  dispensation  to  be  empowered  as  a  Grand  Lodge  for  the  state  of 
Massachusetts.  This  application  was  made  to  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1, 
in  ignorance  of  the  fact  that  it  had  surrendered  its  charter  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Maryland,  and  had  become  subordinate  to  that  Grand  body. 
However,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  proceeded  to  act  upon  the  applica- 
tion, and,  going  beyond  the  request,  granted  a  charter  to  "  Massachusetts 
Lodge,  No.  1,"  and  another  to  the  past  grands  of  that  lodge,  for  "  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts." 

'    These  warrants  Grand  Master  Wildey  was  commissioned  to  convey  in 
person  to  the  lodge  and  past  grands,  in  Boston.    Upon  his  return,  stop- 


798  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

ping  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  he  brought  the  lodges  there  into 
harmony  with  the  general  work  of  organization,  which  resulted  in  issuing 
to  them  charters  for  Grand  Lodges;  and,  subsequently,  the  formation  of 
^'  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States"  as  a  separate  and  distinct  body 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States.  —  How  this  latter  act  was  accom- 
plished, —  the  course  pursued  by  which  these  four  separate  Grand  bodies, 
one  of  them  possessed  of  the  duplex  power  of  state  and  general  juris- 
diction, were  reconstructed,  —  forms  one  of  the  most  suggestive  branches 
of  judicial  experience  in  the  progress  of  its  development  from  the  meagre 
and  unrestrained  authority  of  the  local  lodge  to  the  high  tribunal  of  a 
supreme  body.  Each  of  the  Grand  bodies,  having  received  its  charter, 
assumed  and  felt  itself  to  be  the  equal  of  any  other.  The  necessity  of  a 
supreme  head,  to  which  appeals  could  be  made,  grievances  between  each 
other  could  be  referred,  the  secret  work  made  uniform  and  uniformity  en- 
forced, and  yet  the  local  rights  and  powers  of  each  Grand  body,  within 
certain  limits  to  be  settled  and  agreed  upon,  preserved,  involved  questions 
difficult  of  solution.  All  these  must  be  so  arranged  and  defined  as  to  be 
satisfactory  to  each  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  must 
surrender  its  duplex  power,  —  a  power  which,  though  nominally  possessed, 
it  was  powerless  to  exercise,  except  with  the  cooperation  of  the  other  Grand 
Lodges.  Any  attempt  to  do  so  could  only  result  in  the  absolute  inde- 
pendence of  each  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Basis  of  Action.  —  The  initiative  was  taken  in  the  duplex  body, 
where  representatives  from  each  Grand  Lodge  were  admitted.  At  the 
annual  session  February  22, 1824,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare 
and  submit  to  the  several  Grand  Lodges  a  basis  for  the  organization  of  a 
new  and  supreme  Grand  body.    It  contained  five  propositions :  — 

First,  That  the  permanent  aeat  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  should  be  in 
Baltimore. 

Second^  That  the  vesting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  charters  in  the  past  grands  was  the 
death-blow  to  schism  and  dissension  and  the  epoch  of  prosperity  to  the  Order. 

Thirdy  That  the  Grand  Lodge  charter  of  Maryland  and  of  the  United  States  be  vested 
in  the  past  grands  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States : 

On  condition  that  they  keep  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  Maryland. 

Fourth,  That  the  Grand  Master  and  proxies  from  the  several  Grand  Lodges  prei>aie  a 
constitution  for  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  to  be  submitted  for  approval. 

Fifth,  That  when  approved,  a  copy  be  sent  to  each  Grand  Lodge,  prior  to  its  next 
annual  meeting. 

These  propositions  were  submitted  to  the  several  Grand  Lodges,  and 
met  their  approval,  except  the  first,  and  the  last  clause  of  the  third  propo- 
sitions ;  and  they  were  objected  to  by  Pennsylvania  only. 

A  constitution,  meantime,  had  been  prepared,  submitted,  approved, 
and  adopted  on  the  16th  of  January,  1825.     Space  will  not  permit  of  its 


THE  JUEI8PBUDENCE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  799 

insertion  here.^  It  is  a  model  of  neatness,  brevity,  and  completeness, 
and  forms  the  basis  of  the  jurisprudence  of  the  Order.  It  brought  into 
unity,  in  the  midst  of  diversity,  the  different  branches  of  the  Order,  at 
a  time  when  it  was  comparatively  easy  to  do  so,  there  being  then  but 
four  Grand  Lodges  and  nine  subordinates. 

That  constitution,  from  time  to  time,  has  since  been  amended,  to  adapt 
it  to  changed  conditions,  but  its  essential  features  are  the  same.  It 
removed  from  our  system  the  "  ancient  landmarks  "  of  "  self -institution  " 
and  '<  ancient  usage,"  substituting  in  their  places  written  law  and  char- 
tered and  constitutional  guides.  Thereafter  no  lodge  could  gain  a  legal 
existence  except  it  was  chartered  by  a  Grand  Lodge;  or,  in  territory 
outside  their  jurisdiction,  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 

In  1828  the  name  of  Grand  Master  for  the  chief  officer  was  changed 
to  that  of  Grand  Sire,  leaving  the  other  to  Grand  Lodges.  But  one  step 
more  was  requisite  to  complete  the  legality  of  the  organization  of  the 
Order  on  this  continent  It  had  been  built  into  its  chartered  form  from  a 
subordinate  lodge  in  England.  To  it,  the  Annual  Movable  Committee,  the 
highest  judicatory  of  the  Manchester  Unity,  had  not  given  its  approval. 

The  Charter.  —  In  1826  Grand  Master  Wildey  was  commissioned  to, 
and  visited,  that  body,  and  obtained  from  it  a  charter  for  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States.  A  photographic  reproduction  forms  one  of  the 
illustrations  of  this  volume.  The  delight  with  which  this  was  received, 
and  the  sunshine  which  it  threw  over  the  work  of  the  Order  on  this  con- 
tinent, are  but  dimly  shadowed  in  the  expressions  of  thanks  for  the 
recognition,  to  be  found  on  page  82,  of  the  Revised  Journal  of  that 
year. 

Governmental  Stability.  —  The  danger  that  threatened,  of  local  Grand 
Lodges,  independent  of  each  other,  as  in  England,  was  passed.  The 
constitution,  modelling  the  government  somewhat  after  the  government 
of  the  United  States,  giving  to  the  smaller  states  equal  representation 
with  the  larger ;  vesting  the  three  functions  of  government,  —  legislative, 
judicial,  and  executive,  —  in  each  organized  body,  from  the  highest  to  the 
lowest,  within  prescribed  limits;  giving  to  each  its  appropriate  sphere  of 
action,  gave  promise  of  future  undisturbed  harmony  and  prosperity. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  this  form  of  organizing  a  central  govern- 
ment, that  should  embrace  the  Order  everywhere  and  might  become 
world-wide,  had  no  precedent  in  the  annals  of  existing  organizations,  the 
marvel  is  that  its  founders  had  faith  strong  enough  and  courage  suffi- 
ciently undaunted  for  the  undertaking ;  and  a  still  greater  marvel  is  that 
with  the  ambitions  and  independence  of  the  different  local  memberships, 
and  the  examples  before  them  of  local  independence  in  England  and  in 
the  Masonic  order,  they  succeeded  in  the  undertaking. 

^  It  voBj  be  seen  in  fbll,  by  referring  to  the  Bevlsed  Joomal  of  1825,  p.  7. 


800  THE  TEBEE'LINK  FBATERNITT, 

This  grand  achievement,  within  the  brief  period  of  six  years,  must  be 
credited  to  the  unselfish,  noble,  self-sacrificing  spirit  of  the  subordinate 
lodges.  All  power  came  up  from  them.  They  made  the  past  grands. 
To  them  they  surrendered  the  "  ancient  right "  of  "  self-institution,"  and 
from  them  accepted  charters.  The  right  to  govern  their  actions  by  the 
law  of  '<  ancient  usage,"  and  accept  in  its  stead  laws  enacted  by  past 
grands,  they  also  surrendered.  Laying  aside  all  selfish  ambitions,  they 
were  manifestly  seeking  to  place  the  Order  beyond  the  reach  of  schism 
and  disruption ;  and  where,  on  the  grandest  scale,  it  could  work  out  the 
highest  good  of  the  race.  To  their  magnanimity,  no  less  than  to  the 
wisdom  of  those  to  whom  they  intrusted  this  previously  untried,  world- 
wide experiment,  and  its  grand  results,  are  we  indebted. 

The  surrender  of  power  always  involves  self-sacrifice.  To  abnegate 
self,  and  rise  to  the  high  plane  of  '^  universal  good,"  is  one  of  the  noblest 
achievements  of  manhood.  Looking  back  upon  that  magnanimous  act  of 
the  subordinate  membership,  in  that  voluntary  surrender,  we  can  but 
admire,  to  the  verge  of  adoration,  the  nobility  of  nature  that  led  to  such 
sacrifice.  By  it  was  ushered  in  a  future  for  the  Order,  the  extent  and 
greatness  and  grandeur  of  which  bafifle  prophecy,  as  it  turns  to  imagina- 
tion to  draw  aside  the  veil  and  sketch  the  picture. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  GOLDEN  AGE  OF  AMERICAN  ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 

Dawn  of  the  Golden  Age.  —  With  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of 
1825,  and  the  laws  in  conformity  thereto,  the  morning-dawn  of  the  "  Golden 
Age  of  Odd  Fellowship  "  broke  upon  the  world.  The  unity  and  stability 
thus  acquired  were  commensurate  with  the  fraternal  principles  and  benefi- 
cent practices  upon  which  the  Order  was  based.  It  had  escaped  the 
schisms  that  so  often  divide  and  disrupt  others  in  their  early  organization. 
A  great  future  was  opened  before  it.  From  the  cities  of  four  states  it 
must  spread  through  the  rural  districts,  into  every  state  and  country  on 
this  continent  and  throughout  the  world.  This  expansion  and  growth 
must  necessarily  demand  many  changes.  A  wise  conservatism  alone  could 
preserve  it  from  those  disasters  that  lie  in  the  pathway  of  all  progress. 

As  yet  the  exact  powers  and  limitations  of  the  power  of  subordinates 
had  not  been  clearly  defined.  Neither  had  those  of  Grand  Lodges.  The 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  had  not  yet  fixed  its  boundaries  of 
power,  except  in  general  terms. 

The  constitution  of  1826  was  enlarged  in  1833,  by  defining  the  scope 


THE  JURISPRUDENCE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  801 

and  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  admitting  Past 
Grand  Sires  to  membership, — defining  the  qualifications  for  membership, 
—  recognizing  the  encampment  branch  that  had  sprung  up  in  the  Grand 
jurisdictions  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  and  making  other  less 
important  changes.  June  29,  1829,  the  Pennsylvania  Grand  Lodge  had 
chartered  a  Grand  Encampment,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  chartered  one  for  the  state  of  Maryland,  in  1831.  At  this  time 
there  were  eight  Grand  Lodges,  ninety-six  subordinate  lodges,  and  one 
Grand  Encampment,  with  two  subordinates.  In  1840  Pennsylvania  sur- 
rendered her  Grand  Encampment  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 
In  this  act  of  allowing  Pennsylvania  Grand  Lodge  to  charter  a  Grand 
Encampment,  and  hold  supervision  of  it  for  eleven  years,  is  demonstrated 
the  liberal  and  fraternal  policy  of  the  supreme  body ;  for,  by  the  constitu- 
tion of  1833,  no  such  power  legitimately  belonged  to  Grand  Lodges.  In 
each  annual  report,  Pennsylvania  kept  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  fully  advised  of  the  growth  of  the  encampment  branch  in  that  juris- 
diction, so  that  when  the  surrender  was  made  in  1840,  a  full  record  of  it 
was  already  upon  its  journal.  By  this  broad  and  liberal  policy  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  the  Order  was  kept  in  unity  and 
harmony. 

Grand  Encampments  Coequal  with  Grand  Lodges. — Thus  the  Order  pro- 
gressed until  1854,  with  slight  changes  in  its  organic  law,  and  such  deci- 
sions as  the  cases  arising  under  it  required,  when  a  new  constitution  and 
by-laws  upon  the  lines  of  the  existing  one,  submitted  in  1853,*  were 
adopted.  This  constitution  recognized  the  encampment  branch  as  the 
coequal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  with  the  right  of  representation  and  all 
other  privileges  on  the  same  basis.  By  an  amendment  to  the  constitution 
of  1833,  adopted  in  1841,  its  representatives  had  been  admitted,  though  it 
but  imperfectly  defined  the  relation  of  the  Grand  Encampment  to  the 
Grand  body.  At  this  period  the  Order  had  grown  to  thirty-four  Grand 
Lodges  with  three  thousand  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  subordinates, 
and  twenty-nine  Grand  Encampments  with  six  himdred  and  thirteen 
subordinates. 

The  Rebekah  Degree.  —  Meantime  a  new  branch  had  sprung  into  exist- 
ence,—  one  that  staggered  the  sound  judgment  of  many  of  the  more 
conservative  members  of  the  Order.  In  1851,  after  several  years  of  dis- 
cussion, a  degree  was  established  for  the  wives  of  members  of  the  Order. 
This  was  purely  a  work  of  legislation, — not  of  constitutional  provision. 
It  has  never  been  ingrafted  into  the  constitution  as  a  part  of  the  organic 
life  of  the  Order,  though  it  has  grown  to  be  a  most  important  adjunct, 
and  is  wielding  an  influence  for  good  second  to  no  single  branch.  Though 
its  introduction  met  strenuous  opposition,  so  mild  and  conservative  were 

>  Joaraal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States,  1858,  pp.  S0S9-8043. 


802  THE  THREE' LINK  FRATERNITY. 

the  measures  for  its  maintenance  and  enforcement,  and  so  gradually  was 
it  left  to  work  its  way  into  popular  favor,  that  no  open  or  serious  revolt 
against  it  was  anywhere  manifest.  Gradually,  as  experience  demonstrated 
its  utility,  the  field  of  its  membership  was  broadened,  —  the  plan  of  its 
organization  extended,  —  until  now,  all  unmarried  women  above  eighteen 
years  of  age  may  be  admitted;  organized  into  chartered  subordinate 
lodges  and  state  Grand  Assemblies,  with  the  right  of  appeal,  for  the 
redress  of  all  grievances,  to  the  Sovereign  body  equally  with  every  other 
branch  of  the  Order. 

The  limits  of  my  subject  will  not  permit  the  entering  into  detail  of 
the  great  work  that  this  branch  of  the  Order  is  accomplishing,  in  the 
direction  of  building  homes  for  the  aged,  the  widow,  and  the  orphan ;  in 
demonstration  of  the  wisdom  of  its  establishment.  It  has  now  entered 
into,  and  has  become,  a  not  inconsiderable  part  of  the  jurisprudence  of 
Odd  Fellowship,  where  it  is  sure  to  remain;  in  an  ever-widening  and 
increasing  sphere  of  usefulness.  No  well-wisher  of  the  Order  can  do 
other  than  wish  it  God-speed  in  its  noble  work. 

Decisions  and  Digest. — We  left  the  development  of  the  jurisprudence 
of  the  Order,  with  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  1854, 
to  make  note  of  the  introduction  of  the  Eebekah  branch.  In  that  consti- 
tution, provision  was  made  for  the  submission  of  questions  for  decision 
to  the  Grand  Sire,  from  Grand  Lodges,  Grand  Encampments,  Grand 
Masters,  and  Grand  Patriarchs ;  and  also  from  subordinate  bodies  under 
the  immediate  supervision  of  the  Supreme  body  in  outlying  territory; 
which  decisions,  before  becoming  general  law,  required  the  approval  of 
that  Grand  body.  It  also  provided  for  appeals  to  it,  from  the  decisions 
of  Grand  Lodges  and  Grand  Encampments.  In  the  organic  law  but  a 
mere  outline  of  legal  maxims  for  the  government  of  subordinate  bodies 
could  be  stated.  So  rapidly  had  the  Order  spread,  and  so  new  and 
untried  were  many  of  the  practices  constantly  occurring,  that  a  great 
variety  of  questions  was  annually  brought  before  the  Supreme  body  for 
final  adjudication.  Soon  the  necessity  for  their  codification  became 
apparent.  These,  together  with  the  legislation  in  aid  of  the  general 
work  of  the  Order,  were  first  compiled  in  1862,  occupying  but  237  pages, 
which  may  be  found  in  the  Revised  Journal  at  the  close  of  Volume  IV. 
Subsequently,  the  constitution,  by-laws,  rules  of  order,  and  laws  and 
decisions,  defining  the  rights,  duties,  powers,  prerogatives,  etc.,  of  the 
Sovereign  body.  Grand  Lodges,  Grand  Encampments,  and  subordinates 
under  them,  and  under  the  Sovereign  body,  were  codified  in  a  separate 
volume  called  a  "Digest."  This  has  from  time  to  time  been  revised 
and  reprinted  to  keep  abreast  with  the  growth  of  the  Order,  the  last 
revision  of  1895  containing  over  600  pages,  after  a  most  thorough  con- 
densation.    Probably  no  secret  Order  has  so  elaborate  and  complete 


I  (lint 


:« 


■2' 


.m. 


■2* 


TJSE  JUmSFRUDENCE  OF  ODD  FELLOW SHIF.  805 

body  politic.  A  most .  significant  statistical  fact  in  confirmation  of  this 
condition  of  the  Order,  at  this  period,  consists  in  this :  that  while  for  the 
six  years  prior  to  1860,  it  had  made  no  progress  in  membership,  from 
1860  to  1866,  —  the  first  year  after  the  war  that  full  reports  were  made, 
—  the  membership  had  increased  15,310,  notwithstanding  the  depleting 
effects  of  that  struggle;  and  from  1866  to  1872,  the  following  period 
of  six  years,  the  increase  was  195,968,  or  more  than  double  the  entire 
membership  in  1866.  Since  then  the  progress  of  the  Order  has  con- 
tinued unchecked,  until  now,  in  its  four  branches,  its  membership  num- 
bers 1,228,407,  as  shown  in  the  reports  of  September,  1896 :  an  average 
annual  increase  since  the  war  of  over  33,000. 

The  Military  Arm.  —  Begotten  of  that  struggle,  a  universal  military 
spirit  prevailed,  demanding  recognition  and  organization  for  its  effective 
display.  To  the  former,  our  jurisprudence  readily  yielded ;  to  the  latter, 
much  opposition  was  at  first  manifest  In  1878  the  subject  of  providing 
an  organization  was  pressed  upon  the  attention  of  the  Sovereign  body, 
and  resulted  in  the  presentation  of  the  following  majority  and  minority 
reports,  which  fairly  present  the  views  of  the  body  at  that  time,  the 
former,  after  a  lengthy  discussion,  being  adopted  by  a  small  majority^:  — 

'*  To  THB  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  thb  I.O.O.F. :  — 

*'  Your  legislative  committee,  to  wliom  was  referred  the  following,  offered  by  Repre- 
sentatiye  Stebbins  of  New  York :  — 

" '  That  the  Grand  Encampments  of  the  varions  Jurisdictions,  within  whose  territorial 
limits  companies  of  uniformed  patriarchs  have  been  or  shall  be  organized,  are  hereby 
impowered  to  organize  subordinate  encampments  and  issue  charters  to  them  as  uni- 
formed, mixed,  or  ununiformed  encampments,  and  to  prescribe  suitable  constitutions  and 
laws  for  their  proper  government  as  such,' 

"  Would  respectfully  report  that  we  can  see  no  necessity  for  such  legislation,  and  would 
deem  it  inadvisable  to  provide  for  the  chartering  of  different  grades  or  styles  of  encamp- 
ments, as  thereby  uniformity  might  be  destroyed  and  distinctions  created,  which  might  lead 
to  dissension  and  strife.    We  therefore  ask  to  be  discharged  from  further  consideration  of 

the  subject. 

"Respectfully  submitted, 

VF.  P.  Dann.  John  C.  Underwood. 

"Isaac  A.  Shbppard.      Erie  J.  Leech. 

,  "O.  G.  Douglass.  John  T.  Given. 

"John  U.  Perkins.  S.  H.  Bradley.'* 

Representative  Stebbins  of  New  York,  from  the  same  committee,  made  the  following 
minority  report :  — 
"  To  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Lodge  of  the  I.O.O.F.  :  — 

"  The  undersigned,  member  of  the  legislative  committee,  begs  leave  to  submit  the  fol- 
lowing minority  report,  touching  the  necessity  of  further  legislation  by  this  Right  Worthy 
Grand  body,  for  the  proper  regulation  and  government  of  uniformed  patriarchs :  — 

"He  regrets  that  duty  to  his  jurisdiction  and  this  growing  body  of  the  Order,  imposes 
upon  him  the  necessity  to  dissent  from  the  views  of  the  majority  of  said  committee. 
This  Grand  body  has  wisely  provided  a  style  of  uniform  to  be  worn  on  public  occasions  by 
the  patriarchal  branch  of  the  Order :  one  that,  in  the  Judgment  of  the  undersigned,  is  doing 
more  for  that  branch  of  the  Order  than  all  others  in  that  direction  for  years  past. 
1  Joarnal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  SUtes,  1878,  pp.  7764,  7765. 


806  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

**  That  legislation,  however,  went  no  further  than  to  prescribe  the  nniform  to  be  worn 
by  individual  patriarchs.  It  made  no  provision  and  gave  no  power  to  state  or  territorial 
Grand  Encampments  to  make  provision  for  their  organization  and  government  as  aasocior 
tions  of  uniformed  patriarchs. 

"  It  is  impossible  for  the  uniform  to  be  worn  with  any  credit  to  the  wearers  unless  they 
organize  and  drill,  so  that  their  movements  shall  be  as  beautiful  and  uniform  as  their  dress. 

**  In  the  absence  of  any  rules  and  regulations  for  their  organization  and  government 
in  such  drill  by  this  Grand  body,  or  power  conferred  upon  Grand  Encampments  to  grant 
charters  and  frame  constitutions  and  laws  for  their  proper  government,  the  uniformed 
patriarchs  have  been  driven  to  the  necessity  of  forming  outside  organizations  for  that 
purpose.  These  are  entirely  beyond  the  control  and  independent  of  subordinate  or  Grand 
Encampments. 

"  It  is  believed  that  if  proper  legislative  power  is  conferred  by  this  Grand  body  upon 
Grand  Encampments,  the  embarrassments  now  springing  up,  and  which  are  sure  to 
strengthen  and  increase,  unless  speedily  remedied,  will,  in  the  not  far  future,  produce 
results  that  will  seriously  and  injuriously  affect  this  branch  of  the  Order,  and  weaken,  if  not 
ultimately  destroy,  what  now  gives  promise  of  the  highest  good  to  the  patriarchal  branch. 

"  For  these  and  other  reasons  that  will  naturally  occur  to  those  who  have  given  the 
subject  practical  thought,  this  Grand  Lodge  should  confer  upon  Grand  Encampments  the 
requisite  legislative  power,  to  enable  them  to  control  uniformed  patriarchs,  when  organized 
as  such.    He  therefore  submits  for  adoption  the  following :  — 

"  Resolved^  That  the  Grand  Encampments  of  the  various  jurisdictions  within  whose 

territorial  limits  companies  of  uniformed  patriarchs  have  been  or  shall  be  organized,  are 

hereby  empowered  to  organize  subordinate  encampments  and  issue  charters  to  them  as 

Uniformed  Encampments,  and  to  provide  suitable  constitutions  and  laws  for  their  proper 

government  as  such.  '*  Respectfully  submitted, 

"  J.  W.  Stbbbinb." 

It  would  seem  that  so  practical  and  manifestly  necessary  a  provision 
should  have  been  adopted  without  dissent,  and  yet  so  ultra-conservative 
was  the  majority  of  that  Grand  body,  that  upon  a  test  vote  the  minority 
report  was  voted  down  and  the  majority  report  adopted,  an  evidence  of 
the  extreme  caution  of  the  Grand  body,  —  and  perhaps  wisely  so,  —  upon 
all  new  and  untried  measures. 

Three  years  had  not  elapsed  before  a  legal  organization  of  the  uni- 
formed patriarchs  in  separate  form  was  authorized ;  which,  step  by  step, 
grew  under  the  supervision  of  the  Sovereign  body,  until,  in  1893,  it  became 
a  separate  independent  local  branch  with  department  councils  for  local 
government,  subject  only  to  the  supervision  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

The  successive  steps  by  which  this  rank  was  obtained,  the  opposition 
with  which  it  met  in  its  different  advance  steps,  from  the  ultra-conserva- 
tive element  in  the  Order,  do  not  belong  properly  to  our  branch  of  inquiry, 
—  nothing  beyond  the  initial  step  in  its  progress,  which  we  have  given.  In 
receiving,  organizing,  and  ingrafting  it  into  our  system  of  government,  no 
great  difficulty  was  experienced.  On  the  contrary,  it  was  cordially  received, 
fully  developed,  and  welcomed  as  one  of  the  advance  movements  demanded 
by  the  times,  and  essential  to  the  Order's  fullest  usefulness.  New  codes 
and  laws,  adapted  to  its  necessities,  were  required,  and  readily  furnished, 
until  now  it  has  grown  to  be  one  of  the  most  complete  and  popular 
branches  of  the  Order. 


^^I« 


S07 


-■% 


808 


THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 


15. 

Ridgely  Lodge,  No. 

16. 

Provenir 

17. 

Valley 

18. 

Scania 

19. 

Concorde 

20. 

Far  East 

21. 

Ck>lambo 

1 City  of  Mexico,  Angust  5, 1882. 

Havana,  Cuba,  August  26, 1883. 

Northwest  Territory,  Canada,  December  28, 1883. 

Malmo,  Sweden,  October  29, 1884. 

.Havre,  France,  March  2, 1887. 

.Yokohama,  Japan,  May  28, 1889. 

Naples,  Italy,  March  12, 1895. 

These,  by  the  law  of  the  Soyereign  Orand  Lodge,  remained  under  its  direct  super- 
vision and  control,  as  did  all  others,  until  in  each  particular  country,  province,  or  territory 
a  sufScient  number  was  chartered  to  form  a  Grand  Lodge ;  when  a  Grand  Lodge  charter 
was  issued  to  them,  and  for  local  purposes  they  became  a  separate  governing  and  law- 
making body. 

At  present  the  following  are  acting  under  Grand  Lodge  charters,  issued  in  the  following 

order:  — 

1.  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Lower  Provinces,  July  26, 1856. 

2.  Grand  Lodge  of  Ontario,  August  23, 1855. 

3.  Grand  Lodge  of  Victoria,  Australasia,  February  22, 1868. 

4.  Grand  Lodge  of  New  Zealand,  Australasia,  March  11, 1869. 
6.  Grand  Lodge  of  Brandenburg,  Germany,  July  16, 1873. 

6.  Grand  Lodge  of  Switzerland,  April  22, 1874. 

7.  Grand  Lodge  of  British  Columbia,  April  25, 1874. 

8.  Grand  Lodge  of  Wiirttemberg,  Germany,  April  30, 1874. 

9.  Grand  Lodge  of  Hanover,  Germany,  November  30, 1874. 

10.  Grand  Lodge  of  Chile,  November  18, 1875. 

11.  Grand  Lodge  of  Saxony,  Germany,  December  30, 1876. 

12.  Grand  Lodge  of  South  Australia,  Australasia,  September  30, 187^. 

13.  Grand  Lodge  of  Quebec,  October  30, 1878. 

14.  Grand  Lodge  of  New  South  Wales,  Australasia,  October  26, 1880. 

15.  Grand  Lodge  of  Tasmania,  Australasia,  December  4, 1882. 

16.  Grand  Lodge  of  Denmark,  April  21, 1884. 

17.  Grand  Lodge  of  Silesia-Posen,  Germany,  May  2, 1885. 

18.  Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden,  July  8, 1896. 

Thus  the  Order  is  now  established  in  twenty-two  different  nationalities, 
provinces,  and  territories,  in  eighteen  of  which  Grand  Lodges  are  char- 
tered ;  and  twenty-two  different  flags  annually  adorn  the  hall  and  wave 
over  the  assembled  representatives  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  To 
these,  one  by  one,  shall  others  be  added ;  until  in  that  bright  galaxy  shall 
wave  the  flag  of  every  civilized  nation  on  the  globe,  and  bowed  humanity, 
lifted  up,  shall  rejoice  in  its  great  deliverance. 


CHAPTER   VII. 


GENERAL  GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  ORDER. 


Redress  of  Errors  and  Redress  of  Wrongs.  —  In  a  great  Order  embracing 
five  gwcwi-independent  Grand  Lodges,  sixty-six  subordinate  Grand  Lodges, 
fifty-four  subordinate  Grand  Encampments,  twenty-eight  subordinate 
Rebekah  Grand  Assemblies,  nineteen  subordinate  Department  Councils  of 


.  1 


810  THE  THREB'LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

where  than  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  gt^x^'independent  Grand  Lodges, 
may  be  carried  there  for  final  settlement.  They  are  independent,  there- 
fore, only  as  to  those  questions  arising  outside  of  the  secret  work,  its 
teachings  and  the  practical  duties  it  enjoins,  which  constitute  the  vital 
force,  the  very  soul  of  the  brotherhood.  This  freedom  of  action,  within 
prescribed  limits,  giving  to  each  locality  an  opportunity  to  frame  the  laws 
for  its  local  government,  according  to  the  educational  and  governmental 
notions  of  the  people  where  it  exists,  so  that  only  the  great  doctrines  and 
duties  enjoined  shall  be  faithfully  observed,  is  what  gives  to  the  Order  its 
unity  and  strength,  and  has  enabled  it  successfully  to  resist  every  effort 
at  disintegration  or  separation.  Like  a  ''slack-rope,"  firmly  held  at 
either  end,  intermediate  which  there  is  freedom  of  movement,  yet  leading 
all  from  the  same  beginning  to  the  same  ending,  it  binds  all  in  unity  of 
labor,  to  the  consummation  of  its  mission  of  love. 

Germany  may  have  her  essay  lectures,  in  teaching  the  great  lessons  of 
the  Order  to  meet  the  cast  of  her  philosophic  minds.  America  may  have 
her  high-wrought  dramatic  representations,  tableaux,  and  thrilling  scenes, 
with  which  to  write  those  lessons  upon  the  heart  and  conscience.  What- 
ever will  most  deeply  impress  the  mind  with  those  practical  duties,  so 
that  there  be  no  deviation  from  the  authoritative  and  approved  language 
to  be  used,  and  so  that  it  be  dignified,  courteous,  and  gentlemanly,  may 
be  employed. 


CONCLUSION. 


In  the  limited  space  assigned  for  this  Division  of  this  great  work,  it  were 
impossible  to  do  more  than  present  the  merest  skeleton  of  the  beginniag, 
gradual  development,  and  salient  features  of  that  model  system  of  juris- 
prudence which  adorns  Odd  Fellowship,  —  a  system  without  a  superior  if 
it  has  a  peer.  Imitations  of  it  have  thus  far  proved,  —  at  best,  —  partial 
failures. 

The  philosophy,  science,  and  art  of  law,  alike  in  its  adaptation  to  the 
rights  of  man,  under  the  varied  forms  of  civil  government  in  which  he  is 
placed,  are  sought  to  be  evolved,  and  the  dependence  upon,  and  relation  of, 
the  one  to  the  other  shown.  How  fully  this  has  been  accomplished,  must 
be  left  for  the  reader  to  judge. 

While  all  forms  of  jurisprudence  must  be  drafted  on  the  same  general 
lines,  as  all  grades  of  human  action  are  governed  by  the  same  general 
laws,  the  specific  methods  of  their  enforcement  must  vary  according  to 
the  particular  surroundings  of  each.  In  the  hasty  traverse  we  have  made 
of  this  greatest  and  most  vital  theme,  upon  which,  more  than  all  others, 
rests  the  stability  of  the  Order,  many  special  and  important  changes 


THE  JURI8PBUDENCE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  811 

vital  to  its  larger  usefulness  had  to  be  necessarily  passed  by  unnoticed. 
To  a  few  of  them  it  seems  necessary,  in  conclusion,  to  call  attention,  that 
the  manner  in  which  the  present  advanced  status  of  the  Order  was 
reached  may  be  better  understood. 

The  transition  from  the  "  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  "  to  that 
of  the  "  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,''  occurred  in  1879,  after  several  years  of 
discussion  and  labor.  At  that  time,  the  Order  had  spread  and  was  estab- 
lished in  eight  different  governments  outside  the  United  States,  so  that 
it  had  quite  outgrown  its  name.  The  name,  moreover,  presented  serious 
objection  to  its  rapid  spread,  as  will  readily  be  seen  to  have  been  most 
natural.  Yet  to  abandon  a  name  so  dear  to  the  great  body  of  the  then 
membership  was  a  sore  trial,  and  taxed  the  spirit  of  loyalty  to  the  high- 
est good  of  the  Order  severely.  The  opposition  to  the  change  was  at  first 
strong,  earnest,  and  most  formidable.  At  length  the  better  sentiment  pre- 
vailed. The  change  was  made ;  and  true  to  that  loyalty  to  the  Order  that 
has  so  universally  prevailed,  the  most  zealous  and  eloquent  opponents 
of  the  change  cheerfully  acquiesced. 

Originally  all  the  work  of  the  subordinate  lodge  was  done  in  the  Initi- 
atory degree,  which  led,  as  has  already  been  shown,  to  the  voluntary  choice 
by  the  members  of  the  past  grands,  on  account  of  their  superior  knowl- 
edge and  experience  in  the  Order,  as  an  advisory,  and  finally,  as  an  appel- 
late body.  In  1881  this  was  changed,  and  all  work,  save  conferring  the 
degrees,  was  required  to  be  done  in  the  Scarlet  degree.  This  change 
aroused  a  widespread  opposition.  Thousands  of  members  had  gone  no 
further  than  the  Initiatory  degree  and  were  content  to  remain  there,  as  it 
entitled  them  to  all  lodge  privileges.  This  act  closed  the  door  of  the  lodge 
against  them,  until  they  should  take  the  three  degrees.  It  was,  however, 
soon  acquiesced  in,  and  all  who  really  desired  to  belong  to  the  Order  for 
the  Order's  good,  saw  the  wisdom  of  the  advance  step,  and  qualified  them- 
selves to  enjoy  the  advantages  of  the  change. 

The  laws  of  the  Order  have  always  required,  "  as  an  ancient  landmark 
never  to  be  departed  from,"  that  a  substantial  benefit  must  be  paid  to 
every  brother  in  good  standing,  when  sick  or  disabled,  "  as  a  right,  not  as 
a  charity."  The  amount  has  been  left  to  each  lodge,  so  that  it  be  "  sub- 
stantial." It  finally  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Sovereign  body,  in 
1892,  that  some  lodges  were  paying  ten,  fifteen,  and  twenty-five  cents 
per  week  sick  benefits ;  and  a  law  was  passed  that  year,  fixing  the  mini- 
mum that  a  lodge  should  be  permitted  to  pay,  during  disability,  at  $2 
per  week,  with  the  power  given  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  tlie  jurisdiction  to 
reduce  it  to  $1  after  the  first  year,  in  its  discretion.  This  caused  very 
much  discussion  and  attempted  criticism;  but  only  on  the  old  line  of 
"  interference  with  lodge  rights,"  the  same  that  was  raised  in  the  early 
history  of  the  Order  in  England;  but  then,  as  now,  disregarded  as  being 


812 


THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 


utterly  at  variance  with  the  established  traditions  of  the  Order.  The  effect 
of  this  law  has  been  to  lift  the  lodges  into  higher  esteem  in  the  public 
mind,  and  greater  respect  for  themselves. 

Other  acts  might  be  mentioned,  such  as  the  granting  Qiio^indepen- 
dence  to  the  German  Empire  and  others,  the  enlarging  of  the  field  of  mem- 
bership of  Eebekah  lodges,  all  of  which  display  the  elasticity  and  practical 
adaptability  of  our  jurisprudence  to  any  emergency  that  may  arise ;  and 
the  loyalty  and  devotion  of  the  great  body  of  our  membership  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Order,  as  well  as  the  readiness  with  which  they  accept  and 
carry  out  whatever  promises  a  greater  good,  however  it  may  seem  at  first 
to  conflict  with  their  previously  formed  opinions. 

Such  a  jurisprudence,  engraven  upon  the  minds  and  consciences  of  such 
a  membership,  will  abide  all  opposition.  It  is  the  great  conservative 
force,  —  the  sheet-anchor,  —  that  holds  the  Order  to  its  moorings,  amid  all 
the  storms  of  opposition  from  without,  or  attempted  turmoils  from  the 
selfish  and  those  holding  narrow  and  imperfect  views  of  its  great  mission 
and  high  destiny,  within. 

Pioneer  in  a  world-wide  jurisprudence,  which,  spanning  oceans,  spreads 
over  continents  and  touches  every  "isle  of  the  sea,"  wherein  are  innu- 
merably diversified  and  antagonistic  forms  of  governmental  polity,  from 
the  freedom  of  the  republic  to  the  tyranny  of  the  despot,  each  alike  jeal- 
ous and  suspicious  of  everything  not  its  own,  it  is  fast  winning  its  way 
to  a  universal  empire  of  peace  and  good-will.  Who  shall  say  that  it  is 
not  to  be  the  harbinger  of  the  millennial  dawn,  that  shall  usher  in  the 
time  when  "  one  law  shall  bind  all  nations,  tongues,  and  kindreds  of  the 
earth,  and  that  law  shall  be  the  law  of  universal  brotherhood,"  and  this 
grandest  prophecy  and  prayer  of  the  Order  realize  its  fulfilment  ? 


814  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Standard  of  Trial.  —  For  more  than  three-quarters  of  a  century  Odd 
Fellowship, — the  Odd  Fellowship  above  described, —  has  lived  in  the  broad 
sunlight  of  America.  It  has  been  tested  by  a  practical  people  and  has 
become  the  handmaid  of  an  intelligent  race.  Boldly  proclaiming  its  belief 
in  the  universal  Fatherhood  of  God,  in  the  eternal  brotherhood  of  his 
children, —  admitting  into,  and  retaining  in,  its  membership  only  those 
who  profess  belief  in  and  reliance  upon  the  common  Father  of  us  all, —  it 
has  quietly,  patiently,  persistently  trod  the  path  of  obligation  and  of 
duty,  sure  of  the  victory  of  endurance  bom. 

It  has  been  assailed  but  never  defeated,  wounded  but  never  destroyed. 
Its  animating  principles  are  heaven-born  and  not  to  be  effaced  from  earth 
by  human  agencies,  even  when  those  agencies  are  directed  by  the  fanatic's 
brain  or  are  aided  by  the  bigot's  zeal, —  Odd  Fellowship  has  a  place  in  the 
world's  work  and  history,  and  it  has  come  to  stay.  It  has  never  pro- 
claimed itself  as  the  sole  heir  of  past  good,  nor  pretended  to  be  the  only 
repository  of  human  wisdom  or  charity.  It  has  claimed,  and  does  now 
claim,  to  be  a  great  moral  power,  to  be  a  practical  weapon,  in  the  hands 
of  a  practical  people,  with  which  to  meet  the  enemies  of  man  and  of  human 
progress.  Teaching  loyalty  to  Grod,  to  man,  to  country,  and  to  law,  it 
has  called  into  active  fellowship  more  than  two  million  living  souls. 
To-day,  more  than  eight  hundred  thousand  men, —  cUizejis  all, —  follow 
the  white  symbol  of  its  world-wide  fraternity. 

There  is  an  element  of  splendid  worth,  a  glowing  heart  of  life  in  an 
organization  that  in  seventy-eight  years  has  become  the  most  powerful 
"  secret "  society  in  America ;  that  has  sent  its  influence  into  foreign 
lands ;  that  has  unfurled  its  flag  on  the  continent  of  Europe  and  amid  the 
isles  of  the  sea;  that  is  doing  a  great  work  in  behalf  of  mankind,  and, 
by  deeds,  has  won  an  enduring  place  in  the  affections  of  an  observing 
people. 

Though  responding  in  times  of  public  distress  and  calamity  to  every 
appeal  for  aid,  Odd  Fellowship  has  never  been  an  almsgiver  in  the  public 
place.  It  has  not  proclaimed  its  gifts  from  mountain-tops,  nor  named  its 
beneficiaries  to  a  careless  and  criticising  world;  but  in  the  seclusion  of 
the  sorrowing  home,  by  the  desolate  hearthstone,  in  the  abode  of  sickness 
and  of  want,  the  careworn,  weary  sufferer  gladly  welcomes  the  brother 
who  comes  bearing  in  tender  hands  the  corn  and  wine.  The  annals  of 
Odd  Fellowship  are  written  in  the  hearts  of  brothers  relieved,  of  widows 
comforted  and  "cared  for,"  of  little  children  clothed  and  sheltered  and 
educated. 

The  Spirit  of  Odd  Fellowship  considered. — A  noted  philosopher  said: 
that  "to  become  a  man  was  the  great  aim  of  life."  To  live  a  man  is  the 
command  of  Odd  Fellowship.  It  has  warred  against  vice  in  every  form. 
Its  mighty  power  has  never  sought  to  shield  a  violator  of  the  public  law 


THE  LITEBATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  815 

nor  an  enemy  of  the  public  weal.  It  has  taught  its  membership  that  they 
could  not  be  good  Odd  Fellows  unless  they  were  good  citizens.  It  has 
promoted  public  peace^  public  morality^  public  honesty.  It  has  taught 
the  dignity  of  manhood^  elevated  private  character,  and  emphasized  the 
worth  of  a  human  life  that  was  pure  and  undefiled.  It  teaches  toleration. 
It  remembers  the  story  of  the  Good  Samaritan,  and  the  true  Odd  Fellow 
can  truthfully  say:  "I  have  never  refused  the  cup  of  cold  water  to  the 
traveller  in  distress. ''  The  lesson  taught  on  that  lonely  highway  in  Judea 
has  not  been  forgotten,  and  amid  the  triumphs  and  the  failures  of  human 
endeavors,  the  want  and  suffering,  the  trials  and  sorrows,  the  joys  and 
agonies  of  human  existence.  Odd  Fellowship  repeats  to  each  of  its  mem- 
bers the  inspired  words :  — 

The  DiTlne  Definition.  —  "  Pore  religion  and  nndefiled  before  God  and  the  Father  is  this. 
To  yisit  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  affliction,  and  to  keep  himself  onspotted  from 
the  world." 

Teaching  in  every  lodge-room  these  holy  precepts,  exemplifying  them 
by  deeds  of  practical  helpfulness, — justifying  faith  by  works, — we  can 
yet  occasionally,  even  amid  the  enlightenment  of  the  present  day,  hear 
the  voice  of  ignorance  crying  from  the  wilderness  of  selfishness,  that 
human  aid  to  human  distress  is  sinful;  and  the  voice  of  bigotry,  speaking 
from  a  chest  too  narrow  to  hold  a  human  heart,  proclaims  that  fraternity 
is  at  war  with  the  Christian  church;  that  the  duty  of  the  lover  of  God 
is  to  smite  off  the  hand  that  does  God's  work  unless  the  owner  walk  in 
the  narrow  path  that  is  bordered  by  sectarian  hedges. 

The  church  and  Odd  Fellowship  at  variance?  Kot  so.  Never  has  a 
baser  libel  fallen  from  the  lips  of  untruth.  Eise  in  protest,  ye  ministers 
of  the  church  who  are  affiliated  with  the  Order,  and  ye  who  have  witnessed 
its  ministrations  of  love.  Rise,  ye  occupants  of  pews  who  have  gone  forth 
from  the  lodge-room  to  live  the  faith  the  pulpit  preaches.  Rise,  ye  who 
know  the  worth  of,  and  the  dispensers  of,  charity.  Rise,  ye  who  in  the 
work  of  fraternity  have  learned  and  taught  that  religion  is  not  a  form,  but 
a  breathing  spirit,  —  that  the  more  thoroughly  a  man  is  imbued  with  the 
spirit  of  religion,  the  better  Odd  Fellow  he  is,  and  that  the  most  loyal 
Odd  Fellow  has  within  him  the  making  of  the  most  sincere  and  earnest 
Christian. 

True  fraternity,  like  true  religion,  is  of  the  spirit  rather  than  the  out- 
ward form.  The  church  of  Grod  is  the  holiest  institution  of  earth.  To 
save  human  souls  from  the  consequences  of  human  sins  is  its  divine  mis- 
sion. Its  ministry  is  the  highest  of  all  human  callings.  To  reach  the 
haven  to  which  it  points  is  the  end  and  aim  of  human  aspirations. 

It  is  the  blessed  privilege  of  the  church  to  teach  men  their  duty  to 
God  and  to  one  another;  to  lift  the  thoughts  of  men  to  heavenly  things 
and  direct  the  paths  their  feet  should  tread.      Odd  Fellowship  neither 


816  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

denies  these  prerogatives  nor  seeks  to  trespass  upon  the  chnrch's  privi- 
leges. It  is  not  a  heavenly  but  an  earthly  organization.  It  does  not  seek 
primarily  to  govern  man's  spiritual  life,  but  to  so  direct  his  earthly  one 
as  to  render  him  more  fit  for  the  spiritual  and  holy  ministrations  of  the 
church.  Odd  Fellowship  does  a  work  the  church  cannot,  or  if  it  can,  does 
not  do.  It  is  religious,  but  it  is  not  sectarian.  It  is  religious  in  that  it 
teaches  the  Fatherhood  of  Grod,  derives  its  principles  from  his  holy  word, 
and  teaches  to  all  its  members  in  every  line  of  its  ritual, —  in  every  sen- 
tence of  their  obligation, — those  scriptural  truths  upon  which  true  religion 
rests.  It  is  non-sectarian  in  that  it  neither  teaches  nor  permits  to  be 
taught,  in  any  lodge-room,  the  tenets  of  any  particular  division  of  the 
Christian  church.  It  is  based  upon  the  word  and  promise  of  God,  but  the 
path  by  which  the  member  passes  from  earth  to  the  vaulted  sky  it  leaves 
to  the  church  to  point,  and  the  individual  conscience  to  select. 

Testimony  of  the  Fathers.  —  Said  Brother  Doremus, — an  able  exponent 
of  the  best  thoughts  of  the  Order :  — 

The  Role  of  Action.  —  "  We  hold  to  no  particular  creed,  save  in  the  existence  and  attri- 
hntes  of  Almighty  God,  and  the  binding  obligations  of  the  moral  law.  Beligions  discussions 
and  political  disputes  are,  alike,  excluded  from  our  lodges.  We  put  far  from  us  the  bigotry 
excited  by  the  one,  and  the  ill-feeling  engendered  by  the  other.  '  Politics  divide  men,  but 
Interest  unites  them.'  Nor  yet  do  we  enjoin  the  practice  of  virtue  merely  as  a  substitute 
for  the  spiritual  exercise  of  religion.  We  fetter  not  the  consciences,  nor  do  we  dictate  to 
the  wills  of  our  brethren.  We  have  no  peculiar  dogmas  to  establish,  and  we  have  nothing 
to  do  with  politics.  Antagonistic  partisans  in  the  strife  for  civil  preferment  here  meet  in 
amity  and  friendship ;  and  the  harshness  of  party  denunciation  is  lost,  within  our  walls,  in 
the  accents  of  mutual  regard.  We  seek  only  to  promote  brotherly  love,  and  the  practice 
of  humanizing  virtues  among  those  who  are  our  associates ;  and  unto  those  *  to  whom  it  is 
given  to  know  the  mysteries  of  brotherhood,  that  they  may  have  fellowship  with  us,'  our 
confidence  is  as  unbounded  as  our  friendships  are  sincere." 

The  Order  was  born  to  minister  unto  human  necessities.  It  cares  not 
of  what  race  the  sufferer  is,  nor  what  his  views  of  redemption  are.  A 
man,  the  son  of  a  common  Father,  is  stricken  by  terrible  affliction, 
the  hearthstone  of  his  home  is  desolate,  famine  is  in  the  land,  want  and 
woe  on  every  side.  Enough  for  Odd  Fellowship  that  suffering  exists, 
enough  that  men  of  all  religious  faiths  can  say  of  it:  — 

The  Test.  —  ''I  was  an  hungered,  and  ye  gave  me  meat :  I  was  thirsty,  and  ye  gave  me 
drink :  I  was  .a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me  in :  naked,  and  ye  clothed  me :  I  was  sick,  and  ye 
visited  me :  I  was  in  prison,  and  ye  came  unto  me." 

Listen  to  James  L.  Bidgely  when  he  says :  — 

The  Fonndation-stone.  — "  Such  is  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellowship;  resting  its  foundation 
upon  the  best  and  purest  feelings  of  man's  nature,  it  lifts  its  head  to  heaven,  and  spreads 
itself  beneath  the  fostering  favor  of  the  great '  I  Am.'  Its  temples  are  dedicated  to  the  per- 
petuation and  promotion  of  practical  and  universal  benevolence,  while  its  precepts  indicate 
the  paths  of  life  in  which  man  may  be  most  happy  in  himself,  and  most  useful  to  his  fellow- 
creatures.  Its  object  is  to  disenthrall  human  action  from  the  degrading  operation  of  the 
grosser  passions,  and  to  mould  men  to  generous,  confiding,  and  affectionate  relations  with 
one  another." 


THS  LITEEATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  817 

We  learn  from  this  authoritative  definition  that  Odd  Fellowship  is  a 
great  moral  agency^  lifting  humanity  from  the  dust  of  selfishness,  and 
seeking  by  the  inculcation  of  divine  principles  to  beautify  man's  earthly 
tabernacle  while  fitting  him  for  more  spiritual  temples.  It  proclaims  the 
interdependence  of  the  human  family. 

Did  not  our  Eeverend  Brother  Smothers,  of  Texas,  state  a  truism  when, 
twenty -three  years  since,  he  wrote :  — 

The  Great  Foot-print.—  "  Thongh  Odd  Fellowship  is  not  a  religions  society,  nor  does  it 
profess  to  be,  yet  it  is  the  great  handmaid  of  religion,  the  stepping-stone  to  yirtne  and  to 
goodness.  The  true  Odd  Fellow  cannot  be  otherwise  than  a  good  man.  And  although  we 
regard  our  Order  as  preeminent  in  her  works  of  beneyolence  and  charity,  we  do  not  array 
ourselves  against  other  and  nobler  forms  of  effort  in  the  same  direction.  Nor  are  our  works 
and  their  fruits  thrown  to  the  public  gaze ;  yet  the  great  foot-print  of  Odd  FeUowship  has 
so  indelibly  marked  its  path,  during  the  fifty-four  years  of  its  ever-progressive  existence, 
that  its  God-like  virtue  can  no  more  be  obscnred  than  truth  could  be  stricken  from  the  firma- 
ment." 

Odd  Fellowship  is  the  true  ally  of  the  church  because,  like  it,  it  is 
building  character;  and  the  worth  and  effect  of  character  in  and  upon  the 
church,  the  state,  and  the  affairs  of  life  were  beautifully  expressed  by  that 
great  captain  of  the  Order,  Eidgely,  when,  in  his  report  to  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge,  at  its  session  in  1877,  he  said:  — 

"  By  what  Judgment  ye  mete." — "  Character  has  more  to  do  with  healthy  human  progress 
than  any  other  of  the  many  elements  of  civilization.  It  may  be  assumed  as  the  broad  basis 
upon  which  society  rests,  to  constitute  the  nucleus  of  public  virtue  and  its  real  support  in  every 
trial.  Christianity  itself  and  all  religions  advance  more  under  its  auspices  than  under  all 
other  aids,  because  it  forms  its  solid  foundation  and  sure  defence.  Character,  in  fact,  is  the 
gem  of  life,  it  ennobles  man  and  lifts  the  human  to  the  divine  image.  Judging  it  and  any 
system  of  religion  by  the  extent  of  nobility  of  soul  which  they  inspire,  or  the  moral  eleva- 
tion which  they  awaken,  it  invokes  the  highest  admiration  of  all  candid  men.  In  this  aspect. 
Odd  Fellowship  stands  forth  as  the  champion,  advocate,  and  auxiliary  of  the  best  interests 
of  the  church,  the  state,  and  the  people,  because  it  demands  and  inspires  character  as  the 
highest  adornment  of  life  and  the  strongest  support  of  the  social  fabric." 

These  thoughtful  words,  copied  widely  by  the  fraternal  press,  have 
ever  since  been  an  inspiration  not  only  to  the  Order,  to  which  they  were 
addressed,  but  to  every  teacher  of  public  morality  and  true  lover  of  organ- 
ized, enlightened  government. 

The  Press  in  Evidence.  — ^  Odd  Fellowship,  like  the  church,  is  making 
men,  and  the  former  editor  of  the  Companion,  who  afterward  became  the 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  jurisdiction  of  Ohio,  wrote  truly  in  the  issue  of 
April,  1876,  that :  — 

The  Order  as  a  Conservator  of  Good. —  ''Men  are  helped  morally  by  the  attrition  of 
principles, — by  rubbing  them  against  the  mind,  —  repeating  them  frequently,  so  that  they 
become  fixed  there, — rooted.  No  grander  help  than  this  can  well  be  devised.  In  the  lodge- 
room,  under  the  stimulus  and  magnetism  of  numbers,  exciting  the  brain  to  highest  activity, 
these  great  fundamental  principles  of  our  Order,  and  of  society,  are  evolved  and  pressed 
weekly  upon  the  minds  of  members ;  not  in  a  dogmatic  way,  as  one  would  teach  arithmetic 
and  grammar,  but  familiarly,  in  an  easy,  popular  manner,  so  as  to  fasten  them  on  the  mind. 


818  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

withont  tiring  it,  so  as  to  instruct  and  store  it,  without  any  apparent  effort.  If  moral  prind- 
pies  are  good  for  men,  if  the  teachings  of  the  golden  rule  are  not  a  myth,  if  right  is  better 
than  might,  then  our  Order  has  a  high  yalue,  and  performs  for  its  members  a  great  serTloe, 
because  of  its  special  adaptation  to  work  into  the  mind  these  doctrines." 

There  may  have  been  a  time  in  ages  past  when  church  and  state,  alike, 
did  suffer  from  the  aggressions  of  so-called  "  secret "  societies ;  but  the 
societies  of  those  days  and  the  fraternities  that  exist  in  the  purer  air,  and 
amid  the  healthier  environments,  of  the  present,  differ  as  night  from  day. 
Then  "fraternity"  was  the  masquerading  cloak,  now  it  is  the  living  soul. 
Once  church  and  state  combined  to  stifle  human  aspirations,  to  strangle 
conscience,  and  drag  weak  humanity  in  the  dust.  The  rack  was  the  con- 
fessor, and  death  was  king.  Now  the  state  is  but  the  agent  of  man's  will, 
and  the  church  the  blessed  portal  through  which  the  human  family  are 
seeking  to  reach  a  life  that  is  not  perishable. 

Men  are  becoming  better  acquainted  with  one  another.  They  are  fast 
learning  that  in  the  vineyard  of  truth,  there  is  work  enough  for  all ;  that 
the  harvest  of  human  toil  and  aspirations  is  not  confined  to  class  or  creed; 
that  even  in  remote  corners  of  the  earth  there  now  exists  an  intelligent 
doubt  as  to  whether  any  one  sect  will  monopolize  the  narrow  road  to  per- 
fect life.  To-day,  broad  morality,  an  honest  love  of  man  as  man,  has  its 
recognized  function  in  religious  life,  and,  to-day,  many  eminent  ministers 
of  the  Christian  church  are  earnest  workers  in  our  lodge-rooms  and  zealous 
defenders  of  our  cause.  The  gateways  of  the  Order  are  thronged  with 
those  who  recognize  and  gladly  yield  obedience  to  the  high  tenets  of  reli- 
gious life.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  working  Christians.  There  are 
societies  whose  every  principle,  whose  every  teaching,  whose  every  act,  is 
in  harmony  with  the  highest  planes  of  thought  and  life.  Such  a  society 
is  Odd  Fellowship.  It  is  applied  Christianity,  and  the  editor  of  the  State 
Gazette,  published  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  well  stated  the  Order's  aspira- 
tions and  its  relation  to  the  church  in  the  following  words :  — 

Applied  Beneficence.  —  "To  represent  us  as  antagonistic  to  the  church,  in  anyway,  is 
Illiberal  and  unjust.  We  claim  to  be  a  potent  philanthropic  association,  but  not  strictly  a 
religious  institution,  although  our  solemn  ceremonies  and  lectures  aU  have  a  tendency  to 
lead  the  mind  to  the  contemplation  of  those  principles  which  underlie  the  whole  structure  of 
Christianity.  The  practice  of  morality  is  inculcated  in  every  step  of  the  candidate's  progress. 
The  beautiful  examples  of  the  patriarchs  of  antiquity,  in  ever^^thing  that  is  commendable, 
are  constantly  held  up  for  imitation.  Every  virtue  is  recommended  and  every  vice  is 
denounced.  We  teach  men  their  true  relation  to  one  another,  — their  need  of  mutual  assist- 
ance and  mutual  forbearance.  We  teach  them  the  duty  of  toleration  and  charity.  We 
teach  them  the  blessings  of  forgiveness  and  tender  sympathy.  Those  who  strictly  observe 
the  lessons  we  present  must  become  wiser,  better,  and  happier.  Their  condition  will  be 
improved  in  every  relation  of  life.  The  influence  of  our  efforts  will  be  felt  in  public  as  well 
as  in  private,  and  the  social  and  domestic  circle  will  be  elevated  far  above  the  degraded  level 
of  selfishness  and  sensuality. 

"  It  will  make  a  man  a  better  citizen,  and  more  faithful  and  honest  in  meeting  the 
obligations  that  every  one  owes  to  the  community  in  which  he  dwells.  If  its  avowed  aim 
is  not  to  promote  spiritual  development  and  lead  men  to  repentance,  and  to  plant  a  hope 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  819 

within  the  breast  of  a  life  of  joy  and  peace,  when  the  trials  of  life  shall  end»  it  certainly  is 
one  of  the  most  efficient  means  of  opening  the  mind  for  the  reception  of  those  precious  truths, 
and  for  leading  the  way  to  the  practice  of  those  exalted  duties  which  it  is  peculiarly  the 
province  of  the  church  to  enforce.  Thus  we  are  not  an  enemy,  but  rather  a  friend  and  sup- 
port of  the  church. 

"  The  great  aim  of  both  is  to  do  good.  The  one  aims  to  purify  the  heart  directly, 
and  thus  to  make  the  outward  life  correspond  with  the  ruling  principles  within ;  to  have 
every  act  controlled  and  regulated  by  the  two  great  motives  of  love  to  God  and  love  to  man, 
and  by  keeping  constantly  in  view  the  felicities  of  the  world  beyond,  which  are  in  reserve 
for  those  who  can  secure  them  by  a  devoted  and  self-sacrificing  life :  the  other  strives  to 
alleviate  the  sufferiogs  which  are  sure  to  overtake  humanity,  to  cultivate  fraternal  feeling 
among  all  classes  of  men,  and  to  elevate  the  tone  of  society  and  the  general  character  of 
mankind  by  the  strict  observance  of  the  laws  of  a  rigid  morality." 

This  thought  was  so  finely  expressed  by  the  able  editor  of  the  2few 
Age  that  the  Heart  and  Hand,  then  published  in  New  York,  reprinted 
these  sentences :  — 

An  Evangel  of  Benevolence.  —  "  We  know  of  no  reason  why  our  Order  is  stamped  '  infi- 
del,' except  it  is  from  the  secrecy  of  its  good  deeds,  and  the  worthiness  of  many  of  its  mem- 
bers. Its  good  deeds  are  felt,  —  not  seen,  —  hence  many  suppose  that  they  do  not  exist.  In 
the  stillness  of  night,  in  the  darkness,  and  in  secrecy,  the  true  Odd  Fellow  acts  the  true 
man,  and  goes  to  the  side  of  the  sick,  the  poor,  and  the  forgotten ;  he  ministers  to  his  neces- 
sities, he  relieves  his  sufferings,  he  weeps  over  his  sorrows.  The  gaze  of  the  world  is  hidden, 
but  the  eye  of  God  seeth ;  the  world  cheers  not  with  its  tumultuous  applause,  but  the  approv- 
ing conscience  nerves  the  arm  and  induces  him  to  go  and  brave  all  opposition.  This  prac- 
tice is  surely  not  injidelis.  It  is  obedience  to  God  to  look  after  his  children ;  to  acknowledge 
them  as  brethren.  Some  people  admit  all  this,  but  urge  the  necessity  of  a  '  change  of  heart,' 
or  a  union  with  the  church.  We  admit  that  Odd  Fellowship  does  not  teach  these  doctrines ; 
at  the  same  time  it  does  not,  either  in  word  or  deed,  deny  them.  It  is  not  a  religious  organi- 
zation ;  it  is  benevolent,  and  so  far  practises  what  every  pure  religion  teaches.  The  religious 
opinions  of  its  members  are  not '  interfered  with.'  It  teaches  simply  faith  in  God,  purity  in 
ourselves,  and  charity  toward  all  men :  its  organization  is  only  to  give  force  and  effect  to 
our  charities.  Against  the  church,  the  head  and  front  of  its  offence  has  this  extent, — no 
more." 

**  And  now  abideth  Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity."  — These  are  the  watch- 
words of  the  church  and  of  the  Order.  The  influence  of  the  practice 
of  these  virtues  upon  mankind,  and  the  world, — their  great  inspiring, 
upbuilding  power, — has  seldom  been  more  beautifully  voiced  than  by 
Brother  Eobert  Dale  Owen  when  he  wrote :  — 

The  "  Three  Graces."  —  "  As  Odd  Fellows,  we  recognize  the  vast  influence  for  good  of 
faith.  Tet  faith,  not  in  its  sectarian  aspect.  Faith  in  noble  effort.  Faith  in  our  common 
nature;  in  its  capabilities ;  in  its  progress.  Faith  in  the  good  and  the  beautiful, —in  the 
good  that  is  felt,  not  seen ;  in  the  beautiful  that  must  be  conceived  before  it  is  realized. 
Faith,  too,  in  the  economy  of  the  world ;  tranquil  assurance  that  all  is  well  and  wisely 
ordered  here,  by  a  Wisdom  that  sees  deeper  than  ours.  Faith,  again,  reaching  farther  still 
than  this.  Faith  that  progress  in  knowledge  and  goodness  ends  not  here,  but  continues  in 
another  phase  of  being,  where  there  are  many  mansions,  to  be  occupied  by  those  who  have 
fitted  themselves  to  enter  them.  Various,  indeed,  are  our  individual  conceptions  of  heaven. 
Suffice  it,  if  we  obtain  assurance  that  there  is  another  world,  higher,  purer,  happier  than 
this.  No  belief  at  once  more  cheering  and  more  wholesome.  One  seeks  in  vain  a  more 
powerful  lever  of  social  reform,  —  a  stronger  incentive  to  morality  and  civilization, — than 
a  living,  abiding  conviction  that  we  are  the  architects  of  our  own  destiny,  here  and  here- 


\LmE  FBATERNITT. 


alMi*M'W'**:;si'''"'' ' " ■ "" 

I^S^B'P'A^'Qt^tV'ttSSl'''  igDorauce  nnd  prejudice  which  so  often  fetter 

«l2^Wti?!KjC9  QJency,  but  tor  hope's  Inapliiag  Boiublne  breaking 
.^..^4««— .  ■■^pe,  — cheering  and  Invigorating  as  their  inflnence 

jFacing  in  Ita  generous  scope  peace  and  mercy  sod 

uormiug  agencies  upon  earth,  the  supreme  law  in 

;tg^  sptrtt,  and  perradat  the  entire  Ejsiem  ol  morals 

-?^^*£^9-9^M.*.9^£'^'^  honest  belief  in  the  divine  birth,  and 
tjlj^rinciples  that  underlie  and  govern  the 
S^rs  have  striven  to  advance  its  interests, 
35were  benefiting  humanity.     Anchored  to 


helpmate  of  man,  in  all  that  be  undertakes  lot 

[!ier  rainbow  of  promise  we  work  with  redoubled 

'Id,  taking  note  of  the 

gropes  his  waj  to  a  knowledge  of  himself,  bis 


ider  has,  by  a  steady  adhesion  to  funda- 

lions  to  the  widowed  and  the  suffering, 

I,  by  its  great  humanizing  influence,  pios- 

i-^ias  won  the  hearts  of  men,  and  in  the 

jti^Ioing  the  work  of  the  Master, 

•J^lD>g^<9nr  belief  is  in  the  One  and  Living  Qod,  who  slta 

*^^^S$tL  as  the  Creator  of  the  universe,  and  the  sonreeof 

loi^  the  purest  morality,  as  emanating  from  the  sams 

CSB  virtues  eujoined  by  religion.    Thej  teach  us  the 

_-i9gf&&Ioward  his  fellow-man;  and  advocate  the  spread ol 

lafcatSStn^Kif^ brotherly  kindness  and  truth.    Such  are  the  noble 
the  designs  npon  which  every  lodge  of 
v:.— Heart  and  Band. 

l^ould  welcome  the  cooperation  of  all  good 
It  seeks  to  make  life  worth  the  living, 
ividual,  and  so,  of  the  many,  to  broaden 
the  ties  that  should  unite  our  common 
iy  for  good  in  the  life  of  to-day;  and,  to 
lony :  — 

^^utside  influence  in  opposition  to  Odd  Fellowship 

^a)^«,  for  the  reason  that  by  its  persistent  teaching  of 

j|-i4||M|^«^formit;  to  the  Word  of  God,  tlie  religious  character 

'^C^SCK'Si^u^am  and  without,  the  indorsement  of  its  princi- 

"    'JalSSning,  who  grace  our  pulpits  and  frame  oar  laws,  the 

'a^^^^^  V^")*"^'  nature  of  man,  as  witaessed  In  the  gradoal 

^^'ME'*^'^^'^^''  with  it, — in  other  words,  who  seek  shelter 

i«e»a^i<MlBii^iable  arguments,  based  on  facts,  to  the  groandless 

S''Sa''^^S^"e"^^'°'  to  crush  it,  by  advancing  against  It  abuse 

IMS'klii^j'I^E'^^F^ti^i^J^i^Jllll^ecture,  and  emanating  from  a  spirit  of  prejudice 

"""  "'""'"  Si etains  its  present  characteristics,  it  will  bo  uncon- 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  821 

qnerable.  .  .  .  From  the  first  step  in  Odd  Fellowship  to  the  last,  when  it  stands  revealed 
in  all  the  fulness  of  its  beauty,  the  doctrines  of  a  pure  and  true  manhood  are  inculcated, 
and  impressed  upon  the  mind  of  the  advancing  member.  The  Initiatory  degree  teaches  him 
to  disengage  his  thoughts  from  the  vain  things  of  the  earth,  and  look  to  Him,  *  In  whom 
we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being.'  It  convinces  him  of  the  necessity  of  fraternity, 
so  that,  feeling  himself  equal  with  his  fellow-man,  he  can,  with  more  confidence  and  strength, 
reject  the  pleasures  of  a  perishable  and  aspire  to  the  glory  of  an  imperishable  world.'* 

Glad  in  the  armor  of  faith^  inculcating  these  lessons  of  hope,  of  prin- 
ciple, of  honor,  of  fraternity,  Odd  Fellowship  takes  its  place  among  the 
moral  powers  of  the  world.  It  is  needed.  It  mnst  be  a  permanent  factor 
in  life.  Side  by  side,  in  perfect  harmony  and  accord,  let  church  and  Order 
pursue  their  peaceful  missions,  and  together  strive  for  the  welfare  of 
man  and  the  glory  of  Grod. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  ORDEB»S  ORIGIN:    CONSENTIENT  TESTIMONY. 

But,  whence  came  this  Order?  —  That  its  organized  existence  in  America 
dates  from  the  meeting  of  Thomas  Wildey  and  his  four  associates  at  the 
historic  inn  in  Baltimore,  April  26,  1819,  is  now  conceded.  The  results 
of  Wildey's  work,  and  the  place  he  will  occupy  in  the  world's  history,  his 
aspirations  and  his  accomplishments,  were  well  and  forcibly  expressed 
from  the  platform  of  Tremont  Temple  by  that  grand  Ohio  Odd  Fellow, 
who  so  long  represented  his  state  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  Henry 
C.  Hedges,  when,  in  1886,  he  declared:  — 

The  Pioneer's  Place.  •—"  Unaided  by  wealth,  position,  place,— without  social  standing 
or  surroundings,  —  his  [Wildey's]  great  soul  was  so  burdened  with  one  intense  thought,  one 
ever-present  purpose,  that  he  founded  a  benefaction,  which,  in  the  flight  of  years  since  1819, 
has  deeply  interested  1,400,000  of  grown  men ;  gathered  from  willing  hearts  and  hands 
3110,000,000  of  treasure,  and  dispensed  of  it  more  than  $41,000,000  in  relief. 

''Test  him  by  the  rule:  What  did  he?  What  meant  he  to,  for,  and  with  the  world? 
He  visited  the  sick,  relieved  the  distressed,  buried  the  dead,  educated  the  orphan,  and  cared 
for  the  widow. 

"  He  multiplied  himself  a  million  four  hundred  thousand  times,  and  each  of  these  mimon 
and  four  hundred  thousand  of  men  did  likewise  and  in  like  manner  as  he,  and  his  and  their 
works  do  follow,  and  will  endure,  be  repeated,  multiplied,  intensified, '  as  the  long  train  of 
ages  glides  away.'  Here  is  a  hero,  the  hero  of  humanity,  Thomas  Wildey.  As  the  sands  on 
the  shore  of  the  sea  are  without  number,  so  are  the  deeds  of  kindness  which  have  sprung 
from  his  organized  benefaction.  These  acts  make  up  the  sum  of  life  and  hallow  it ;  they 
build  human  character.    These  make  a  man  and  bless  humanity,  and  in  turn :  — 

"  '  Blest  is  he,  forever  blest,' 

Who  patient  sows  where  others  reap ; 
And  ever-ripening  fields  shaU  best 
His  ever-growing  memory  keep*' 


I  fi 


822  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

It  was  the  representatives  of  the  Order,  thus  established,  organized, 
and  convened  in  annual  session,  who,  at  Indianapolis,  in  1875,  received 
this  greeting  from  the  eloquent  lips  of  that  distinguished  Odd  Fellow, 
citizen,  and  statesman,  Schuyler  Colfax :  — 

Victors  of  a  Glorious  Dominion.  — "  Welcome  to  yoa,  as  you  come  hither  from  the  battle- 
fields of  humanity,  where  you  have  achieved  the  victories  whose  trophies  we  hang  in  our 
halls  as  the  proudest  to  be  won  in  the  brief  lifetime  Grod  has  given  to  us.  Victors  over  desti- 
tution and  anguish !  Victors  at  the  bedside  of  the  dying  brother,  where  you  have  striven  to 
pour  oil,  if  possible,  into  the  expiring  lamp  of  life!  Victors  at  the  grave,  where,  for  the 
humblest,  equally  with  the  highest,  the-  evergreen  upon  the  coffin  betokens  our  undying 
remembrance  and  regard!  Victors  over  the  vices  which  would  insnare  and  corrupt,  and, 
perhaps,  destroy  the  unguarded  orphans  of  our  departed  brethren!  Victors  over  the  demons 
of  want  and  poverty,  of  loneliness  and  temptation,  that  so  often  couch  at  hearthstones  where 
the  bereaved  widow  pines!  Welcome  from  labors  and  from  triumphs  like  these,  known 
often  only  to  the  All-seeing  Eye!  Welcome,  in  the  name  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth! 
And,  with  heart  and  hand,  with  speaking  lip  and  beaming  eye,  we  exclaim  with  the  sincerest 
fraternal  regard,  welcome,  thrice  welcome,  one  and  all!  ** 

When  as  keen  an  observer  of  men  and  of  events,  so  close  a  student  of 
human  affairs  as  the  brother  whose  influence  and  persuasive  power  gave 
to  the  Order  one  of  its  most  cherished  degrees  can,  from  the  fulness  of 
his  heart,  utter  such  words ;  when  the  man  who  became  Vice-President  of 
the  United  States  could  say:  — 

"  This  country  has  conferred  many  honors  upon  me,  bat  I  would  not  exchange  all  of 
them  to-day  for  that  good  standing  in  Odd  Fellowship  of  which  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a 
century  I  have  been  so  justly  proud." 

When  James  L.  Kidgely  declares  that:  — 

"  No  greater  moral  wealth  enriches  society  than  the  high  standard  of  character  which 
Odd  Fellowship  inculcates,  inspires,  and  exacts." 

When  that  observant  Odd  Fellow,  Past  Grand  Sire  Ellison,  of  Massa- 
chusetts, invites  you  to  search  the  records  of  the  world  and  asks :  — 

"  Where  can  you  find  an  institution  that  has  done  more  for  the  amelioration  of  man's 
condition,  and  the  relief  of  human  suffering,  than  this  fraternity  of  Odd  Fellows?  " 

While  Kentucky's  own  George  W.  Morris  points  to  the  Order  in  pride, 
and  exclaims :  — 

"  There  it  stands,  dispensing  its  rich  blessings  on  every  hand,  serenely  contemplating 
the  past,  with  all  its  varied  reminiscences ;  the  present,  with  all  its  joyous  fruition ;  the 
future,  with  all  its  boundless  prospects ;  wrapping  itself  in  the  mantle  of  its  own  integrity, 
and  gathering  around  it  the  thousands  of  its  widows,  and  tens  of  thousands  of  its  orphans, 
who  have  all  arisen  to  call  it  blessed,  it  triumphantly  exclaims :  '  These  are  my  trophies ; 
these  are  my  jewels.' " 

And  that  great  worker  in  the  Order,  Past  Grand  Sire  Isaac  M.  Veitch, 
of  Missouri,  who,  out  of  his  abundant  knowledge  of  fraternal  accomplish- 
ments, co^ld  truly  state  that :  — 

"  The  triumphs  of  Odd  Fellowship  are  not  on  the  battle-field,  amid  the  groans  of  its  slain, 
victims  sacrificed  to  the  insatiable  ambition  of  some  monarch,  or  to  enhance  the  glory  of 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  823 

some  warrior ;  bat  in  the  silent  vigil  at  the  bedside  of  a  sick  brother ;  in  the  ministration 
of  its  acts  of  benevolence ;  in  the  education  and  fostering  care  of  the  orphan ;  and  in  gener- 
ously supplying  the  requisite  means  for  the  sustenance  and  comfort  of  the  needy  and  suffer- 
ing objects  of  want.  The  benedictions  of  the  weeping  widow  and  desolate  orphan  are  its 
trophies,  more  honorable  and  valuable  than  those  acquired  upon  all  the  fields  of  carnage,  by 
all  the  heroes  of  all  the  military  exploits  of  the  world." 

The  practical  Odd  Fellow,  or  citizen,  cares  little  whether  this  wonder- 
ful brotherhood  has  or  has  not  an  ancient  lineage.  To-day  it  is  here;  and, 
long  after  all  who  now  live  shall  with  their  fathers  sleep,  the  Order's  work 
of  love  and  helpfulness  shall  continue.  This  we  kyiow,  and  the  majority 
of  its  members  are  content:  "Too  proud  to  care  from  whence  it  came." 

Pride  of  Ancestry  Honorable.  —  And  yet  pride  in  honorable  blood  has 
*led  the  careful  student  of  the  Order  to  search  the  records  of  the  past,  and 
among  the  societies  of  the  ancient  world  find  the  lineal  ancestry  of  our 
present  organization.  That  the  principles  of  the  Order  have,  for  ages, 
been  proclaimed  and  practised,  is  true;  that  Odd  Fellowship,  by  name, 
existed  in  Europe  long  before  it  did  in  America,  is  undoubted.  It  is  not 
the  province  of  this  article  to  trace  the  line  of  descent,  or  attempt  to  write 
the  Order's  history.  That  is  the  duty  of  others;  but  it  is  impossible  to 
overlook,  or  to  omit,  in  this  connection,  the  following  words,  uttered  by 
the  lamented  Eidgely  in  an  address  delivered  by  him,  and  reported  in  the 
Covenant  of  February  28,  1842 ;  spoken  by  one  who  was  not  only  instru- 
mental in  building  the  Order  of  to-day,  but  familiar  with  its  history, — 
who  was  not  only  an  orator,  but  a  student,  —  they  have  especial  weight :  — 

Odd  FeUowship's  Origin.  — "  The  origin  of  our  Order  has  been  the  subject  of  many 
vague,  I  will  not  say  idle,  speculations  here  and  abroad.  Some  who  have  spoken  of  its 
history  have  penetrated  the  night  of  heathen  mystic  lore,  and  in  classic  strains  have  pro- 
claimed its  birth  divine.  Others  have  invoked  the  historic  page  of  the  Visigoths,  the 
Vandals,  and  the  Suevi,  and  traced  the  progress  of  its  mysterious  wanderings  through  the 
labyrinth  of  countless  ages,  until  they  saw  it  peering  above  the  horizon  which  separates  the 
gloOm  of  the  past  from  the  brightness  of  modern  days.  I  will  not  deny  that  the  secret  prin- 
ciple was  cherished  in  the  days  of  Gothic  ignorance ;  or  that  the  mystic  tie  was  known  amid 
the  voluptuous  splendors  of  the  Roman  Court ;  yet  I  prefer  to  discover  the  application  of  the 
principle,  as  embodied  and  illustrated  in  Odd  Fellowship,  in  far  purer  and  more  hallowed 
days. 

**  I  will  not  say  that  associations  partaking  of  the  nature  of  Odd  Fellowship  have  not 
existed  in  times  beyond  which  the  memory  of  man  runneth  not,  but  I  would  bring  your 
minds,  my  brethren,  to  the  contemplation  of  Odd  Fellowship  as  the  offspring  of  civilization, 
and  of  the  highest  intellectual  and  moral  enlightenment.  Not  yet  half  a  century  has  elapsed 
since  the  institution  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  g^erm  of  which  was  sown  by  the  hand  of  an 
humble  brother.  In  its  infancy,  it  was  blighted  by  the  withering  breath  of  so-called  *  social 
mirth  *;  there  was  no  interference  of  power  or  of  rank  in  its  behalf,  but  shooting  its  roots 
into  the  mass  of  the  people,  it  spread  its  branches  to  shelter  and  protect  the  working  classes, 
to  whom  its  growth  and  prosperity  emphatically  belong." 

The  same  sentiment  was  well  expressed  by  that  eloquent  brother,  P.  A. 
Tyler,  of  Mississippi,  during  the  same  year :  — 

The  Roman  Camp  Legend.  —  "  In  principle,  in  spirit  and  essence,  as  long  as  men  have 
associated  under  the  seal  of  secrecy,  and  the  social  virtues  have  been  cultivated,  Odd  Fellow- 


824  TEE  THEEB'LINK  FRATERNITT. 

ship  baa  ezUtod,  under  different  namei,  organizations,  and  grades  of  nsefnlness ;  bat  under 
the  name  of  '  Odd  Fellows/  and  in  its  present  form,  we  have  no  certain  data  upon  wliich  to 
base  the  assertion  that  it  has  existed  more  than  two  centuries ;  for  which  time  its  exiatence 
.  in  Europe  can  be  sufficiently  established  by  documentary  eyidence.  Some  persons,  in  enthu- 
siastically claiming  for  it  a  high  antiquity,  haye  dated  its  origin  in  the  year  55,  among  the 
Roman  soldiers  in  camp»  in  the  reign  of  Nero,  and  have  asserted  the  name  '  Odd  Fellow'  to 
have  been  given  by  Titus  C»sar,  in  the  year  79 ;  that  it  found  its  way  into  Spain  in  the  fifth 
century,  into  Portugal  in  the  sixth,  and  In  the  twelfth  into  France  and  England ;  while 
others  have  referred  its  origin  to  the  northern  barbarians,  before  whose  prowess  Borne  her- 
self was  humbled. 

' '  To  say  nothing  of  the  moral  improbability  of  the  erection  of  an  altar  to  charity  and  virtue 
from  the  morals  of  a  half-civilized,  or  barbarian  people,  though  doubtless  there  were  secret 
societies  among  them,  I  place  no  confidence  in  statements  so  obviously  fabulous ;  and  as  a 
benevolent  institution,  doubt  the  antiquity  of  the  Order  altogether.  I  care  not  if  it  was 
organized  but  yesterday.  It  will  be  judged  by  its  character  and  usefulness  alone.  If,  in 
these,  it  is  at  fault,  though  it  be  as  ancient  as  the  eternal  Alps,  its  foundation  is  of  the  sand, 
and  it  will  fall  before  the  first  war  among  the  elements  of  the  moral  universe  ;  while,  on  the 
other  hand,  though  it  originated  but  yesterday,  If  its  character  is  elevated  and  its  usefulness 
great,  it  will  be  as  immutable  as  truth  and  virtue,  —  the  most  violent  concussions  and  con- 
Tulsions  of  the  universe,  and  all  the  shocks  of  ages,  will  not  move  it." 

Those  similar  words,  spoken  from  widely  separated  platforms,  are 
worthy  of  careful  study  and  are  full  of  meaning  ;  but  beside  them  let  us 
place  the  following,  from  the  pen  of  the  able  editor  of  the  Heart  and 
Hand  who  did  so  much  for  the  Order:  — 

9o  Claim  to  Remote  Antiquity.  —  "  Odd  FeUowship  makes  no  daim  to  a  remote  antiquity, 
but  ofTers  for  the  consideration  of  the  moral  and  intelligent,  of  aU  classes,  inducements  for 
respect  far  more  potential.  Though  we  may  be  of  yesterday,  we  can  point  not  merely  to  the 
principles  which  govern  the  Order,  but  to  the  acts  of  charity  and  benevolence  which  have 
been  done,  as  prouder  monuments  of  glory  than  could  be  reflected  by  the  loftiest  pillar, 
though  it  bore  the  name  of  Nero.  If  we  have  no  martyrs  to  decorate  our  walls,  we  have  the 
living  preachers,  in  all  ranks  and  classes,  who  have  gone  forth  and  spread  the  glad  tidings  of 
Joy  to  the  sorrowing,  and  sung  the  anthem  of  peace  and  good-wiU  to  men.  If  no  mouldering 
parchment,  stained  alike  with  age  and  crime,  attests  the  hoary  hand  of  time  as  the  seal  of 
our  Order,  we  have  the  thanksgiving  of  the  poor,  the  prayer  of  the  widow  and  orphan,  to 
consecrate  our  institution.  If  we  cannot  proclaim  the  narratives  of  stem  and  unbending 
zeal  that  would  light  the  faggot  and  kiss  the  flame  as  it  enrobed  him  who  was  bound  to  the 
stake  for  the  sake  of  his  country  and  his  God,  we  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that,  in 
our  times,  no  such  test  of  fidelity  has  been  required ;  and  that  in  the  sick  chamber  of  the 
dying,  with  the  haunts  of  wretchedness  and  sorrow,  with  the  misery  of  those  who  are 
sojourners  together  on  earth,  our  brethren  have  made  themselves  the  patient  partners  and 
sharers  of  the  lot  ho  hard,  and  have  hallowed  their  hands  with  the  last  breath  of  the  poor 
and  neglected  stranger." 

In  a  discourse  delivered  in  Trinity  Church,  New  Haven,  Connecticut, 
September  2,  1842,  Reverend  Brother  A.  B.  Chapin,  speaking  of  Odd 
Fellowship,  said:  — 

Differences  of  Opinion.  —  **  Concerning  the  origin  ot  this  institution,  there  has  been  much 
debate  and  no  little  differences  of  opinion.  That  the  preaent  name  is  modem,  no  one  doubts ; 
that  its  introduction  into  this  country  is  recent,  is  granted ;  but  that  the  thing  is  far  more 
ancient  than  the  name,  is  certain.  If,  then,  we  lay  aside  the  name^  which  has  been  fre- 
quently changed,  and  confine  our  attention  to  the  substance,  we  shall  find  no  difficulty  in 
tracing  the  principle  back  to  the  remotest  ages." 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  826 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  origin  of  the  Order,  its  conquering  self 
is  in  the  life  of  to-day,  and  its  influence  and  power  are  daily  demonstrated. 
When  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  convened  at  Indianapolis,  in  1876, 
seated  on  the  same  platform  with  Brother  Schuyler  Colfax  was  another, 
like  him,  destined  to  receive  the  high  honor  of  the  Vice-Presidency,  —  the 
then  governor  of  the  state  of  Indiana,  —  Thomas  A.  Hendricks.  In  his 
address  of  welcome,  after  referring  to  the  claims  of  antiquity  made  for 
the  Order,  he  said :  — 

Tbe  Element  that  appeals  to  the  Popular  Heart. — "But,  discarding  tradition  and 
adopting  the  better  eyidence  and  judgment  of  its  more  modem  origin,  it  is  stiU  with  com- 
mendable pride  that  your  fraternity  may  claim  that,  through  all  the  period  of  its  existence, 
Odd  Fellowship  has  been  true  to  its  charitable  design.  History  lays  no  crime  to  its  charge ; 
and  no  nncharitableness,  because  of  differences  in  condition,  or  of  opinion.  Its  works  have 
been  works  of  benevolence,  and  its  influences  have  all  gone  forth  in  the  direction  of  truth 
and  right.  There  is  something  in  benevolent  action  that  has  always  created  a  lively  and 
affectionate  interest  in  the  popular  heart.  For  near  nineteen  hundred  years  the  world  has  read 
with  growing  pleasure  the  parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan.  While  the  march  of  Roman  armies,, 
lustrous  with  the  glory  of  GsBsar's  triumphs,  and  destroying  the  balances  of  empire,  nine- 
teen hundred  years  ago,  is  now  half-forgotten,  that  journey  of  the  Good  Samaritan,  and  his 
deeds  of  kindness  by  the  wayside,  are  not  forgotten,  but  seem  rather  to  gather  fresh  inter- 
est as  the  ages  advance." 

The  declaration  of  the  Manchester  Times,  that  "  Odd  Fellowship  has 
its  origin  in  the  wants  of  the  race,^'  seems  as  well  founded  as  its  further 
statement:  — 

Our  Mission.— "The  Order  comes  like  a  ministering  spirit  to  succor  the  needy,  cheer 
the  desponding,  and  protect  the  helpless.  Its  aims  and  objects  are  high  and  praiseworthy. 
The  institution,  from  its  very  nature,  commends  itself  to  the  good  and  true  in  every  age  and 
clime.  Those  who  know  it  best,  love  it  most.  Its  pure  principles  become  a  part  of  their 
very  being.  They  cherish  them  as  the  apple  of  their  eye ;  and  find  a  sweeter  satisfaction,  a 
purer  pleasure,  in  visiting  the  sick,  relieving  the  distressed,  burying  the  dead,  and  educating 
the  orphan,  than  they  would  in  sitting  on  Fame's  highest  pinnacle  and  listening  to  the 
plaudits  of  an  admiring  world." 

This  is  the  repetition  of  a  truism,  and  the  Order  we  love  has  certainly 
won  its  victories  by  appealing  to  the  hearts  of  men;  by  reminding  them 
of  mutual  duties;  and  by  instilling  into  the  minds  of  its  membership  the 
divine  precepts  of  the  Order;  the  lessons  and  spirit  of  truth.  We  have 
before  quoted  from  that  New  England  Past  Grand  Sire,  William  Ellison, 
but  he  never  spoke  truer  words  than  those  he  uttered  in  New  York  City, 
August  30,  1871,  as  follows :  — 

Its  Life  in  America.  —  "  The  introduction  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  these  United  States  was 

*  an  experiment.    It  was  founded  by  men  of  toil,  and  from  the  lowly  walks  of  life.    It  was 

scoffed  and  derided  on  account  of  its  low  paternity,  but  it  reviled  not  again.    It  went  to  the 

Bible,  the  fountain  of  aU  good,  for  its  principles ;  and,  by  the  light  of  divine  truth,  it  made 

that  simple  experiment  a  perfect  and  sublime  success. 

"The  creative  mind  has  displayed  itself  in  building  philanthropic  institutions,  whose 
peculiar  province  it  is  to  war  against  vice  in  all  its  protean  shapes ;  to  comfort  the  sick  and 
distressed ;  to  visit  and  care  for  the  widow  in  her  affliction ;  to  bury  the  dead ;  and  to  edu- 
cate the  orphan.    Such  are  some  of  the  duties  that  Odd  FeUowship  enjoins.    It  is  not,  that 


826  TBX  THREE' LINK  FBATERNITT. 

we  should  lay  aside  our  principles  with  our  regalia,  when  we  leave  the  lodge-room,  to  be 
resomed  again  at  its  next  regular  meeting ;  that  is  the  dead  form  of  Odd  Fellowship.  Its 
living  principle  goes  with  us  into  the  counting-house  and  the  workshop*  upon  the  bosy  mart 
of  trade,  upon  the  exchange,  *  where  merchants  most  do  congregate.'  It  scatters  the  good 
seed  by  the  wayside  in  our  daily  pilgrimage  through  life,  giving  us  the  divine  assurance  that 
it  will  return  an  hundred-fold. 

*'  In  the  great  procession  of  the  ages,  mankind  found  the  necessity  of  associated  effort, 
for  mutual  protection  and  mutual  support.  This  gave  rise  to  philanthropic  and  charitabto 
institutions,  civil  governments,  states,  and  nations.  This  spirit  of  philanthropy  and  brotlt- 
erly  love  has  been  breathed  into  the  nostrils  of  the  present  age,  and  with  us  to-day  it  is 
callo<i  Odd  Fellowship." 

Another  r.ost  Grand  Sire,  Cornelius  A.  Logan,  of  Illinois,  wrote,  in  his 
report  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  in  1874:  — 

Tenure  during  the  '*PormatiTe  Period."  —  "  Fifty  years  ago,  American  Odd  Fellowslup 
was  but  a  little  candle,  throwing  its  beams  into  the  darkness;  to-day,  it  is  a  light  rearing 
itself  above  the  seas  of  the  world,  and  Hashing  promises  of  hope  and  safety  over  the  angry 
waters.  Fifty  years  ago,  but  a  germ;  to-day.  a  harvest  for  millions.  Fifty  years  ago, 
uncertain  of  surviving  the  voices  of  the  devotees  preaching  its  doctrines;  to-day,  it  gives 
indubitable  evidence  that,  in  iU  electric  spread,  all  nations  of  men  are  to  come  under  its 
induence,  while  they  enshrine  its  essence  upon  every  household  altar." 

Herald  of  a  ICighty  Brotherhood.  — And,  indeed,  this  fraternity  has  won- 
derfully developed.  The  little  gathering  at  Baltimore  was  the  herald  of 
a  mighty  brotherhood  now  numbering  800,000  men,  which  disbursed,  in 
the  year  1895,  $3,333,92«).14  in  relief;  and  which,  since  its  inauguration 
here,  has  received  into  fellowship  2,077,446  men  of  mature  age  and  under 
standing.     Can  we  not  say  with  the  gifted  editor  of  the  Talisman:-- 

After  Seventy-eight  Years.— "  When  we  look  at  the  institution  of  which  we  arc  mem- 
bers, at  its  birth,  and  compare  it  then  with  its  present  condition,  acquired  in  the  short  period 
of  about  three-<{uarter8  of  a  contury,  we  are  overwhelmed  with  astonishment  at  the  great 
revolution  whioh  it  has  effoctod.  It  came  into  the  world  in  the  midst  of  difficulties.  It 
strii.i:L;led  with  those  ditlioultios;  through  many  years  it  was  pursued  with  enmity,  and  hos- 
tility, and  obloquy ;  and  if  the  five  men  of  which  my  brother  spoke,  who  orij^nated  it,  bsd 
not  boen  men  of  extraordinary  heroism  and  nerve,  they  would  have  suocimibed  to  thepei^ 
sei'ution  \%lnch  followed  thorn. 

"  Thin  is  a  triumph  of  truth  over  error,  over  bifi^otry  and  ignorance.  It  is  the  trinmph 
which  truth  will  always  achieve;  as  the  old  adage  has  proclaimed:  'Truth  is  mighty, and 
will  prevail.'    It  is  a  triumph  of  (leaoe,  because  '  Peace  has  her  victories  as  weU  as  war.' 

**  Our  brethren  have  attempted!  in  no  way  to  force  our  institution  upon  the  public,^  aod 
have  made  no  attempt  to  supiK)rt  it  by  any  extraordinary  means.  They  have  left  it  to 
itself,  and  by  virtue  of  its  own  intrinsic  merits,  of  its  pure  and  unsullied  worth,  of  its  high 
and  lofty  prinoiples,  and  by  its  divine  favor,  it  has  cleaved  its  way  into  public  favor.  I  con- 
gratulate you,  my  brother  Odd  Fellows,  on  the  splendid  spectacle  which  our  Order  has  to-day 
presented  us,  and  invoke  you,  one  and  all,  to  take  advantage  of  the  golden  opportimity  that 
is  now  presentetl  to  go  onward  in  the  work  of  gaining  favor  in  the  public  mind." 

• 

»  you  hy  the  EtUtor-in-Chief.  — Thir*  characteristic  Is  provwl  tn  &  strlUn(?  manner  by  the  journals  of 
tho  Sovrrt'lkMi  (lran<\  L<Mlt:c.  Rvirlnnlnp  at  a  very  early  date,  inquiries  fhom  foreljjn  countries  regardinfT  the 
Onier  liavo  btM'n  often  receive<l  by  the  Grand  Sire  and  other  oflicers.  There  ia  not  a  civilized  ooantrr  on 
earth  that  has  not  (thnm^b  !«<Mne  nf  {t»  citizens)  made  overtures  for  the  establishment  of  Odd  FeUoniihip 
therein,  and  while  this  has  not  uniformly  ri'j^ulttM]  in  the  transplanting'  of  the  Order,  yet  the  wonderftil  spread 
of  ihlH  iM'nrtioi'nt  lu.Htlmtlon,  now  h»oattMl  in  fourteen  nations.  Is  quite  phenomenaL  As  Past  Giand  Sire 
Stebhin-*  once  .taid  :  *' Side  by  Mdo.  *«taMd  the  church  and  Odd  Fellowship,  both  springing  fWnn  a  common 
base,  the  Foible.  D<h>s  the  church  tower  higher  ?  Wears  she  a  brl^rhter  crown  ?  la  she  decked  with  a  more 
sparkUnf^  diadem  ?     Grant  it     Just  below,  and  near  bj,  atanda  Odd  Feilowahip,  ready  to  do  its  part" 


828  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

Reforms  go  not  backward,  and  there  is  no  prospect  of  the  law's  repeal. 
The  great  body  of  the  fraternity  approve  the  amendment,  and  are  content 
with  a  decision  that  excludes  from  membership,  —  in  an  Order  whose 
mission  is  the  upbuilding  of  moral  character, —  the  men  whose  outside 
business  tends  directly  to  destroy  it.  That  veteran  Odd  Fellow,  Lewis 
Parker,  of  New  Jersey,  writing  to  the  Bundle  of  Sticks^  after  the  adoption 
of  this  legislation,  rightly  said :  — 

The  "Saloon  Amendment."  —  "  It  was  a  remarkable  thing  that  a  great  body  like  oars 
abould  give  each  a  pi>sitive  expression  apon  a  question  of  morals.  Never,  in  the  history  of 
any  organization,  can  a  parallel  be  found.  It  was  war  without  quarter  upon  an  entire  ckss 
of  influential  men.  Only  an  organization  powerful  in  resonzoes  and  conscious  of  rectitude 
would  have  dared  to  do  it. 

**  When  we  want  to  arrive  at  a  fuU  realization  of  the  magnitude  of  this  act,  we  most 
bear  in  mind  that  it  was  not  simply  the  condemnation  of  a  vice  in  the  abstract,  but  it  to 
the  denunciation  of  an  individual.  It  is  easy  to  pour  out  whole  torrents  of  censure  upon  a 
thing.  It  is  also  perfectly  safe ;  but  it  demands  a  very  extraordinary  degree  of  moral  hero- 
ism to  face  a  person,  and  declare  as  Nathan  did  to  David, '  Thou  art  the  man.'  An  apprs- 
ciation  of  such  courage  will  prove  that  American  Odd  Fellowship  has  put  itself  upon  record 
on  the  highest  plane  of  human  rectitude,  and  the  grandest  attainment  of  human  possibili- 
ties. It  was  therefore  a  bold  and  courageous  act.  It  says  a  saloon-keeper  and  a  professed 
gambler  shall  not  be  eligible  to  membership  in  our  great  brotherhood.  It  shows  its  pity  for 
the  victim,  —  the  unfortunate  man  who  is  made  worse  than  a  brute  by  the  operation  of  the 
poison  dispensed  by  the  saloon,  —  but  it  puts  a  mark,  the  very  mark  of  Cain,  upon  the  intel- 
ligence that  deliberately,  for  gain,  makes  sots,  and  paupers,  and  criminals. 

"  Without  hesitation  I  say  that  no  organization  of  equal  magnitude  and  universal  adapta- 
bility has  ever  given  such  an  emphatic  recognition  to  the  virtue  of  temperance.  Our 
Sovereign  Grand  Ixnlge  has  gone  away  beyond  the  church  in  this  matter,  for  where  is  even 
the  ecclesiastical  body  that  declines  the  contributions  of  any  class  of  men,  no  matter  how 
disreputable,  to  augment  its  i*esources  ?  Tliey  accept  with  thanks  the  donation  of  the  saloon- 
keeper, and  at  the  same  time  c<mdemn  his  business.  They  never  stop  to  inquire  how  moeh 
human  misery  is  represented  by  the  money  that  goes  into  his  till.  They  never  ask  if  it  is 
clean,  and  without  blemish,  and  worthy  to  be  received  as  an  offering  to  the  Lord ;  but  oor 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  has  declined  their  contributions  to  our  treasury,  and  excluded  the 
entire  class  from  participation  in  our  benevolent  and  social  privileges. 

'*  The  spectacle  is  simply  wonderful.  The  more  I  think  of  it  the  more  I  am.  impressed 
with  the  truthfulness  of  our  declaration  that  Odd  Fellowship  is  built  upon  a  moral  foonds- 
Uon." 

History  leading  to  this  Position.  —  This  legislation  was  of  slow  growth. 
Many  earnest  Odd  Fellows  shrank  from  "sumptuary  legislation,"  and 
questioned,  alike,  the  legal  and  the  moral  right  of  the  Order  to  act;  hut 
public  opinion  has  condemned  what  our  ancestors  tolerated.  The  wave  of 
advancing  thought  has  swept  along, —  Odd  Fellowship,  carried  on  its  crest 
to  broader  fields  of  usefulness  and  power,  can  turn  the  pages  of  its  journal, 
and  read  the  progress  of  the  years.  In  1849, —  upon  the  question  whether 
a  Grand  Lodge  could  approve  a  by-law  of  one  of  its  subordinates,  read- 
ing :  "  Any  member  of  the  lodge  who  shall  be  guilty  of  using  spirituous 
or  malt  liquors,  wine,  or  other  intoxicating  drinks,  as  a  beverage^  shall  be 
liable  to  reprimand  or  suspension,  and  if  persisted  in,  to  expulsion," 
—  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  adopted  the  following:  — 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP,  829 

First  Pronooncement.  — " The  committee  .  .  .  report:  That  they  cannot  perceive  any 
right  under  the  constitution,  nor  have  they  heard  of  any  fundamental  principles  of  the 
Order,  which  allow  subordinate  lodges  to  abridge  the  liberties  of  the  citizen,  and  to  dictate 
what  be  shall  eat,  what  he  shall  drinki  although  they  do  sometimes  speak  of  wherewithal 
we  shall  be  clothed  as  Odd  Fellows. 

"The  committee  do  not  find  any  right  under  the  constitution  whereby  subordinate 
lodges  may  introduce  new  principles  by  which  the  Order  must  be  governed  in  their  juris- 
dictions. All  good  Odd  Fellows  despise,  as  such,  the  abtise  of  intoxicating  drinks,  and  in 
their  '  war  against  vice '  they  look  upon  drunkenness  as  incompatible  with  every  principle 
of  the  Order ;  but  neither  will  the  laws,  nor  the  principles,  of  Odd  Fellowship  descend  to  the 
restriction,  or  regulation  of  the  beverage  of  its  members.  While  temperance  is  a  cardinal 
principle  of  the  Order,  and  must  be  observed,  they  will  not  attempt  to  enforce  total  abstu 
nence,  a  principle  never  intended  by  the  framers  to  be  engrafted  upon  our  Order. 

"  As  an  introduction  of  a  new  principle,  this  committee  think  it  cannot  be  constitution- 
ally approved,  without  a  previous  sanction  from  this  body." 

Subsequent  Enactments.  — But^  with  the  passage  of  years,  the  evils  of 
intemperance  become  more  and  more  manifest;  and,  in  1864,  the  same 
body  that  accepted  the  above  report,  on  motion  of  Grand  Representative 
Griswold,  of  Illinois,  unanimously  adopted  the  following:  — 

"  Resolved,  That  all  refreshments  in  the  way  of  edibles  or  beverage  (except  water)  shall 
be  strictly  excluded  from  all  lodge-rooms,  or  anterooms,  or  halls  connected  with  or  adjoin- 
ing thereto,  under  the  control  of  any  subordinate  or  degree  lodge  or  encampment  of  this 
Order. 

"  Resolved,  That  no  subordinate  lodge  or  encampment  of  this  Order  shall  hold  any  anni- 
versary or  other  celebration,  ball,  or  party,  where  the  regalia  of  the  Order  may  be  worn,  or 
the  name  of  the  Order  assumed,  without  the  consent  of  the  Grand  Master  or  Grand  Patri- 
arch of  the  jurisdiction  first  obtained  in  writing ;  such  permission  to  be  predicated  only  upon 
the  direct  promise,  through  the  officers  of  the  subordinate  seeking  the  permission,  that  no 
intoxicating  beverages  of  any  kind  shall  be  offered  by  them  to  the  members  or  guests  present 
on  the  occasion. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  several  state  Grand  bodies  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand 
Lodge  shall  proceed  to  adopt  and  promulgate,  for  the  information  of  their  respective  subordi- 
nates, such  laws  as  will  most  effectually  attain  the  results  hereby  sought  to  be  accomplished." 

Ten  years  later  the  following  law  was  enacted :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  all  spirituous,  vinous,  and  malt  liquors  shall  be  excluded  from  the 
lodge-rooms  and  anterooms,  or  halls,  connected  with,  or  adjoining  thereto,  under  the  juris- 
diction of  any  subordinate  or  degree  lodge  or  encampment  of  this  Order. 

**  Resolved,  That  every  provision  in  conflict  with  the  foregoing  resolution,  as  well  as 
all  regulations  respecting  the  use  of  edibles  in  lodge  and  encampment  rooms,  heretofore 
passed,  be,  and  the  same  are,  hereby  repealed.'* 

In  1870  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Indiana  instructed  its  representatives  to 
use  their  influence  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 

"  To  secure  the  passage  of  a  law  allowing  state  Grand  Lodges  to  make  such  legislation 
as  they  may  deem  proper  to  prohibit  members  of  subordinate  lodges,  under  their  respective 
jurisdictions,  from  engaging  in  the  tra^c  of  intoxicating  liquors.  The  members  of  the  latter 
Grand  Lodge  replied  *  That  in  their  opinion  it  would  be  contrary  to  the  spirit  and  policy  of 
our  institution  to  pass  any  law  on  the  subject  referred  to,  creating  a  new  test  of  membership 
in  the  Order.' " 

The  Indiana  Odd  Fellows,  however,  were  in  earnest.  Not  only  in  that 
state  was  the  agitation  continued,  but,  elsewhere,  widely  separated  lodges 


880  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

were  announcing  their  belief  in  the  wisdom  of  restrictive  legislation.  Our 
fraternal  papers  and  magazines  entered  into  the  discussion ;  and  the  Heart 
and  Hand,  in  its  issue  of  July  11,  1874^  copied  the  following  significant 
words  from  the  Odd  FeUows^  Record: — 

**  While  we  are  free  to  coDfess  that  our  laws  do  not  admit  of  anything  of  a  religions  or 
sectarian  natnre,  yet  we  claim  that  Odd  Fellowship  and  temperance  are  identical,  and  they 
cannot  be  divorced.  Their  aim  is  the  same ;  it  is  to  save  and  elevate  mankind.  The  work 
mast  be  gnided  by  an  inextinguishable  love  for  man's  happiness,  and  most  be  firmly  and 
fearlessly  done.  The  recent  manifestations  in  some  sections  of  the  country  are  but  the 
expressions  of  the  convictions,  which  are  becoming  universal,  that  temperance  is,  as  it 
always  has  been  with  American  Odd  Fellowship,  one  of  its  f  undaniental  principles,  and  he 
who  is  not  temperate  in  bis  habits  is  not  a  true  Odd  Fellow." 

We  said  Indiana  was  in  earnest^  and,  at  the  1874  session  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  Kepresentative  Monroe,  acting  under  instruc- 
tions from  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Encampment  of  that  state,  pre- 
sented resohitions  requesting 

"  That  a  law  be  enacted  to  prohibit  subordinate  lodges  and  encampments /rom  admiiiing 
to  membership  any  person  who  is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  or  sale  of  spirituous  or  malt 
liquors."  These  resolutions  were  referred  to  the  legislative  committee,  who,  subsequently, 
reported  :  **  That  such  legislation  would  make  a  new  qualification  for  membership  unknown 
to  our  present  laws,  and  might  even  require  an  amendment  to  our  constitution.  An  appli- 
cant must  be  a  free  white  male,  of  good  moral  character;  what  constitutes  good  moral 
character  is  left  to  local  action,  and  is  generally  to  be  determined  by  the  vote  of  a  lodge  in 
the  reception  of  a  member.  With  such  questions  we  have  nothing  to  do,  and  have  always 
refused  to  concern  ourselves." 

Whereupon  the  Grand  Lodge  adopted  a  resolution  discharging  the 
committee  from  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject. 

The** Saloon  Question"  introduced. — The  entire  question  was  elabo- 
rately reviewed,  in  1890,  by  Brother  Underwood,  of  Kentucky,  then  Grand 
Sire,  in  ruling  upon  the  legality  of  certain  legislation  adopted  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri,  and  indicated  in  the  following  resolutions :  — 

**  Resolved t  That  the  Grand  Master  be,  and  is  hereby  instructed  to  see  that  the  enact- 
ments of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  subject  are  complied  with,  and  that  the  subordinate  lodges 
be  required  to  refusa  admiBSion  to  persons  who  are  engaged  in  the  business  of  saloon- 
keeping.  *  ^ 

"  Re9olvedf  That,  as  the  business  of  saloon-keeping  is  an  immoral  one,  and  not  snch 
reputable  means  of  snpport  as  our  laws  require,  subordinate  lodges  be  instructed  to  demand 
that  any  of  their  members  who  may  be  engaged  in  such  business  shall  abandon  it,  or  be 
charged  with  unbecoming  conduct  and  expelled  from  the  Order." 

In  deciding  that  such  legislation  was  inoperative  (which  decision  was 
approved),  the  Grand  Sire  said:  — 

*'  The  qualifications  for  membership  are  prescribed  by  the  constitution  of  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  (section  two,  article  xvi.),  and  retroactive  legislation  is  illegal  and  cannot  be 
enforced.  The  mandates  of  a  subordinate  Grand  body  conditioning  habit-qualifications  for 
members,  and  interdicting  the  business  privileges  of  citizens,  are  directly  contrary  to  the 
continued  action  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  which  Sovereign  body  has  invariably 
refused  to  interfere  with  the  personal  attributes  of  applicants,  or  members  and  their  busi- 
ness avocations,  further  than  as  expressed  in  the  constitution.    A  man's  bad  habits  and 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP,  831 

illicit  business  transactions  (soKUtUed)  are  proper  reasons  for  his  rejection  by  those  with 
whom  such  characteristics  are  disliked ,  and  improper  applicants  should  be  refused  admis- 
sion to  the  Order  through  ballot,  the  silent  and  sacred  protector  of  the  lodge." 

This  decision  followed  one  made  in  1885,  by  Grand  Sire  Garey,  revers- 
ing the  decision  of  the  Grand  Master  of  Kansas,  who  held  that:  — 

"  A  person  engaged  in  the  sale  of  liquors,  or  other  business  that  is  in  violation  of  the 
constitution  and  laws  of  the  state,  is  not  eligible  to  membership  in  the  Order.  He  must  be 
a  law-abiding  citizen."  The  reasons  assigned  by  the  Grand  Sire,  for  his  ruling,  were  that 
"The  qualifications  for  membership  are  prescribed  by  the  constitution  of  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge,  and  no  Grand  or  subordinate  lodge  has  the  right  to  change,  restrict,  or  add 
to  them.  The  point  raised  by  this  decision  might  properly  be  considered  in  balloting  for  a 
candidate." 

The  agitation  for  positive  temperance  legislation  by  the  Order  was 
continued,  and  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  the  subject  was  constantly 
arising,  either  by  appeal  from  action  of  subordinate  Grand  Lodges,  by 
decisions  of  the  Grand  Sire  upon  questions  submitted  to  him,  or  by  reso- 
lutions seeking  legislation.  In  1889  a  proposed  amendment  to  the  con- 
stitution  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,,  providing  "  a  person  who  sells 
intoxicating  liquors  at  retail  for  the  purpose  of  livelihood,  shall  not  be 
entitled  to  admission  to  the  Order,"  was  indefinitely  postponed  by  a  vote 
of  63  to  44. 

Similar  propositions  were  either  defeated,  or  postponed,  at  nearly 
every  session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  until  1895,  when  the  present 
law  was  adopted.  That  it  was  not  sooner  adopted  was,  perhaps,  due  more 
to  a  reluctance  to  part  with  the  traditions  of  the  Order,  and  a  reverence  for 
past  action,  than  any  indifference  to  the  temperance  cause.  The  senti- 
ment that  Odd  Fellowship  and  the  liquor  traffic  should  be  widely  separated 
had  rapidly  increased.  Intoxicating  liquors  had  long  since  been  banished 
from  the  subordinate  lodge,  and  its  use  forbidden  at  gatherings  held  in 
the  name  of  the  Order,  and,  in  1892,  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  in  ses- 
sion at  Portland,  Oregon,  declared  its 

"  Absolute  objection  to  any  indorsement  by  this  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  directly  or 
indirectly,  of  the  habit  of  drinking  intoxicating  liquor,  believing  that  any  such  indorsement 
is  in  direct  violation  of  existing  laws." 

The  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Nebraska  decided,  in  1893, 
that  there  was 

"  No  law  in  the  jurisdiction  of  Nebraska,  under  which  a  member  of  the  Order  can  be 
tried  and  punished  for  being  engaged  as  a  bartender  in  a  saloon,"  and,  in  answer  to  the 
"  Question f  Can  a  member  of  a  lodge  of  our  Order  in  this  state  be  expelled  or  suspended  for 
being  engaged  in  the  saloon  business?''  replied,  "No,  the  constitution  of  subordinate 
lodges,  in  this  state,  does  not  define  saloon-keeping  as  an  offence  against  the  laws  of  the 
Order.  Therefore,  a  charge  against  a  member  for  being  engaged  in  the  saloon-business  can- 
not lawfully  be  entertained ;  but  should  such  member  violate  any  of  the  laws  of  the  state, 
in  conducting  a  saloon-business,  and  such  act  being  made  criminal  by  the  laws  of  the  state, 
the  brother  then  becomes  amenable  to  the  laws  of  the  lodge  under  paragraph  seventeen, 
section  one,  article  xii.,  of  the  constitution  of  subordinate  lodges." 


832  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Nebraska  reversed  both  of  the  above  decisions, 
and  from  such  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge  an  appeal  was  taken  to  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  which  reversed  the  decision  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Nebraska.  So  the  time  passed, —  many  of  the  Grand  Lodges,  and  a  large 
proportion  of  the  membership,  seeking  to  evade  the  then  existing  law  which 
the  executive  officers  of  the  Order,  and  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  on 
appeal,  was  correctly  interpreting;  and  others  hesitating  as  to  the  proper 
course  to  pursue.  The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  decided  the  question  at 
the  session  held  in  Atlantic  City,  in  1895.  There,  after  earnest  debate 
and  as  a  result  of  years  of  agitation,  147  representatives,  out  of  a  total  of 
179  voting,  declared  it  to  be  the  part  of  wisdom  to  write  into  the  funda- 
mental law  of  Odd  Fellowship  the  words :  — 

The  Final  Edict.  — "No  saloon-keeper,  bartender,  or  professional  gambler  shaU  be 
eligible  to  membership  in  this  Order." 

The  mandate  had  gone  forth.  Henceforth  Odd  Fellowship  was  to 
occupy  a  higher  moral  plane  than  ever  before.  The  greatest  fraternal 
Order  of  the  world  faced  the  greatest  enemy  of  moral  advancement, 
and  dared  to  defy  its  power.  Mingled  with  the  rejoicing  were  words  of 
criticism,  and  once  more  the  downfall  of  the  Order  was  predicted;  once 
more  was  the  statement  made  that  a  business  legalized  by  the  state  was 
respectable,  and  that  among  the  saloon-keepers  were  many  men  who  had 
contributed  time  and  money  to  the  Order.  One  prominent  brother,  com- 
menting adversely  on  the  legislation,  wrote :  — 

"  There  are  not  enough  bad  saloon-keepers  in  the  Order  to  keep  good  men  oat.  Saloon- 
keepers  without  number  belong  to  the  Roman  Catholic  churches,  and  are  their  most  liberal 
supporters.  They  enjoy  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  their  church,  their  money  is  accept- 
able, and  those  of  more  respectable  callings  never  leave  on  account  of  the  presence  of  the 
rum  dealer." 

• 

Without  commenting  on  this  strange  comparison  between  our  Order 
and  the  orUy  church  hostile  to  it,  beyond  reminding  the  writer  that  the 
Roman  Catholic  church,  also,  contains  some  of  the  most  radical  temperance 
leaders  of  our  times,  and,  with  other  Christian  denominations,  fosters  and 
protects  in  many  of  its  churches  temperance  societies,  cannot  we  rejoice 
in  the  fact  that  the  Order  has  had  the  courage  to  speak ;  and  must  we  not, 
also,  regret  that  no  church,  Protestant  or  Catholic,  has  yet  pronounced  the 
same  or  a  similar  edict,  and  endeavored  to  live  without  the  tribute  wrung 
from  want  and  misfortune?  The  Order  has  had  the  courage  of  its  con- 
victions, and  while  we  agree  that  among  our  membership,  and  engaged 
in  a  now  forbidden  business,  are  those  who  have  loyally  supported  the 
Order  and  possess  admirable  traits  of  character,  we  yet  believe  that  the 
thinking  Odd  Fellow,  the  thinking  citizen,  will  admit  that  saloon-keepers, 
as  a  class,  are  not  the  men  to  whom  moral  movements  can  safely  be  com- 
mitted; and  that  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  acted  wisely  in 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  833 

thus  publicly  proclaiming  divorce  between  such  incompatible  interests. 
It  is  natural  that  such  a  radical  change  in  the  organic  law  of  the  Order 
should  cause  some  dissatisfaction,  but  as  it  is  realized  that  existing  rights 
of  membership  are  not  to  be  attacked,  this  dissatisfaction  will  disappear 
and  a  new  era  of  prosperity  bless  the  Order  and  the  world. 

Let  every  lover  of  fraternity,  every  Odd  Fellow,  read  and  heed  the 
following  words  of  our  beloved  brother.  Past  Grand  Sire  Nicholson.  They 
have  the  ring  of  manhood,  the  earnestness  of  one  who  loves  his  fellow-men 
and  the  instrumentalities  that  aid  them :  — 

The  Eternal  Duratioii  of  the  Order.  —  **  There  is  a  battle  to  be  won  in  each  human  heart 
before  '  the  yices  which  defile,  and  the  passions  and  prejudices  which  separate  the  chUdren 
of  a  common  Father,  shaU  be  extirpated  from  earth.'  As  an  Order,  we  can,  through  sym- 
pathy, impart  strength  to  the  straggUng,  and  stimulate  the  culpably  indifferent  to  virtuous 
action ;  to  this  our  energies  should  be  unitedly  devoted.  The  entire  membership  should  be 
educated  to  a  f uU  and  high  comprehension  of  the  reality  and  the  grandeur  of  the  mission  of 
Odd  Fellowship.  Its  banners  should  be  firmly  planted  upon  the  high  grounds  of  temperance, 
moraUty,  and  virtue.  Let  those  in  official  station,  in  fact  aU  who  possess  influence  in  the 
Order,  or  love  its  principles,  continue  to  point  out  by  precept  and  example  the  paths  that 
lead  to  true  honor,  and  to  real,  lasting  happiness. 

'*  If  the  instrumentaUties  of  the  Order  be  thus  wisely  directed  and  efficiently  employed, 
sooner  or  later  its  benign  influences  will  be  felt  by  society,  millions  wiU  unite  in  acknowl- 
edging its  blessings,  in  chanting  its  praises,  and  in  handing  down  its  heaven-bom  teachings 
from  generation  to  generation,  until  the  angel  shall  stand  upon  the  land  and  upon  the  sea, 
and  swear  by  ffim  that  liveth  forever,  that  time  shall  be  no  more." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

TENETS  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP:    ITS  BENEFACTIONS. 

"  In  faith  and  hope  the  world  will  disagree. 
But  all  mankind's  concurred  in  charity." 

An  Apostrophe  to  Charity.  —  Our  reverend  brother,  and  Past  Grand 
Master,  E.  H.  Chapin,  D.D.,  author  of  some  of  the  most  beautiful  pas- 
sages of  the  Order's  ritual,  defined  charity :  — 

**  As  that  principle  which  prompts  us  to  give  when  suffering  humanity  requires.  That 
comprehends  its  operation,  not  only  in  bestowing  the  pittance  and  the  loaf  upon  beggary 
and  hunger,  but  in  granting  the  boon  of  pity  to  the  erring,  and  casting  the  glance  of  mercy 
upon  the  faults  of  our  fellows.  It  is  a  lovely  principle.  It  stands  among  the  desolate 
homes  of  men,  and  by  the  poor  and  neglected,  an  angel,  whose  wings  untarnished,  by  its 
passage  through  scenes  of  misery  and  pollution,  are  all  bright  with  the  hues  of  heaven.  It  is 
a  principle  which  may  not  shine  as  prominently,  — which  may  not  sparkle  like  some,  — but 
it  is  not  of  earth.  Its  trophies  are  immortal.  They  will  live  when  the  weapons  of  victori- 
ous battle  have  been  broken,  and  the  sound  of  the  poet's  lyre  has  died  forever:  when  green 
wreaths  have  faded,  and  glorious  monuments  of  human  skill  have  perished;  nay,  when 
ancient  earth  itself  shall  have  toppled  into  primeval  chaos,  and  when  stars  cease  to  bum, 
they  will  be  remembered  among  the  jewels  worn  in  heaven,  '  beside  the  crystal  waters.'  *' 


834  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

The  charity  of  Odd  Fellowship,  —  wrote  the  editor  of  the  Heart  and 
Hand  — 

"  Con8iHt8  in  befriending  the  stranger,  relieTing  the  distresaes  of  the  anfortniiate, 
administering  comfort  to  the  nee<ly,  alleviating  the  sorrows  of  the  afflicted,  securing  its 
membors,  —in  the  midst  of  those  trials  and  diflirulties  of  life  from  which  few  are  exempt, — 
against  driH'ndonce  upon  the  cold,  calculating,  reluctant  charity  of  the  world;  providing  for 
the  destitute  widow,  protecting  and  educating  the  helpless  orphan,  and  performing  the  la^i 
sad  offices  of  humanity,  when  the  curtains  of  darkness  close  around  a  brother.  Its  high  aim 
la  W>  diffuse  the  principles  and  inculcate  the  practice  of  a  pure  and  holy  charity,  that  gives 
without  vaunting,  and  relieves  without  leaving  the  sting  which  worldly  charity  too  often 
inflicts.  Tlic  charity  of  the  heart,  the  charity  of  fraternal  spirits,  while  mourning  over  mis- 
fortune and  weeping  over  misery,  rejoices  in  the  ability  to  succor  and  to  save;  and,  throwing 
a  mantle  of  protection  over  the  destitute  brother,  warms  his  heart,  revives  his  spirit,  and 
encourages,  cheers  him  on  his  pilgrimage  along  the  rugged  pathway  of  life." 

The  cliarity  of  Odd  Fellowsliip  does  not  vaunt  itself;  it  is  not  ][>araded 
before  the  world;  it  does  not  appear  on  subscription  lists;  it  is  not  con- 
ferred with  ostentiitious  show.  As  one  member  of  a  family  cares  for 
another,  in  the  hour  of  the  latter's  aflSiction,  so  the  Order's  helping  hand 
is  extended  to  a  brother  in  distress.  Silently,  but  none  the  less  effec- 
tively, does  fraternity  the  deed,  dictated  by  duty  and  by  love.  Said  the 
Reverend  Sydney  Smith ;  — 

"  That  charity  alone  emlurcs  which  flows  from  a  sense  of  duty  and  a  hope  in  God.  This 
is  the  charity  that  trends  in  secret  those  paths  from  which  all  bat  the  lowest  of  himian 
wretches  have  tied  ;  this  is  that  charity  which  no  labor  can  weary,  no  ingratitude  detach, 
no  horror  dhgust;  that  ttdls.  that  pardons,  that  suffers;  that  is  seen  by  no  man;  but,  like 
the  great  laws  of  nature,  does  the  work  of  God  in  silence,  and  looks  to  a  future  and  better 
world  for  its  reward." 

Public  Charities.  —  Xor  is  the  Order  selfish  in  its  gifts.  Suffering 
liumanity,  within  and  without  the  brotherhood,  is  benefited  by  its  exist- 
ence and  its  benefactions.  I'ast  Grand  Sire  Veitch,  referring  to  the 
unseltishness  of  the  Order,  used  these  words:  — 

"  Nor  are  the  benefactions  of  the  Order  confined  to  its  own  circle,  or  bestowed  npon 
those  only  within  its  pale,  as  some  suppose;  but  in  hxlge  and  individual  capacity  it  has 
largely  contributed  to  public  and  private  charities;  alleviated  the  wants  of  the  destitute 
and  poverty-stricken ;  and  lessened  the  aggregate  of  human  suffering,  whether  within  or 
without  the  Order.  In  no  boastful  spirit  do  we  assert  that,  as  an  organization,  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, in  the  department  of  its  mutual  relief  and  by  contributions  to  general  objects  of 
charity,  has  accomplished  more  in  supphing  the  wants  of  the  needy,  mitigating  the  suffer^ 
iugs  of  the  wretched,  and  reclaiming  the  fallen,  than  any  other  form  or  system  of  benefac- 
tion devised  by  man ;  and  for  this  reason,  if  for  no  other,  it  is  worthy  of  public  esteem,  and 
the  cordial  approval  and  supjxjrt  of  the  virtuous  and  benevolent." 

In  every  period  of  public  calamity, —  of  widespread  distress, —  when 
plague,  or  fire,  or  famine,  or  flood,  engaged  in  their  work  of  devastation 
and  death,  the  Order  has  sent  its  ministers  of  charity  and  nobly  borne 
tlie  burden  of  the  hour.  It  then  exemplifies  its  creed  that  "  all  men  are 
brothers."  A  Memphis  despatch  to  the  Nashville  American,  at  the  time 
of  the  terrible  yellow,  fever  epidemic  of  1879,  thus  spoke  of  the  Order's 
work  in  that  city  of  death,  in  those  hours  of  agony :  — 


il 


i     K 

1     1 

ii 

1  " 

i  i 


4   . 

-r 


'  .^'  .^'  .^'  .Jt'  -St-  -5(-  -5(-  ■*•  -4-  ■*■ 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  835 

Amid  Yellow  Fever.  —  "Silently,  unobtrusively,  as  the  grass  springs  under  our  feet, 
covering  the  wide  fields  with  a  carpet  of  green,  so  spontaneously,  yet  quietly,  go  the  relief 
members  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  brotherhood,  seeking  out  the  sick  and  distressed,  and  sending 
joy  and  gladness  into  many  a  household,  and  new  life  into  many  a  despairing  heart  by 
administering  to  the  needs  of  those  in  want.  Their  physicians  are  ready  at  all  times  to  give 
aid  and  counsel  as  to  the  best  means  of  healing  those  who  ail.  Their  nurses  are  of  the  most 
skilful  to  be  found,  selected  with  the  utmost  care,  and  known  to  be  of  good  character,  faith- 
ful, and  watchful." 

These  were  the  days  %o  which  the  Memphis  Appeal  referred  when  it 
said :  — 

Brothers  and  Sisters,  together.  —  "The  Odd  Fellows  have  covered  themselves  \vith 
glory  during  this  epidemic;  and,  among  the  first  in  every  good  word  and  work,  have 
draped  the  exterior  of  their  hall  and  the  interior  of  the  lodge-room  in  a  way  that  must 
strike  every  beholder  as  both  appropriate  and  artistic.  That  on  the  outside  was  accom- 
plished by  the  laboring  brethren  of  the  visiting  committee,  and  that  of  the  interior  by  Mrs. 
G.  W.  L.  Cook  and  Mrs.  Jessie  Prescott,  wives  of  two  of  the  most  conspicuous,  laborious,  and 
best  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Memphis.  These  ladies  have  expended  a  very  wealth  of  taste  in  the 
sombre  and  funereal  decorations.  All  the  lodge  and  encampment  charters  are  draped, 
and  the  hall  is  overcast  with  the  gloom  of  black  cloth  and  crep€f  festooned  in  every  imagi- 
nable way  from  the  cornice  to  the  chandeliers,  relieved  occasionally  with  white. 

**  The  e£^ect  is  very  striking,  and  grows,  especially  in  these  days  of  death  and  disease, 
almost  oppressive  the  longer  it  continues.  This  will  remain  for  many  weeks  to  speak 
silently  but  forcibly  to  the  brethren  of  the  terrible  havoc  the  yellow  fever  played  in  their 
ranks.  They  have  lost  altogether  forty-eight  persons,  thirty-seven  of  them  active  members. 
A  terrible  mortality  truly,  but  representing  only  a  fourth  of  the  whole  number  of  cases  nursed 
and  cared  for,  as  only  brothers  can  nurse  and  care  for  one  another.  We  commend  the 
unselfish  conduct  and  noble  liberality  of  the  Order,  and  very  much  admire  the  order  and 
beauty  perceptible  in  their  funeral  decorations.  The  ladies  under  whose  auspices  it  was 
accomplished  deserve  the  highest  meed  of  praise." 

Such  deeds  and  such  actions  we  expect  of  such  an  organization,  for,  as 
the  Odd  Fellowa*  Chronicle  said :  — 

Regular  Relief.  —  "  Odd  Fellowship  meets  society  as  it  is.  It  recognizes  the  wants  and 
necessities  of  its  members,  and  it  provides  immediate  and  radical  relief.  The  sick  or  dis- 
tressed husband  is  '  provided  for '  in  the  hour  of  trouble.  The  pangs  of  poverty  are  averted, 
and  the  painful  and  degrading  feeling  engendered  in  an  honest  mind,  when  subject  to  tran- 
sient bounty  bestowed  by  the  hand  of  charity,  is  never  experienced  by  the  members  of  our 
Order.  Nor  does  our  care  of  the  physical  wants  of  members  cease  with  their  existence. 
The  grave  is  no  extinguisher  of  their  claims.  They  are  decently  interred  by  the  Order,  and 
their  wives  and  their  children  become  sacred  relics,  to  be  preserved  and  cherished  by  the 
brotherhood  with  whom  the  departed  husband  and  father  was  affiliated. 

"These  are  great,  practical  realities  in  Odd  Fellowship;  but  they  are  not  all.  The 
principles  of  our  Order  go  beyond  this  mere  physical  amelioration  of  the  wants  and  dis- 
tresses of  mankind.  It  proposes  an  enlarged  expansion  of  human  sympathies,  and  a  widely 
extended  diffusion  of  the  divine  injunction  of  brotherly  love.  On  this  point  we  may  be 
defective,  as  all  human  institutions  will  be  under  the  present  organization  of  society ;  but 
even  in  this,  perhaps  somewhat  ideal  characteristic  of  Odd  Fellowship,  there  is  sufficient  of 
the  tru^y  real  to  make  us  justly  proud  of  the  institution." 

To  use  the  words  of  Brother  George  F.  Borie,  Past  Grand  Master,  of 
Pennsy  1  vania :  — 

Promises  fulfilled.— "The  grand  feature  of  Odd  Fellowship  consists  in  its  fulfilment 
of  all  the  promises  made  by  the  Order  to  the  uninitiated  as  weU  as  to  those  who  have 


836  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

enlisted  in  the  good  work.  .  .  .  The  brief  history  of  Odd  Fellowship  sounds  in  clarion 
notes  its  fidelity  to  these  duties,  which  form  the  basis  upon  which  it  rests,  and  which  coni< 
mand  the  brotherhood  to  relieve  the  distressed.  The  millions  of  treasure  contributed  by 
tlie  members  and  expended  lor  that  purpose  speak  eloquently,  in  a  language  that  cannot  be 
misunderstood,  of  the  incomparable  amount  of  suffering  and  anguish  prevented,  assuaged, 
and  relieved  by  the  Order  in  prosecuting*  its  mission  in  the  cause  of  humanity. 

"  There  is  no  sounding  brass  or  tinkling  cymbal  in  these  facts.  These  works  are  fixed 
permanently  and  immovably,  and  like  lights  upon  the  hill-tops,  notwithstanding  we  may 
strive  to  conceal  them,  will  shine  before  and  be  appreciated  by  men.  This  in  a  great  meas- 
ure accounts  for  the  unparalleled  success  of  American  Odd  Fellowship.  The  Order  prac- 
tises what  it  preaches,  and  does  not  advance  theories  to  deceive  the  unwary." 

According  to  the  editor  of  the  paper  last  cited :  — 

The  Philanthropic  Spirit.  —  "  The  very  cooperation  of  our  members  in  works  of  love 

and  charity,  fosters  a  spirit  of  philanthropy  which  might  be  dormant  in  some  minds  without 

this  active  exercise  of  the  faculty,  while  this  practital  and  well-systematized  benevolence 

has  been  known  to  create  feelings  of  philanthropy  in  men  heretofore  notoriously  selfish,  and 

,  callous  to  the  distresses  of  their  fellow-man." 

It  is  well  for  the  world  that  such  an  organization  lives  and  thrives. 
It  keeps  alive  the  spirit  of  helpfulness ;  it  fosters  those  divine  attributes 
with  which  man  is  blessed,  and  if  it  is  true  that  human  love  is  most  uncer- 
tain, how  much  more  uncertain,  said  Heart  and  Hand,  are  the  means 
whereby  it  shall  be  supported :  — 

Exigencies  of  Life.  —  **  The  happy  faces  that  have  made  glad  the  halls  of  sumptuous 
elegance  have  been  doomed  to  wander  along  the  highway,  the  mendicants  of  bitter  winter ; 
and  the  flush  of  health,  and  the  eye  speaking  and  beaming  with  joy,  have  been  exchanged 
for  the  cadaverous  hue  of  want,  and  the  sunken,  hollow  gaze  of  wretchedness  and  despair. 
No  precaution  evades  it,  for  the  reputed  wise  have  fallen  beneath  the  influence  of  this 
destiny.  No  store  is  too  large  to  defy  its  power,  for  they  who  could  not  count  their  heaps  of 
gold  have  been  reduced  to  starvation.  For  whatever  wise  reason  this  dispensation  governs 
among  men,  all  classes  sooner  or  later  know  and  attest  its  powerful  influence;  and  the 
records  of  our  race  present  us  with  no  higher  incentives  to  disregard  the  excesses  of  tem- 
poral pleasures,  than  in  the  plain  narratives  of  those  who  have  sunk  and  fallen  beneath  the 
influence  of  social  whirlwinds." 

Speaking  of  the  Order's  charity,  and  its  methods  of  work,  the  New 
Age,  editorially,  used  these  sensible  words :  — 

Unostentations  Ministries  of  Love.  —  **  There  is,  in  these  days  of  parade  and  show,  too 
much  of  that  loud-talking  charity,  which  sounds  a  trumpet  in  the  streets,  and  seeks  noto- 
riety that  it  may  hear  the  praise  of  men ;  and  sometimes  we  are  forced  to  believe  that  the 
good  is  done  for  the  sake  of  the  credit,  rather  than  for  its  own.  When  aU  the  world  is 
advertised  of  the  charity  bestowed,  of  the  aid  granted,  it  begets  a  love  of  notoriety;  a 
desire  for  benevolent  display  on  the  one  side,  and  a  painful  sense  of  dependence  and  humilia- 
tion on  the  other.  The  inclination  to  sound  a  trumpet  in  the  streets,  when  entering  upon 
a  work  of  mercy,  is  not  without  its  influence  upon  our  Order ;  tending  to  the  praise  of  men, 
rather  than  to  the  praise  of  God,  the  approbation  of  a  grateful  heart,  and  a  satisfied  con- 
science. It  is  well  to  keep  in  remembrance  the  character  of  Odd  Fellowship,  what  it  aims 
to  do,  and  how  it  proposes  to  do  it.  The  example  of  the  Great  Teacher,  which  is  our  guide, 
is  the  best  rule,  and  should  never  be  '  departed  from ' ;  when  it  is  *  departed  from,'  the  great 
influence  and  usefulness  of  the  Order  is  imperilled.  Let  Odd  Fellowship  keep  strictly  in  the 
way  in  which  it  has  hitherto  walked  so  wisely  and  so  well ;  and  by  this  rule  of  secrecy  ever 
continue  as  a  '  secret  society.' 


LlTtSBATUtlE   OF  ODD   i 

a  the  wBnU  ol  tbe 
b  tbe  abode  ol  poveity  and  sormn 
1 .  vlBitlng  tbe  widow  and  the  orphi 
h  the  destitute  strangec,  and  sendi 
.;  raising  up  tha  desolate  and  cru 
Sympathy;  tbese  works  of  mercy  i 
Hthose  blessed  by  them ;  these  ar< 
It  has  parsaed  thus  tar.  May  it 
Bistlng  the  promptings  ot  that  s[ 
jlglveth ;  and  then  wberesoevar  In 
•(  be  invisible  to  the  curious  gaze,  y 
l^ien  will  quickly  recognize.    More 

—  , IhfiSMll'kig  glory  of  Odd  Fellowship." 

3  ''fl  Q'^l^'^^i'Bd-  ~  "  When  thou  doest  alms,  la 

J^ll  IsiSl  tttB  thee  openly." 

-    Mtife.BA**HH  Odd  Pi>llnwnliiii?"   asks  0 

1879;  a 


**fiifa^Sf"  ^'^  Fellowship  ?  " 
I m ^mi[\SifB&.nion,  of  November, 


I    Is  the  union  of  men.  real: 

he  samuiees  of  their  origin,  i 

n  brotberbood  for  tbe  practi 

wrS         t  k  ndnesB  expressive  of  gennii 

'"^^  bearU  as  one,  alike  and  mutual, 

^Ves      UD  vetsal  philanthropy ;  lov 

the    nk  that  binds  brother  to  b^ 

bad  tb   precursor  of  all  that  Is  g 

es  the  world  in  every  advancem 

Motherhood,  the  key-atone  ol 
^       _^     _  ^Bevery  kindred  order, — the 

^teCliS^^tC^  e  ]ar  sd  ction  of  New  Hamp 

ff  Mf^oMj^^VMit        'The  great  fact  that  is  li 

-^  «DllA>ha^^^e  hnman  race.    Heretofore  mao  hi 

..  •....uiT.V...iKp>.-^.  _    .   ^,     ature.    But  another  e!er 


re  to  hi 


n  life.  - 


. ...  _  God  and  bis  fellow-maD. 

J4]l}^>t>egins       gladden  the  present,  and 

heart  and  a  soni ;  man,  Ibe  broth 

ie    am  y  possesses  a  centralizing 

In       ea   t  if  we  woold,  and  would 

iur  race  is  breaking  the  bondage  ol 

)ser  into  harmony  with  the  great 

the  force  ot  sympathy,  geiitleni 

IjCher  o(  the  common  family.    He  rei 

9  of  humanity,  and  underneath  all 

tbrobblngs  ot  a  common  humanil 

spread  abroad,  with  its  alt-absoi 

ilting  the  interests  ot  our  race,  unl 

;i|iu^^  unlTectal  man,  shall  rise  to  that  s' 


'WW 


,^.  .^.  .^.  .^.  .^.  .^.  .^. 


838  THE  THREE'LiyK  FHATKRNITT. 

The  claims  of  brotherhood,  and  the  necessity  of  associations  of  men« 
have  seldom  been  as  well  stated  as  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Busbee,  then  a 
representative  from  North  Carolina,  in  Tremont  Temple,  Boston,  in  ISSG, 
on  the  occasion  of  the  meeting  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  that  city. 
The  interdei)endeuce  of  nature  and  of  maji  is  clearly  set  forth,  and  the 
results  of  such  a  union  eloquently  portrayed.  Said  our  distinguished 
brother : — 

Intordepeiid«iic«  of  Hatore  and  of  Xan.  — "The  need  of  humanity  lor  sympathy  and 
aid,  the  mutual  dependence  of  mankind  and  the  duties  that  result  from  it ;  these  truths  are 
tlie  ba^is  and  the  essence  of  Odd  Fellowship.  Sir  Walter  Scott  has  written:  ' That  the  race 
of  mankind  would  perish  did  they  cease  to  aid  each  other.'  Aristotle  declares  that  '  Who- 
soever  is  deli^^hted  In  solitude  is  either  a  wild  beast  or  a  god.*  And  the  declaration  of 
Terence,  oft-quoted,  yet  always  clear-cut,  would  almost  serve  as  the  key-note  of  the  Order: 
'  Homo  »um^  nihil  humani  a  me  alienum.*  The  longing  desire  of  man  for  human  sympathy 
Is  as  universal  as  the  air ;  and  because  of  it,  because  man  u  dependent  upon  his  fellow-man 
for  everything  that  brings  comfort  or  happiness  to  this  human  life,  these  fraternal  organi- 
zations exist  and  impress  themselves  upon  social  life ;  for  they  aid  us  in  smoothing  the 
rugged  points  and  edges  of  life  for  each  other.  You  do  not  find  this  idea  of  mutual  depend- 
ence limited  to  rational  existence.  The  material  world  is  filled  with  it.  The  flowers  that 
adorn  and  refresh  the  globe  are  dependent  alike  upon  earth  and  air  and  water.  The  streams 
that  rush  onceasing  to  the  sea  find  tlieir  never-failing  sources  of  supply  from  the  evaporation 
of  the  waters  of  that  ocean  which  they  aid  in  filling.  The  wonderful  system  of  the  organic 
heavens  maintains  its  equilibrium  by  the  associated  action  and  interdependence  of  its  innu- 
merable planets  and  stars  and  suns  each  upon  the  other.  But  why  enumerate  ?  On  every 
side,  in  every  phase  of  life,  you  find  this  truth  of  mutual  dependence,  this  reciprocal  idea  of 
nature's  economy,  closely  interwoven  with  and  permeating  every  atom  of  life :  — 

"  '  All  served,  all  serving,  —nothing  stands  alone; 
The  chain  holds  on,  and  where  it  ends,  unknown.' 

"  In  the  association  of  man  with  man  is  this  truth  most  clearly  defined  and  developed. 
To  it  he  owes  the  protection  and  preservation  of  his  character,  his  property,  and  his  life,  for 
in  onion  there  is  safety  as  well  as  strength.  It  is  the  bed-rock  of  government,  this  cohesion 
of  the  individuals  for  the  protection  of  the  whole.  It  is  the  difference  between  civilization 
and  barbsriam,  between  law  and  anarchy.  It  is  the  associated  harmony  of  individual  force, 
the  glad  bondage  of  liberty,  the  clear,  cool  atmosphere  of  government,  law,  society,  cixili- 
sation,  and  peace,  above  the  miasmatic  mists  of  unbridled  license  and  anarchy.  It  is  the 
extension  of  yiis  truth  of  mutual  dependence  into  the  domain  of  daily  life,  and  the  inculca- 
tion of  the  duties  growing  out  of  it,  that  constitute  the  g^round  of  Odd  FeUowship.  A  common 
alliance  founded  upon  the  basis  of  common  humanity,  not  only  for  protection  from  without, 
bnt  as  a  means  of  upholding  and  aiding  one  another  in  the  thorny  paths  of  actual  life.'* 

Lodge-room  Friendship.  —  This  union  of  man  in  the  close  affiliation  of 
such  a  brotherhood  is  of  more  than  material  benefit.  Many  and  many  a 
member  of  the  Order  never  needs  the  watcher's  care,  and  never  receives 
financial  aid,  yet  he  cherishes  as  among  his  most  priceless  possessions  the 
friendships  formed  within  the  Order;  his  lodge-room  becomes  a  pleasant 
place,  and  he  impatiently  awaits  the  hour  when  he  can  grasp  a  brother's 
hand.  Brother  Benjamin  P.  Shillaber,  known  to  the  world  as  "  Ike  Part- 
ington," once  said:  — 

**  Within  the  walls  of  the  lodge-room  I  have  formed  some  of  the  dearest  friendships  of 
my  life.    I  have  seen  there  the  strongest  manifestations  of  Christian  charity,  have  heard 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP.  839 

the  most  impassioned  api)6als  for  fellowship,  and  have  been  moved,  again  and  again,  to  new 
devotion  to  the  principles  that  underlie  our  organization,  and  touch  humanity  the  deepest." 
And  again  he  wrote  to  his  friend  Comstock  of  the  Providence  Record:  '*  The  faitliful  brother 
connected  with  a  living  lodge,  who  has  any  proper  appreciation  of  the  power  of  life,  and 
the  beauty  and  spirituality  of  his  connections,  cannot  stand  still  in  any  dull  mediocrity  of 
moral  attainment;  he  must  go  onward  and  upward.  If  he  have  any  sort  of  sense  of  the 
power  of  his  relations,  he  will  feel  the  contagious  force  of  a  common  enthusiasm,  and  the 
ennobling  motives  to  act  in  the  service  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth." 

That  brilliant  and  distinguished  brother,  E.  H.  Fitzhugh,  long  a  repre- 
sentative from  Virginia  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  and  who  came 
within  one  vote  of  being  Grand  Sire,  once  said:  — 

Not  a  Honey-making  Institution.  —  ''Ours  is  not  a  money-making  institution.  It  is 
a  great,  a  fatal  mistake,  to  subordinate  the  great  principles  of  the  Order  to  its  finances, 
and  to  make  its  revenues  a  subject  of  more  importance  than  its  great  moral  principles. 
This  is  to  reverse  the  command  of  the  Order  and  to  subvert  the  grand  fundamental  pur- 
poses of  its  organization.  It  is  to  '  pay  tithe  of  mint  and  anise  and  cummin,'  and  omit  the 
weightier  matters  of  the  law, — judgment,  mercy,  and  faith.  The  command  emblazoned 
upon  our  standard  is  to  '  visit  the  sick,  relieve  the  distressed,  bury  the  dead,  and  educate 
the  orphan ' ;  not  to  make  money.  There  is  a  great  tendency  in  times  like  these  to  regard 
a  full  treasury  as  the  chief  good ;  but  it  should  never  be  forgotten  that  the  money  we 
accumulate  is  only  a  means  to  an  end,  and  a  means  immeasurably  inferior  in  importance  to 
the  great  purpose  for  which  it  is  gathered.  It  is  well  and  wise  to  be  economical;  but  it  is 
wrong  to  economize  at  the  expense  of  the  great  charities  of  the  Order. 

'*  The  true  wealth  of  the  Order  is  its  membership.  Surround  the  altars  of  the  subordi- 
nates with  good  and  true  men,  and  all  things  else  that  the  Order  needs  will  be  added  unto 
it.  In  almost  every  lodge  there  are  to  be  found  a  few  of  the  faithful,  who  are  always  in 
place,  and  who  watch  over  the  interests  of  their  lodge  with  the  tender  solicitude  of  a  parent 
over  a  child.  Men  in  whose  hearts  the  proposition  for  the  good  of  the  Order,  —  in  adversity 
and  in  prosperity,  in  the  lodge  and  out  of  the  lodge,  —  is  always  open ;  and  while  such 
men  live  and  love  and  labor  in  our  lodges,  this  grand  old  institution  of  ours  can  never  fail. 
These  are  our  jewels,  these  constitute  our  true  wealth." 

That  able  paper,  the  Covenant,  in  its  editorial  columns  of  July,  1842, 
declared :  — 

Origin:  Aims  and  Attainments:  Manifest  Prerogative.  — ''Humble  in  its  origin  and 
having  none  of  the  adventitious  aids  of  rank  or  power  to  promote  its  advancement,  Odd 
Fellowship  has  laid  hold  on  the  good  sense  and  kind  feelings  of  Americans  with  a  firmness 
and  comprehensiveness  of  grasp  to  which  prejudice  can  offer  no  adequate  resistance.  Linked 
together  by  sympathies  that  spring  from  the  noblest  sentiments,  guided  by  the  soundest  judg- 
ment, the  members  of  the  brotherhood  behold  themselves  ranged  under  the  banner  of  Friend- 
ship, Love,  and  Truth,  and  devoting  their  energies,  far  and  near,  to  the  promulgation  of 
opinions,  which  have  for  their  object  the  reinstatement  of  their  kind  in  the  proud  position 
which  ambition  and  worldly  pride  have  for  a  time  deprived  our  race. 

"  Under  the  glorious  institutions  of  self-government.  Odd  Fellows  find  ample  scope  for 
the  full  development  of  the  philanthropy  which  embraces  within  its  ample  fold  every  heart 
that  throbs  responsive  to  the  touch  of  pity,  or  glows  beneath  the  genial  sun  of  universal 
love.  Awed  by  none  of  the  imposing  appliances  by  which  power  strives  to  lead  captive  the 
human  will,  they  proceed  upon  their  way  rejoicing  in  their  strength,  and  looking  forward 
with  a  confident  hope  that,  erelong,  the  shadows  which  have  so  long  obscured  the  sunlight 
of  human  intelligence  will  yield  to  the  powerful  influences  of  truth,  and  usher  in  the  day  of 
all-pervading  liberty. 

"  In  the  manifestations  of  the  spirit  of  Odd  Fellowship  we  behold  no  wild  speculations 
that  serve  only  to  delude  and  amuse  for  a  season ;  but  deep-rooted  practical  benefits  that 


840  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

must  be  recognized  and  felt  so  long  as  the  social  system  shall  exist.  The  philosophy  of  past 
ages,  however  calculated  to  surprise  and  astonish,  had  too  often  for  its  aim  results  with 
which  the  real  happiness  of  the  mass  of  mankind  had  but  little,  if  anything,  to  do ;  but  in 
the  doctrines  of  our  Order  we  find  a  healing  and  restorative  principle,  which  addresses  itself 
alike  to  the  fireside  circle  and  the  sick  bed,  the  manly  struggle  for  wealth  and  high  station, 
and  the  enfeebled  confiicts  of  sickness  and  of  want.  They  teach  us  that  to  be  entitled  to 
honor  and  distinction,  we  must  aid  in  sustainiug  the  dignity  and  moral  bearing  of  those 
with  whom  we  are  associated ;  and  that  to  establish  a  claim  to  the  good  feelings  of  our 
fellow-beings,  we  must  minister  to  their  wants,  and  make  their  sufferings  our  own." 

The  editor  of  the  New  Age,  writing  thirty-four  years  later,  so  well 
expressed  the  purposes  of  the  Order,  that  the  article  was  widely  copied  by 
the  fraternal  press  as  follows :  — 

Ancient  Ideas  v.  Modem  Acts.  —  "  Mythic  history  tells  us  that  the  ancient  gods  invisi- 
bly and  secretly  followed  their  favorites  in  all  their  wanderings,  and  when  exposed  to  dan- 
ger, or  threatened  with  destruction,  would  unveil  themselves  in  their  awful  beauty  and 
power,  and  stand  forth  to  preserve  them  from  harm,  or  to  avenge  their  wrongs.  Odd 
Fellowship  realizes  the  myth  of  the  pagan  gods ;  she  surrounds  all  her  children  with  her 
preserving  presence,  and  reveals  herself  always  in  the  hour  of  peril,  sickness,  or  distress. 
Nowhere  in  our  country  can  a  true  Odd  Fellow  feel  himself  alone,  friendless,  or  forsaken. 
The  invisible  but  helpful  arms  of  our  Order  surround  him  wherever  he  may  be." 

Stated  Benefits.  —  "  Should  he  be  overtaken  by  illness  or  misfortune,  be  he  in  any  part 
of  the  country  and  never  so  poor,  he  will,  if  he  makes  his  wants  known,  receive  as  a  right 
the  necessary  assistance,  and  friends  to  watch  over  him  with  fraternal  solicitude;  and 
should  he  faU  a  victim  to  disease,  the  brothers  of  charity  wiU  be  there  to  close  the  eyes,  and 
with  solemn,  yet  hopeful,  heaven-born  rites,  consign  his  body  to  the  repose  of  the  silent 
tomb.  Odd  Fellowship  is  an  embodiment  of  family  love  and  affection,  and  is  the  only  sub- 
stitute for  home  influence,  and  the  only  green  spot  in  the  dreary  waste  of  life,  which  binds 
these  brothers  to  the  tender  practice  of  every  virtue ;  guides  in  prosperity  and  health,  and, 
as  a  ministering  angel,  bends  over  them,  with  tenderest  pity,  in  their  chamber  of  suffering. 
True,  there  are  sorrows  which  it  cannot  reach ;  there  are  griefs  which  it  cannot  remove ; 
notwithstanding,  it  still  pursues  its  way,  imparts  its  healthful  influence,  and  accomplishes 
its  beautiful  and  holy  ministry  of  benevolence  and  charity.  K  it  cannot  heal  the  wounds  of 
misfortune,  it  administers  the  balm  of  sympathy,  friendship,  and  love." 

The  same  pen  wrote :  — 

Making  glad  the  Earth.  — "The  mighty  force  and  energy  of  our  Order  is  now  domg 
wonders  for  the  well-being  of  society,  and  we  have  never  dreamed  of  half  the  good  it  will 
in  future  accomplish  for  the  world.  The  heaven-bom  principles  of  our  Order  are  now 
marching  onward,  the  earth  is  ringing  with  their  footsteps,  the  mountains  of  Asia  are 
receiving  their  lessons,  and  the  world  at  large  is  gradually  feeling  their  influence,  and  offer- 
ing up  their  homage  of  gratitude  for  the  light  of  civilization  and  peace.  Let  us  be  true  to 
our  pledges  and  lay  the  foundation  deep  in  justice  and  compassion,  and  inscribe  upon  its 
columns:  '  Peace  and  good  wiU  to  men.'  " 

Our  distinguished  brother  "Ike  Partington"  declared  that:  — 

To  bless  Mankind. —  "  The  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship  are  not  mere  superficialities, 
but  deep,  practical,  vital ;  and  everything  to  relieve,  benefit  and  bless  is  embraced  within  its 
scope.  This  is  seen  clearer  every  day.  There  is  no  standstill  to  Odd  Fellowship,  no  holding 
It  back.  Growth  is  written  in  every  line  of  it,  and  the  development  of  fifty  years  but  shows 
its  capabilities.  No  society  ever  continued  that  lacked  this  vitality,  and  Odd  Fellowship 
will  fall  away  to  naught  when  those  holding  the  plough  look  back  and  try  to  limit  its  benefi- 
cent mission.  .  .  .  The  lessons  inculcated  in  all  the  teachings  of  the  Order  are  in  accordance 
with  the  maxims  upon  which  it  is  based, — Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth.    Said  the  Heart  and 


THE  LITERATURE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP,  841 

Hand :  *  They  teach  us  that  we  are  all  brethren  of  the  same  great  family ;  that  we  are  bone 
of  the  same  bone,  and  flesh  of  the  same  flesh,  sons  of  the  same  father,  children  of  the  same 
mother,  and  travellers  through  the  same  world  of  trouble,  and  misery,  and  woe,  alike  need- 
ing the  sympathies  and  aid  of  our  brethren.  They  remind  us  that  the  bounties  of  Providence 
were  not  given  to  be  squandered  in  riotous  living  or  in  idle  extravagance,  but  for  the  gen- 
eral good  of  mankind ;  that  it  is  inconsistent  with  humanity,  as  well  as  a  sin  against  our 
fellow-beings,  for  the  more  favored  to  pass  the  needy  without  heeding  their  cry.  They 
remind  us,  too,  that  man  is  but  the  steward  of  God's  bounty,  and  that  for  the  faithful  exe- 
cution of  that  stewardship  he  must  erelong  render  a  strict  and  impartial  account.' " 

Odd  Fellowship's  Sovereignty.  —  When  we  realize  that  in  every  state  of 
this  Union;  in  the  Canadas,  and  the  Maritime  provinces;  in  Europe  and 
in  the  isles  of  the  Pacific,  Odd  Fellows  are  carrying  on  the  great  work  of 
the  Order,  are  zealously  defending  its  interests  and  advocating  the  great 
principles,  whose  purposes  and  results  have  been  so  well  portrayed  in 
quoted  words,  we  agree  with  Past  Grand  Sire  Veitch  when  he  says :  — 

"  Occasionally,  at  long  intervals  of  time,  there  gleams  forth  from  the  pages  of  human 
history  some  splendid  achievement  of  arms  or  brilliant  victory,  whose  renown  fills  the  world, 
and  whose  ^clat  is  nndimmed  by  the  lapse  of  centuries;  but  it  is  the  more  peaceful  yet 
grander  achievement  of  the  marshalled  hosts  of  Odd  Fellowship,  composing  a  noble  army  of 
humanity,  that  should  challenge  our  admiration,  and  which  is  eminently  worthy  of  being 
honored  by  mankind.  The  triumphs  of  Odd  Fellowship  are  not  on  the  battlefield  amid  the 
groans  of  its  slain,  victims  sacrificed  to  the  insatiable  ambition  of  some  monarch,  or  to 
enhance  the  glory  of  some  warrior ;  but  in  the  silent  vigil  at  the  bedside  of  a  sick  brother ; 
in  the  ministration  of  its  acts  of  benevolence ;  in  the  education  and  fostering  care  of  the 
orphan ;  and  in  generously  supplying  the  requisite  means  for  the  sustenance  and  comfort 
of  the  needy  and  suffering  objects  of  want.  The  benedictions  of  the  weeping  widow  and 
desolate  orphan  are  its  trophies,  more  honorable  and  valuable  than  those  acquired  upon  all 
the  fields  of  carnage,  by  all  the  heroes  of  all  the  military  exploite  of  the  world. 

**  Nor  are  the  benefactions  of  the  Order  confined  to  its  own  circle,  or  bestowed  upon 
those  only  within  its  pale,  as  some  suppose;  but  in  lodge  and  individual  capacity  it  has 
largely  contributed  to  public  and  private  charities,  alleviated  the  wants  of  the  destitute 
and  poverty-stricken ;  and  lessened  the  aggregate  of  human  suffering,  whether  in  or  out  of 
the  Order.  In  no  boastful  spirit  do  we  assert  that,  as  an  organization.  Odd  Fellowship,  in 
the  department  of  its  mutual  relief  and  by  contributions  to  general  objects  of  charity,  has 
accomplished  more  in  supplying  the  wants  of  the  needy,  mitigating  the  sufferings  of  the 
wretched,  and  reclaiming  the  fallen,  than  any  other  form  or  system  of  benefaction  devised 
by  man ;  and  for  this  reason,  if  for  no  other,  it  is  worthy  of  public  esteem,  and  the  cordial 
approval  and  support  of  the  virtuous  and  benevolent." 

Such  an  Order,  doing  such  work,  disbursing  since  1830  more  than 
^f71,000,000  in  actual  charity, — every  dollar  reaching  the  beneficiaries, 
—  carrying  joy  and  comfort  and  peace  to  so  many  sorrowing  homes, 
deserves  the  support  of  all  who  believe  in  human  goodness,  or  who  have 
witnessed  human  suffering.  Such  labors  should  be  recognized,  and  our 
membership  have  a  right  to  rejoice  in  the  Order  and  its  accomplishments. 
"  Why  may  not  the  triumphs  of  benevolence  be  celebrated? "  asked  the 
Eeverend  Brother  Isaac  Dowd  Williamson,  of  New  York:  — 

"  Why  may  not  the  triumphs  of  benevolence  be  celebrated  ?  Are  there  no  laurels  but 
those  gathered  in  the  fields  of  battle,  'mid  the  bristling  bayonets  and  clashing  swords  ?  Has 
earth  no  honors  but  those  that  have  been  purchased  with  the  price  of  blood  ?    When  charity 


842  TBS  THREE-LINK  FBATSRNITT. 

toils  with  bleeding  feet  over  bairea  rocks  and  thorny  deserts,  that  she  may  staanch  the 
wounds  of  the  traveller,  weltering  in  gore  by  the  way-side,  ooght  she  not  to  be  honored? 
Is  there  no  peace  for  her,  as  with  locks  wet  with  dew,  she  stands  and  knocks  at  the  door  ol 
poverty,  that  she  may  go  in  and  feed  and  bless  the  hungry  and  heartsick  tenants  of  tlie 
humble  cot?  Are  these  things  so  common,  that  they  need  not  be  remembered,  or  so 
unworthy,  that  they  deserve  not  our  notice?  Nay,  but  he  that  labors  for  the  good  of  his 
kind,  he  is  the  true  man ;  his  deeds  may  be  done  in  silence  and  obscurity,  and  to  the  most 
lowly  of  his  fellows,  yet  he  deserves  more  honor  from  man,  than  all  the  kings  that  ever 
waded  through  slaughter  to  a  throne ;  yea,  and  he  shall  be  honored  of  Him  who  said :  '  Foras- 
much as  ye  did  it  unto  the  least  of  these  My  brethren,  ye  did  it  unto  Me.' " 

For,  said  James  B.  Nicholson,  Past  Grand  Sire :  — 

The  Only  Banger  ootUaed.— "  Smiling  serenely,  in  the  calm  conseionsneaa  of  its  morsl 
power,  at  the  futile  efforts  to  thwart  its  benign  development,  our  Order  knows  full  well  th&t 
it  cannot  be  stayed  in  its  useful  career  by  outward  opposition.  The  only  blow  that  will  be 
fatal  must  be  struck  by  our  own  hands.  None  but  Odd  Fellows  can  destroy  the  majestic 
fabric  that  Odd  Fellows  have  reared,  and  naught  but  internal  divisions  and  intemedoe 
strifes  can  sap  our  strength  or  destroy  the  influence  arising  out  of  the  example  of  a  united, 
a  grand,  a  glorious  fraternity." 

To  every  human  being  comes  hours  of  discouragements.  Life  holds 
dark  hours  for  us  all :  work  I  work ! !  work ! ! !  is  alike  the  lot  and  the  sal- 
vcUion  of  men:  after  the  storm  is  the  sunshine,  and  though  the  leaves  fall 
and  lie  thick  upon  the  ground  spring  comes,  and  in  the  place  of  death 
there  is  beauty  and  joy;  so  let  every  brother  repeat  the  lines  culled  from 
a  sermon  delivered  by  Brother  E.  H.  Chapin  before  the  governor  and  legis- 
lature of  Massachusetts  in  1844:  — 

• 

Good  CititeniUp  SynoDymoos  with  Odd  Fellowship.  —  "  The  means  of  reformation  are 
with  every  man.  Let  no  one  despair  so  long  as  he  has  power  over  his  own  soul!  Let  the 
idea  go  abroa4l  that  he  does  the  best  work  for  his  country,  who  secures  his  own  intellectnsl 
and  moral  exaltation.  By  firesides,  in  workshops,  in  fields  of  toil,  let  it  be  felt  that  they  do 
not  alone  serve  their  country  who  sit  in  its  executive  chairs,  who  contrive  in  its  cabinets,  who 
dt'bate  in  its  legislative  halls ;  but  every  man,  also,  who  is  true  to  his  reason  and  conscience, 
whatever  may  be  his  sphere  of  labor.  Let  him  feel  that  the  best  distinction  is  honest  man- 
hood, and  that  the  proudest  title  the  state  can  bestow,  is  that  of  citizen;  and  let  anyone 
who,  born  among  us,  may  go  out  from  us  to  expose  our  weakness,  to  raise  the  sneer  at  our 
expense  on  foreign  lips,  remember  that  the  sentiment  of  nationality,  the  love  of  country, 
the  spirit  that  cherishes  its  birthplace,  is  holy;  near  akin  to  that  filial  affection  which 
proudly  hides  from  others  the  faults  itself  perceives.  Let  them  remember  him  who  babbled 
of  the  nakedness  of  Noah,  and  staggered  under  the  curse  of  Canaan  1 " 

The  truth  here  so  eloquently  set  forth  should  be  learned  and  heeded 
by  us  all.  Love  of  home,  of  family,  of  country,  is  essential  to  good  citi- 
zenship and  equally  so  to  good  Odd  Fellowship.  Then  note  the  exhortation 
of  another  reverend  brother,  Thomas  G.  Beharrell,  Past  Grand  Kepre- 
sentative  of  Indiana :  — 

Iiodge-room  Influences.  — "  Let  our  lodge  and  lodge-room  be  the  *  Tabernacle  of  the 
Congregation,*  — the  place  to  which  we  resort  for  a  renewal  of  pledges.  Let  us  expect  Him 
in  whom  we  profess  to  trust,  to  direct  us  in  all  our  works  of  life ;  and  while  the  leading 
spirits  of  our  lodge,  who,  like  Moses  in  communion  with  God  in  the  '  Tabernacle  of  the  Coo- 
gre^ation,'  plan  and  arrange  for  us,  let  us  accept  their  revelations  and  execute  their  plans." 


844  TBE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

Brother  E.  H.  Chapin,  whom  again  we  take  the  liberty  to  quote,  in  an 
address  delivered  at  the  dedication  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  hall  in  BaltimorCi 
September  13,  1883 :  — 

The  Rock  of  the  Poandatioii.  —  '*  There  is  a  cycle  of  years  that  shaU  run  longer  than 
the  oldest  pyramids.  The  hills  themselves  must  perish;  the  granite  ribs  of  earth  shall 
crumble ;  all  things  material  must  pass  away ;  but  goodness,  truth,  love,  these  are  imperish- 
able and  shall  outlast  the  morning-stars. 

**Mv  Brethren:  Let  it  be  our  chief  work  to  cherish  the  spirit  of  truth  and  love.  This 
alone  shall  be  triumphant  and  lasting.  This  alone  is  true  power.  The  banded  legions  of 
carnal  might  shall  break  and  fall ;  the  steel-girt  hosts  of  violence  shall  be  swept  away,  and 
their  bonds  lie  scattered  like  drifted  snow ;  but  truth  and  love  shall  never  die.  They  may 
be  drowned  awhile  in  the  babbling  discord  of  sin  and  falsehood;  but  they  alone  are  the 
oracles  of  eternity,  and  shall  be  heard  at  the  last.  The  spirit  of  truth  and  love !  This  is 
the  spirit  of  our  Order.  Let  it  have  full  sway  in  our  hearts.  This,  too,  is  the  spirit  of  the 
age;  the  spirit  of  victory;  the  spirit  of  human  regeneration.  I  feel  it  moving  all  arouud 
me.  I  hear  it  in  the  murmuring  of  the  storm,  and  the  roar  of  the  mighty  forests ;  I  hear  it 
in  *  the  clank  of  armor,  giving  note  of  preparation ' ;  in  the  sound  of  trumpets,  calling  to  the 
march;  I  hear  it  in  watchwords,  from  prayerful  lips,  on  the  summits  of  the  mountains;  I 
hear  it  in  thunder-shouts  from  the  long,  long  host  that  sweeps  below.  Thrones  shall 
crumble  before  it.  Shackles  shall  fall.  Humanity  shall  come  up  from  its  degradation  and 
its  bondage,  in  its  coronation  robes ;  and  when  the  old  ages  have  past,  —  the  iron  age,  the  ages 
of  the  sword,  the  gibbet,  and  the  chain,  the  ages  of  sorrow  and  sin,  —  a  new  age  shall  dawn 
upon  the  nations,  and  refresh  the  hearts  of  earth's  weary  millions ;  and  that  shall  be  an 
age  of  Friendship^  Love,  and  Truth" 

Forty  years  before  these  words  were  spoken,  James  L.  Ridgely,  that 
great  Odd  Fellow  of  blessed  memory,  speaking  in  Broadway  Tabernacle, 
New  York  City,  and  referring  to  those  who  regarded  these  virtues  as  the 
guiding-stars  of  life  and  action,  said :  — 

True  Ideal  of  Free  Government.  —  "Joined  in  the  holy  league  of  brotherly  love,  they 
present  a  front  before  which  the  shafts  of  misfortune  fall  blunted  and  powerless,  while 
sheltered  by  friendship,  and  guarded  by  the  imperishable  s^is  of  truth,  they  move  through 
life  in  harmony  and  peace  with  one  another,  and  defy  the  ills  that  hang  upon  their  march 
and  lay  in  wait  to  destroy  them.  If  there  be  on  earth  a  place  more  suited  than  any  other 
for  the  development  and  perfection  of  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship,  it  must  be  where 
political  freedom  and  self-government  have  taken  up  their  abode;  if  there  be  a  clime 
calculated  to  foster  its  growth  and  draw  for^h  its  energies,  it  is  where  the  glorious  sun  of 
knowledge  sheds  its  light  alike  for  all,  and  where  the  budding  germs  of  virtue  burst  forth 
and  expand  under  the  genial  influence  of  universal  beneficence.  Taking  the  sympathies 
implanted  by  the  hand  of  the  Creator  in  the  bosom  of  man  for  its  guide,  the  spirit  of  our 
Order  spreads  itself,  and  mingles  in  every  modification  of  the  social  system,  imparting  grace 
and  beauty  to  every  relation  in  which  we  are  placed  by  the  force  of  circumstances.  ...  In 
our  Order  national  distinctions  are  lost  to  sight,  and  sectional  feelings  are  merged  in  the  all- 
pervading  principle  of  universal  benevolence. 

"  Nor  are  we  permitted  to  stop  here,  as  Americans;  for,  if  there  ever  was  an  association 
formed  for  the  support  and  maintenance  of  popular  government,  that  association  is  Odd 
Fellowship ;  where  thorough  equality  of  right  and  self-government  is  practically  illustrated, 
the  more  beautifully  because  carried  to  its  original  and  legitimate  length.  The  honors  and 
distinctions  of  our  Order  are  the  free  gifts  of  its  members,  bestowed  upon  the  worthy  in 
token  of  high  appreciation  and  confidence,  without  regard  to  what  may  be  termed  the 
patronage  of  rank,  or  the  influence  of  place.  Here  are  banded  together  the  sons  of  every 
nation  and  of  every  clime,  of  every  rank,  faith,  and  calling,  rich  and  poor,  humble  and 
exalted ;  from  the  high  places  of  power  to  the  more  virtuous  and  happy  abodes  of  poverty, 


man  tor  his  wealth,  honoT, 

moral  exMllenee  and  north. 

Its  co^titneDta ;  from  one 

principles  throughoat  the 

carrying  countleu  bleuingi 

and  totter  to  their  deepest 

ot  strife,  and  the  jarring  discord 

ibrlc  o(  the  people's  hate  and  con- 

ind  Truth  floats  aloft  on  the  batile- 

^yfthoDt,  'glistening  like  angel's  wings 


I '^^afl^ipfrs,  "  in  an  appeal  to  a  spirit  inherent 

'   "V  Q  iGS'ed  forest  tree,  a  spirit  that  hardlj 

IIMfEl'sS^  human  larbarity:  bat  now,  in  this 

^  ot  Its  kind,  fresh,  green  leUage,  to 

^  .,„  Stills  In  the  lodiTldual  of  the  nation, 

■.njSrViK  Sk%card  brutal  force  and  substitute  the 

jpiittjl^^rappyyoftens  the  asperity  of  humaDcodMi 

^"-S^  S^'ff^'S^  iSRiame  it  mercf/.    When  it  seeks,  in  a 

QHI^Krg^^ll^^lnj^tt  respects  lu  ottiers.  Independence  of 

ytnion  no  cause  of  offence,  its  a: 

iJ>eTery  tribe  and  tongue,  impeUlng  us 

IJIUndneis     Bywbatever  name,  under 

;  the  herald  ot  virtue, 

""'I^'¥S»'4£''^i;^w'>'sli'P  lias  li^ed  in  America. 

^j^^^s  prospered  beyond  the  hopes 

'f  the  trials  that  come  to  every 

Segiance  to  man  as  man,  and 

S^]t^^  ^^y      '^^^  P^)*  '3  recalled 

wledgment  of  the  irisdom  and 

§,We  honor  the  men  who  have 

e  of  the  present.     The  future 

jIl»Q»^*  Battles  are  yet  to  be  fought; 

|^0«^*'53ie  work  of  fraternity  is  never 

T.'--"^~  B  always  among  us;  but 

\i*j5K5i"'^''''V'"g  principles  so  well 


"  J  ^»  «•  %  i  *  *  **  ;  *  *  ■«■ 


,and  hear  Brother  George  W 


FSATBBNirr. 


■^WSiml*m^tSrSif'^*&^-  never benar 
''■■^^r^MfSiSllCS'MBk-    March  irithi 


them  I    Let  me  entreat  jroo  to 

iiiifalt«rliig  Btep  in  the  path  ot 

Justice,  the  corapanlonB  of  your  way ;  pro- 

anexterminatlagwarj  coDtend 

brightest  of  victorious  wreath*, 

spirit,  who  TODquiebes  his  evil 

shall  you  be  enabled  to  fill  np 

Buprema  Grand  Master  ot  the 

before  Him  with  songs  of 

from  Uii  band  the  amvsntbino 


s-     •*■ 


Part  VI. 


HOMES   ESTABLISHED   IN  THE   VARIOUS  GRAND  JURISDIC- 
TIONS, AND   THE  EULOGIUM  OF  THE   GOLDEN 
AGE  OF  ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 


DIVISION  XVL 

ORGANIZED  BENEFICENCE. 

THE  DISTINGmSHING  CHAKACTERISTICS  OF  THE  ORDER  (THE  PAY- 
MENT OF  SUBSTANTIAL  WEEKLY  AND  FUNERAL  BENEFITS),  CRYS- 
TALLIZED AND  SUPPLEMENTED  IN  THE  ORGANIZED  BENEFICENCE 
OF  HOMES,  MAINTAINED  BY  GRAND  LODGES,  AND  REBEKAH 
STATE  ASSEMBLIES;  THE  PROPOSED  FOUNDATION  OF  SIMILAR 
INSTITUTIONS   THROUGHOUT   THE  WORLD  OF   ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 

By  the  Editob-in-Chief. 


CHAPTER  I. 

STATED  WEEKLY  BENEFITS,   AND  HOMES. 

The  Unit  of  Benefaction.  —  The  payment  of  stated  weekly  benefits  to 
sick  members  of  the  Order,  as  a  right,  not  of  charity,  and  the  very 
antipodes  of  alms-giving,  being  the  distinguishing  characteristic  of  the 
Order,  it  was  a  very  logical  step  to  supplement  this  feature  with  that  of 
the  ^'home.'^  The  lodge,  as  the  unit  of  benefaction,  could  do  much  more 
and  better  than  the  individual,  and  by  a  parity  of  reasoning,  the  Grand 
jurisdiction  was  able  to  do  better  than  either.  The  "  power  of  association  " 
was  one  of  the  favorite  topics  of  discussion  by  the  late  Schuyler  Colfax. 
He  contended  that  the  benevolent  work  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  its  asso- 
ciated capacity  of  the  lodge,  was  so  much  of  a  saving  to  tax-payers  that 
the  Order  was  entitled  to  recognition  by  the  municipal  government,  as 
well  as  by  the  people.  What  would  our  brother  say,  to-day,  of  the  homes 
of  the  Order,  that  have  since  been  added  to  the  stated-benefit  system? 
It  is  perfectly  fair  to  assume  that  astonishment  would  succeed  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  advance  made  by  Odd  Fellowship  in  this  capacity,  and  that 

847 


848  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITY. 

he  would  predict  much  greater  results  than  those  already  attained.     The 

thought  of  the  writer  is  so  graphically  stated  by  Past  Grand  Sire  Stebbins, 

in  his  report  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  in  1894,  that  we  quote  him 

in  this  connection.     He  said :  — 

Enlarged  Beneficence.— "In  no  department  of  onr  work  has  there  been  so  decided 
progress  as  in  making  provision  for  the  aged  members  and  orphaned  children.  As  onr  Order 
grows  older,  the  number  of  onr  members  who,  from  the  misfortunes  of  age,  become  dependent 
upon  us,  must  increase,  and  increase  rapidly.  Many  of  them  have  borne  the  burdens  of 
others  in  days  gone  by,  and  have  performed  faithfully  all  the  duties  which  the  Order  devolves 
upon  its  members.  Now,  in  the  evening  of  life,  where  shall  they  turn  for  refuge  and  rest 
save  to  the  sheltering  arms  of  Odd  Fellowship  ?  Not  less  urgent  are  the  claims  of  the  children 
of  our  deceased  members.  '  To  educate  the  orphan '  has  been  one  of  the  great  commands  of 
our  laws ;  but  the  one  least  obeyed.  We  have  been  too  much  inclined  to  regard  it  in  its 
literal  terms,  and  to  think  that  its  requirements  have  been  met  by  the  education  that  the 
state  provides  for  all;  but  education  means  more  than  this.  It  means  moral  as  well  as 
mental  training ;  it  means  the  care  of  the  body  and  mind  and  soul.  '  To  educate  the  orphan ' 
means  that  the  Order  should  exercise  parental  guardianship  over  those  whom  death  has  made 
fatherless ;  and  our  benevolent  mission  in  society  is  not  complete  where  we  fail  to  accomplish 
this  work." 

Objections  Considered. — Past  Grand  Sire  Stebbins  then  proceeded  to 
illustrate  the  foregoing  by  references  to  the  homes  already  established 
for  the  aged  brethren,  and  the  orphans  of  the  Order.  There  is  one  phase 
of  the  "  home  question "  that  should  ever  be  kept  in  mind.  The  Grand 
Lodge  can  care  for  these  classes  better  than  any  one  subordinate,  however 
good  the  latter's  disposition  may  be.  An  aged  brother,  or  an  orphan 
child,  dependent  upon  a  Grand  Lodge  of  five  thousand  members,  for 
instance,  is  less  a  care  than  the  same  individuals  would  become  to  a  lodge 
of  one  hundred  brothers,  just  as  the  lodge  is  superior  to  the  single  Odd 
Fellow  in  the  matter  of  resources.  This  is  one  of  the  strongest  arguments 
in  favor  of  the  "home,"  and  replies  to  the  only  opposition  we  have  ever 
known  that  is  worthy  of  the  name. 

The  Pioneer.  — Past  Grand  Patriarch  Bingham,  of  Pennsylvania,  records 
the  fact  that,  in  1874,  the  movement  was  started  and  fostered  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, to  found  the  first  home  ever  established  by  any  benevolent  associa- 
tion. This  was  a  dwelling-place  devised  for  the  care  and  support  of  aged 
Odd  Fellows,  and  the  institution, —  the  "Odd  Fellows'  Home  of  Penn- 
sylvania,"—  has  continued  until  this  day,  growing  in  favor,  and  in  its 
capacity  for  doing  good.  This  noble  work  was  not  completed  until  the 
"Home  for  the  Orphans  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Pennsylvania,"  became  a  living 
factor  as  well,  in  the  polity  of  that  Grand  Lodge ;  and  now  four  of  these 
homes  stand  as  monuments  to  the  liberality  of  the  Order  in  the  Keystone 
State,  blessing  the  great  fraternity  of  which  they  are  a  part.  The  pioneer 
did  not  long  remain  alone  in  its  proposed  work;  but,  like  everything  else 
of  progress, —  not  excepting  Odd  Fellowship, — this  idea  was  destined  to 
become  the  cause  of  much  failure  as  well  as  success,  even  where  blessing 
appeared  to  be  the  only  object  sought.     Every  attempt  to  found  Odd 


THE  ORDER'S  ORGANIZED  BENEFICENCE.  849 

Fellows'  homes  did  not  at  the  first  succeed ;  but  the  cause  so  appealed  to 
the  great  heart  of  the  Order,  that  homes  were  bound  to  become  an  estab- 
lished institution,  in  the  beneficent  work  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

The  Manner  of  Progression.  —  In  some  Grand  jurisdictions  the  inception 
of  the  home  arose  in  the  self-sacrifice  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  sisters  of 
Rebekah.  The  "  home  fund  "  was  begun  with  voluntary  subscriptions, 
like  Minnesota,  Missouri,  Illinois,  and  other  states.  This  was  a  direct 
departure  from  the  pioneer,  the  foundation  of  which  was  by  the  efforts  of 
associated  lodges,  as  in  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  and  one  or  two  other 
jurisdictions.  Again,  the  movement  appealed  to  men  of  means, —  some 
of  them  not  connected  with  the  Order, — who  gave  in  part,  as  in  Massa- 
chusetts; or  outright,  as  in  the  Vermont  instance.  In  all  of  the  nearly 
thirty  examples,  now  of  record,  there  are  many  notable  instances  of  self- 
sacrifice  for  the  "home,"  and  of  generous  benefaction  by  those  able  and 
willing  to  thus  assist  in  erecting  imperishable  monuments  to  the  impulses 
of  their  better  nature,  for  this  is  concrete  Odd  Fellowship.  There  are, 
to-day,  more  than  $1,000,000  invested  in  these  homes,  with  real  estate 
of  about  4000  acres  of  land, —  furnishings  not  included. 

The  true  policy  of  benevolence  is  to  assist  the  needy  to  help  them- 
selves, without  the  impairment  of  their  self-respect.  This  is  accomplished 
by  the  "home  plan."  The  brother,  who  has  borne  the  labor  and  heat  of 
the  day  in  manhood,  finds  here  a  shelter  when  age  or  adverse  fortune 
overtakes  him  in  the  evening  of  life.  His  wife  is  embraced  in  the  scheme 
of  beneficence  as  well.  The  widow  and  the  orphan  are  given  a  place  of 
refuge, — the  one  to  receive  assistance  when  most  essential  to  support, 
and  rightly  shape  the  lives  of  her  children ;  or,  else,  should  both  parents 
be  taken,  their  little  ones  are  given  the  benefits  of  a  home,  otherwise 
denied  and  precarious,  where  they  may  be  reared  to  manhood  and  woman- 
hood, and  so  saved  to  themselves  and  to  the  race.  Noble  work !  It  is  a 
labor  that  might  become  the  envy  of  the  angels, —  and  this  is  the  latest 
and  best  mission  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

Homes  Founded.  —  Homes  have  been  established  in  the  following  Grand  jurisdictions 
(including  those  where  such  institutions  ^  are  about  to  be  built) ,  and  the  figures  in  parenthesis 

1  It  is  the  conrlction  of  the  Editor'in-Ohlef,  after  a  careftil  study  of  all  the  data  it  has  been  possible  to 
collect  dniing  the  past  two  years,  that  the  time  has  not  arrived  to  attempt  the  compilation  of  the  completed 
history  of  the  "Homes  of  the  Order."  Much  of  this  movement  is  in  a  transition  state,  and  while  Orand 
Lodges  Olke  Pennsylvania,  Massachusetts,  New  York,  Ohio,  Illinois,  California,  Texas  and  others  have  the 
"  home  idea  "  firmly  established  as  a  matter  of  permanent  policy,  several  Jurisdictions  have  scarcely  begun 
to  endorse  the  plan ;  so  that  less  than  thirty  of  the  fifty-six  American  Grand  jurisdictions  possess  homes,  or 
have  adopted  plans  for  their  establishment.  We  include  the  foreign  Grand  Lodge  of  Switzerland  in  this 
notation.  Again,  at  this  stage,  the  story  of  one  of  these  beneficent  institutions  is  the  record  of  each  of  the 
others, —  with  very  few  dlflPerences  of  detail, —  so  that  the  description  of  the  one,  changing  the  name  and 
place,  and  special  donations,  is  the  true  history  of  the  others.  This  being  the  fact,  the  plan  of  Division  XVI. 
has  been  changed,  and  its  method  of  treatment  will  be  similar  to  that  of  the  adventures  of  the  pioneers  of  the 
Pacific  Slope,  by  Past  Grand  Master  Fox  ;  or  the  more  even  parallel  of  the  Rebekah  degree,  and  the  State 
Assemblies,  by  Past  Grand  Master  Brodrick  ;  the  "  Assembly  "  organization  of  the  Rebekah  degree  having 
been  found  to  be  in  solution,  —  in  its  formative  state,  — and  the  subject  of  continual  change,  like  that  of  the 
increasing  number  of  these  homes ;  excepting,  of  course,  the  homes  established,  and  to  which  reference  has 


850  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATEBNITT. 

give  the  number,  when  these  are  more  than  one :  California,  Conneeticat,  Florida,  Georgia, 
Idaho,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Indiana,  Kanssis,  Massachusetts,  Minnesota,  Manitoba,  Missouri,  New 
Hampshire,  New  Jersey,  Nebraska,  New  York  (4),  North  Carolina,  North  Dakota,  Ohio  (2), 
Oregon,  Switzerland,  South  I>akota,  Tennessee,  Texas,  Pennsylvania  (4),  Vermont,  Washing- 
ton, and  Wisconsin.  In  some  of  the  states,  the  Onier  supports  relief  associations  (of  which 
Louisiana  was  the  ])ioneer)  that  have  done  an  immeasurable  amount  of  good. 

Methods  of  Support.  —  Voluntary  contributions  to  support  the  homes  of 
the  Order  have  been  tried,  but  the  settled  policy  now  seems  to  have 
crystallized  into  a  small  per  capita  tax  upon  the  entire  membership.  As 
a  matter  of  insurance,  divested  of  all  fraternal  features,  the  fact  that  a 
brother  or  sister,  by  the  annual  payment  of  nominal  dues  extra,  may  g^uard 
against  the  exigencies  of  age,  disease,  or  misfortune,  and  never  want  for 
a  home,  appeals  very  strongly  to  the  business-sense  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
—  the  great  fraternal  society  of  the  nineteenth  century,  of  many-sided 
aspects,  and  boundless  resources. 

Description  of  a  Home. —  What  is  a  home  like?  Come  with  me.  On  a  platemm  OTer- 
lookin^  au  enterprising  villa^,  in  one  of  our  eastern  states,  stands  an  imposing  edifice.  Its 
art'hitti'ture,  enriche<i  by  tlie  renaissance,  is  a  picture  of  beauty,  were  the  landscape  less 
enchanting.  From  its  broad  piazzas  and  balconies  the  eye  feasts  npon  nature,  the  grandeur 
of  wliich  is  scarcely  iKirallel  in  the  world.  Across  the  valley  express  trains  ran  frequently 
on  the  trunk  line  of  railway;  and  ttiis  building  and  its  spacious  grounds,  — seen  some  time 
before  the  hK*ality  is  readied,  —  becomes  hourly  one  of  the  interesting  attractions  of  the 
route.  What  institution  is  that?  Ttie  landsca()e  garden,  showing  the  three-links  in  relief 
on  the  bluff  of  the  uiany-a(*red  lawn,  tells  the  story,  —  for  this  is  the  Odd  Fellows'  home  of 
one  of  the  .mnaller  jurisdictions.  It  was  the/ree  gifl  to  the  Order  by  a  philanthropist  who  is 
not  an  CXld  Fellow. 

Within,  the  arrangements  are  in  keeping,  — spacious  halls,  commodious  parlors,  a  large 
dining-room  where  one  hundred  people  can  easily  sit  at  the  tables, — pcdisfaed  oak  and 
natural  woods  everywhere  for  casing,  stairs,  and  fnrftitnre)  —  heated  with  steam,  lighted  by 
gas,  supplied  with  aqueduct  water  from  mountain  springs,  hot  and  cold  baths,  toilet  rooms, 
modern  conveniences  on  all  the  floors,  —  crowde<l  weekly  by  scores  of  visitors.  The  smaUest 
of  the  twenty-eight  sleeping-rooms  and  suites  is  IS  x  17  feet,  lighted  by  two  large  windows. 
The  parlor  furni.Hhings  are  rich;  and,  with  the  grand  piano,  scarf,  and  stool,  in  cost  were 
above  the  $1000  mark.  The  ofhce  and  reading-room  corresponds,  and  the  dormitories  have 
double  bednteadN  (iron,  bnuis-t rimmed),  with  couches,  reclining  chairs,  plate  glass  mirrors, 
and  every  comfort,  —  even  luxnrious  in  all  appointments.  But  this  is  not  all !  In  addition 
to  the  ^)0  i)er  room,  net  cost  for  the  furniture,  each  has  bed-linen,  bric-«>brac,  etc,  to  the 
cash  value  of  from  $2.')  to  $1(K),  contributed  additionally  by  the  lodges  and  Rebekah  lodges 
after  which  these  apartments  are  named.  Was  there  ever  a  grander  purpose  in  benefaction ? 
Were  thou.sands  of  buRy  fingers  ever  set  at  work  in  a  better  cause,  impelled  by  loving  hearts  ? 
The  morning  sun,  as  he  rises,  beams  npon  the  scene;  at  his  zenith,  he  warms  and  cheers; 
when  he  sinks  into  the  west,  his  last  rays  shed  an  eyening  blessing  on  the  institatiofD,— 
and  when  the  qncen  of  rest  succeeds  him  with  her  silvery  light,  the  eternal  hills  in  the 
rear  and  across  the  valley  sentinel  the  home  and  its  residents  until  another  day  shall  dawn. 
This  is  the  Odd  Fellows'  way  of  blessing  the  declining  days  of  an  aged  brother  and  his 
wife.  —  here  they  rest  at  home,  ere  they  go  hence.  The  brother's  widow  and  orphan  children, 
also,  find  here  a  home,  —  the  world  observes  and  wonders,  mentally  comparing  this  insti- 
tution, and  all  that  it  implies,  with  the  ixK)r-house,  the  asylimi,  and  the  intermittent  charity 
of  the  community. 

b^n  mnde.  In  moat  fnstanw!!.  In  the  t<'xt  of  the  hintorr  of  the  Grand  Lodges.  It  is  quite  probable  that  this 
DlriMnn  tnAv  sometime  be  erilan*«'d  to  lnrhi<le  the  narraUve  of  the  rise  and  progresa  of  the  hmnea,  when  it 
becutnes  posnible  to  write  it  in  a  completed  form. 


€li 


i 


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Si 

n!    t 

i  ! 


■    -jj;.  -jjj.  -jj;.  ^(p_  -jjj-  ^p^^ 


DIVISION  XVII. 

THE  EULOaiUM  OF  THE  ORDER. 

THE  GOLDEN  AGE  OF  THE  INDEPENDENT  ORDER  OF  ODD  FELLOWS ; 
ODD  FELLOWSHIP,  THE  ANGEL  OF  THE  HELPING  HAND. 


SECTION  I. 

And  I  saw  a  pathway,  trodden  hard  as  by  many  feet,  that  led  to  a  gorgeous  temple 
on  the  brink  of  an  ocean  of  darkness  and  death  ;  but  an  Infinite  Ocean  of  Light  and 
Love  flowed  over  the  ocean  of  darkness,  and  its  reflection  irradiated  the  temple ;  and 
in  that  I  saw  the  Infinite  Love  of  God,  for  the  portal  was  guarded  by  Friendship  and 
Truth. 

By  Kev.  John  W.  Venable,  Orand  Chaplain  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 


CHAPTER  I. 


"KNOWN  UNTO  ALL  ARE  THEY  BY  THEIR  WORKS." 

Introductory.  —  To  prepare  an  eulogium  of  a  great  benevolent  Order, 
like  that  to  which  this  work  is  dedicated,  may  seem  to  many  an  easy 
task;  but  the  writer  views  it  in  a  different  light.  The  subject  is  so  grand, 
and  the  field  so  extended,  that  no  ordinary  mind  can  render  it  full  justice. 
A  divine  teacher  has  said  that  "a  tree  is  known  by  its  fruit,"  and  a  prac- 
tical application  of  this  truth  is  found  in  the  splendid  record  given  in  the 
preceding  Parts,  Divisions,  and  Chapters  of  this  work.  The  best  and 
truest  eulogium  that  can  be  pronounced  of  our  great  fraternity,  is  con- 
tained in  the  Master's  words :  "  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 

The  Condition  that  confronts  us.  —  This  world  in  which  we  dwell  is 
beautiful,  and  the  beneficent  Creator  has  provided  on  a  grand  scale  for  the 
comfort  and  enjoyment  of  man.  All  nature  is  lovely,  from  the  blue  sky 
above  our  heads,  to  the  gprass  springing  at  our  feet;  from  the  mighty  ocean, 
to  the  rippling  streamlet  ''passing  gently  by."    Mountains  and  cataractS| 

861 


852  THE  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITY. 

peaceful  valleys  and  magnificent  forests,  and  all  the  living  wonders  of 
the  animal  and  vegetable  creation,  in  turn  excite  our  admiration,  and 
serve  to  fasten  our  affections  upon  the  material  world,  because  it  affords 
such  unbounded  facilities  for  enjoyment.  Ample  provision  has  also  been 
made  for  the  human  family,  in  the  endowment  and  faculties  of  soul  and 
body,  and  in  giving  us  health,  friends,  food,  and  raiment,  and  all  the 
other  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life. 

Yet,  from  all  quarters  of  this  glorious  world,  the  wail  of  suffering 
humanity  is  heard,  wrung  from  the  sorrowing.  Homes  darkened  by 
poverty  or  sickness,  hearts  bleeding  for  the  loss  of  loved  ones,  all  demand- 
ing our  sympathy,  and  yearning  for  comfort.  Strenuous  efforts  are  made 
by  individuals,  by  religious  bodies,  and  by  civil  authorities,  to  relieve,  as 
far  as  possible,  this  heavy  burden  of  sorrow.  Other  agencies  are  needed 
to  meet  the  ever- increasing  demands,  and  hence  the  formation  of  organized 
bodies  for  mutual  help,  and  for  diffusing  the  principles  of  benevolence 
and  charity.  Prominent  in  this  grand  work,  stand  the  fraternal  societies, 
for  the  especial  relief  of  the  members  thereof  and  their  families. 

Strange  as  it  may  appear,  there  are  people  calling  themselves  Grod's 
children,  and  "  wearing  the  livery  of  heaven,"  who  denounce  these  benevo- 
lent Orders  in  unmeasured  terms,  and  refuse  to  acknowledge  the  value  of 
their  labors  for  the  afflicted  and  distressed.  They  can  recognize  nothing 
that  is  good  or  commendable  in  secret  societies,  and  would  rather  suffering 
and  sorrow  should  be  continued,  than  to  have  it  relieved  through  such 
despised  agencies. 

It  is  a  striking  fact,  that  the  most  bitter  and  uncompromising  opposi- 
tion to  Odd  Fellowship  is  cherished  by  those  who  are  utterly  ignorant 
of  tlie  principles  and  objects  of  the  Order.  They  claim  that  we  are 
antagonistic  to  the  church,  because  our  fraternity  is  a  secret  one. 

Secrecy  is  necessary  to  a  certain  extent,  as  a  protection  from  imposture, 
and  to  enable  us  to  do  more  efficient  work  in  our  chosen  sphere  of  labor, 
as  a  great  family  of  brethren;  and  the  outside  world  has  no  more  right  to 
know  our  secrets,  than  those  of  any  private  family.  They  concern  our- 
selves alone,  and  are  concealed  from  idle  and  curious  questioners. 

Contemporaneous  Testimony.  —  An  eastern  clergyman  recently  said  in 
a  sermon :  — 

"  A  radical  change  in  the  opinions  of  good  men  has  taken  place  in  regard  to  secret 
societies.  Forty  years  ago,  such  a  thing  as  upholding  secret  societies  by  religions  people 
i^'ould  have  shocked  society.  Now,  in  colleges  and  public  institutions,  sustained  by  the  church, 
secret  societies  are  not  only  tolerated,  but  encouraged.  Men  in  this  day  must  have  public 
association,  and  it  must  in  the  necessity  of  the  case  be  restrictive,  and  therefore  secret  to 
some  extent.  Even  in  church  organizations,  there  are  duties  to  be  attended  to  that  require 
secrecy.  As  long  as  good  results,  secret  societies  will  have  a  right  to  live,  and  will  prevmiL 
The  criticism  has  been  against  the  method  rather  than  the  principles  on  which  they  rest 
Their  influence  and  their  relation  to  the  church  must  therefore  be  considered.    They  do  i 


EULOGIUM  OF  THE  GOLDEN  AGE.  853 

work  the  church  cannot  do.  So  has  the  chnrch  a  work  to  do  that  a  secret  society  cannot  do. 
I  therefore  say  to  the  secret  society :  go  on  in  yoar  work,  ministering  good  to  the  needy ; 
but  the  church  comes  first  and  the  secret  society  second.  To  antagonize  men  or  bodies  on 
any  other  ground  than  that  of  wrong-doing  is  prodnctiye  of  evil,  and  weakens  the  influence 
of  the  church  for  good." 

Odd  Fellowship  considered.  —  Our  Order  is  not  a  religious  organization, 
and  therefore  cannot  be  regarded  as  conflicting  with  the  claims  of  any 
religious  body.  Belief  in  a  Supreme  Being,  the  Creator  and  Preserver 
of  the  universe,  is  required  by  our  constitution,  and  no  person  can  be 
admitted  as  a  member  of  the  Order,  who  does  not  acknowledge  this;  but 
all  questions  of  doctrine  are  left  to  the  individual, — no  discussions  of 
religious  belief  are  allowed  in  the  lodge-room.  Toleration  is  a  funda- 
mental principle,  and  men  of  widely  differing  opinions  meet  in  perfect 
harmony  upon  the  platform  of  Odd  Fellowship.  It  is  absolutely  impos- 
sible, therefore,  that  there  should  be  any  antagonism  between  the  church 
and  our  fraternity.  The  church  has  a  noble  duty  to  perform;  to  help  the 
soul  when  in  need  of  help ;  to  relieve  the  soul  when  in  distress ;  to  extend 
the  hand  of  spiritual  brotherhood,  and  lift  up  the  fallen;  to  turn  the 
erring  soul  into  the  pathway  of  safety;  to  guide  men  to  holines9  and 
heaven.  These  are  its  peculiar  and  exalted  functions,  and  with  them  we 
do  not,  and  have  no  desire  to,  interfere. 

Our  Order  seeks  not  to  usurp  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  church 
in  any  particular,  but  rather  to  aid  its  work  by  the  relief  of  bodily  suffer- 
ing and  temporal  distress;  to  enjoin  by  precept  and  example  the  princi- 
ples of  true  helpfulness  and  fraternity;  thus  strengthening  man's  faith 
in  his  fellow-man ;  illustrating  the  spirit  of  sincere  human  benevolence, 
brotherly  love,  and  unselfish  interest.  The  spirit  prompting  these  acts 
of  mercy  is  found  in  the  Word  of  God,  and  hence  the  Bible  is  an  integral 
part  of  Odd  Fellowship;  and  a  copy  of  that  holy  book  must  be  kept  in 
every  lodge-room.  Our  ritual  and  degree  work  is  based  upon  its  teach- 
ings, and  this  fact  of  itself  ought  to  satisfy  all  religious  minds  that  the 
influences  of  pur  Order  are  for  good  and  not  evil.  The  principles  of 
"Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,"  by  which  we  profess  to  be  governed, 
are  as  eternal  as  immortality  itself,  and  are,  indeed,  triple-links  in  the 
great  chain  which  binds  the  soul  of  man  to  the  throne  of  God. 

Our  Mission.  —  The  Great  Master  taught  that  the  widow  and  orphan, 
the  afflicted  and  distressed,  were  special  objects  of  mercy;  and  if  the 
same  spirit  manifests  itself  or  its  influence  through  men  in  our  Order  by 
acts  of  benevolence  and  love,  and  the  special  care  of  the  widow  and  orphan, 
who  shall  gainsay  it? 

While  we  assert,  then,  that  our  Order  is  in  harmony  with  the  divine 
law,  and  in  accord  with  Christian  teaching,  we  are  far  from  claiming  any 
churchly  privileges  for  it;  but  we  do  maintain  the  right  of  our  place  in 


854  THE  THBEE'LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

Christian  civilization,  in  the  great  work  of  philanthropy.  It  is  very 
meet  and  right  that  societies  should  exist  for  the  relief  of  distress,  for 
the  protection  of  the  widow  and  orphan,  and  for  all  offices  of  human 
benefaction,  where  the  rich  and  poor,  the  high  and  low,  the  cultured  and 
the  uneducated,  may  meet  as  brothers;  where  sectional  strife,  partisan 
politics,  and  opposing  creeds  cannot  enter;  where  the  lessons  of  fra- 
ternity and  mutual  helpfulness  may  be  taught  free  of  prejudice.  With- 
out organization  for  this  purpose,  it  cannot  be  done;  and  we  have  shown 
that  it  can  be  accomplished  without  interfering  or  conflicting  with  the 
church,  its  teachings,  its  duties,  or  its  laws. 

We  are  not  rivals  of  the  church,  but  co-workers,  —  in  a  certain  sphere, 
— and  the  ministrations  of  the  Order  extend  to  thousands  of  individuals 
whom  the  church  does  not  reach. 

Personal  Testimony.  —  I  trust  that  the  personal  allusion  now  to  be 
made  will  be  pardoned,  and  accepted  as  public  testimony  on  this  branch 
of  our  subject.  I  have  been  a  member  of  this  Order  fifty-three  years. 
Forty-five  years  I  have  served  in  the  ministry  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
For  twenty-eight  years,  I  have  held  the  honored  position  of  Chaplain  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that,  during  my 
long  membership  of  more  than  half  a  century  in  this  particular  Order,  I 
have  never  found  it  to  interfere  with  my  clerical  duties,  and  have  never 
regretted  my  connection  with  it.  It  affords  a  wide  field  for  the  exercise 
of  human  sympathy,  and  for  the  development  of  the  finer  feelings  of  our 
nature.  The  Fatherhood  of  God,  and  the  brotherhood  of  man,  is  devoutly 
recognized,  and  charity  or  love  is  not  only  taught  in  the  ritual,  but  practi- 
cally exemplified,  on  a  noble  scale. 

The  Source  and  Confluence.  —  The  preceding  portions  of  this  history 
depict  in  true  and  forcible  language  the  origin  of  our  beloved  Order ;  its 
humble  beginning ;  its  early  struggle ;  its  gradual  advancement  for  many 
years,  checked  for  a  time  by  the  civil  war ;  its  rapid  increase  since  that 
period,  to  the  preeminent  position  it  now  occupies  among  fraternal 
institutions. 

It  may  be  compared  to  the  rise  and  progress  of  a  mighty  river.  Back 
at  its  source,  perhaps,  you  will  find  water  dripping  from  the  cleft  of  some 
great  rock,  forming  a  little  spring  at  its  base.  Then  a  murmuring  rill 
flashes  here  and  there  among  the  stones,  and  ferns,  and  mosses.  Then  a 
more  swiftly  rushing,  noisy  mountain  brook.  Then  tributary  streams  fall 
into  it  as  it  flows  on,  making  it  swifter  and  fuller  and  stronger,  until  at 
last  it  becomes  a  broad  and  glorious  river,  on  which  great  ships  carry  a 
nation's  commerce.  But  even,  this  widens  and  deepens  at  last  into  the 
mighty  ocean. 

Could  the  gift  of  looking  into  futurity  have  been  bestowed  upon  the 
five  earnest  Odd  Fellows  who  first  joined  hands  in  brotherhood,  seventy- 


EULOQIUM  OF  THE  GOLDEN  AGE.  855 

eight  years  ago,  enabling  them  to  see  in  all  its  vast  proportions  the  great 
edifice  which  was  to  be  erected  upon  the  corner-stone  then  laid  by  them^ 
how  would  their  hearts  have  throbbed  with  emotion  at  the  thought  of  the 
responsibilities  they  had  assumed,  and  tlie  magnitude  of  the  work  then 
begun !  But  at  that  time,  probably,  no  such  visions  of  the  future  were 
before  them. 

Filled  with  a  simple  desire  to  form  an  organization  of  kindred  spirits, 
for  the  purpose  of  uniting  in  the  practical  exercise  of  the  principles  of 
benevolence,  they  established  the  first  lodge.  That  the  chord  they  struck 
found  a  responsive  echo  in  many  hearts  is  shown  by  the  results  which 
have  followed. 

In  an  address  made  by  a  distinguished  brother,  about  forty-five  years 
ago,  speaking  of  the  future  of  Odd  Fellowship,  he  said :  — 

"  If  it  proceeds  as  its  present  progress  indicates,  at  the  beginning  of  the  next  century  what 
a  wondrous  spectacle  may  it  not  exhibit?  Already  its  temples  ar^  to  be  found  all  along  the 
coast  of  the  Atlantic,  and  throughout  the  North  and  East,  —  then  they  may  have  reached 
the  shores  of  the  great  Pacific." 

The  Invasion  of  the  Pacific. — Twenty  years  after  this  declaration  was 
made,  —  this  earnest  hope  expressed,  —  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States,  composed  of  representatives  from  every  state  of  the  Union,  from 
the  provinces  of  Canada,  and  from  some  of  the  far-off  isles  of  the  ocean, 
met  in  council,  to  legislate  upon  the  highest  interests  of  this  Order,  in 
one  of  its  magnificent  temples,  on  the  golden  shores  of  the  Pacific.  It 
was  my  privilege,  as  an  officer  of  that  Grand  body,  to  be  present  on 
the  occasion  alluded  to,  and  it  was  most  gratifying  when  we  landed  at 
San  Francisco,  to  be  greeted  by  several  thousand  brothers  in  proper 
regalia,  who  escorted  us  to  our  quarters,  —  and  during  our  stay  in  Cali- 
fornia, the  brethren  were  unremitting  in  their  efforts  to  entertain  us. 
There  were  fourteen  lodges  and  four  encampments  then  flourishing  in 
the  city  of  San  Francisco.  Our  Order  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being 
the  first  representative  body  to  meet  on  the  Pacific  coast.  The  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  has  since  held  two  sessions  in  that  distant  region :  at  Los 
Angeles,  California,  and  Portland,  Oregon. 

The  Foundation  and  Superstructure.  — While  the  origin  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship was  indeed  humble,  yet  its  teachings  are  as  pure  and  elevating  as 
though  its  founders  had  been  kings  and  princes.  We  do  not  boast  that 
our  ancestors  were  among  the  mighty  ones  of  earth.  Our  great  success 
is  not  attributable  to  the  fact  that  wealth  and  power  surrounded  this 
noble  institution  at  its  birth.  For  no  kingly  pageantry,  no  swelling 
strains  of  inspiring  music,  heralded  its  coming ;  no  gold  was  offered  at  its 
shrine,  to  give  it  effect  and  power  in  the  world's  estimation.  Silently  it 
came  forth,  mighty  in  its  own  innate  power,  depending  solely  upon  its 
own  intrinsic  merits  for  success.    It  relied  upon  its  truthfulness  to  com- 


856  THE  THBEE'LINK  FRATERNITY. 

mend  it  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  men,  and,  taking  for  its  motto, 
"  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth,"  laid  its  foundations  broad  as  the  universe, 
deep  as  the  sea,  and  strong  as  the  mountains.  Upon  this  strong,  impreg- 
nable base,  it  has  erected  the  mighty  superstructure  which  in  its  towering 
grandeur  challenges  the  admiration  of  the  world,  binding  together  men's 
hearts  as  in  one  great  family.  From  the  five  humble  men  who  first  banded 
themselves  together,  it  has  grown  to  a  brotherhood  of  nearly  a  million, 
linked  by  the  indissoluble  bonds  of  fraternal  interest ;  each  contributing 
to  its  support,  and  for  the  diffusion  of  the  principles  of  benevolence  and 
charity.  The  pages  of  history  contain  the  names  of  many  applicants  for 
public  distinction,  whose  claims  upon  the  gratitude  of  their  kind  are  not 
to  be  compared  with  those  of  Wildey,  Welch,  Cheatham,  Rushworth, 
and  Duncan,  the  pioneers  of  our  Order. 

Some  sixty  years  ago,  an  English  writer,  in  alluding  to  our  alleged 
slow  intellectual  development,  as  a  nation,  sneeringly  remarked :  — 

'*  In  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe,  who  reads  an  American  book,  or  goes  to  an  American 
play ;  or  looks  upon  an  American  picture  or  statue  ?  Who  drinks  out  of  American  glasses, 
or  eats  from  American  plates,  or  wears  American  coats  or  gowns,  or  sleeps  in  American 
blankets?" 

When  first  uttered,  it  may  have  touched  our  national  pride;  but  it  no 
longer  disturbs  us,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  during  the  last  sixty  years 
our  national  existence  has  been  remarkable  for  its  intellectual  develop- 
ment, and  for  its  progress  and  achievements  in  the  arts  and  sciences. 
Sixty  years  ago,  many  honest,  well-meaning  people,  doubtless,  laughed 
at  the  attempt  of  our  feeble  brotherhood  to  establish  an  institution  that 
should  exercise  any  controlling  influence  in  matters  of  benevolence.  And 
yet  we  may  ask  with  honest  pride :  Has  it  failed  to  fulfil  its  mission? 
Has  it  not  been  awake  to  a  sense  of  its  high  responsibility?  Were  we  to 
listen  to  the  clamor  of  opposition,  and  the  incoherent  railings  of  bigotry 
and  prejudice,  we  might  be  disposed  to  give  these  questions  an  unfavor- 
able answer ;  but  the  voice  of  clear,  unbiassed  judgment  tells  us  differently. 

Although  our  Order  has,  through  its  whole  history,  been  assailed  by 
opposition,  prejudice,  and  objections,  it  has  passed  the  ordeal  unscathed; 
and,  like  slowly  dropping  water,  its  principles  and  precepts  have  gradu- 
ally worn  their  way  through  the  hard  incrustation  of  prejudice  and 
fanaticism. 

No  human  being,  and  no  human  institution,  can  be  perfect.  Evil  and 
good  seem  always,  and  as  if  by  an  established  law,  to  be  mingled  in  this 
world.  "  Even  the  rainbow,  that  beautiful  token  of  hope  and  promise,  is 
born  of  the  sunshine  and  the  showers,  of  nature's  smiles  and  tears." 
That  moral  truths  germinate  slowly  is  an  undoubted  fact;  that  Odd 
Fellowship  has,  in  three-fourths  of  a  century,  achieved  a  success  unparal- 
leled in  the  annals  of  benevolent  institutions,  is  a  truth  too  palpable  to 


MmiOLDMN  AOS. 


857 


simply  amazing, — the  good  it 

ig  it  has  mitigated,  are  beyond 

'lW>W"-     If  our  fraternity  is  to  con- 

Qi'Qd's^f'ilQ^^s,  and  if  we  desire  to 

confidence,  this  consummation 

of  its  precepts,  and  the  careful 


many  years  been  the  Grand 
masterly  annual  reports  used 


_^  existence  bu  pused  bwb;.    It  Is 

^jfSfi'>y^-    Dormant,  it  KroDid  soon  dTindle 

fitHicB.    It  lives  )n  Ita  asplratloas.    It  must 

1^1^^    It  is  B  Btroggle  of  Ugbt  against  dark- 

""*'  vice.     It  is,  moreover,  a  single-handed 

;age  and  earnestly  contend  can  vin  the 

._,.  ...™*oh  homan  heart,  before  tbe  viceB  wlilch 

u^asffi^ate  the  children  of  a  common  Father, 

(li|«*«^u,  through  sympathy,  impart  strength  to 

'    "'    '■  tovlrtuonsaction;  tothisouranergies 

Ip  should  be  educated  to  a  lull  and 

of  the  mission  of  Odd  Fellon-Bblp.    Its 

ijadsot  temperance,  morality,  and  vlrtae. 

Inflnence  in  tbe  Order  or  love  its 

imple  the  paths  that  lead  to  true  honor, 

..,  ie  of  the  Order  be  thus  wisely  directed 

£influences  will  be  felt  by  society,  millions 

Lg  its  praises,  and  in  handing  donn  its 


..^^^2i^|riH^ These  ate  -words  fitly  spoken; 

i'COJIwI'iV*^:!^^  to  wonderful  results.     To 

'-"^ftgj^^p^ynanent,  and  lasting  foundation^ 

"licS^^^^ooperation  of  each  of  its  mem- 

'^^9-^-3^  influence  that  Tvill  leave  its 

"ifpr  of  the  Order,  and  will,  to  some 

IS  future  character  and  destiny. 

be  the  lights  employed  to  guide 

■k  and  dangerous  pathway.     Let 

v^  and  our  duty  will  be  as  clear  as 

le  who  think  it  almost  impossi- 

;haTe  unify  of  feeling.     It  is  true 

Sis  connected  with  Odd  Fellow- 

^    _        :course  or  policy  to  pursue;  but 

iBn.^i^  one  opinion,  and  that  is  a  feel- 

i§i>*l?'rS^:^^i£l^t3  of  our  Order.     This  feeling 

>^c£::S^da^t^»S«t  of  them,  at  all  times,  and  in 


,«..«..«..«.  *-.-.-.-. 


858  THJB  THRXS'LINK  FHATEBNITT. 

all  places.  Then,  like  the  watchman  of  the  lighthouse  at  Calais,  we  can 
in  all  sincerity  boast  of  the  brilliancy  of  oar  light.  He  was  boasting  of 
the  lantern,  when  a  stranger  asked :  — 

"  '  What  if  one  of  the  lig^hts  should  go  out? '  '  Sir,'  said  the  watchman,  pointing  to  the 
ocean,  *  yonder,  where  nothing  can  be  seen,  are  ships  going  to  erery  part  of  the  world.  If 
to-night  one  of  my  burners  were  oat,  in  six  months  woold  come  a  letter,  perhaps  from  India, 
or  from  some  place  I  never  heard  of,  saying  that  on  such  a  night,  at  such  an  hour,  the  light 
at  Calais  bnrned  dim ;  the  watchman  neglected  his  duty,  and  vessels  were  in  danger.  Aye, 
sir,  upon  dark  and  gloomy  nights,  I  look  out  at  sea,  and  feel  as  if  the  eye  of  the  world  was 
looking  at  my  light.    Go  out  ?    Bum  dim  ?    No,  never,  never ! '  " 

So  it  is  with  Odd  Fellows,  who  are  governed  in  their  actions  by  the 
principles  we  inculcate.  They  feel  that  they  have  unity  of  interest  in 
the  prosperity  of  the  Order.  They  feel  that  the  eyes  of  the  whole  world 
are  gazing  with  intense  interest  upon  their  light;  and  can  we  be  so  rec* 
reant  of  the  high  trust  committed  to  our  keeping,  as  to  suffer  our  light 
to  go  out?  No,  never,  while  governed  by  unity  of  feeling  and  concert  of 
action.  To  make  Odd  Fellowship  perfectly  successful  in  its  g^rand  mis- 
sion, we  must  possess  this  unity  of  feeling  and  concert  of  action.  How 
beautiful  a  thing  it  is  to  see  men  acting  in  concert  in  any  laudable  enter- 
prise; but  more  especially  when  engaged  in  alleviating  the  pains  and 
sufferings  of  poor  frail  humanity.  Next  to  the  consciousness  of  having 
faithfully  served  his  God,  nothing  can  sooner  send  a  thrill  of  joy  to  the 
heart  of  a  good  man,  than  the  feeling  that  he  has  fully  performed  his 
duty  to  his  fellow-pilgrims  upon  earth. 


CHAPTER  11. 

THE  LESSONS  TAUGHT  IN  THE  RITUAL  WORK. 

Thte  Fonndation.  —  Our  recognition  of  the  Fatherhood  of  God  and  the 
brotherhood  of  man  is  fully  expressed  in  the  mottoes:  ^'In  God  we 
trust,"  and  "Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth."  In  the  illustration  of  these 
principles,  by  the  various  degrees  of  the  Order,  we  find  rich  and  abundant 
material  in  the  Bible,  to  emphasize  the  lessons  inculcated.  A  full  and 
comprehensive  description  of  the  ritual  development  and  dramatic  work 
is  given  in  another  Division  of  this  volume.  It  will  be  observed  that 
symbolical  and  emblematical  instruction  is  freely  employed  to  impress  the 
beautiful  lessons  upon  the  heart  and  mind  of  the  learner. 

The  Covenant  of  Friendship  and  Faith. — The  scriptural  story  of  true 
friendship,  as  exemplified  in  the  characters  of  Jonathan  and  David,  and 
the  exhibition  of  unselfish  charity  or  love  by  the  Qood  Samaritan  toward 


iW^'W-mmWmm'W'^^^  ^0£.  859 

\^S^ttfi  Abraham,  and  Moses,  and 
■affiles  of  int^ritT'  and  devotion 

Bor,  Preserver,  and  Benefactor 
_  _  II  men  as  brothers,  and  entitled 

^ g fi|gi't^,|ftaH  <(i£i'_9^M|s  and  chances  of  this  mortal 

^tSfgf^Afl  -HJ^^SCS^  ^"  ^°^y  '"''^>  ^^^  ^  certain 

a  ^  >  aftjg'lSL  ^J^^WtS"  Teacher  of  men  into  some 

^&8)I«^B^9^^^'?'^'  He  R^d  anto  him,  WlwtU written 
■  -       —   ^^B    ■C'B  ^iCB'tfb^ttiiM  taid.  Thon  abftlt  love  the  Lord  thy 

9    X     JE     ■    T  HiWUSi^ffiiK'^'SttiKll  th;i»«ngth,  tmd  witb  aU  tb7 
^   W    ^'QfS     s3iSpjUl'V?^S>^H!>B<°t<>l>ll>>:  'l^'>(><lbuta>i>WBr«dright; 
>*    ■    *    V^nW    fno«*B£-jf«3]|llt[B^f7  bimseU,  said,  And  iTho  ii  my 

•  •        Ejii^ii^'^i^*^'  i°  til*  parable  of  the  Good 

*  w  ^'*I^jM^T3^E^^^S^b^M*d3hip  under  its  strongest  and 
'"*            S     W^^^'^^^-^^Z^^'^^^^^^  journeying  through  a 

*     ■«   ^>  V  JF^^^K^^^^I^^*'fi^^  ^^'^'  ^°bbed  and  wounded, 

l^S*Bji}^^*SB>*0*'^^B^  priest  came  by,  and  when 

4   ^  ifrOKI&s^'Mj^S&'a^y,  without  a  word  or  sign  of 

^         ^         9  sC^^^^'^^^^^!^?^^^  temple  service,  approached 

4     "    J   *  S^^^^i|^S|E^^^t^fered  no  assistance,  and  went 

■^          *  SlEr^|:fS;fK*^ScSae  very  men  of  all  others  who 

I   3  ^^^^^'^^'''^'T^?^  "P*^°  them,  as  officers  of  the 

i     f  fhtS^My^^^i^^iolence  and  charity ;  but  they 

Si          1   p  K^E'^^^P*^^''^9^  ^°*^  regard  for  themselves, 

«     I*    j         b  ^^p^^^^KisIgliount  of  a  wounded  stranger. 

,          ^           *   !  K^MS9it^v>*S<'t^^Kordinance  regarding  the  poor 

*  M  ffltqgfl^ftl^'tSisH-  w^  vas  in  danger  of  perishing 

»:.«-.*-  .ft.  -ft.  -ft.  -ft. 

■^  [lwi|£M5b|SSnf!«i^^^i'*'iB^'>*^**=  ud  when  he  uwhfm, 

FSiJ^imiUS|>hTi,^B<i|DBnd  up  his  woands,  .  .  .  and  set  him 

!l«a*a^g:iff  W  Priest  and  the  Levite.  The 
'l^^ttcfi&^^^line  another,  and  were  in  bitter 
^S^Si*^*^^^^!  A  good  act  toward  an  enemy 
Zl^  ^U>^S^;^id  the  suffering  man  was  in 
■  ^P9i'?«'S*3^>^^'>°d  heart,  a  heart  that  could 
^^'M^^^kWw^^on  the  wounded  Jew,  not  aa 
f  «  ^^^Sl^?^«£3*^i"^3<^  vrith  him,  but  as  a  fellow 
»     I  ^^B:jS-t^!'3^b:8|t?§:   and  so  came  faithfully  and 


I 


860  THE  THBEW-LINK  FBATKRNJTT. 

promptly  to  his  relief.  The  next  daj^  when  he  departed  on  his  way, 
he  left  means  with  the  innkeeper  to  provide  for  the  stranger's  farther 
expenses. 

After  relating  the  parable,  the  Master  asked  the  lawyer :  — 

"  Which  now  of  these  three,  thinkest  thou,  was  neighbor  onto  him  that  fell  among  the 
thioTea?    And  he  said,  He  that  ihewed  mereyon  him.    Then  said  He  nnto  him,  Go,  aad  do 

thou  likewise." 

Here  we  have  distinctly  taught  the  spirit  of  true  brotherhood,  that  no 
man  liveth  unto  himself,  that  men  were  joined  together  with  fraternal 
links,  which  should,  —  as  was  the  case  with  the  Samaritan, — become  the 
stronger  and  the  closer  in  proportion  to  the  distress  which  any  one  of 
them  has  to  bear ;  and  so  our  Order  inculcates,  that  wherever  charitable, 
neighborly  work  can  be  done,  there  we  can  find  employment.  Mankind 
is  its  nation,  and  the  whole  earth  its  field  of  operations.  We  should 
ever  strive  to  practise  the  virtue  with  which  the  Good  Samaritan  was  so 
especially  endowed,  that  we  may  bear  our  part  in  bringing  about  the 
happy  consummation,  when 

**  One  law  shaU  bind  aU  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  peoples  of  the  earthy  and  that 
law  shaU  be  the  law  of  universal  brotherhood." 

The  Guide  for  the  '*  Journey  of  Life."  —  One  of  the  great  distinctive 
principles  of  Odd  Fellowship  is  that  of  charity.  It  is  eminently  just 
and  proper,  then,  to  see  what  this  really  comprehends :  — 

"  Charity,  in  a  general  sense,  is  tliat  disposition  of  heart  which  inclines  men  to  think 
favorably  of  Uieir  fellow-men,  and  to  do  them  good.  In  a  theological  sense,  it  includes 
supreme  love  to  God  and  universal  good-will  to  man.  In  a  more  particular  sense,  love, 
kindness,  affection,  tenderness,  springing  from  natural  relations,  as  the  charities  of  life.  It 
is  synonymous  with  love,  benevolence,  good-wiU,  affection,  tenderness,  Uberallty,  indulgence, 
alms-giving."  —  Webster » 

An  inspired  Apostle,  however,  gives  us  a  still  stronger  definition,  when 
he  declares  that  — 

"  Charity  never  faileth :  but  whether  there  be  prophecies,  they  shall  fail ;  whether  there 
be  tongues,  they  shall  cease ;  whether  there  be  knowledge,  it  shaU  vanish  away." 

How  bright  the  influence  of  the  charity  which  never  faileth ;  which 
is  the  bond  of  peace  and  of  all  virtue  here,  and  the  only  grace  that 
will  survive  forever.  It  is  a  charity  of  the  affections,  and  requires  of 
us  the  exercise  of  every  good  disposition,  of  every  generous  sentiment 
toward  others, — not  seeking  our  own.  It  is,  in  fact,  such  love  toward 
man  as  can  grow  up  with,  and  give  evidence  of,  our  love  toward  God.  It 
embraces  the  sorrows  and  joys,  and  hopes  and  fears,  the  present  and 
future  interests  of  all  mankind.  Its  sphere  of  action,  therefore,  has  no 
limits;  its  circumference  is  infinite;  its  centre  Grod. 

Cold  of  heart  and  proud  must  we  be,  if,  as  often  as  we  contemplate 
Saint  Paul's  beautiful  character  of  divine  charity,  we  do  not  cherish  kind- 


rit>>,land  the  offences  of  our  fellow- 
of  a  mote  lowly  estimate  of 
'jSfaiA  both  God  and  man,  ezerclae 

■         LtioiL    Love  is  the  proper  and 
igisignify  charity. 

illustrates  the  value  of  love 

endowments.    It  is 

always  exeioised, 

will  continue  to  all 


is*  fi  -^ICg'^'ti^^ty,  illustrate 
^il^'i^*4!W»i§lJSI«'  valuable  e 

gl|l*^,ai^dj}r)|9i|]|^§)away:  Love  endnni.  —  In  patri- 

~~   ""^'|||l{i|niPpjgyDmmerce  of  the  East  had  built 

^_        tl||ABtifb$[  filled  with   every   luxury,   sat 

;^tt|SinpfigQ3i|i9fi|  plains  clothed  with  the  richest 

^naonj^  flK^'>S'i«£OiLd  these  cities  went  down  into 

^^and  men  forgot  their  localities; 

^^-j^^tan  disinterred  their  ruins. 

jak^ft^ft^hich  does  not  express  itself  in 

passed  away,  but  the  knowledge 

upon  their  ruins  new  kingdoms. 

^iter  and  teacher  are  more  endur- 

giortality  the  literature  of  nations 
^S^^JLve  evidence  that  even  knowledge 
^^C^E^e  old  is  discarded.  The  science 
'"•S^^ay;  and,  in  every  department  of 

!t<c&d  discard  the  old  while  we  wel- 

'^^ft  to  man  is  human  speech."  It 
"^*A  great  war  may  ruin  a  nation, 
£>conanme  the  garnered  literature 
&  that  desolated  nation  lives,  its 
it  captivity  cannot  carry  its  litera- 
q2  soon  passes  away,  but  the  poor 
J^ti^other  speech. 

^2h^>table-lands  of  Eastern  Asia  was 

^«2£[rii  Europe,  left  no  monument  of 

||tfsK^story ;  but  in  every  language  it 

^l^^i^  ^^jar^d  the  history  of  its  migrations, 

.  ^^.  .^iS^^SS'S^K^™  *^®  existing  languages  of  the 

5^!^fV^'^!i&ll^n$uered  another  nation,  and  wished 

^t>^^^i^i>^,'^t^r^w^mal  gods  undisturbed,  but  sought. 


i 


862  THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 

by  every  device,  to  impose  upon  the  people  its  own  language,  knowing 
that  could  this  end  be  secured  its  allegiance  would  be  permanent  There 
is,  everywhere,  a  tendency  to  the  centralization  of  power,  and  a  conse- 
quent unity  of  speech.  Grermany  has  bound  together  the  various  nation- 
alities of  the  Germanic  Confederation  into  a  compact  empire,  and  Ib  fusing 
the  speech  into  one  national  dialect.  England,  in  America,  India,  and 
Australasia,  has  not  only  imposed  its  customs,  but  its  language,  and  in 
all  these  countries,  ere  long,  the  universal  speech  will  be  English,  while 
of  necessity  the  other  tongues  will  cease.  The  German,  French,  and 
Swedish  settlers  in  our  country  rarely  retain  their  distinctive  speech  for 
more  than  two  generations.  Even  in  our  own  remembrance  many  words 
have  become  obsolete;  pronunciations  have  changed,  and  there  is  a  con- 
stant modification  of  our  speech.  The  old  deeds  and  proclamations  of 
American  Revolutionary  times  sound  strangely  to  ears  accustomed  to 
modern  speech,  —  so,  "whether  there  be  tongues,  they  shall  cease." 

Even  religion  changes  its  form  with  the  changing  years.  The  wor- 
ship of  sun  and  stars  changes  to  that  of  idols  made  by  human  hands; 
idolatry  changes  to  a  worship  of  many  gods;  polytheism  changes  to  a 
worship  of  the  one  God;  while  Christianity,  supplanting  Paganism,  is 
extending  into  all  the  world,  a  tree  whose  leaves  are  for  the  healing  of 
the  nations. 

The  long  path  over  which  civilization  has  journeyed,  like  desert  wastes, 
is  strewn  with  the  bleached  skeletons  of  the  old  religions  that  have  done 
their  work  and  died.     Even  "  prophecies,"  —  religions,  —  shall  fail. 

What  then  is  sure?  The  work  of  our  hands  fails;  knowledge  passes 
away;  our  speech  is  lost  in  other  speech;  even  religion  itself,  when  estab- 
lished and  controlled  by  human  opinion,  changes  its  form  and  dies. 

"Charity  never  faileth!"  Love  remains  unchanged,  —  its  language 
is  the  same  in  every  century  and  nation.  In  the  ordinary  work  of  our 
hands,  that  endures  longest  which  love  directs.  The  buildings  we  raise 
for  our  selfish  gains  speedily  pass  away, — our  grand  cathedrals,  built 
for  love  of  God,  last  for  ages.  The  work  that  love  prompts  is  always 
well-done.  The  statue  of  the  man  the  sculptor  loved,  is  well-carved. 
The  biography  that  love  prepares  is  faithfully  written,  not  a  line 
of  light  is  omitted,  nor  is  a  single  good  deed  unrecorded.  So  the 
literature  surviving  longest  is  that  which  has  in  it  the  element  of 
love.  We  speedily  forget  the  battles  of  the  old  wars;  but  the  love  of 
country,  which  nerved  the  arms  that  fought  them,  we  remember. 
How  few  of  us  can  tell  when  the  battle  of  Zutphen  was  fought;  but 
all  remember  the  "  love "  of .  the  brave  Sir  Philip  Sidney  which  has 
immortalized  the  field;  where,  although  wounded  and  suffering,  he  gave 
to  a  dying  soldier  the  cup  of  water,  obtained  with  great  difficulty  for 
himself. 


^!^l^-fSeS.:^gpmnLDBif  age.  868 

""        ""  ""'  "  ruins;  the  road  between  them 

Ions  remember  the  story  of  the 

fell  among  tbieves,  and  was 

ly  immortal  works  that  men's 

Slove  and  sympathy.     The  histo- 

works  pass  into  forgetfulness, 

love,  singa  the  songs  that  echo 

1..*^— .L"ft.„^«*.:- ^-j   —'---- the  embodiment 
divine,  while  we 
high  that  we  can- 
form  of  our  humanity  we  can 
of  a  human  heart;  we  can 
we  can  trace  the  path  marked 


hm^tW^'&'Jm<£^'SpB  God,  who  is 
r£JkiRtB^aV|n|||||P9at  love.  It  is  i 
9StS'*^l&C^&lBl^^i>^ite;  it  is  so  h 


I 


philosopher  in  the  dark  hour; 

agony  of  death  he  stretches  out 

i|l4ove,  warm,  human  love,  we  want 

■jg,4ien  human  love  fails,  we  want 

•3  and  into  the  land  of  peace. 

let  the  storm  or  the  drought 
ble  in  the  devouring  Barnes,  yet 
;|of  friendship,  we  will  defy  fort- 
ffe  at  once  despair.  It  is  better 
I  annals  of  states;  it  is  better  to 
loor;  it  is  better  to  die  for  the 
|ve  hath  no  man  than  this,  that  a 
As  "  deep  answers  unto  deep," 
•a  strong,  and  in  our  lives  mani- 

l^rmory  of  life ;  it  is  the  soonest 

,e  dull  blows  of  thoughtlessness, 

_  which  we  are  to  win  the  victo- 

^  ^nt^ak  to  achieve.     We  are  apt  to 

'.^i^i^^^e^Z  "  And  now  abideth  faith,  hope, 

"■"'*     ''"  *g«K?uty." 

^land  hope  will  cease.  Faith  will 
■SijSjnent;  but  charity,  or  love,  will 
~SS"n'^'^^  itseU,  and  be  forever  the  work 
■.rtf.JS'S**'^*?^  P'^y  **"'  *"  increase  of  faith, 
^^^  ^i^^2^A^ui^«rill  not  deceive  us ;  and  of  char- 
ll^i^t^iliTi^laver;  that,  supported  by  faidi 
i^i^t!g:f^]^Cw>^«'  every  affliction,  and  influ* 

■  mvt*  Avtf  -wT  mvt%     • 


864  THE  THBSX'LINK  FRATXnUflTT. 

enced  by  charity  to  lire  in  perfect  love  both  with  God  and  man,  oar  con- 
versation even  here  may  be  in  heaven^  and  our  whole  life  be  so  pore  and 
holy,  just  and  good,  that  loving  whatsoever  God  doth  command,  we  may 
obtain  that  which  he  doth  promise,  even  life  eternal. 

It  was  this  spirit  of  charily  that  pervaded  the  hearts  of  those  five 
brethren  in  Baltimore,  and  led  to  the  establishment  of  this  great  instita* 
tion  which  we  delight  to  honor.  It  is  this  spirit  of  charUy^  or  love,  that 
permeates  the  entire  teaching  of  our  Order,  and  leads  to  such  practical 
and  gratifying  results.  It  goes  into  the  sick  chamber,  and  by  its  pres- 
ence cheers  the  heart  of  the  brother  who  lies  on  the  bed  of  sufEering.  It 
ministers  to  his  comfort  while  the  need  exists,  — and  when  disease  gives 
place  to  death,  tenderly  arranges  for  the  burial  of  the  departed. 

It  is  this  charity y  or  love,  which  cares  for  the  bereaved  widow  and 
helpless  little  ones,  mourning  the  loss  of  husband  and  father,  by  the 
offer  of  fraternal  sympathy  and  protection. 

It  is  this  spirit  of  charity  which  prompts  the  providing  of  '^  homes  for 
the  aged,"  and  '^hospitals  for  the  sick,"  and  '^ asylums  for  the  orphans" 
of  our  great  brotherhood.  All  this  it  may  be  said  is  for  the  benefit  of 
our  own  members!  True,  but  this  is  not  all.  When  plague,  pestilence, 
or  famine  invade  any  portion  of  our  land, — or  when  the  elements  bring 
swift  destruction  in  the  dread  form  of  earthquake,  storm,  or  fierce  tor- 
nado; by  fiery  conflagration,  or  watery  flood,  —  this  spirit  of  charity 
responds  at  once  to  the  cry  for  aid,  whether  the  afflicted  are  in  the 
family,  or  out  of  it.  They  are  our  neighbors^  and,  therefore,  entitled  to 
our  sympathy  and  help.  True  charity  contains  no  elements  of  selfishness. 
It  does  not  give,  hoping  to  receive  again;  its  motives  are  pure, — not 
tainted  with  the  expectation  of  reward. 

Love  abides  on  £arth.  —  Our  poetical  Brother  Hough,  of  Vermont,  in 
his  beautiful  peroration,  that  completes  this  eulogiumy  speaks  of  Odd 
Fellowship,  as  '^The  Angel  of  the  Helping  Hand,"  by  reason  of  its 
expansive  and  diversified  charities;  and  in  his  vigorous  style  presents 
many  impressive  word-pictures,  to  show  how  well  the  appellation  might 
be  bestowed  upon  the  Order. 

A  striking  exemplification  of  the  unity  of  our  Order,  as  well  as  a 
noble  expression  of  charitable  feeling,  was  shown  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  in  Baltimore,  in  1865.  A  full  a;nd 
graphic  account  of  this  noted  assemblage  is  given  in  a  special  article 
(Section  IV.,  Division  II.,  Part  II.)  of  this  work,  by  Past  Grand  Sire 
Nicholson,  who  was  an  eye-witness  of  the  impressive  scene.  After 
four  years  of  discord  and  strife  had  separated  the  Order,  and  pro- 
vented  the  attendance  of  the  representatives  from  the  Southern  juris- 
dictions, they  came  together  on  that  memorable  occasion,  onoe  more,  as 
men  having  a  common  cause,  a  common  love,  and  a  common  humanity,  ^ 


PlSA^*l^^'m*'&'0*w«i^  o'  "FriendBMp,  Love,  and 


;  oitizeDS  of  each 
)  of  commanding 

^  -^      B  than  four  years 

ItttfcHifl!^  gathered  from  Korth,  South, 

'       ~tV^'  union,  it  presents  a  sublime 

iinS^t  that,  but  recently,  more  than 

_         _^  i.fta,  and  brethren,  had  been  under 

\  j^   *JlgftS'  MalRJWl^tBiict  which  the  world  had  ever 

■  %  fl  S'^V^'^lt^B''  ^^^  ^  society,  formed  in  the 

>  9  'S   H*£^@^^B^fl<t£k">t^«rB  in  philanthropy,  loring 

'  £  £  V  ^^W'ff'tf  |SI$^W'^  ^^  example. 

^  *^  %  ^  M'*JS^ S ^W^^S** ^^  bonds  of  human  brotherhood 

>  fb  B  S*  BTOnil'^S'^^  ^^'  ^  ^'^  common  country  our 


mmm 


I 


SBiOuthern   representatives  whose 


Stby  common  consent,  invited  to 

il  upon  their  protracted  absence. 

[that]  suffereth  long,  and  is 

pal  chnroh  [Bishop  Hopkins,  of 

_  :e  event  in  the  most  eulogistic 

ij^  worthy  of  imitation  by  the  re- 

ing  the  stru^le,  and  continued 

to  the  people  of  this  country  in 

past  differences,  is  one  which 

'|^i^!^»o-day.    The  event  may  well  be 

■€^9£,^^^  occupy  an  honored  place  upon 

■;i::i;;|: 

_  „  iOff'^'KiS''**''  Cathedral.  —  The  indulgence 
^li^i^S^I^^her  incident  is  introduced,  illus- 
"'"~"""""""i^»Tictories  as  well  as  war."  It  is 
|68family  record,"  1^  reason  of  its 
^:the  Grand  Lo<^e  of  the  United 
^^]  held  in  Baltimore  in  Septem- 
r^isnggeated  that  its  next  meeting 
3|st  t 


_     the  proposition  was  treated  as 

i-^ressing  invitations  from  various 

'-^^^^1^36  of  tickets  from  Omaha  and 

i^S^.  finally  decided,  by  a  large  vote, 

:i:=f:«: 

_Te^:and  representativea,  and  ladies 
'-■«- 


866  THE  THBEE'LINK  FBATESNITT, 

accompanying  them,  assembled  at  Omaha,  September  9, 1869.  There  we 
were  met  by  a  committee,  sent  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California  to  receive 
us  and  provide  all  the  essentials  for  our  comfort  in  crossing  the  wild 
and  desolate  regions  of  the  '^ Great  Desert"  and  the  Bocky  mountains. 
Friday  morning,  September  10th,  we  left  Omaha  in  a  special  train,  on  our 
journey  of  2000  miles.  Soon  we  were  crossing  the  plains  of  the  Great 
Platte  valley, — a  vast  tract  of  rich  prairie  land,  destined  to  be  one  of  the 
great  gardens  of  the  west,  lying  bright  and  beautiful  in  the  sunlight, — a 
broad  verdant  carpet  spreading  itself,  unbroken  to  the  eye,  over  an  expanse 
and  fertility  of  soil  that  would  hold  and  sustain  a  population  of  millions. 
All  was  new  and  strange  to  most  of  our  company.  The  following  morning 
found  us  gradually  ascending  the  slope  of  the  great  chain  of  the  Kocky 
mountains. 

At  Cheyenne,  Wyoming,  we  exchanged  fraternal  greetings  with  a 
goodly  band  of  brothers,  who  belonged  to  a  fine-working  lodge  there. 
Between  this  point  and  Sherman  the  scenery  was  sublime.  Magnificent 
snow-capped  peaks  rose  abruptly  thousands  of  feet  in  height.  Masses  of 
rocks,  in  all  conceivable  shapes,  formed  a  succession  of  scenes  of  grandeur 
and  sublimity  rarely  to  be  met. 

At  Laramie  another  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  received  us,  and  a  hurried 
visit  was  paid  to  their  hall.  Onward  again!  and  then  we  reached  the 
barren  waste ;  the  alkaline  plains,  covered  with  a  white  coating  of  dust 
resembling  snow,  relieved  only  by  the  forlorn-looking  sage-brush.  Not 
a  sign  of  animal,  insect,  or  feathered  life  appeared  anywhere.  Not  a 
drop  of  water,  but  miles  of  dry,  parching  sand,  with  here  and  there  the 
withered  carcases  of  cattle  that  had  perished  in  crossing  this  dreary 
wilderness,  were  to  be  seen. 

Sunday  morning  opened  bright  and  beautiful,  and  all  seemed  disposed 
to  enjoy,  in  grateful  spirit,  the  changed  character  of  the  scenery  surround- 
ing us.  We  caught  glimpses  of  far-off  snowy  peaks,  glistening  in  the  rich 
sunlight,  piercing  the  clouds  that  were  floating  about  them ;  massive 
rocks,  ever  changing  as  we  glided  by,  assumed  all  manner  of  quaint 
forms,  —  sometimes  resembling  ruined  castles,  towns,  or  churches ;  clear 
mountain  streams  flowed  rapidly  along,  or  dashed  wildly  over  their  rocky 
beds,  forming  grand  pictures  to  the  artistic  eye. 

During  the  afternoon  we  reached  Echo  caflon,  in  the  Wasatch  moun- 
tains, where  it  had  been  determined  to  hold  religious  services. .  The  train 
halted  for  half  an  hour ;  and  there,  on  a  plateau  at  the^  mouth  of  the 
caflon,  with  walls  of  granite  towering  a  thousand  feet  above  our  heads, 
and  the  blue  sky  as  a  canopy,  in  that  wonderful  temple  of  nature  we 
assembled  for  worship.  Nothing  can  be  imagined  more  impressive 
than  that  scene. 

With  uncovered  heads,  the  whole  company  gathered  in  a  semi-circle 


fOOLDBS  AGE. 


'I  Prayer  of  the  Episcopal  church. 
'  \  the  prophecy  of  Malachi :  — 

J  lug  down  o(  the  Bame,  Uy  Name  ■hmll  b« 
itiae  Bball  be  oCfered  onto  H;  Name,  and  a 
the  heathen,  with  the  Lord  of  Hosts." 

iiioi^e  majesty  of  God  as  manifested 

— __^_».  .•^s-JI.Si    A  BolemQ  silence  pervaded  the 

&*|MiM  A^'MIviiCSlS'I  the  echo  of  the  responses  from 

B  ^SwIyCT  d  m  >Si  Bf 6S  earnest,  all  serious,  all  seemed  to 

9bBbll|| H  fiStfi' W wM MMJwork  encompassed  us;  and  when 

ls|i^&SRMJiffi'^30^amber  of  trained  voices  of  both 

B  pB  UlaSW*  J  ■  6 jS^ed  upward,  and  to  the  wonder  and 

^A|tt|iH^9I^J|}Bcnsd  from  rock  to  rock,  higher  and 

v"^  Cv  fl  A' B'w'^M^'  in  the  sky,  thrilling  every  soul 

■y »*  'JK  ^  jJ'KffiflJJIraisflB  had  indeed  ascended  unto 

"If  ft  tm  ^^t9:^^*.M'lural  cathedral.     A  familiar  hymn 

^o?^*^  ^  *^j£  ^^  the  benediction,  and  we  left  the 

'     ~^^*I^?;9:Bpecial  train  arrived,  containing  a 

''''^K^tgg^d  several  railroad  officials,  who 

^Tf^sS 'Among  the  new-comers  were  two 

Se^?IS^iou8  points  on  the  line.     They  at 

fene,  which  was  afterward  engraved 

^ng  kindly  forwarded  to  the  writer. 

1  the  memory  of  those  who  parttci- 

^^elling  thousands  of  miles  in  the 

;i4?&*^^E  wayside,  far  from  the  habitations 

...^^il^^^^iSi^^tion  and  blessings  already  vouch- 

HS^n4g^^tCg:on  for  the  remainder  of  their  jour- 

#^kcH:o9'i^:d  before  in  the  history  of  fraternal 

&^^I?S^?£iB:of  the  avowed  declaration  of  our 

fXB3fSg':Q!>^^rand  Sire  named  the  place  "Odd 

j^^«W«»W.U?,^gli  replete  with  interest,  must  be 
^^Igc^tt^^^^^t^en  to  describe  the  services  at  Echo 

f^?c|3:|R  in. 

nSE  OF  TBDTH  AND  LOTB. 


I 


^ ^Bi--5Si  »■    —    J**"'"?*'*™  °*  *^^  Order  would  be 

i^^-"-*"«^»^S^    W    *S£*  *vt*  -WZ  mvt*  *ff •  "♦" 


868  THB  THREE-LINK  FRATERNITT. 

woman  lias  become  an  important  factor  in  Odd  Fellowship.  Oar  union  of 
effort  has  attracted  her  quick  and  generous  sympathy,  and  enlisted  the 
warm  allegiance  of  her  highest  faculties  and  best  feelings,  and  we  find 
her  ready  to  cooperate  with  us  in  works  of  love  and  benevolence.  With- 
out the  encouragement  and  support  of  woman,  no  human  enterprise  can 
be  entirely  successful.  The  character  of  every  age  has  been  fixed  by  her 
preeminent  power;  and  worse  than  vain,  in  this  enlightened  age,  would 
be  the  attempt  to  force  into  popularity  an  institution  with  which  she  was 
at  variance,  or  which  did  not  command  her  confidence  and  respect.  Her 
place  in  history  is  lofty  and  commanding ;  the  annals  of  the  past  abound 
with  illustrations  of  her  devotion  and  self-sacrifice  in  the  cause  of  truth 
and  love.  The  power  of  her  influence  is  seen  and  felt  in  the  narrow  circle 
of  domestic  retirement,  and  in  the  extended  range  of  public  movement. 
Hence,  to  an  Order  like  our  own,  whose  mission  is  distinctly  one  of  peace 
and  the  cultivation  of  the  social  and  finer  feelings  of  our  nature,  it  is 
truly  gratifying  to  have  obtained  woman's  sympathy  and  interest  Her 
peculiar  temperament  is  well-adapted  to  the  theory  and  practice  of  Odd 
Fellowship. 

Woman's  Mission.  — She  takes  delight  in  works  of  charity  and  mercy. 
To  relieve  the  wants  of  the  needy,  to  soothe  and  comfort  the  afflicted  and 
distressed,  to  instil  into  the  minds  of  all  with  whom  she  is  associated  the 
principles  of  virtue  and  religion,  is  her  highest  aim.  Can  it  be  wondered 
that  a  benevolent  fraternity,  like  our  own,  should  seek  the  cooperation  of 
such  an  efficient  helper  ?  Why  should  woman  not  be  welcomed  to  this 
mystic  union  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth?  She  forms  the  fairest 
pillar  of  the  stately  edifice !  Her  presence  and  aid  will  be  of  greater 
value  to  our  cause  than  gold  and  silver. 

The  Sisters  (formerly  Daughters)  of  Bebekah  have  already  done  noble 
work,  and  earned  well-deserved  praise  wherever  firmly  established.  A  full 
and  complete  history  of  the  Degree  of  Bebekah  is  given  in  Division  XIL, 
Part  lY.,  of  this  volume.  A  careful  perusal  of  the  same  will  convince 
every  reasonable  and  imprejudiced  mind  that  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
acted  well  and  wisely  in  sanctioning  the  establishment  of  the  degree,  and 
in  extending  to  this  worthy  auxiliary  its  fostering  care  and  protection. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

THE  ORDER'S  CLASSIFICATION  IN  THIS  WORK. 

Table  of  Contents.  —  Now,  let  us  examine,  briefly,  the  arrangement  of 
this  "History  of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  Three-Link  Fraternity."  The 
writers  are  brethren  of  well-known  experience,  with  all  needed  facilities 


EULOGIUM  OF  THE  GOLDEN  AGE.  869 

for  obtaining  information  on  the  varions  subjects  assigned  them;  and 
their  respective  articles  have  been  prepared  with  carefulness  and  accuracy^ 
so  that  every  statement  may  be  accepted  with  perfect  confidence. 

First. — We  have  "The  Parallels  of  Antiquity,"  a  general  historical 
statement,  relating  to  ancient  guilds  or  societies,  and  early  lodges  of  Odd 
Fellows,  considered  in  their  relation  to  the  origin  and  customs  of  modem 
civic  societies  like  our  own. 

Second.  — The  next  part  is  descriptive  of  "The  Origin  and  Formative 
Periods,"  which  exhibits  the  growth  of  the  Independent  Order,  on  both 
sides  of  the  Atlantic  ocean,  to  1843,  —  and  the  history  of  the  Sovereign  /&;-  ^ 

Grand  Lodge  to  the  present  time  (under  its  various  titles),  —  including  its  v^r-. 

introduction  into  the  United  States  in  1819.  This  part  is  of  absorbing 
interest,  as  showing  the  trials  and  triumphs  of  the  pioneers  of  Odd  Fel- 
lowship,—  the  inception,  growth,  and  perfection  of  the  Encampment,  -^ 
Patriarchs  Militant,  and  Eebekah  branches,  and  the  development  of  the 
ritual  work  of  the  Order  to  date,  so  far  as  these  relate  to  the  supreme 
government, — the  Golden  Age  of  the  Order,  from  1843  to  the  present 
time. 

Third.  —  The  third  part  treats  of  "  The  Golden  Age  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship," by  Grand  jurisdictions.  This  shows  the  establishment  and  growth 
of  the  Order  in  the  various  states  and  territories  in  this  country ;  also  in 
British  North  America  and  other  countries,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  Besides  this,  a  history  is  given  of  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  the  "German  Empire  and  Continental  Europe";  also,  an 
account  of  the  "Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia,"  and  its  group  of  subor- 
dinate Grand  Lodges,  and  in  the  "  Islands  of  the  Sea." 

Fourth.  —  "The  Patriarchal  Order"  next  demands  attention,  and  is 
treated  in  regard  somewhat  to  its  origin,  its  development,  and  by  Grand 
Encampments.  The  distinguished  author  contends  that  it  will  become  the 
foundation  for  all  the  jurisdictional  histories  of  the  future.  "  The  Mili- 
tary Arm "  then  comes  under  consideration,  and  is  thoroughly  and  com- 
prehensively reviewed.  "  The  !Rebekah  Degree "  is  especially  and  fully 
considered,  from  its  introduction  to  the  present  time,  including  the  State 
Assemblies  of  the  Order. 

Fifth.  —  This  part  begins  with  a  history  of  "  Ritual  Development  and 
Dramatic  Work,"  showing  the  gradual  changes  that  have  been  made  in 
accordance  with  the  rapid  growth  and  the  increasing  demands  of  the 
brotherhood  to  render  the  work  more  attractive  to  the  large  element  seek- 
ing admission  to  the  many  benevolent  Orders,  and  resulting  in  numerous 
accessions  to  our  fraternity,  — the  origin  of  things  is  examined,  and  some 
portions  of  antiquity  are  used  for  illustration.  Section  II.  of  this  Divi- 
sion gives  brief  "Biographical  Sketches"  of  some  of  the  brothers  who 
took  a  leading  part,  both  in  the  governmental  and  ritual  development  of 


870  TSE  THBEK'LINK  TRATEBNTTT. 

the  Order.  The  "  Introduction ''  to  this  portion,  written  by  the  distin* 
guished  author,  will  be  read  by  thousands  because  of  his  unique  theory  as 
to  the  crucial  periods  in  our  history.  ''The  Jurisprudence  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship" then  claims  attention,  and  is  ably  presented  in  Division  XIV.  In 
conclusion  of  this  portion  of  the  volume,  there  is  a  department  devoted  to 
the  consideration  of  ''  The  Literature  of  the  Order,"  comprising  gems  of 
thought,  arranged  under  appropriate  headings ;  which  will  prove  highly 
interesting  to  a  large  class  of  readers,  and  reflects  great  credit  upon  the 
distinguished  brother  by  whom  the  collection  was  prepared. 

Sixth.  — ''Organized  Beneficence  "  is  next  presented,  and  full  ioformsr 
tion  given  of  the  homes  for  the  aged  and  indigent,  schools,  and  other 
organized  charities ;  in  fact,  of  all  institutions  under  the  control  of  the 
Order.  The  "Eulogium  of  the  Golden  Age  of  Odd  Fellowship,"  and 
"  Odd  Fellowship  in  Song"  here  find  a  place ;  and  the  volume  closes  with 
an  interesting  statistical  article. 

Rfeomi.  —  No  one  can  examine  this  true  and  carefully  written  history 
without  realizing  that  the  "  Golden  Age  of  Odd  Fellowship  "  has  arrived, 
that  we  are  living  and  rejoicing  in  it.  "  The  little  one  has  become  a  strong 
nation."  Nearly  a  million  of  brothers  now  march  under  our  banners, 
ready  to  respond  to  the  cry  of  the  distressed,  or  to  battle  bravely  in  the 
cause  of  suffering  humanity. 

The  few  thousands  at  first  expended  by  the  Order  annually,  for  relief, 
has  grown  proportionately  to  our  numerical  strength,  until  now  the  yearly 
expenditures  for  that  purpose  exceed  three  and  one-quarter  millions  of 
dollars.  How  many  thousands  of  hearts  are  gladdened  by  this  bounty ! 
How  many  prayers  ascend  from  the  widow  and  orphan,  whose  cares  and 
troubles  luive  been  lessened  or  relieved  by  it ! 

Homes  for  the  veterans  of  the  Order,  who  are  weighed  down  by  years 
and  infirmities,  and  unable  to  earn  a  support  for  themselves,  have  been 
provided  by  many  jurisdictions,  and  others  are  making  preparation  for 
the  same  noble  charity. 

Homee  for  the  toivee,  also,  of  aged  brothers  exist  in  some  jurisdictions, 
where  the  old  people  can  dwell  together  and  pass  the  remaining  years  of 
life's  pilgrimage  in  quietness  and  comfort. 

Homes  for  the  widows  of  deceased  brethren  are,  also,  found  scattered 
throughout  the  land.  Here  they  may  dwell  in  security,  with  no  shadow 
of  pinching  poverty,  no  shrinking  dread  of  winter's  icy  presence,  to  mar 
their  happiness.  They  have  a  refuge  from  the  evils  that  threatened  to 
overwhelm  them,  —  a  sure  haven  of  peace  and  safety. 

Homes  for  the  orphan  children  of  our  brethren,  also,  abound,  where  suit- 
able provision  is  made  for  the  body  and  mind,  for  mental  and  physical 
improvement  Our  duty  is  but  half-performed  if  we  rest  content  with 
providing  food  and  clothing  for  the  helpless  one,  and  suffer  him  to  remain 


EULOGIUM  OF  THE  GOLDEN  AGE. 


871 


debased  and  degraded  in  his  ignorance.  We  must  "  educate  the  orphan/' 
and  thus  fulfil  the  solemn  trust  enjoined  by  the  principles  of  the  Order. 

While^  as  true  philanthropists^  we  recognize  and  appreciate  the  num- 
berless acts  of  benevolence  and  charity  performed  by  other  organizations, 
and  bid  them  God-speed  in  their  good  work,  our  sympathy  and  interest 
naturally  goes  forth  in  greater  measure  toward  our  own  beloved  Order. 

Seeing  what  it  has  already  accomplished  by  its  multiplied  agencies,  — 
together  with  its  rapid  increase  in  numbers,  zeal,  and  ability,  —  it  is  not 
assuming  too  much  to  say  that  it  now  stands  in  advance  of  all  other 
fraternal  institutions  in  this  country.  We  may  well  be  proud  of  our 
record  and  rejoice  that  we  have  been  privileged  to  contribute  our  indi- 
vidual efforts  to  usher  in  the  Grolden  Age  of  Odd  Fellowship.  Should  our 
present  unity  of  feeling  and  concert  of  action  remain  unbroken,  a  glorious 
future  lies  before  us.  Prejudice  and  opposition,  if  not  destroyed,  will  be 
rendered  powerless  to  harm  by  the  strong  tide  of  popular  favor  setting 
toward  us.  Becognizing  our  true  character,  as  friends  and  helpers  in  the 
cause  of  morality  and  good  citizenship,  as  well  as  earnest  workers  in  our 
especial  field,  all  classes  will  unite  in  honor  and  approval  of  our  fraternity. 

To  hasten  the  advent  of  this  millennial  period,  how  needful  it  is  to 
keep  ever  before  us  a  deep  sense  of  our  personal  responsibility  as  members 
of  the  Order !  Our  lamented  brother.  Past  Grand  Representative  Lam- 
berton,  of  Pennsylvania,  in  one  of  his  beautiful  addresses  said :  — 

"  In  that  celebrated  naval  engagement,  when  every  British  sailor's  heart  was  roused  to 
heroism  by  Nelson's  signal,  'England  expects  every  man  to  do  his  duty/  although  the  white 
clififs  of  Dover  were  too  many  leagues  away  to  catch  the  faintest  echo  of  the  fight,  yet  back 
of  the  saUor  was  a  wife,  or  mother,  or  children,  or  friends, — England  to  him.  Back  of 
each  man  of  ua  are  others  to  be  affected  by  our  every  act,  and  thought  of  them  should  spur 
us  on  to  do  our  part  in  the  battle  of  life." 

Let  each  one  feel  himself  to  be  a  representative  of  the  Order  to  the 
world,  and  under  the  conviction  of  this  responsibility  cultivate  and  prac- 
tise in  private  life  those  virtues  which  make  the  family  circle  a  type  of 
heaven.  Let  us  so  fill  our  social  station  as  to  command  the  respect  and 
love  of  all  around  us;  and  in  the  various  relations  of  life,  let  us  so  main- 
tain in  their  purity  the  principles  of  the  Order,  that  by  our  conduct  we 
may  secure  a  righteous  and  favorable  judgment  at  that  bar  where  our 
principles  are  tried. 

In  the  height  of  our  prosperity,  let  us  not  relax  in  our  duties,  nor  allow 
our  vigilance  to  slumber,  but  now  and  ever  keep  every  guardian  at  his 
post,  every  warden  on  the  alert,  and  permit  no  unworthy  footstep  to 
pollute  the  vestibule  of  our  temple,  no  impure  sacrifice  to  desecrate  our 
altars. 


'.I 


872  THE  THBBB-LINK  FBATBBNITT. 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE  TEMPLE  OF  LIGHT  BESIDE  THE  DABK  OCEAN. 

Thesis.  —  The  allegoric  heading  of  this  chapter,  from  the  pen  of  a 
gifted  brother,  presents  a  brilliant  picture  to  the  imaginative  reader,  and 
is  a  happy  relief  to  the  minute  detail  of  facts  so  necessary  in  the  con- 
struction of  a  faithful  history. 

Let  us  again  look  upon  the  beautiful  imagery  it  reveals :  — 

"  And  I  saw  a  pathway,  trodden  hard  as  hy  many  feet,  that  led  to  a  gorgeous  temple  on 
the  brink  of  an  ocean  of  darkness  and  death;  bat  an  Infinite  Ocean  of  Light  and  Lore 
flowed  over  the  ocean  of  darkness,  and  its  reflection  irradiated  the  temple;  and  in  that  I 
saw  the  Infinite  Love  of  God,  for  the  portal  was  gnarded  by  Friendship  and  Tmth." 

Syllogism. — While  gazing  upon  the  '^  pathway  trodden  hard  as  by 
many  feet,"  we  may  imagine  it  thronged  with  a  multitude  composed  of 
all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men.  We  see  the  farmer,  leaving  for  the  time 
his  farm  and  stock;  the  mechanic,  from  his  work-shop;  the  laborer,  from 
his  daily  toil ;  the  miner,  from  the  dark  recesses  of  the  earth;  the  student, 
from  his  books;  the  banker,  from  his  counting-room;  the  merchant,  from 
his  store;  the  lawyer,  from  the  courts;  the  physician,  from  his  office;  the 
soldier,  from  his  quarters;  the  sailor,  from  his  ship;  the  clergyman,  from 
his  study ;  the  men  of  all  trades  and  professions  moving  on  together  along 
this  pathway.  They  are  pressing  forward  eagerly,  all  animated  by  some 
secret  hope  which  encourages  them,  even  when  difficulties  or  hindrances 
obstruct  the  pathway.  Here  and  there  may  be  seen  people  endeavoring 
to  check  the  advancing  crowd, —  not  by  forcible  means,  but  with  the 
keener  weapons  of  sarcasm  and  ridicule.  A  few  of  the  pilgrims  yield  to 
the  influences  thus  exercised,  and  linger  in  the  pathway ;  but  the  greater 
number  move  steadily  onward,  with  faces  turned  toward  the  temple. 

A  venerable  man  approaches,  whose  benevolent  face  at  once  inspires 
confidence  and  respect.  We  ask  for  an  explanation  of  the  scene  before 
us,  and  it  is  readily  given :  — 

The  pathway  leads  to  the  temple  of  Odd  FeUowship.  The  pilgrims  thronging  it  are 
men  who  have  heard  much  of  the  fraternal  body  which  it  represents,  the  noble  principles 
which  govern  the  institution,  and  the  vast  amount  of  good  accomplished  through  its  minis- 
trations. Having  heard  this  favorable  account,  they  desire  to  make  personal  acquaintance 
with  the  Order y  and,  if  found  worthy,  to  enroll  themselves  under  its  banner  and  thos  find 
opportunity  to  carry  out  the  charitable  promptings  of  their  own  hearts. 

Those  persons  whom  you  see  endeavoring  to  turn  the  pilgrims  back  are  the  enemies  of 
aU  secret  organizations,  who  strive  by  every  argument  of  reproach  aud  ridicule,  and  even 
misrepresentation,  to  influence  all,  who  will  listen,  to  retrace  their  st^w  and  give  no 
encouragement  by  word  or  deed  to  a  society  so  dangerous  to  church  and  state,  — and  soma, 
who  are  too  timid  or  too  weak  to  investigate  the  truth  of  the  bold  charges  made,  aUow 
themselves  to  be  turned  aside  from  their  path  by  these  false  and  deceiving  prophets,  and 
thus  lose  countless  chances  of  serving  in  the  cause  of  true  benevolence  and  charity. 


EULOGIUM  OF  THE  GOLDEN  AGE.  873 

We  now  express  a  wish  to  visit  the  temple,  and  our  aged  friend  kindly 
proffers  his  services  as  our  Guide.  Soon  we  mingle  with  the  travellers 
on  the  well-trodden  pathway,  and  journey  with  them  toward  the  mystic 
temple,  which  rises  grandly  in  the  distance.  As  we  approach  nearer,  our 
Guide  directs  attention  to  the  numerous  points  of  beauty;  and  the  har- 
monious combination  of  material  and  color  in  all  its  parts,  to  suit  the 
varied  tastes  of  the  multitude  who  throng  its  courts,  to  receive  instruc- 
tion in  duties  to  God  and  man. 

At  length  we  reach  the  temple;  and  our  Guide,,  as  "one  having 
authority,''  demands  admission.  This  is  not  granted,  however,  until 
satisfactory  explanations  are  made,  and  then  we  pass  through  the  portals, 
and  stand  in  the  vestibule  of  the  magnificent  edifice.  Here  we  are 
informed,  that  whoever  would  enter  the  temple  nfust  first  pass  through 
certain  initiatory  rites,  by  way  of  preparation  for  the  instructive  lessons 
to  be  afterward  imparted.  In  these,  man  is  made  to  realize  the 
fact  of  his  helpless  condition  in  the  world,  surrounded  by  darkness  and 
ignorance, — bound  by  the  chains  of  sinful  affections  and  unlawful  desires, 
—  and  led  captive  by  the  powers  of  evil.  If  he  has  hitherto  been  con- 
trolled by  selfish  motives,  unmindful  of  the  wishes  or  wants  of  others,  he 
is  taught  that  man  liveth  not  for  himself  alone,  but  is  responsible  to  his 
Creator,  who  will  require  a  strict  account  of  all  the  gifts  and  blessings 
bestowed  upon  him,  and  the  use  made  of  them  for  the  mutual  benefit  of 
himself  and  others.  He  is  taught  the  lesson,  so  apt  to  be  forgotten,  of 
the  shortness  of  life,  and  the  absolute  certainty  of  death;  and  how  all 
life's  evils  are  aggravated  by  the  strifes,  and  discords,  and  dissensions 
which  proceed  from  human  ignorance  and  folly,  until  death  closes  the 
scene.  He  is  taught  that  all  those  who  enter  this  temple  are  bound  by 
sacred  pledges  to  use  every  possible  effort  to  promote  good-will  among 
men,  and  thus  hasten  the  coming  of  that  blessed  period  when  opposing 
interests  and  selfish  wranglings  shall  disappear,  and  earth  become  a  second 
Paradise  of  peace  and  love.  He  hears  the  voice  of  "age  and  experience," 
uttering  the  assurance  that  righteousness  secures  present  advantages,  as 
well  as  future  happiness  and  safety,  and  in  the  royal  Psalmist's  words 
declaring :  "  I  have  been  young,  and  now  am  old,  yet  have  I  not  seen  the 
righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging  bread."  The  aged  teacher  also 
says,  that  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth  furnish  a  potent  remedy  for  the 
social  and  moral  evils  that  abound. 

And  now  the  seeker  after  further  knowledge  of  the  mysteries  of  the 
temple  is  prepared  to  profit  by  the  instruction,  and  is  admitted  into  a 
chamber  whose  very  walls  teach  eloquent  lessons  by  their  appropriate 
decorations.  Emblems,  in  great  variety,  appear  on  every  side,  each  bear- 
ing a  peculiar  significance,  and  all  explained  in  due  time  and  order,  for 
the  information  of  the  inquirer. 


874  THE  THBEE'LINK  FBATEBNITT. 

ElacidAtion.  —  Signs  and  symbols  are  used  in  imparting  instmction  in 
the  Order.  A  sign  or  emblem  is  something  by  which  another  thing  is 
represented ;  in  other  words,  a  picture  representing  one  thing  to  the  eye, 
and  another  to  the  understanding.  A  symbol  is  the  representative  of  any 
moral  thing  by  the  images  or  properties  of  natural  things, — that  which 
represents  something  else.  The  Great  Teacher  of  men  gave  many  lessons 
of  instruction  in  this  manner  to  the  crowds  that  gathered  about  Him,  and 
often  more  effectively  than  by  the  spoken  word;  and  we  follow  His 
example :  — 

Trust  in  Ood  is  truly  the  watchword  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  is  con- 
stantly inculcated  and  enjoined  throughout  the  work. 

The  emblem  of  the  AU-seeing  Eye  warns  us  that  we  cannot  escape  the 
scrutiny  of  Him  who  created  all  things.  His  eye  is  ever  upon  us,  "for 
darkness  and  light  to  Him  are  both  alike."  Unto  Him  "all  hearts  are 
open,  all  desires  known,  and  from  Him  no  secrets  are  hid." 

The  SkuU  and  Gross-banes  reminds  us  vividly  of  our  mortality.  Our 
bodies  are  corruptible,  and  must  soon  return  to  the  dust  from  whence 
they  came;  but  the  immortal  soul  shall  live  forever. 

The  Three  Links  represents  the  three  great  principles  of  our  Order, 
forming  the  leading  motto:  Friendship,  Love,  and*Truth.  They  constitute 
a  chain  which  binds  the  members  together  in  unity  and  strength,  —  a 
triple-cord  that  cannot  well  be  broken,  reminding  us  that  we  are  linked 
together  for  our  own  and  one  another's  welfare. 

The  Scythe  reminds  us  that  man  is  but  as  the  grass  and  the  flower 
of  the  field,  that  withereth  and  fadeth ;  and  like  them,  he  must,  also,  be 
cut  down  by  the  scythe  of  time,  and  wither  at  the  touch  of  the  king  of 
terrors, — yet,  only  through  time  can  we  reach  eternity,  —  only  through 
death  can  we  enter  upon  immortal  life. 

The  Bow  and  Arrows  and  Quiver  represent  the  ancient  mode  of  war- 
fare, and  remind  us  of  the  devoted  friendship  of  Jonathan  and  David, 
and  the  covenant  made  between  them  to  warn  against  approaching 
danger  and  promote  each  other's  welfare. 

The  Bundle  of  Rods  is  an  emblem  of  strength  in  union, — in  com- 
parison with  the  feebleness  of  one  who  stands  alone.  Separated,  they  are 
easily  broken,  but  in  the  firmly  bound  bundle,  each  one  strengthens  the 
other,  and  all  stand  firm  and  unmoved  in  the  mighty  power  of  our 
brotherhood. 

The  Heart  and  Hand  is  designed  to  urge  us  to  acts  of  mercy  and 
benevolence ;  the  hand  bestows  the  needed  good,  —  wielding  the  Axe  of 
the  pioneer  and  the  "bread-winner,"  —  while  the  heart  in  the  palm 
denotes  the  readiness  of  the  gift,  —  "the  Lord  loveth  the  cheerful  giver." 
In  greetings  extended  one  another,  the  heart  should  go  with  the  hand. 

The  Globe  represents  our  earthly  home,  —  the  great  field  of  labor  open 


EULOGIUM  OF  THE  GOLDEN  AGE. 


875 


before  nS|  for  doing  good  to  our  fellow-man.  How  important  that  we 
should  be  constantly  engaged  in  our  benevolent  work  for  the  relief  of 
suffering  humanity. 

The  Ark  of  the  Covenant  was  a  sacred  depository  of  holy  things  that 
were  to  be  kept  for  future  generations,  by  the  ancient  people  of  God,  to 
remind  them  of  His  goodness  and  loving-kindness.  It  contained  the 
« golden  pot  of  manna,'^  "Aaron's  budding  rod/'  and  the  "Tables  of  the 
Law  " ;  and  it  teaches  us,  that  "  as  the  prosperity  of  ancient  Israel  de* 
pended  on  the  respect,  devotion,  and  obedience  paid  by  them  to  the  Ark 
of  the  Covenant,  and  its  sacred  deposits,  so  will  our  purity,  peace,  and 
prosperity  be  commensurate  with  our  obedience  to,  and  commimion  with, 
the  Most  High  and  Holy  One,  our  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Benefactor." 

The  Serpent  teaches  the  wisdom  of  prudence  in  carefully  and  rigidly 
proving  all  who  claim  to  be  brethren,  —  guarding  ourselves  and  the  Order 
against  imposition. 

The  SccUea  and  Sword  constitute  an  emblem  of  justice.  The  united 
emblems  warn  us  to  "judge  not  according  to  the  appearance,  but  to  judge 
righteous  judgment."  They  teach  us  that  as  Odd  Fellows  we  are  to 
administer  both  justice  and  mercy,  without  partiality,  and  to  defend  the 
right,  even  unto  death.  * 

The  Bible  is  used  as  an  emblem,  denoting  the  source  from  whence 
we  draw  instruction.  It  teaches  the  Fatherhood  of  God,  in  the  first  and 
great  command ;  and  the  brotherhood  of  man  in  "the  second  command- 
ment, which  is  like  unto  it " ;  "  on  these  two  commandments  hang  all  the 
law  and  the  prophets."  All  need  its  teachings  for  guidance  and  direction 
in  this  life,  and  preparation  for  the  life  to  come. 

The  Hour-Glass  reminds  us  of  swiftly  passing  time.  As  the  sands  in 
the  glass  quickly  run  down,  so  the  sands  in  life's  hour-glass  are  soon 
gone,  —  as  life  ebbs  out  we  descend  into  the  grave.  In  time  let  us  pre- 
pare for  eternity. 

The  Coffinj  as  an  emblem,  speaks  to  us  again  of  our  mortality.  We 
must  soon  be  placed  within  its  narrow  limits,  and  consigned  to  the  earth. 
Let  us  labor  while  we  may,  for  the  Wise  Man  says :  "  There  is  no  work, 
nor  device,  nor  knowledge,  nor  wisdom,  in  the  grave." 

The  emblems  of  the  Encampment  and  Patriarchs  Militant  are :  — 

The  Three  PillarSf  —  emblematic  of  Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity,  —  the 
Wisdom,  Strength,  and  Beauty  of  religion,  and  the  support  and  omsr 
ments  of  our  fraternal  temple.  They  are  grand  virtues,  and  serve  to 
remind  us  of  our  duty  to  God,  duty  to  our  neighbor,  and  duty  to  our- 
selves. 

The  Tent  is  the  emblem  of  hospitality.  It  is  always  represented 
open,  —  signifying  the  willingness  of  the  patriarchs  to  entertain  their 
friends,  and  the  traveller  who  sought  shelter  and  food ;  and  bidding  us 


lii 


\m 


EULOQIUM  OF  THE  GOLDEN  AOE.  877 

The  Bee-Hive,  which  represents  order  and  unity  in  working,  and  in- 
dustry in  doing  the  work.  It  admonishes  us  to  labor  earnestly  while  we 
have  opportunity,  —  providing  for  the  needs  of  our  families,  and  also  some- 
thing for  the  suffering  around,  —  and,  like  the  bee,  laying  up  in  store 
against  the  time  to  come.    There  should  be  no  drones  in  the  hive. 

The  Dove  is  an  emblem  of  constancy.  It  was  the  faithful  messenger 
that  brought  to  Noah  the  olive-leaf,— the  evidence  of  the  abatement  of 
the  deluge  of  waters  that  once  covered  the  earth.  By  this  token,  Noah 
was  satisfied  that  he  could  with  safety  come  forth  from  the  Ark,  trusting 
in  God's  promise  that  He  would  not  again  destroy  the  earth  with  a  flood. 
The  Dove  is  also  an  emblem  of  gentleness  and  innocence. 

The  Moon  and  Seven  Stars  is  an  emblem  of  natural  truth.  ''As  they 
reflect  the  borrowed  light  of  day, — that  glorious  orb  the  sun,  —  so  we  are 
to  reflect  the  glory  of  the  supremely  great  and  glorious  God,  for  He  is  the 
fountain  of  light  and  love.'' 

The  Lily  is  an  emblem  of  purity ;  a  virtue  emanating  from  the  Spirit 
of  God,  and,  as  a  symbol  of  his  manifestation  to  humanity,  it  fittingly 
adorns  our  Temple.  Such  is  a  brief  exposition  of  the  emblems  of  tjie  Order. 
They  constitute  the  symbolic  language  of  Odd  Fellowship. 

Adornment. — In  looking  at  the  adornments  of  the  temple,  we  saw 
emblazoned  in  glowing  colors  upon  the  walls  the  imx>erative  commands : 
«  Vi»U  the  Sick  "  ;  "  Relieve  the  Distressed  "  ;  "  Bury  the  Dead  "  ;  «  Educate 
the  Orphan^  That  these  commands  are  obeyed  is  fully  attested  by  the 
annual  reports  in  the  "  Tables  of  Relief ^^  concluding  this  work,  where  the 
large  amount  thus  expended  is  noted. 

From  Darkness  to  Light.  —  Leaving  the  temple,  we  now  stand  on  the 
brink  of  the  ocean  of  darkness.  The  Guide  speaks  of  it  as  the  ocean  of 
life,  on  which  float  innumerable  vessels  freighted  with  human  cargoes. 
These  are  exposed  to  all  the  vicissitudes  of  wind  and  wave,  sometimes 
riding  high  on  the  crested  wave  of  prosperity;  and,  again,  overwhelmed 
by  the  billows  of  adversity.  Some  abandon  all  hope;  but  multitudes 
trusting  in  God,  cling  to  that  blessed  ''hope  which  is  an  anchor  to  the 
soul,  sure  and  steadfast."  Many  of  those  who  are  weary  and  disheart- 
ened, still  struggle  against  the  difficulties  and  perils  that  surround  them, 
and  are  strengthened  from  time  to  time  by  gleams  of  light  that  reach  them 
through  the  gloomy  darkness.  Others,  again,  are  joyful  even  in  the  midst 
of  trouble,  for  they  feel  that  relief  is  near.    Behold !  a  wondrous  change :  — 

"An  Infinite  Ocean  of  Light  and  Lore  flowed  oyer  the  ocean  of  darkness,  and  its 
reflection  irradiated  the  temple ;  and  in  that  I  saw  the  Infinite  Love  of  God»  for  the  portal 
was  guarded  by  Friendship  and  Truth.'' 

Under  the  influence  of  that  light,  many  are  guided  to  the  shore,  and 
seek  refuge  in  the  temple,  where  brotherly  love  and  sympathy  relieve 
their  needs,  and  send  them  on  their  way  rejoicing. 


lj;6teATULAT0RT:   PB08PECTIVB. 

T  the  Order  aa  it  was  forty  yean  ago, 
icement  since,  have  good  reasons  for 
>dd  Fellowahip  has  been  attained ;  and 
Ir  charitable  woik,  and  ample  resources 
'nture  to  predict  its  possible  future? 
lent  exalted  position,  and  pray  that  our 
[tted  them  to  act  wisely  and  well  in  all 

fVIKplil  ^  mourn  the  departure   of   beloved 

~iBir  work,  do  now  rest  from  their  labors; 

biJ^Kem.     But  principles  are  eternal.     The 

i^r^  '^■'t^^^t  in  the  same  mystic  langu^^  that  we 

.ci^*^^^^'^^)  °^^  fellowship  will   remain,  and  the 

^5^^*:^K|c»f«l  the  distant  days  of  the  future  in  hal- 

'"'       '   'li^eSil^,     The  Temple  will  still  be  the  shelter 

-ii^l^i^'^^^hile  Friendship,  Lore,  and  Truth  will 

^isiS^£^>comes  to  call  us  hence,  none  can  dis- 

tS?W5^^i©r  cord  will  be  loosed;  the  golden  bowl 

^^^£w3tHJrn  to  the  earth,  as  it  was,  and  the  spirit 

I^!«^«^3llil  tee  meet  that  summons?    How  shall 

^i^^C^l^^jlcsence  ?    How  endure  that  light  which 

^«xl:aS«^4£>our  deeds?    These  are  questions  to  be 

lp^»o<§»'|^in  earth  is  the  "preparation-room"  for 

■•a3J«3||t',ffl3.ere  must  all  our  work  be  done,  and  well 

_  .^.,       ^^^  ^  pardoned,  we  shall  have  both  a 

follow  without  fear,  —  a  "  Friend  that 

"  ''O*  ^^^  work  on  earth  will  safely  pass  tiie 

!^«^gg}nd  we  shall  hear  the  Final  Judge  utter 

,  J^'^i'i  good  and  faithful  servants ;   enter  ye 


■s>»» 


^IsIpII^je  of  the  golden  age  of 

Jpf  the  Orand  Lodge  of  VermofU, 


:cnr«_ 


LPING  HAND. 


^lf|[S|^||i<i|Sri^t  need, 
l|t*f|»V^^  ^  loving  deed, 

;ii:gooa«i^Dos>ubiime 

or    BO  #^^' '*™- 

Mj^*  Mj^*  *;^*  *;^*  «':M'»  *-Vt-» 

«^»  «^»  «^»  m^X-m  m^-9 '2^Z.  ^'^* 

:grt?^4l^4i'^^^*  W^®*"  made: 
-^^*fSlSp,*ii'W^^50'f6*rrayed. 

:iEI^^^  »^$ii^4|ic:iiCdeed, 

Kl^e  wronght, 
I'rous  thought, 


^i4,  5«gy:vs«jr^  Bi 

eo  1  BB     ^BB^ 


n  race. 


^D^>5S^il«.Wi^ljr«^»g-place. 


^Ipit^fiid  I8m(3  I  t^Slir  supply, 


^p*.  BB      sSCi  BO    , J^,    0 ^_ _i^,^.. 


I^th,  and  Love. 
'#6f  prevail, 
o  hail 

pSHSfitnd. 


ed  scene. 


t 


880 


THE  THSBB-LINK  FRATERNITT. 


He  passed  between  the  ftwords  of  flame, 
And  to  the  glad,  sad  Garden  came, 
When  time  was  young  and  earth  was  fair, 
And  drove  the  shadows  of  despair 
From  hearts  that  sinn'd,  and  gave  his  hand 
That  they  who  fell  might  nobly  stand 
In  after  days,  the  past  live  down, 
Nor  lose  one  gem  from  manhood's  crown. 
And  where,  to-day,  a  sonl  is  bann'd, 
This  Angel  of  the  Helping  Hand, 
Odd  Fellowship,  is  there  to  give 
The  hope  and  power  to  nobly  live 
Through  foturedays,— a  palace  rear, 
From  wasted  years,  divinely  fair. 


I 

I 

r 


IV. 

When  Hagar,  homeless,  left  her  child 

To  die  of  thirst  in  deserts  wild. 

That  Angel  cried,  "  What  aileth  thee?  " 

And  led  the  stricken  heart  to  see 

Through  dark  forebodings,  doubt,  and  fear» 

A  well  of  water  springing  near. 

Across  our  wastes  of  desert  sand, 

That  Angel  of  the  Helping  Hand, 

Odd  Fellowship,  is  moving  now, 

The  light  of  hope  upon  its  brow. 

To  take  the  homeless  orphan's  part, 

To  cheer  the  widow's  breaking  heart, 

And  open  wells  of  sweet  supply. 

That  friendless  wanderers  may  not  die. 


V. 

That  Angel's  radiance  lent  a  grace 

And  beauty  to  Rebekah's  face. 

As  tripping  to  the  well  she  came. 

Unconscious  that  her  hallowed  name 

A  noble  Sisterhood  would  bear 

For  ministry  she  rendered  there. 

Yet,  who  can  view  in  these  swift  days 

That  Sisterhood  in  her  grand  ways 

Of  service,  moving  to  and  fro 

With  pitchers,  filled  with  balm  for  woe, — 

Hope  for  the  hearts  that  long  so  much 

For  woman's  sympathetic  touch,  — 

And  not  behold  in  that  brave  band 

The  Angel  of  the  Helping  Hand  ? 

Amidst  their  ministry  divine, 

With  his  clear  light  their  faces  shine ; 

The  music  of  his  voice  is  theirs. 

Heard  in  their  hymns  of  love,  their  prayers, 

The  sweet ''  be  of  good  cheer  "  they  speak, 

Where  hope  is  dim  and  faith  is  weak ; 

And  all  the  fragrance  of  the  flowers 

They  bear  to  sweeten  weary  hours 


THX  ANOXL  OF  TBE  BBLPJNO  HAND. 


881 


In  chambers  lone,  or  their  hands  spread 
Upon  the  bosoms  of  the  dead. 
Breathes  of  that  place,  with  hallowed  name, 
From  whence  the  Helping  Angel  came. 

VI. 

Through  pleasant  field  and  palace  hall. 

Before  the  jealous  eyes  of  Sanl, 

David  and  Jonathan  between. 

That  Helping  Angel  walked  onseen. 

Guarding  their  lives,  and  binding  fast 

Their  hearts  in  links  divinely  cast :  — 

The  link  of  Friendship,  first  revealed 

Within  Saul's  tent  upon  the  field ; 

The  link  of  Love  that  brightly  shone 

Beside  the  sacred  Ezel-stone ; 

While  through  all  time  the  link  of  Truth 

Gives  to  their  names  immortal  youth. 

And  still  the  Angel  walks  between 

All  true  Odd  Fellows,  though  unseen ; 

A  guard  by  night,  a  guide  by  day, 

Through  crowded  street,  by  lonely  way, 

And  as  a  shield  from  vengeful  darts 

He  binds  the  Three-links  round  their  heart*. 


VH. 

Still  later,  passing  to  and  fro 
Along  the  road  to  Jericho, 
That  Angel  to  another  man 
Transform'd  the  fierce  Samaritan. 
For,  as  he  rode  out  from  the  gate 
Of  fair  Jerusalem,  the  hate 
Bom  in  his  race  against  the  Jew 
Flamed  in  his  heart  and  fiercer  grew ;  — 
But,  somewhere  on  the  lonely  way, 
The  Angel  entered  like  a  ray 
Of  love  his  soul,  and  when  the  face 
Of  that  lone  Jew  in  that  wild  place 
Appealed  for  help  a  priest  denied. 
He  hastened  swiftly  to  his  side. 
Poured  oil  and  wine  with  healing  skill 
Into  his  wounds,  and  feeling  still 
The  new  love  in  bis  heart,  upraised 
In  his  strong  hands  the  Jew,  and  placed 
Him  on  his  beast,  then  forward  pressed 
To  a  near  Inn  where  they  might  rest. 
And  all  night  long,  close  by  his  side, 
His  face  with  Love's  light  glorified. 
Served  the  Samaritan,  and  grew 
A  brother  to  the  woundc  <1  Jew. 
Then,  passing,  left  instructions  plain, 
And  money,  till  he  came  again. 
So  now,  through  every  age  and  land 
This  Angel  of  the  Helping  Hand 
Is  changing  hearts  from  hate  to  love. 


882 


THE  THBEE-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 


Am  smnmar  oomet  down  Irom  aboTS 
And  tnniB  the  winter's  snow  and  gloom 
To  light  and  laughter,  song  and  bloom. 
For  when  the  Angel's  Master,  wise, 
Said  sweetly,  '*Go  and  do  likewise/' 
Odd  Fellowship  obedient,  heard, 
And  answered  to  the  Master's  word. 

vm. 

The  sheltering  Homes  that  rise  so  fair 
In  every  state,  all  plainly  bear 
The  impress  of  that  Angel's  hand, 
And  monuments  of  Friendship  stand. 
The  orphan  finds  a  shelter  sweet, 
A  refuge  from  the  heartless  street, 
Within  their  halls,  and  thankful  shares 
The  home  a  Brotherhood  prepares. 
That  message:  "  Inasmueh  as  ye 
Do  to  the  least  is  done  to  me," 
Odd  Fellowship  has  heard,  and  calls 
The  homeless  children  to  her  halls. 
Beneath  their  shadow  Age  may  rest 
And  be  the  Order's  honored  guest. 
Bit  at  her  tables,  well  supplied, 
And  sweetly  spend  life's  eventide, 
For  through  old  age  as  in  glad  youth 
The  Links  of  Friendship,  Love,  and  Truth 
Hold  firm,  nor  will  it  ere  be  said :  — 
"  An  aged  Brother  begs  for  bread." 


IX. 

The  bread  of  charity  when  fed 

From  stranger  hands  is  bitter  bread. 

And  manhood  shrinks  from  the  disgrace 

Of  standing  in  the  pauper's  place 

To  gather  pennies,  rudely  hurled 

By  the  cold  pity  of  the  world. 

This  Angel  of  the  Helping  Hand 

Has  met  the  terms  of  need's  demands, 

And  solved  the  problem  of  the  hour 

By  giving  men  the  sacred  power 

Of  mutual  helpfulness  and  care. 

That  all  may  give  and  all  may  share. 

While  pauper  methods  are  unknown, 

For  each  man  gives  and  takes  his  own. 

Not  as  a  mendicant  he  stands. 

With  downcast  eyes  and  suppliant  hands, 

But  from  affliction's  shadowed  place 

He  looks  the  whole  world  in  the  face. 

And  though  removed  from  life's  great  plan 

Of  toil  and  rest,  he's  still  a  man. 

Inter-dependence  on  a  scale 

Of  world  proportions  cannot  fail ; 

And  this  Odd  Fellowship  has  wrought 

In  outline  and  with  patient  thought. 


PINO  BAND. 


aPSaf^-ht  soQglit 
_y'^ii/^K^«X^lk^  wrought. 

g;s^t;s;i;SrtSC»h«  ubb, 

§f  *)j^li;U>  vjj^out  bout, 
.Kdffih^^^^ needed  moit,- 
3Bih^aiu7iJ«i?3otth  »rr«yed, 
'Ji  <&«!■  I'l^w;)- ^MTKle  i 
fflSftSiC^r^wSee 


884 


TBE  THBEE'LINK  FBATEBNITT. 


.\j 


In  the  Great  Master's  crowning  word, 
For  those  who  gave  the  hungry  bread. 
The  naked  clothed,  nor  feared  to  tread 
The  prison  cell,  sick  chamber  dim. 
And  did  it  all  as  nnto  Him. 

xn. 

Beside  the  Church  in  every  land. 
Odd  Fellowship,  with  helping  hand, 
Is  walking  forth  to  serve  at  need, 
And  answer  prayer  with  loving  deed. 
No  rival  of  the  Gharch  is  she, 
Her  work  is  that  of  ministry. 
No  new  religion  does  she  teach  ; 
She's  here  to  practise,  not  to  preach. 
For  when  the  earnest  prayer  is  said :  — 
"  Give  us  this  day  oar  daily  bread," 
Odd  Fellowship  produces  then 
The  needed  loaf  as  her  Amen. 
She  loves  the  priest  of  sterling  worth, 
She  krves  the  Christ  who  gave  her  birth, 
Of  His  sweet  spirit  shares  a  part. 
His  Angel  dwells  within  her  heart. 
Call  on  her.  Church  of  Gkxi  Most  High, 
And  she  will  give  the  grand  reply ; 
Her  million  hearts  will  beat  with  thine, 
Her  banners  hail  thy  cross  divine, 
And  she  will  serve  as  now,  unseen, 
Thy  friend,  as  she  has  ever  been.  * 

XHI. 

Hail,  Angel  of  the  Helping  Hand, 
Go  forth  upon  thy  mission  grand! 
Roll  stones  from  darkened  tombs  away. 
Drive  out  the  night,  let  in  the  day, 
Change  hate  to  love  with  touch  divine, 
Thy  links  around  all  nations  twine, 
Transform  each  ancient,  soulless  creed, 
Into  a  living,  loving  deed, 
Till  brother  men  from  sea  to  sea 
More  brotherly  in  love  shall  be. 
Hail,  Angel,  hail !  and  still  we  claim 
Odd  Fellowship  is  thy  sweet  name. 


7 


A. 


.^  6</v^4X<.* 


r 


O^^VKflU 


M^mi- 


i^WI'®fi'l#-iS! 


h-ELLO 


WSHIP,  AND  INDEX. 


.,  If  suit  Z'^^' 


[D    OTHER   GRAND   BODIES; 
;EIGN    JURISDICTIONS,    AND 
lOVEREIGN  GRAND  LODGE. 

of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 


'■;i?«- 


886 


THB  THBEJB-LINK  FBATEBNITT. 


LODGE  DBPABTMENT.— CofUinued. 


Number. 


27 
M 
29 
80 
31 
32 
S3 
84 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
46 
46 
47 
48 
49 
60 
61 
62 
63 
64 
65 
66 


JuBUDionoii. 


Klssiasippi 

Missouri 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nerada , 

New  Hampshire  < 
New  Jersey  . . . .  < 
New  Mexico..... 

New  York 

North  Carolina. . 
North  Dakota.. 

Ohio 

Oklahoma 

Ontario , 

Oregon , 

Pennsylvania  . . 

Quebec > 

Rhode  Island... 
South  Carolina . 
South  Dakota . . 

Sweden 

Tennessee 

Texas  

Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington .... 
West  Virginia. . 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 

All  others 


LodfM. 


41 

624 

67 

204 

23 

96 

247 

18 

762 

116 

64 

719 

35 

272 

124 

1,089 

29 

61 

24 

95 

11 

166 

261 

26 

66 

150 

145 

152 

339 

18 


1141» 


26 


Total 
reltftf. 


$3»236.10 

76,926.92 

20,897.63 

9,647.30 

9,286.86 

43,502.99 

138,138.09 

4,119.21 

307,844.02 

8,084.22 

3,369.06 

201,630.72 

2,254.80 

82,431.26 

26,699.75 

685,326.75 

8,547.82 

87,703.33 

2,232.55 

7,759.84 

1,284.87 

14,796iM) 

18,962.65 

6,838.20 

8,443.42 

29,433.00 

23,973.70 

26,296.78 

33,794.78 

3,448.90 


$3,063,760.01 


$4,206.80 


Total 
reoelpts. 


$13,237.74 

280,892.38 
46,127U(2 
60,193.46 
23,471.01 
95,563.92 

280,638.21 
16,243.86 

616,133.78 
31,902.02 
24,298.90 

506,665.54 
11,152.37 

233,483.78 

n,8eo.2i 

1,088,597.83 

20,014.32 

90,212.13 

4,679.07 

35,701.73 

19,707.39 

40,370.22 

121,496.65 

21,941.62 

38,804.54 

79,538.00 

95,628.63 

104,621.01 

148,741.19 

8,218.50 


$7,560,531.16 


$10,494,821 


MnnborB, 

DeaSl, 

1806i 


1,872 

26,454 
3,011 
9,337 
1,368 

12,649 

24,384 
928 

74,696 
4,456 
2,370 

61,666 
1,391 

22,668 

5,702 

107,872 

2,412 

6,390 

855 

3,771 

963 

5,502 

9,692 

1,466 

4,889 

9,244 

6.785 

9,243 

16,917 
1,007 


804,557 


1,496 


ENCAMPMENT  DEPARTMENT. 

(Blanlu  indicate  no  report  of  the  fHurtioular  item.) 


Number. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 


JUBIBDIOTIOir. 


Alabama 

Arkansas 

British  Columbia. . . . 

California 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Delaware 

District  of  Columbia 

Florida 

Georgia 

Idaho 

Ulinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 


Encamp* 
menta. 


16 

20 

6 

88 

35 

31 

10 

4 

9 

15 

16 

178 

209 

165 

103 


Total 
relief. 


$585.86 

194.90 

1,257.95 

21,112.10 

1,093.50 

5,602.93 

1,61)4.50 

1,457.10 

36.00 

450.29 

234.25 

6,138.20 

20,388.82 

3,547.69 

2,635.70 


Total 
receipts. 


$1,147.73 
535.00 

2,133.20 
54,356.85 

5,404.96 
14,734.35 

2,984.17 

2,528.49 
238.50 

1.813.71 

964.06 

21,064.05 

42,332.74 

13,123.81 

7,716.76 


Members, 

Dec.  81, 

1894. 


437 

572 

370 

5,263 

1,534 

3,602 

358 

178 
620 


6,673 

10387 

5,851 

2,677 


1  Australasia  not  included.     The  Grand  Lodge  of  Australasia  reports:    Subordinate  Lodge  ftanda, 
£118,788  lis.  Id. ;  Grand  Lodge  fhnds,  £82,955  16s.  fid. 


I^li 


-  .«.-a- 


888 


THE  THREE-LINK  FBATERNITT. 


BEBEKAH  DEPABTMEKT.^ 

(Tha  blA&fc*  UdiMite  that  no  rtport  hM  bMD  reoetrtd ;  Vlrglate  reporttog*  tor  the  Itrtt  time  tai  IflM.) 


Number. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

10 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 


23 
24 
25 

26 
27 
28 
29 
SO 
81 
32 
33 
34 
35 
3B 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
62 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 


jDElSDICTIOIf. 


Alabama 

Alberta 

Arizona  

Arkansas 

British  Columbia 

C'alifomia 

Colorado 

(Connecticut 

Delaware 

DiHtriet  of  Columbia. . 

Florida 

(veorgia 

Idaho 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Indian  Territory 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana.. 

Lower  PrDyince8,B>N.A. 

Maine 

Manitoba 

Maryland 

Mamachusetts 

Michi^ran 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nerada 

New  Hampshire 

New  Jersey 

New  Mexico 

New  York 

North  Carolina 

North  Dakota 

Ohio 

Oklahoma . . .- 

Ontario 

Oregon 

Pennsylvania 

Quebec 

Rh(Mle  Island 

Sandwich  Islands 

South  Carolina 

South  Dakota 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Uuh 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washinii^n 

"West  .Virginia 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 


Lodges. 


22 

4 

61 

10 

214 

49 

44 

1 

3 

5 

6 

28 

4(iO 

467 

17 

322 

36 

12 

11 

77 

2 

9 

140 

265 

150 

2 

192 

2.S 

91 

8 

73 

31 

8 

180 

7 

19 

3»6 

16 

47 

73 

192 

10 

26 

1 

2 

50 

40 

75 

8 

37 

6 

100 

59 

157 

9 


4,»)7 


Eeeeipta  fbr 

twelve 

moDthA. 


$423.25 

748.59 

1,259.30 

3t)/.t01.61 

8,901.84 

11,440.59 

358.31 

1,134.15 

74.73 

88.H6 

1,658.20 

34,848.14 

23,515.76 

973.09 

20,749.90 

13,260.96 

3,042.18 

:«99.85 

686.00 

8.772.03 

()8(i.40 

852.77 

44.60(i.22 

12.931.25 

11,628.02 

218.58 

13,074.49 

3,670.05 

4,6<)3.88 

1, Of  51 .43 

12,953.96 

6,501  ..%3 

961.79 

31,884.19 

275.59 

1,550.75 

27,3^.54 

573.34 

3,869.76 

5,WG.67 

24,384.24 

704.87 

3,35r..75 

133.75 

3,384.70 
1,126.40 
2,6(«J.10 
1,670.45 
4,388.:^ 
256.37 
9,336.31 
1,571.03 
9,1&'5.37 
.  .987.15 


$416^89.21 


ATsllable 

a»»etB, 

December  81, 

1996. 


$2:i5.13 

252.29 

BiO.lH 

l,501.a5 

63,151.49 

7,526.12 

28,347.42 

1,947.75 

2,516.36 

106.11 

72.96 

1,088.31 

21,313.66 

21,418.11 

1,017.52 

9,790.68 

5,886.78 

3,192.23 

819.34 

420.88 

6,694.81 

789.92 

1,623.06 

60,444.21 

3,308.37 

19,781.14 

56.70 

6,637.42 

2,613.17 

2,347.48 

3,283.66 

15,828.84 

9,789.13 

297.65 

60,117.07 

192.44 

1,379.92 

25,514.16 

282.47 

4,722.65 

3,044.82 

25,823.64 

1,012.28 

5,698.97 

31.75 

31.15 

933.09 

4^^.52 

1,871.56 

3,896.92 

1,511.22 

99.37 

20,576.05 

1,494.60 

23,919.95 

442.95 


Members, 
December  81,  18M. 


Brothers. 


Sisters. 


TotaL 


268 


294 


112 

ior> 

96() 

1,032 

289 

:i46 

6,49J) 

9,447 

714 

1,578 

2,112 

3,005 

87 

67 

129 

240 

49 

48 

166 

162 

344 

354! 

9,216 

13,481 

10,940 

17,689 

248 

339 

7,283 

9,482 

4,446 

6,762 

598 

754 

167 

182 

255 

354 

4,170 

5,527 

340 

156 

101 

216 

10,972 

13,6(S 

5.056 

7,3.^4 

3,213 

4,359 

22 

18 

3,900 

5,809 

580 

634 

1,694 

2,377 

178 

248 

4,924 

6,098 

731 

1,205 

206 

251 

6,7;« 

8,866 

133 

158 

363 

488 

9,241 

14,670 

298 

302 

1.373 

1,585 

1,582 

2,395 

4,461 

8,075 

296 

335 

1,052 

1,298 

31 

23 

40 

37 

843 

1,137 

663 

743 

969 

1,232 

161 

289 

1,307 

1,459 

107 

212 

2,201 

2,416 

429 

723 

3,122 

4,107 

228 

255 

$496,430.66 


116,612 


562 

218 

l,9fi8 

15,946 

2,292 

6.117 

154 

369 

97 

327 

700 

22,697 

28.629 

587 

16,765 

11,208 

1,352 

349 

609 

9.697 

496 

317 

24,640 

12.3il0 

7.572 

40 

9.709 

1,214 

4.071 

426 

11,022 

1,936 

457 

15,604 

291 

851 

23,911 

600 

2.958 

3,977 

12,536 

631 

2,360 

54 

77 

1,980 

1.406 

2,^1 

450 

2,766 

.^9 

4,617 

1,152 

7,229 

483 


164,429 


281,041 


^  Australasia  and  Europe  not  incloded. 


^^^ 


11JM 

iiniM 


.  i#jf  {ft-L  INDEX. 


.gS-*|:  - 


■«"«"«*;s;"»' 


Ormnt,  J.  Fnnk  (OtbimI  SMratar;  »I  tlw 
Soveralpi  Grmnd  Lodge),  Division  IL  (8eo- 
tloni  H.,  and  IIL) ,  "  Tbe  SoTerslgn  Qnuul 
Lodge,"  65,  103;  Dirlsion  XVIU.,  "Ths 
Tables  of  Bali  el,"  S8G. 

Venable,  Ker.  John  W.  (Grand  Chaplain 
of  the  Sorereign  Grand  Lodge),  Dividoa 
XVII.  (Section  I.)."  The  Enlogiamal  tbe 
Order,"  SGI. 

NicholMn,  Jamei  B.  (Past  Grand  Sire), 
Dlrlilon  II.  (Section  IV.},  "The  Btory  of 
'SS,  or  the  Hlitorr  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  States  (now  the  Sovereign 
atand  Lodge),  daring  tiM  Civil  Wat," 
180. 

Sanders,  James  F.  (Past  Grand  Sire), 
"  Autographic  Introduction,"  19. 

Bosbee,  Charles  M.  (Fast  Grand  Sire), 
Division  III.  (Section  L, Chapter  L),  "The 
Grand  Jurisdiction  of  Maryland,"  213; 
Division  III.  (Section  I.,  CbapUr  IV.), 
"The  Grand  Jorlsdiction  of  Pennsyl- 
vania." 2«>;  Division  IIL  (Section  U., 
Chapter  IL),  "  Jurisdictions  of  the  Soath 
Atlantic  Slope."  3IS. 

Campbell,  Ci.T.  (Past  Grand  Sire), Dl  vi- 
sion VI.,  "  British  North  America."  419. 

Stebbins,  John  W.  (Past  Qmnd  Sire), 
"The  Jurlaprodence  of  Odd  Fellovrshlp," 
T86. 

Hedole,  John  (Past  Grand  Haaler  of 
Kbw  York),  Division  IL  (Section  I.) , "  'ilie 
Manchester  Unit;,  during  Its  connection 
with  the  American  Order,"  4JS;  Division 
m.  (Section  I.,  Chapter  U.).  -Tlu)  Grand 
Jurisdiction  of  New  York,"  319. 

Dyer,  Russell  G.  (Past  Grand  Master  of 
Maine),  Division  III.  (Section  L,  Cb>.ptel 
III.),  "  The  Grand  Jurisdiction  of  Massa- 
chusetts." 2T2;  Division  HI.  (Section  IL, 
Chapter  I.),  "  The  New  BngUnd  Jurisdic- 
tions," 201. 

Hedges,  Henry  C.  (Past  Qrand  Hastec 
of  Ohio),  DivUion  IV.  (Section  L), "  Juri»- 
dictloDs  ot  the  Eastern  Mississippi  Valley, 
and  tbe  Great  Lakes,"  33a. 

Voorhis,  A.  L.  (Post  Grand  Master  ot 
Kansas), Division IV.  (Sectionll.),"  Jarls- 
dictions  ot  the  Western  Mississippi  Val- 
ley," 3M. 

Fox,  Charles  N.  (Put  Grand  Master  of 
California),  Division  T.,  "  Jnrlsdietiona of 
the  Paeiflc  Coast  and  Roeky  Monntains 
(including   Alaaka),"  379;    DItIsIod   X. 


..ft. .«..«. ,«,,«., ft. 


,Ms§a.fd£j|'^x 


1, 430 :  GraDd  EDcampm«nt "' 

iDdependent  soverelgotieB, ' 

|[,435;  close  of  tbe  old  ri 

to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 

440;    tbe   Order  Id   Od 

dme  Proviaces,  and  New 

Qtand  Lndge  of  Quebec,  ' 

,   469;   NoiCbwest    Teriik 

ish  ColoiDbU,  4T1  (eDcampi 

^and  Rebeknb  lodges,  idcId' 

other    encampmcDt    nter 

mpment  Branch  ")  ■ 

Antlent "  Order  ot),  39-4 


Sf*  ■^  *    ~  >ll^^<ll>pl^i^Ji*>4i'l^• 
*»  V*      -    w"*^'*^'*^ '*^  1^^11^8(13 


of),  32;   parallel 

b. 

,  ISO,  126.  129,  13( 

;    Grand   Ixidgo  o 

Encampmeiit  of,  5'T-S7t 

^^SiojiSc  Union,  108. 

jj^a.  104,  lOB,  107. 108. 120,  IS 
Gtand  Lodge  of,  425-431 ; 
Ipmeot  of.  431-135 ;  634-(!37 ; 
Louies  of  inlttatioD,  30,  740. 
i^  of  name,  l.M.  44U,  811. 


147,  156;  Grand  Lod^  ui,  uw 

808. 
128, 183, 186, 1ST,  188, 190, 194, 1H6, 


4^<«il^>flcatiou  (In  this  work),  868. 
<ifine|'and  ancient  gDllde,  47,  743. 
" 1,  Schuyler,  116, 118,  148,  340,  318,  H 


*se.ttw.-«-         -^svap,  schu 
imtX.  -ff.  J»:  :w;  779, 8tT. 

■  i».te«4££>  'S'o^do,  137,  146,  leO;   Grand  Lodge  of, 

•  — ■^■•jjc*   •   .9. 1  A' ■'V^iOH ;  Grand  Encampmeat  or,  OTy-981 ; 


».-.;  J: 


I  of  Past  Grandi,  223,  TOO. 
iticut,  m,  i)6,  104.  136;  Grand  Lodge 
iSUH-302;  GntDd  Encampment  of,  681- 
^9.  ia:  885,  866,  888,  889. 
■"  ^Dits.  II-IC. 

■right,  2. 

'  638,639,808. 

D. 
Jtnmtal,  founded,  104. 
«  (seeSoathDakou). 
"ition,  7. 

"68,  76,  9*.  Ill,  144, 166, 
160,  166,  2ST,  349,  491,  546,  648,  649, 
S68,  661,  662,  678,  686,  689,  691,  701, 
r60,S01,  811;  lodges,  79. 
ire,  79,  80,  81,  127, 134;  Grand  Lodge 
117-^9 ;  Grand  Encampcoent  of,  SSZ- 

.rk.'ios';   Grand  Lodge  of,   603-608, 


'«  FRATERNITY. 


pie  of  Ught  beside  tbe  dark  ocean,  872; 
eiplanatlaD  of  the  emblems,  S74;  retto- 
Bpective,  coDgratulatorj',  prospective,  8TS. 


is 

^IqI  I  Evolution  o(  the  ritual,  713-71 

|J. 
III. 


Facultative  benefits,  469. 
Feetlval  lodges,  40G. 
First  : 

Odd  Fellows'  ball.  376;  tians-contlDeDtal 

Jonrney,  ISU,  3!I6,  859,  865. 
Florida.  9t),  117,  ]i»7,  201;  Gnwd  Lodge  of, 

32IJ-331;  Grand  EucampmeDt  ot,  CSU-BS?; 

803,  S8.1.  8»i,  SBU.  869. 
France,  168,  511, 012,  SOS. 
Jfdhbral;  ' 

Ceremony,  67,  723, 726;  fnnd,  60. 


jOarfield  (President)  aasassioated,  157. 
iGenius  or  Odd  Fellowship,  lOd. 
IQeogiupkical: 

United  States.  65,  66 ;  statea,  333,  354,  3S0, 
■"imi,.      *'8 ;  conntriea,  419,  487,  498,  ,'k)3,  508. 
AfUgB  Georgia,  100,  197,  201 ;  Grand  Lodge  of,  327- 
*'■        .■129;     Grand    Encampment    of,    687-JUB; 
803,  885,  886,  88B. 

Introduction  and  lodges  In.  61,  140.  141, 
143, 144. 14.^.  146, 149, 1T2.  476,  483 ;  Grand 
Lodge  of,  488^98;  encampmenu  in,  083- 
BKI;  807,  889. 
Ghost  Story,  136. 
Gibraltar,  96. 
Gill,  James  8„  314. 
Goldsn: 

Age.  32,  103,  211,  800,  «(1,  879;  JnbUee  of 

Pennsylvania,  138. 
Governmental  Insurance  d.  weekly  benefits, 

493. 
Gband  Lddoes; 

Sormign.  —  Dnrlng  Its  connection  with 

tbe  Manchester  Unity,  4S-6i.    Firil  Pe- 

Horf.  — 1821,  67;  1822,  69;  1823,  70;  1824, 

71;  1826.  73.    Stcond  Period.  —  1826,  74; 

1827,  76;    1838,    76;    1829,   77;    1830,  79; 

1831,80;  1833,81;  1833,  rt.    ThirdPeriod. 

~1K31,  8;!;    1839,  86;    1836,  87;  1837,  88; 

1838.  89;  18.19-40.  91.     Tht  pivotal  ytan. 

—  1840,   02:    1841.    96;    1842.    99.      Snra 

yf.ari  of  indspendencr.  —  \Bi3,  103:  1844, 

104;  1846,  lOS;  1846,  107;  1847,  109:  1848, 

111;  1819, 113,     Sizth  PpWod.  —  I8B0,  114; 

1851,  117;  1852,  118;  IMS,  120;  1B64,  ift.; 

18IB,   131.      Seventh   Period.— ISSS.   123; 

1857,  134;  1858,  126:  1869,  127;  1860,  ib. : 

1861,  128;    1863,   139;  1863,   130.     Eighth 

Period.  — 1864,  131;  1865,  133;  1866,  135; 

1867,  136:  1868,  137;  1869.  139;   1870,  140. 

mnlk    Period.  — 1871,    143;     1872,    144; 

1873,  145;  1374,  14C;  1ST6,  148;  1876, 149; 


■  -S»  -S*  -S*  •*•  •*•  •*•  •*^-  -*•  - 


I,  219,  2T2,  3U,  3T9,  41 

1,571,701,  78^,785,810, 
.,  89 ;  Grand  Lodge  of, 

EncaEnpment  of.  G97-B1KI ; 

'ilBnd.61,9G. 

DF  THE  Sea,  an  I 

Id  trod  action  of  the  Onjei 
badoes.  West  Indies.  KM  ;  < 
SSS;  Peru,  S39;  Mexico, 
(Saodiricb)  lalands,  ib. ;  . 

iJiir,  oiz,  SOS. 

I  ■> 

ikaon,  Oeneral  (tomb  and 
|paD,168,S4l,E08. 
'nslbwD,  PennByivHoia,  t 

[uniBPRIIDBKCE : 

'  GoTcrDment,  63.  HS;  flrsi 


n  df  h 


1,  B2; 


a      B~  '^  •^  '£'  '^^ 


Movable 
standing  com  mil  tees  pro 
Grand  Sires, 93;  flratconi 
98 ;  titles  to  ta\\ov  numei 
tomeraberehip-ift.;  "Wbi 
802:  lurisptudence  deSnt 
tion  to  Odd  Fellowthip, 
f,  tlon,  788;  the  Mnnches 
'  American  Odd  Fellonsbi 
the  golden  age,  800;  cban 


Kentucky,  S3,  91.  86,  87,  88,  80,  91,  M,  122, 
'|*"l34,  137.  139,  US,  1.11,  ]6fi ;  Grnnd  Lodge 
■*-  o(,  314-31f< ;  Grand  Encarapmeot  o/,  60O- 


■  ^&entuck)an-TexaD  bat  episode.  1S6. 


i  to  titles,  138. 
i'tist  of  IllnstTationB,  IT,  18. 

TTKRATURB    OF    OdD    FKLLOWSHIP  ; 

Founilerotlhe  American  Order,  813;  spirit 
of,  SH;  testimony  of  the  "  tatbers,"  816; 
applied  beneficence,  818;  the  Order's  origin 
(consentient  teallmouy).  8^1:  temperance 
(an  impregnable  position) ,  827  ;  tenela  of 
the  Order  and  its  benefactions,  833. 
iMllitation,  69.  744,  791,  7M. 
It-ondoD  Union  Odd  Fellon-s,  49, 118,  742. 
.otterles,  raffles,  eW.,  136. 
ioulsiann,  80.  i»,  90,  120,  197,  201;  Grand 
'  *"  Lodge  of,  3ft2-353 ;  (irand  Encampment  of, 
•    601-602;  803,  SSS.S"?,  888. 
^■■'-  Provinces  (if  British  North  America, 

132,  136.  197 ;    Grand  Lndge  of,  4SG- 
BDcampmenls  in,  639-t;36;  808,  S8B, 


,.9..Sk,.?t|..»..«.- 


:*f 


w£i§R§«§«r 


FRATERNITT. 


N«w  Mexico,  132,  134;  GnmJ  Lodge  of,4l7- 
4I8;eiica[npineDtaiii,ii2.<-ii:;5;8e>>,8H8,KH9. 

New  South  W&les.  KI,  <J6,  ,'.17,  bl5,  OX,  tlUK. 

New  York,  70,  80,  HA,  H!>,  111.  I]:(.  US,  116, 
12S,  12T,  134,  131;,  307;  Uraud  Lo<l|-e  of, 
21<J-27I;  Graud  EDuampiueut  of ,  iUti,  tJ:!!- 
(i^'»;  HHU,  887,  HS8,  H8.1. 

New  Zealand,  III,  139,  153,  S33,  B2(i;  Graod 
Lodge  of,  sa-53-1:  HUH. 

Nuu-beueticial  membersbip,  111. 

Non-judicisI  ostbs,  114,  W,  iS3. 

Nonh  Carolina,  <K,  lOU.  1211,  144,  lt>T,  201 ; 
Grand  Lodge  of,  ;Ki4-32K;  Umiid  Encamp- 
ment of,  liUIHi2X ;  tWt ;  886,  867,  SHfi. 

North  Dakota.  Grand  Lodge  of,  37r.-376; 
Grand  Encampnient  of,  (i2!^-6:f0;  SMi,  S87, 
WW. 

Nortbern  Nev  York  (eee  New  Toik). 


Odd  Fbi 

/Ji  Kiiropp.  —  Planting  the  Order,  143; 
Grand  Lod^e  of  the  German  Empire,  14G ; 
Gprmaa  riaiting  and  withdrawal  rarda. 
146;  introductiiin  of  the  American  Onier 
into  Continenlal  Europe,  476;  diplomatic 
negotiations.  478;  special  deputy,  479 ;  gov- 
ernmenlal  concestlona.  481 ;  fint  lodfrefi, 
4H2;  an  Independent  envereignty,  48;i: 
present  overBieht,  486;  in  the  German 
Empire,  48T;  Switzerland,  498;  Denmark, 
603;  Sweden,  E08;  the  Netherlands,  510; 
France,  611;  Italy,  BI2. 

Origin  o(,  42,  m,  7;»,  74.1,  821,  B39;  prin- 
ciples considered,  80^;  In  song,  879. 

Officers,  Grand,  B2,  68.  72.  82.  85,  86,  87, 
811,  92.  98,  100.  lO-i,  lOS,  108,  111,  ll<i,  119, 
121,  m,  128,  129,  133,  13,1,  137,  141,  14\ 
147.  IW,  1.13,  1S7,  100,  163,  165,  16T,  171, 
173, 196,  492. 

Official: 
Act  of  separation,  64, 97,  99. 
CortiUcateB,  ITD. 

Declaration  of  the  spirit  ot  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, 1B8,  8U,  S41. 

Ohio,  80.  8f!,  89,  91.  93,  94,  gS,  97,  104.  106, 


Oklahoma,  Grand  Lodge  ot,  378 ;  Grand  En- 
campment of,  632;  8Hli,  887,  888. 

Ontario;  121, 140,  l.W.  161:  Grand  Lodge  o{, 
442-)M;  Grand  Encampment  of,634-637; 
808:  886.887,888.8811. 

Ordeal  of  the  Order,  19S. 

Ordshs  of  Odd  Fkllows: 
General,  49,  SI,  61,  118,   12S,   GIB,  739, 


744. 


!  -S».'S».-S».«S«  •£•  ■ 


Of  Grand  SepreaentatlvM,  i 
berahip,  112. 
ftnebec,  461;  Qnnd  Lodge  of, 
campnienta  in,  fm,  807,  SOS; 
aeeiuland,  B26. 


^^^IK*  ^'  ^'  "*"  ^' 


Deqrbb  : 

Initial  ite|»,  116,  348;  adop 
bekah  degree  lodges,  138;  g 
Rebekfth  branch,  169;  reviii 
161,  IGS;  DAtloDBl  convGDttt 
172;  code,  171,  172;  Rebekal 
174 ;  revised  ritual,  ib. ;  Rebe 
Ontario,  44H;  womaD'a  roll 
Fellowsbip,  70T-T13;  hUtorj 
bekah  degree,  714-730;  heaut 
731-736 ;  goveniment  of,  801 ; 
9ciprocsl  relief.  T40. 
sflectioDB  upon  tbe  hlatoij  o 
erning  body,  176. 
ISroalia; 

Deflned,  94:  HO.  ITS;  fnnei 
general,  674,  TOO. 
Bemoval  of  headquarters  to  Col 
]-   164,106. 
...^Kbode  Island,  T9,  96. 106, 161 ; 

'^i—'   r     of,  294-29S;  Grand  Encampi 

4|r,'^^.r    L     643;  880,887,888,  889. 

•5f  "S"  ■»'  •S*ti<Jgoly,  James  L.,  80,  84.  8T,  92,  9T,  98,  99, 
-..  l^',  100,  103,  128,  143,  ISO,  167,  160,  163,  200, 
■     ""  619,761. 

'pight  '■  Worshipful  "  v.  Right  Worthy.  90. 
^tUse  and  senloment  of  the  New  York  que*- 
i;  Hon,  233. 
l^AlTUAL  OF  Odd  Fellowship: 
'i^r  Improved  ritual, 68;  American  degrees,  68; 
;S;  "charge  book, "73;  encampment  degresi, 
•S>  76;  modification  of    ritual    lectures.  TS; 


charge  and  degree  books,  89 ;  degrees  num- 
bered, 91;  encampment  degrees  deflned, 
100;  revision  of  the  lectures,  101;  commit- 
tee of  revision,  103;  improved  work,  106; 
translation  into  French.  Gerrnan,  Welsh, 
107;  French  and  Spanish  languages.  110; 
secret  work,  111,  119;  German  grammar, 
_  144;  revision  of  1880,  IBS,  267;  dramatic 
•  ritoal,  491;  applied  to  tbe  "color  line," 
S3S,S36;  the  encampment  ritual,  646-B03; 
proper  pUce  in  which  to  confer  the  Rojal 
Purple  degree,  661,  662;  narrative  of  the 
Patriarchs  Milltantdegree, 688-706;  Deco- 
ration of  Chivalry,  701;  tbe  early  ritual 
In  its  lodge-room,  T38;  description  of  a 
"making,"  740;  evolution  of  the  ritual, 
747;  the  American  and  foreign,  74T-7S0; 


;  |;~  explanation  of  the  emblems,  874. 
^S^oman  Camp,  legend  of,  46, 97, 833. 


m/ 


i*ifi#Si 


m> 


if^lff  FRATEItSITT. 

Tltlei  (Grand  Sire  and  Deputy  Qraiut  Sire), 


UaiCormed  D«gi«e  Camfa,  lao,  4S3,  G68, 680, 


VenezneU,  110. 

Vermont,  122,  110,  143,  19T,  301;  Grand 
Lodge  of.  311-319  ;  coutroveray  with  Que- 
bec, 311,  463 ;  Orand  Eucampmeiit  ot,  662- 


Vlctoria,  61, 12G,  130,  B16;  Gruid  Lodge  of, 
aiS,  S19,  KH.  026. 

Virginia,  82,  86.  88.  100,  107,  132.  197,  301 ; 
Grand  Lodge  at.  Sl%-Sil ;  Uraod  Encamp- 
ment at,  tSl-6A8  ;  803 ;  886,  887,  88U. 

Visiting  catdB,  86,  «,  100, 106, 106, 106. 1TB, 
717,  803. 

W. 

Wales,  53,  lOS,  Ml,  807. 
War  clouds,  127, 182,  IM,  619. 
WashlngfoD,  125,  163;  Qrand  Lodge  ot,  112- 

413;  Grand  Encampmeat  of,  658-660;  S86, 

887,  388.  889. 
Wabhikoton  Moniihe>(t; 

Lottery,  69;  Odd  Fellowi 
West  Australia,  61,  S26. 
West  Indies,  103,  Ml. 
West   Virginia,   132,   134,   19T,  207;    Grand 

Lodge  ot,  321-322 ;  Grand  EncsmpiDentot, 

GG0-66I :  886,  887,  888,  889. 
Wildey,  Thomas,  67,  70,  73,  7H,  76,  BO,  82. 83. 

SO,  8«i,  89.  90,  90,  96,  99.  102,  112,  IIT,  128, 

129, 130, 132, 134, 130, 180. 189,  IHO,  191. 196, 

204,  200, 206, 228,  234, 280,  341, 519,  ti62,  TS3, 

796,813,621. 


Writers,  3,  20. 

Wurtemberg,  482,  488,  498,  808. 
Wyoming,  147, 160 ;  Grand  Lodge  of 
Grand  Encampment  ot,  664,  886 


9' tablet,  117, 118. 


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